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It’s been a few weeks since I’ve featured new music on the old blog, so today, it’s a supersized version of New Music Friday! With new music from artists like Billie Eilish, Divine Sweater, The Avett Brothers, and Grupo Frontera, 2024 is shaping up to be an amazing year of music. Here’s what I’m digging lately:
Singles:
Divine Sweater - “Deep Side”
The Boston indie-pop band has finally released the full, polished version of a song that started growing in 2022. It’s a catchy as hell track that is a self-described “infatuation anthem” that has a sweet groove highlighted by lead singer Meghan Kelleher’s fantastic voice and the coolest sax solo. I hope that this song reaches the masses so that so many others will know the coolness of Divine Sweater.
Clairo - “Sexy to Someone”
This song is sexy to me, that’s for sure. With a sweet groove and lovely vocals, the new Clairo track is indie-pop at its finest. The song, co-produced by Leon Michels of the Dap-Kings and El Michels Affair combines the best of what Clairo has done in the past - bedroom pop with a 70s singer-songwriter feel. Fantastic stuff!
Sun Room - “Hate It When You Call”
Discovered when they first started playing around the Southern California surf community, the trio’s single reminds me a bit of The Strokes or similar artists. Less surfy and more NYC punk. It’s a cool track and it makes me want to discover more of their music.
Amyl & the Sniffers - “Facts”
Who needs a kick-ass punk song? I give you “Facts” from Amyl & the Sniffers. A fierce, driving punk song with lead singer Amy Taylor sing-screaming her way through the song that has a fiercely catchy chorus - one that you’ll be singing along to all summer. It’s blistering and fans of Foo Fighters should appreciate it when Amyl & the Sniffers open for them on tour this year.
Jahnah Camille - “Roadkill”
The Alabama singer-songwriter has created a catchy, energetic alternative rock track that would fit on any 90s alternative rock radio station. It’s a breakup song that highlights Camille’s desires, looking towards what a bright future could be. If this song is any indication for her music career, she’s on a fantastic path.
The Band Camino - “Nostalgia”
I saw The Band Camino open for Ben Rector a number of years ago - I liked them. The Nashville band toe the line between indie-pop and alternative rock so well. Their sound is solid, they’re not reinventing the wheel, yet their music sounds fresh. Their latest has a bit of an 80’s retro feel with their guitar sounds. It’s a fun one to play with the car windows down.
Albums:
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft
Coming off of the fantastic single from the Barbie movie, Eilish (working with her brother) has created maybe her most accessible album, but is still taking chances with lyrics, rhythms and melodies. She’s written dark songs about being vulnerable, being in love and growing up/getting older. It’s modern pop at its finest with songs that take you on a journey. Her voice is gorgeous going from a silent whisper to a loud crescendo of sound on songs like “The Greatest” and “Birds of a Feather”. Other highlights include “Wildflower” and “Lunch”. I love this album.
The Avett Brothers - The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers have always had a way of combining the gorgeous, sweet harmonizing of folk-rock with enough rock and roll to satisfy millions of listeners and fans. Their latest, produced by Rick Rubin, continues that same path. The first single “Love Of A Girl” is a rollicking track that throws in some punk-inspired screams. Right after is a life’s big question-type of song, “Cheap Coffee”. It’s a rolling, atmospheric song that floats in between a piano ballad and a ghostly, reverb track. I’m reminded so much of Jackson Browne and Tom Petty the more I listen to the album, especially around my favorite song “Orion’s Belt” with its catchy riffs and 70’s vibes.
Grupo Frontera - Jugando A Que No Pasa Nada
On only their second album, the Texas-based band expands their music spectrum, embracing a bigger, worldly sound to combine with their traditional, regional Mexican music. They’ve gone, in a short time, from playing weddings to playing with Bad Bunny. Retaining the norteño genre, a traditional style originated in Northern Mexico, is a nod to their first album while tapping into the music they grew up listening to in the United States, like hip-hop and country music. Highlights include “Los Dos” and “Desquite”.
Orville Peck - Stampede Vol. 1
The love of country music that Peck has is on full display with his latest, but at the same time, he stretches enough outside the genre to not feel cornered by a specific style of music. All seven songs are duets and allow Peck to blend his deep, beautiful voice with a wide variety of artists. While the cover of “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” (with Elton John) falls a bit flat, the first single, “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other” (with Willie Nelson) is fantastic and the closing track, “Conquer the Night” with Nathaniel Rateliff incorporates some Phil Spector-ish wall of sound.
Rachel Chinouriri - What a Devastating Turn of Events
Maybe the debut album of the year? The London-based singer-songwriter has produced an alt-rock album that goes beyond the norm with lyrics that are introspective to her upbringing and what her current life is. There’s elements of 90’s and 00’s alternative music throughout with fuzzy guitars and riff-driven melodies. Highlights include “The Hills”, “All I Ever Asked” and “My Blood”.
Mat Kearney - Mat Kearney
I’ve been a big fan of Kearney’s music for a long time and his latest is his most personal. The feeling across the board on these songs is easy-going, acoustic pop music. His voice has always been solid, jumping between a low rumble and a fantastic falsetto. The melodies are gentle and it feels like the perfect summer daze, relaxing music. Kearney said of his new album, “It’s like the margherita pizza of my music career - simple, yet proven ingredients.”. Highlights include “Headlights Home”, “Dandelion” and “Daydream”.
Vincent Mason - Can’t Just Be Me
I love me some good country music and Mason’s new EP is just that - The country artist co-wrote and co-produced all the songs which toes the line perfectly between classic country/modern country and country rock. His breakout hit, “Hell is a Dance Floor” has hit over 17 million streams and has become a staple on SiriumXM The Highway. You should also check out “Really Don’t Love Me”.
Vince Staples - Dark Times
It’s rare when a rap album comes out without a lot of hot collabs - but Vince Staples goes the solo way this time around on his latest album. There’s some background singers, but he takes the whole of the rapping on this release. His delivery is straight-forward and he’s focused on soul-searching songs while telling these stories over tracks that have a distinct 70s feel. Highlights include “Government Cheese” and “Nothing Matters”.
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