Happy Friday folks! Check out the following five picks from pop rock band Imagine Dragons, pop-reggae/ska hitmaker Gwen Stefani, singer-songwriter LunchMoney Lewis featuring pop star Meghan Trainor, English musician BANNERS & rising artist Anson Seabra. All that and more in this week’s New Music Friday post for Friday, March 12, 2021!
“Follow You” by Imagine Dragons
The guys of hit pop-rock band, Imagine Dragons are back with new music! Two new tracks from their upcoming fifth album are out now. They follow the 2019 single, “Birds” which appeared on the deluxe version of their fourth studio album, Origins. The first of these two and my current favorite is called “Follow You.”
On Twitter, lead singer Dan Reynolds shared and explained a little about the new song saying, “”Follow You” is about loyalty and love. Loving someone is an incredibly imperfect process. It isn’t always romantic and pretty. Sometimes it can be incredibly painful.”
The journey he’s taken so far with his wife Aja, is a prime example/illustration of this single. At one point they separated for several months to reevaluate their lives and relationship but he eventually remarried her after proposing to her once again just a few years ago.
“I wrote “Follow You” after we got back together. I wanted it to represent a love that is realistic. One where love isn’t perfect, but it endures,” the front man concluded.
In my opinion, this has that classic Imagine Dragons sound to it that we’ve all come to love through the years. I love the percussive drums laid out on this track like a pounding heart beat which flows alongside Reynolds’ passionate and commanding vocals.
The second track, “Cutthroat” is definitely a different flavor and more experimental for the Grammy-winning band. It’s going to take some time for me to get use to that new sound to be honest. Anyways, go check out Dan’s notes about that track in the tweet above!
Which new track is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
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“Slow Clap” by Gwen Stefani
Pop star and three-time Grammy Award winner, Gwen Stefani returns with her second single off her forthcoming fifth studio album following the 2020 single, “Let Me Reintroduce Yourself.” It’s called “Slow Clap” and in this reggae infused track, she’s motivating those who were once put down or challenged in life. Through humbling hard work, determination, and resilience, anyone can turnaround their hardships into successes.
I love this encouraging feel-good anthem from Stefani and I feel like if you’re a casual fan or a mega fan of hers, you will enjoy this latest track she has to offer for her listeners. In my opinion, this tune is as infectious as her “Hollaback Girl” hit from 2005. This single was co-written and produced once again by Luke Niccoli and Ross Golan (see “Let Me Reintroduce Myself”) during quarantine last year. The duo alongside the 51-year-old songstress are a winning combination in my eyes.
I like these catchy hooks and flows so far in this new era. I predict this song will get used in television shows and movies where the protagonist overcomes significant hurdles or fights back metaphorically speaking at an antagonist and becomes triumphant.
I can’t wait to hear more single(s) later this year as we move closer to the eventual album release.
How about you? Share your thoughts in the comments box down below.
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“Ocean” by LunchMoney Lewis feat. Meghan Trainor
Need something soothing for your slow jams playlists, then this is a cool pick to add this week! Multi Platinum recording artist LunchMoney Lewis teamed up with pop singer Meghan Trainor for the first time in “Ocean.” It’s the first new single to drop in 2021 for Lewis.
If you have somebody to dedicate this song to, feel free to share this song with them. It can also work well on wedding reception playlists, for your anniversary dinners, for renewing your wedding vows, for date nights, for a romantic cruise, on a day trip at the beach and more!
I like the meshing of both of their vocals in the chorus sections. The acoustic guitar that plays along throughout this track has a nice melody to it. The overall arrangement of this song is simply beautiful. Thoughts?
I hope they perform this song live together one day. How about you? I feel like it would be a great hands swaying, all smiles kind of moment to witness and experience!
“If I Didn’t Have You” by BANNERS
Singer-songwriter, Michael Joseph Nelson a.k.a. BANNERS returns to the music scene with his latest track called “If I Didn’t Have You.” This is a song for those who feel like they are not complete in life if it wasn’t for a special someone. It could be that friend who always has your back or a significant other who follows you in life through thick and thin. But then you had a sudden fall out with each other, a petty argument or an actual indefinite break up or a temporary breakup just to cool heads down.
That time spent apart from one another makes you realize just how much you really needed them. That wake up call is like a slap in the face and you have to do whatever it takes to win your lover or friendship back.
Melodically, this is a soaring exuberant track to add to your playlists this week. So if you’re deep in thought by yourself wondering what to do next in your relationship with this certain person and want to try to reconcile that bond, perhaps a brisk run in your neighborhood will refresh your mindset just like BANNERS does in the lyric video. But if you don’t feel like exercising to clear your mind, maybe journaling your feelings down with pen and paper or an actual apologetic/pleading phone call will do the trick in your pursuit of winning that person’s heart back. Good luck!
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“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” by Anson Seabra
26-year-old singer-songwriter, Anson Seabra dropped his latest track, “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” which is his first new song release for 2021. It’s expected that it will be a part of his second full-length album along with his 2020 releases, “Walked Though Hell,” and “Hurricane.”
This is a song for those who still feel the lingering effects of heartbreak. Sonically speaking, it’s soul crushing, and the verses are rather melancholic. I thought this song was very touching to hear. The lyric video attached above really amplifies that sheer sadness one might experience in their lifetime. The stormy weather is the perfect metaphor for a breakup. I feel for those broken up couples who couldn’t have their “happily ever after.” Hopefully getting dumped doesn’t happen to you too many times!
When you hear him sing “It’s raining, it’s pouring,” it reminds me of that nursery rhyme, “it’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring.” His delivery of those lines is similar to the Mother Goose classic in my opinion. I wonder if that was part of his inspiration in his songwriting sessions?!
Expect this track to be a hit on TikTok, Seabra himself has garnered a big fanbase through the years on the popular social video platform. He currently has 1.8 million followers! Definitely go check his page out if you want to see some cool covers and much more! I also hope this song makes it on the radio. Hit up your local radio stations to request Seabra’s latest tune!
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That does it for this week’s post! Thank you all for reading this 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 the support!
Reminder that music’s biggest night a.k.a the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards telecast will air on CBS this coming Sunday at 8 P.M E.ST. Check out the nominees here.
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 clicking on the thumbs up or down buttons under each song pick. As always, stay safe, happy listening and I’ll see you again next week!
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