I feel like it’s been way too long since I’ve done one of these! Music felt like it came in hot and heavy towards the end of last year and now it’s all a bit quiet. Thankfully, enough has popped up over the past couple of weeks that it deemed its own post!
Sleigh Bells
“Wanna Start a Band?” – I missed Sleigh Bells a lot! Texis was such a great album, but then life happened to the band. Alexis became a mom last year, but apparently that wasn’t going to stop these guys from making new music. With this new single and a tour, I assume a new full length album is on the horizon, but I have not heard anything concrete. With all of that being said, this new single rules! It has all of the signatures I’ve come to know and love in other Sleigh Bells songs. If we’re comparing prior work to now, this track has a more “polished” noise than say “Kids.” I can’t wait for more Sleigh Bells!
Bad Suns
“Communicating” – Though they did release an EP in 2023, it feels like it’s been a while since we’ve gotten any solid new music from these guys. Thankfully, their last full length release seemed to have to have them return to form a bit, and this new single appears to be staying on that same path. The sound specifically reminds me of the Disappear Here era of Bad Suns. Overall it has a bouncy, fun, and almost disco-like vibe to it. With a tune like this, I could listen to Christo all day. Similarly, I have no clue if this single is a promise of a new album, or tour, or anything for that matter, but I’m staying optimistic!
Empire of the Sun
“Somebody’s Son” – Though Ask That Got was just released this past summer, Empire of the Sun decided to spice things up a bit by releasing some deluxe tracks. I’m always here for more and new Empire of the Sun! This song is one of two featured on the deluxe edition, and it also features Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham – what a get! From the very first note of this new song, it sounded very much like some of the first Empire of the Sun songs released. I will say that some of the lyrics are kind of silly, but I loved this!
Foxy Shazam
“Rhumbatorium” – I truthfully hate how little attention Foxy Shazam has been getting since their comeback in 2020. That seems opposite of what I prefer, especially when it comes time for tour dates to be announced. Less fanfare means smaller, intimate venues, and less of a likelihood to try and fight for a decent spot in the crowd. But I digress, with the three full length releases the band has put out since their comeback seems like they are really having fun making stuff they want to and are proud of. I know at least at their last tour stop that they seemed to be having an amazing time! This particular song reminds me a lot of the very early days of Foxy’s music. It doesn’t sound at all polished, but it’s fast, punchy, and really fun. I imagine this at a live show being insane, and I really dug the slower breakdown at the end with an almost spoken word rapping. Highlight of the song has to be the lyric, “I want to see you up in the bleachers, no pants, just waving your t-shirt.”
GOT7
“Python” – As I continue on my K-Pop journey, GOT7 has never been a part of it until the Youtube algorithm kept shoving it in my face. My curiosity and frustration got the best of me and I fell in love with this song immediately. To tell you that I only stopped with this song would be a lie, but there’s more to come on that. My biggest complaint with this song was how short it was! It’s perfect and so infectious. The song itself nods to a possibly bad relationship that neither party can seem to let go of. I also found it very intriguing that like 95 percent of this song was in perfect English. That’s probably what spurned my interest to dig further into this group. Please listen to this song! So far, it’s my favorite of the year.
OnlyOneOf
“Stay” – While I’m excited for new music from these guys, this has the sounds of a farewell song. If it is, I hope it’s only a farewell for now. I’m no fool. I know that other than KB, all of the rest of the members have to do their mandatory military service at some point, so it might be coming in one fell swoop. The song itself is a sweeping mid-tempo pop song, but you can’t help but sway with your arms overhead. I can’t wait to experience this one LIVE!