Now Listening: This Week's Tracks

 

By KAITLYN CAMPBELL, RUFARO CHISWO, DEJA MAGEE & LILAH PHILLIPS

 
 

Chloe Lilac - “Sick”

“Hurt people, hurt people” was the thought behind Chole Lilac’s new single “sick”, as it talks about dating someone who would “Do anything to get what they want.” and how the toxic nature of the relationship “can make you as sick as they are.” The captivating and dreamy yet raw music video complements the lyrics as it artistically portrays the damaging effects of a toxic relationship. With the matches being held in the mouths of the couple to show how contagious the toxicity can be, and chole’s mascara running down her face as she wrapped in red light showing the rollercoaster of emotions one is put through, has been done so in a raw yet soul-stirring way.

Along with this single, Chole’s new mixtape when i feel better is a collection of songs that expresses relationship struggles, battles with mental health, and self- realization. With songs that were written during quarantine, Chole had stated that “I’d  [hoped to] release them when the world was in a better place. I can’t say that the world is in a better place now, but it felt right to put these out.”

Alix Page - “Radiohead”

“Radiohead” is Alix Page’s newest single full of sweet and sorrowful acoustic elements that flow with her wistful vocals. In the track, you’ll find relatability as she sings:

“I hate to bring it all back up again.

I don’t believe you meant a word you said.

I think that she was on your mind while you were on my neck

and I think you might have ruined Radiohead”.

Page confronts heartbreak reminding us that although we might feel we have moved on, it’s easy to fall back in. But take comfort as you listen to “Radiohead” that that is normal and shows how much of ourselves is full of love.

Listen to “Radiohead,” you won’t regret it and it’s the perfect song for all the foggy days to come.

spill tab & Gus Dapperton - “Velcro”

French-Korean-American Artist Spill tab drops her new EP Bonnie which contains 6 tracks. The EP consists of formerly released tracks like ‘Grade A’ (feat. JAWNY), “Indecisive” featuring Tommy Genesis, “PISTOLWHIP” and “Anybody Else”  and a new song named “en qurate.”  Spill tab states that she “named the EP Bonnie after the space and home that I spent quarantine in, where I wrote most of the songs, and where I spent a lot of time and made memories with people I love.” 

“Velcro” featuring Gus Dapperton is her most recent single alongside her new EP. This bedroom-pop track contains harmonies along with both acoustic and electric guitar which adds depth to the song. Spill tab shares that working with Gus Dapperton “felt incredibly easy and natural working with Gus - it’s such a positive experience because you can tell he just really wants to service the song and support the other person in the room. He’s a very selfless collaborator, and I’m so proud and excited for this one.” 

Hippo Campus - “Semi Pro”

Hippo Campus’ energy never fails to feel warm and sweet. The bands new single, “Semi Pro,” self aware lyrics will have you singing along as the instrumentals take over your body movement. In “Semi Pro,” the lyrics touch on stepping away from your craft and liberation of recognizing what is good for you. Hippo Campus use warm little elements throughout the track and keeping you listening by making every second of the song feel special sonically. It’s a trait of their music that has never failed to make their songs addicting.

Listen to the track and let’s hope they have more in store for us (hopefully an album).

Smmr Cmp - “Good at Letting Go”

The Los Angeles-based duo, Smmr Cmp, release their new track, “Good at Letting Go.” The track starts off with a warm fuzzed out guitar as the vocals are introduced and all the sweetness from the song flows out. It’s reminiscent of Tame Impala and Dayglow but in a smoother and more relaxed way. The perfect track to listen to at the end of the day.

Smmr Cmp are two USC students who found their place in making lowkey indie pop in Spring 2020. “Good at Letting Go” is a confessional track that we can all find some self awareness in as the duo sing about being emotionally unavailable but still longing for a connection.

Michael Ransom - “I’d Do It Again”

“I’d Do It Again” is the perfect track for your soundtrack of the day. The instrumentals have multiple elements that are a blend of euphoric sweetness and bittersweet streams of excitement.

Everything about the track grabs you immediately. The track feels like it’s straight out of the 90s but with some modern twists that create a likable nature all around. On the vocals, it’s something we fell in love with swiftly and as the backing vocals are introduced your taken into a dream pop haze.

