Greetings! It’s December 11, 2020 which means it’s Friday once again! This week we have an assortment of new songs to check out. There’s all new music from pop stars Taylor Swift, and Gwen Stefani, indie pop band Foster The People, Australian singer-songwriter Cody Simpson & actress and pop recording artist Victoria Justice. All that and more in this week’s post.
“willow” by Taylor Swift
Pop superstar Taylor Swift surprised the Swifties yesterday with the announcement of her ninth studio album, evermore. It will be known as the sister album to the #1 Platinum-selling album, folklore which was released back in July. This time, another 15 new songs (+2 bonus songs on the deluxe edition) are heading your way!
Swift wanted to surprise us with new music since she’s turning 31 in two days. 31 is backwards for 13 which is her favorite lucky number. Whenever something significant comes up numerology speaking, you know she wants to do something special for her fans. She also wanted to provide some additional comfort given the challenging year it’s been thus far. Music is truly the connection we all need during a pandemic!
In “willow,” the first single off the new record, Swift picks off where the “cardigan” music video left off. She re-enters the fantasy world deep inside the piano again, following a shiny sparkly golden string. The National’s Aaron Dessner returned to produce the single as well as helped co-write the song.
Directed by Swift too, the 30-year-old singer revealed that this song, “is about intrigue, desire, and the complexity that goes into wanting someone. I think it sounds like casting a spell to make somebody fall in love with you (an oddly specific visual).”
Dancer Taeok Lee joins the video as Swift’s co-star. “You’ve seen my co-star in this video somewhere before.” Do you guys know? In case you didn’t, he’s one of her tour dancers! Read more about him, here.
Swift also shared that “One scene represents how I feel about fame. There’s a scene to represent each season throughout the journey of the video.” Her imagination and vision in her music videos are truly limitless. 👏👏
Overall, I really enjoy this well thought out music video which was shot safely under COVID-19 protocols, as well as the cool scenery and effects featured all throughout. We really don’t deserve her to be honest! She’s making the Swifties feel warm and toasty this winter, that’s for sure!
She’s such a master at crafting her music from start to finish and it definitely shows again. Expect more awards and accolades in 2021 for this phenomenal piece of art!
Be sure to check out the rest of the album which has collabs from Bon Iver and The National again plus one from the hit sister trio HAIM too! Take a look at her letter on the release of the album here:
“Let Me Reintroduce Myself” by Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani, singer-songwriter and coach on the hit NBC singing competition show, The Voice, is back to her pop roots since four years ago with this new track. Released earlier this week, “Let Me Reintroduce Myself” is her way of saying she never really left. This isn’t a comeback! She sings that she’s still the “original old me,” mentioning that she’s not your dusty old records on your shelf while also referencing her famous spelled out lyric, “bananas” from her 2004 smash hit, “Hollaback Girl.” She’s here to provide a little joy in 2020.
The song is really fun and catchy to listen to just like all of her previous hits if I do say so myself. It reminds me a little bit of those No Doubt/Rock Steady days too. Do you agree? The 51-year-old singer debuted the song earlier this week on The Voice. Check out this clip of her performance and her fiancé, Black Shelton praising her new song.
Stefani still has that youthful look to her compared to 20 years ago and fans of hers will definitely dig the new track, the first of many more to come in the new year I hope. “LMRM” will be a part of her fifth solo studio album effort, whenever that comes to fruition.
“Cadillac” by Foster The People
Mark Foster and the guys of Foster The People are back with a six-track EP titled, In The Darkest Of Nights, Let The Birds Sing. All of the songs are worthy of your listen but “Cadillac” in particular is my new current fave. It has a different groove compared to their last promotional single, “Under The Moon.”
It’s safe to say this song is a nod to his newlywed wife and star of Netflix’s Ozark, Julia Garner. “Cadillac” is for all those people out there who have a significant other that they want to drive around with. They’re your soulmate for life and you want them to feel special. Foster sings, “Come with me, my queen/I wanna go with you еverywhere to lift your crown higher/You’ll always be my queen/I wanna go with you everywhere and lift your crown.” Such an empowering and sweet lyric!
Sonically, it’s an uptempo song filled with well executed layers. I especially love how Foster incorporates his vocal range — the low and high ends work well in their respective parts. The outro of the song is nothing I have ever heard from anyone else. Very unique and fresh overall!
Check out the colorful visualizer for some cool driving into the sunset vibes!
Be sure to check out the rest of the new EP which includes their previous releases “Under The Moon,” “The Things We Do,” & “Lamb’s Wool.”
You can pre-order exclusive vinyl version of the EP, here.
“Christmas Dreaming” by Cody Simpson
Get in the Christmas spirit early with Cody Simpson‘s version of Frank Sinatra’s classic 1957 holiday song, “Christmas Dreaming.” This is a lovely track to play by the fireplace with your Christmas tree lit up in the living room.
Simpson’s slow and soft baritone vocals would make the late great Sinatra proud! A very classy track from the 23-year-old Australian singer. He did this song justice in my opinion. I love the single artwork for that old-timey classic look. There’s no need for any crazy embellishments on the song, just an acoustic guitar strumming alongside his voice. It has a modern sound that even Gen-Z listeners will love and enjoy! Do you guys agree?
If you need a new holiday song to put on your playlists this month, feel free to add Simpson’s today!
“Treat Myself” by Victoria Justice
Actress Victoria Justice returns to the music scene. It’s her first new song in seven years and this time Justice is taking the steps in recording her first full length album (tentatively to be released next year).
She posted on her socials the importance of making this song:
This song is for those listeners out there who’ve been harsh critics of themselves. But the catch is, you’re taking the steps at turning over a new leaf. You want to refocus your personal or professional goals in life by letting go of that bad energy you once possessed. Hopefully this song will help you on your personal journey and as we approach the new year with new opportunities, may it help you get some much needed clarity and a boost to your self-esteem.
If you like artists like Julia Michaels or Selena Gomez, you’ll enjoy Justice’s latest tune. I feel like her voice has matured so much since her Victorious days and I’m really looking forward to hearing more songs in the coming months. How about you?
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! You can also give the songs featured this week a thumbs up or a thumbs down using the buttons under each pick. As always, stay safe and happy listening! Happy Hanukkah for those that celebrate! See you again next Friday!
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