New Music Friday - 2/17/2023

I just watched the documentary on Tower Records which brought back a flood of memories. Especially around the listening stations. The amount of new music I discovered through their listening stations was endless.

So let me be your listening station. Here's what I'm digging this week.

Singles of the Week:

“Float” by Janelle Monae (feat. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80)

Coming off of her amazing last album and an all-star performance in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Monae has picked up where she was heading musically. Working with an Afrobeat institution and music inspired by the trap sound, Monae is back with a powerful song about deflecting doubt. There’s a joyous groove throughout and strong lyrics. What’s not to love?

“Glue Song” by beabadoobee

Snagging the opening slot of part of Taylor Swift’s upcoming tour was a pretty cool accomplishment for beabadoobee (a favorite here), but she’ll also be headlining shows on her days off (If she’s in your town, go see her). Maybe she’ll play this new gorgeous, swaying love song. She’s stated that she’s in a real positive place and in a new relationship. Let’s all dance along to her joy and happiness.

“Always Get This Way” by The Aces

Following up the amazing single “Girls Make Me Wanna Die” the indie-pop band have created a melodic poppy jam about heartbreak. Lead singer Cristal Ramirez admitted that at the time of writing and recording the song she was filled with anxiety and having panic attacks, but exploring those feelings in the studio helped.

“Changes” by Joy Oladokun

Big things are happening for Oladokun in 2023 as she snagged an opening slot on John Mayer’s solo tour. Plus we get new music with the heartfelt “Changes”. Mixing Nashville and Laurel Canyon (with a little “Walk on the Wild Side” saxophone), Joy has created a song of strength and growth. Here’s hoping that the tour exposes her amazing voice to thousands more.

“Winslow Gardens” by Ben Folds

In the eight years since his last album, Ben Folds has served as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, released a best-selling memoir among other things. The first single from his upcoming album finds Folds comfortably falling into the modern day piano man who writes smart pop songs, full of intricate music and storytelling lyrics.

Album of the Week:

TRUSTFALL by P!nk

A lot of anxiety and pain went into making her latest album, but P!nk has come out the other side stronger. Through mood swings of soul-crushing ballads and dance-floor anthems, she continues to make great music while still growing. Opening with the tear-jerker song about her late father (“When I Get There”) will give you chills. Change your emotions when you hear the first single, the oh-so catchy “Never Gonna Not Dance Again” which challenges us to forget the fact that we’re not getting any younger - let’s have some fun. The friends she’s made along the way also show up to help, including The Lumineers, First Aid Kit and Chris Stapleton on the soulfully beautiful closer “Just Say I’m Sorry”.