New Music Friday - 3/4/22

This date in music history is rich with fantastic new music - On this day in 1964, Frank Sinatra released his debut solo album and ABBA released Waterloo, their first international release.

So let’s check out what I’m liking this week - Maybe we’ll be talking about it for years to come. Here is my featured new music for this week.

Singles of the Week:

“Heavy Heart” by Bartees Strange

Newly signed to 4AD records, the hard working Strange comes out of the gate hot with this amazing single. Written about his incredible success on 2020’s Live Forever, the lyrics touch on guilt (for his time away from home, for the sacrifices his parents made) but yet, there’s optimism as well. The sonic track crescendos to a wall of guitars that pair with horns and Strange’s smooth voice. His guitar playing is spectacular and I’m very excited to hear more from Strange this year. He’s on tour with Car Seat Headrest and is making a stop at The Anthem in DC next month. Not a show to miss!

“Unnecessary Drama” by Belle and Sebastian

Announcing their first album in seven years, the Glasgow band comes out firing with the catchy first single. A riff filled, power-pop track with a fierce harmonica played throughout. The song is about a young person coming back to the world after a forced hiatus (pandemic?). The harmonies are still there and the track will certainly play to old fans and create new ones.

“Is It Worth Being Sad” by Meg Mac

It’s been three years since we’ve had new music from Mac. She quickly reminds us how much of a powerful voice she has and why she is poised to take the world by storm. I’d throw her into the mix with Serena Ryder and even Adele (gasp). After a self-imposed escape out of the limelight, Mac went into isolation and took some time before writing new songs. This was the first one she was excited about and that makes two of us. I can’t wait to hear more from her.

Album of the Week:

PAINLESS by Nilüfer Yanya

On her second album, Yanya blends R&B and guitar based dance-pop beats. The London singer/songwriter’s latest has been highly anticipated since her debut in 2019. Her voice is tender and haunting at times as it rolls over the music. Where her debut was more genre-hopping, she feels more like a rock star on her latest. She also falls into the category of solo artist that emcompasses a bigger sound (Phoebe Bridgers, Snail Mail). Yanya still doesn’t see herself reaching where she’d like to with her music. "It's almost like there's another layer, or another place I need to go to in order to make the music I want to make next," she says, adding that she's thinking about a future in which she can produce herself, in a space of her own. The creativity and growth she shows on her latest sets her up for even greater music in the future.

Check out my favorite track “stabilise”