New Music Friday: January 24

It’s Friday once again and a lot of well known artists this week have dropped new tunes for us to listen! 😊

My five picks this week are:

“Simmer” by Hayley Williams

Hayley Williams, lead singer of the Grammy-winning band Paramore has gone solo! In her first single, “Simmer,” she tackles the issue of rage and anger and the idea that it’s best to not hold your ill feelings inside you for so long. However, consequences will always still be in effect as she battles her “demons” throughout the music video. There is a twist at the end of the video which I shall not reveal here.

This song sonically speaking is a departure from the last two Paramore eras, Paramore and After Laughter. If you’re looking for more “Still Into You,” “Ain’t It Fun” or “Hard Times” vibes, don’t hold your breath because this is not the same. It’s dark and ethereal as Williams shows her vulnerabilities both figuratively and literally.

Fun fact: Taylor York and Joey Howard, her bandmates, co-wrote the song with her.

This song will be part of her first solo album effort which releases May 8th! It’s titled Petals For Armor. Personally, I’m looking forward to what’s in store in her upcoming experimental project. How about you?

=========================

“la” by Kelsea Ballerini

This is Kelsea Ballerini’s third single off her highly-anticipated third album, kelsea coming out March 20th. In this song, she confesses her love and hate relationship with Los Angeles. The lyrics delves into her fame, anxiety, self-doubt and whether or not you belong in your circle of relationships. Sometimes you’re riding the highest of highs, in her case, her famous friends or the cool West coast parties she’s lucky to attend, or you’re riding the lowest of lows where you don’t know what to say or feel when you’re feeling lonely and you just miss your hometown.

Overall, Kelsea nails it out of the park with this song. This is a country pop hit in the making right here. Love the beach touristy vibe going on in the music video and the old fashioned camcorder look to it.

=========================

“Some Kind Of Disaster” by All Time Low

It’s almost three years since the band released their last album, Last Young Renegade. Finally, All Time Low is back and ready to usher in a new era wearing their battle scars proudly as they alluded in the description of the music video seen above.

The song itself deals with mental health and the struggles that enter daily life plus the therapy sessions that comes along with it which leads to acceptance of oneself, the past versions of yourself and the overall mistakes you’ve made.

Alex, Jack, Zack and Rian are energized in 2020 with upcoming tour dates in Massachusetts, NYC, Baltimore and Pennsylvania later this month. More dates will likely get added in the coming months as we march closer to a new album release.

Are you excited for new material from their upcoming 8th studio album? How do you think their sound will evolve? Let me know in the comments section down below.

=========================

“Mean It” by Cash Cash feat. Wrabel

Pivoting to something happier and fun for the club or party is this new single from Cash Cash which is a sure bet to be their next hit dance song. Singer-songwriter Wrabel joins the track providing the vocals. He last did featured vocals for Kesha’s “Resentment” on her new album, High Road.

This song deals with desiring the love, affection and honesty of your significant other, no holds barred. Otherwise as they allude in the lyrics:

Don’t say a word if it don’t come easy
Don’t say a word if it is not true
Don’t keep it all locked up like a secret

You can download & stream the song here.

=========================

“Hypnagogic (I Can’t Wait) by Love Regenerator, Calvin Harris

Grammy-winning artist, Calvin Harris has returned under a new alias called Love Regenerator and this trippy track is quite unique and heading into a new direction from his past work. It has a late 90s techy sound to it. Expect this to be played all over the clubs, the psychedelic raves, and dance halls around the world this year.

Download his new EP here.

Check back again next week for another round of New Music Friday picks. Happy listening, folks!