Hello and welcome back to another edition of New Music Friday! It’s January 29, 2021 and this week you should go check out the latest tunes from pop record producer Benny Blanco w/ Marshmello & Vance Joy, multi Grammy-nominated rock group The Killers, EDM record producer Sam Feldt feat. pop hitmaker Kesha, pop recording artist JoJo & last but not least Brit pop singer-songwriter/poet Arlo Parks!
“You” by Benny Blanco, Marshmello & Vance Joy
Artist and producer Benny Blanco teams up with DJ Marshmello and alternative singer, Vance Joy for a feel good upbeat track plus a whimsical stop motion animation music video!
This is Blanco’s first single for 2021 and the first time all 3 musicians have collectively worked together on a project. From a lyrical standpoint, I felt that this song deals with someone who has doubts in life or recently have lost confidence in a relationship, task or job-related responsibility. You cannot focus or tap into your gut feeling so the next best thing is to reach out to someone.
How you do so can vary! You can text with someone you love who lives far away and cannot be in your presence right now or spiritually communicate to a beloved ancestor that you can’t physically speak with, or even physically seek someone in real life that you can safely meet up for some advice and emotional support. So when times are tough, these three example methods are likely options for you to pursue.
The production values are superb overall and the song should give you a great pick-me-up if you’re feeling confused, stressed, lost, or mentally not yourself this week. Play this song if you want a slice of [Vance] joy (pun intended)!
As far as the music video is concern, I applaud the animation versions of the 3 artists. Props to their creative crew who put this all together. The storyline takes a lot of twists and turns but don’t worry, it has a happy ending. How did you feel after watching it? Let me know in the comments box down below.
“C’est La Vie” by The Killers
Chart-topping rock group, The Killers, surprised their fans with three new tracks in what’s dubbed their deluxe edition of their hit summer 2020 release, Imploding The Mirage.
This is such a neat song from them. It doesn’t sound like any of the other tracks on their most recent record. I love how lead singer Brandon Flowers sang this track. He talks about people living through the positive, exuberant times and the challenging and downright harsh times. Life isn’t perfect, we all know that and he’s reassuring us that we’re all human beings, so don’t fret everything! There will be ups and downs all throughout our lifetime.
I love the comparisons in each of the verses. Take for instance in the first verse and second verses:
Well, sometimes, you’re the hammer/And sometimes, you’re the nail/It’s not about how you get lost/It’s what you do to find the trail.
Well, sometimes, you’re the prisoner/And sometimes, you’re thе free/Just let your conscience bе your guide/When heartbreak hits you, c’est la vie
That’s life!
In addition to this track, there’s also a new version of “Caution” and an acoustic version of “Blowback.” The band has made their quarantine really productive and have already got another album, their seventh, already in the works. It’s slated to drop later this year. Are you excited for more Killers tracks later this year? What’s your favorite from the deluxe edition? Share your thoughts below!
“Stronger” by Sam Feldt ft. Kesha
Add this track too to your motivational playlists! DJ Sam Feldt teams up with pop star Kesha for an inspirational anthem that will leave you feeling refreshed and determined to conquer anything thrown your way!
Feldt shared some details about the song citing, “for me, “Stronger” is all about new beginnings – about becoming a stronger person through challenging times.” He added, “Back in the days I listened to all [of] Kesha’s track[s,] so when she approached me with the idea for the track “Stronger” I was very excited. The message Kesha sends with the track is really inspiring and super relevant in these turbulent times. That’s why I knew I had to be part of this message.”
The 27-year-old Dutch DJ crafted a wonderfully balanced track in my opinion. Kesha’s vocals are phenomenal and match in tone and delivery with the verses. While a song for the clubs in a post-pandemic world, this would also work well for montages or segments for television shows to celebrate perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and fighting for your own survival.
The music video seen above was beautifully made and has an important message at the end! I won’t spoil it for you. It definitely complements and symbolizes the song’s lyrics well!
Do you agree that this collaboration was a hit? I hope to hear more from Kesha later this year as she embarks on her fifth studio album era. How about you? Voice your comments below.
“American Mood” by JoJo
Singer-songwriter JoJo follows her first Christmas album, December Baby with a new single called “American Mood.” It’s a song that talks about the Dreamers and the silver spoon kids in the current state of America. Often the Dreamers have limitless potential but they cannot fulfill every goal they want to or they get shunned, restricted or stymied by white privilege, institutional racism, and discriminatory workplace practices.
I applaud the 30-year-old musician for raising awareness at the inequalities that’s sadly still continues in America. According to the description of her song’s music video, “proceeds from the song go to the “I Have A Dream” Foundation, which provides individualized social, emotion, and academic support to young people from low-income communities.”
If you’re a first-generation American with immigrant parents, or migrated from a foreign country and are in the process of getting your U.S. citizenship, then this song will resonate a lot. The lyric, “to all the kids without a silver spoon…you deserve much more, this one’s for you,” hits deep.
Sonically speaking, the melodies and harmonies are pretty. It’s refreshing to see JoJo expand her sound into the folk genre. If Taylor Swift can do it, so can JoJo! I’m looking forward to hearing where she goes with this in her next studio album effort. Perhaps she can make her very own folk album later this year. Share your predictions below.
“Hope” by Arlo Parks
20-year old British singer Arlo Parks released her debut studio album, Collapsed In Sunbeams today and the first single for 2021 is out now and it’s called “Hope.” Parks has a lovely voice and she’s reassuring us all that we’re not alone during this pandemic. Our feelings are valid when we feel despaired by the seemingly never-ending quarantining, the social distancing fatigue, and emotional and mental stress from hearing, watching and reading of the news headlines on TV, social media, etc.
She’s giving us hope that better days are ahead and hearing this song felt like an actual physical hug. Hopefully you feel the same after your hear this track!
In the music video, we see a girl played by English actress Molly Windsor, all alone and feeling sad in various social situations until Parks starts to hang out with her. It’s warm to see a hopeful scene play out like that. The video continues on as their friendship bond grows stronger and stronger after a lot of laughter, dancing and impromptu singing sessions.
While there will be blips of sadness here and there even after a friend lends their support, don’t fear the worst because as Parks sings, “you’re not alone like you think you are/We all have scars, I know it’s hard/You’re not alone, you’re not alone.”
That does it for this week’s post! Thank you all for reading another edition of New Music Friday here at Philip’s Music Corner. If you liked what you read, kindly click on the follow button down below. Also if you like, please support my work by donating to my Paypal. I truly appreciate it!
Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings about any of these picks in the comments box down below! Cast your vote on the songs featured this week by giving them a thumbs up or a thumbs down. As always, stay safe and happy listening!
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