If you need a little sweet escape, “I’d Do It Again,” is the place to go. It’ll leave you listening to Michael Ransom’s entire discography.

Rory and the Reverie - “Boomerang”

This groovy little track is the best introduction to the world of Rory and the Reverie. With a spirited energy that stems from the use of R&B drums, fuzzy guitar riffs and flowing vocal harmonies — “Boomerang” makes you feel like summer never left.

The track touches on the start of a relationship, where you do a lot of dumb and a lot of confusing things because you’re unsure of committing. It brings light into that aspect of dating and relationships we don’t tend to think of. Rory and the Reverie perfectly makes sense of it through lyrics and melody by capturing the excitement of being with someone new but that questionability if it’s something you want.

Araya - “02”

Brooklyn-based, Thai-Chilean artist, Araya, shares new single “02,” a fresh and energetic track. The track starts off as a smooth take on R&B, keeping you feeling the track in your heart before adding in electronica elements that captivate your body.

The track is an amazing blend of elements that you don’t often hear. As the track touches on the chase of someone you admire, the instrumentals perfect the feeling through it’s sonic elements. The smooth guitar notes and vocals demonstrating that longing while the electronica dance elements feel like the actual chase and excitement of the idea of someone new.

With “02,” you’ll be left with elation for his forthcoming album, Ethos, out February 2022.

Yung Bae - “Straight Up Relaxin” (feat. Como’s Midnight)

Future Funk at it’s finest. Yung Bae’s “Straight Up Relaxin,” is a modern touch into funk. Grabbing you immediately with instrumentals that utilize elements from genres like smooth jazz, funk, old school hip-hop and disco. The sound takes you back in time, whether you like older jams or you grew up with them — it feels nostalgic but comforting knowing that it’s still being kept alive.

Throughout the song, there is a certain groove that moves you similarly like disco does. In the middle of the song, there’s a piano solo that slows you down for a bit but grabs you sweetly. Along with his instrumentals, the vocals on the track flow seemingly throughout the song — the instrumentals never take away from the vocals and the vocals never distract you from the instrumentals. It’s a perfect balance.

If you haven’t gotten into Yung Bae’s music, it’s time you do because this is going to be a cult classic in the future.

Spectre Jones - “Sisters & Brothers”

The five-piece indie rock group, Spectre Jones, release their new single — “Sisters and Brothers.” The track is reminiscent of their Los Angeles origin, sunny and warm but elating.

The track has multiple sonic elements that make their sound unique to who they are. It’s noisy in a balanced way, sweet with little synth notes all around and energetically fulfilling. The track touches on learning to love other people and recognizing shared dignity even amidst confusion and conflict. The perfect tell of the past few years as we learn to become more like ourselves again.

As you listen, you’ll hear every member in the chorus joyfully singing in harmony, belting it out smoothly. Join them in that moment and fall in love with their sound.

LISTEN TO OUR FULL WEEKLY PLAYLIST

 

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bennytheghost brings a warm & upbeat energy for your friday with his new track “Say Something” ☀️ His genuine enthusiasm for music shines through the single & allows him to express a lively, emotional & self-deprecating introduction into his upcoming EP. 🎶Exploring a non traditional instrumental & lyrical style with the new single, bennytheghost continues to establish his spot in the indie pop scene. Read our full interview with the rising artist on the site now - link in bio ✨
Meet our latest Luna Sweetheart, Yulissa Benitez 💓 Pulled towards the revivalistic phenomenon of 90’s counterculture & music, Yulissa captures a spectrum of human nature: a self that is unhinged; held back by nothing. Her photography embodies a frenetic rawness, in which color & lighting are both aesthetic & meaningful, & a fleeting movement & expression are held still in time 🎞 💫Check out more of her work on our story now + our full feature on the site - link in bio ✨
“I know it sounds cheesy, but music makes me feel so whole & gives me such a genuine & unfiltered joy. When you do something you love, the internal pressure of “having to make it” lessens because success becomes redefined. Success is getting up in the morning and knowing I get to make music today.” - kristiane 💓 🎶Her latest EP ‘I Miss Myself’ serves as an incredible insight into the growing artist’s talents & passion. Read the full feature on our site now featuring photos by our fav Carina Allen ⭐️

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