.jpg)
It’s an exciting week here at Dave’s Mixtape. So much great new music to share with you! Check out new music from these talented artists.
Singles of the Week:
“Cannibal” by Marcus Mumford
Marcus goes solo - Mumford teamed up with producer Blake Mills and a host of guests (Brandi Carlile, Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers) to create his first sans-sons album. The lead single “Canibal” is about facing demons that Mumford “danced with for a long time in isolation.” It’s a somber, rootsy tune that transforms from an acoustic ballad into a rousing barnburner.
“Irrelevant” by Pink
A new protest song from Pink that also raises money for Michelle Obama's We All Vote initiative. It’s catchy and touches on what so many women feel - "As a woman with an opinion and the fearlessness to voice an opinion, it gets very tiring when the only retort is to tell me how irrelevant I am," Pink said. "I am relevant because I exist, and because I am a human being. No one is irrelevant. And no one can take away my voice."
“Expert in a Dying Field” by The Beths
A favorite of mine, The Beths continue to put out catchy, power-pop, slacker rock. The title track off of their upcoming third album focuses on love. Lead singer Elizabeth Stokes believes that love is learned over time. “In the course of knowing a person you accumulate so much information: their favorite movies, how they take their tea, how to make them laugh, how that makes you feel.”
“Shine On” by The Dead Daisies
I missed this one last week - an Australian supergroup (composed of guys from Whitesnake, Ozzy’s band, Deep Purple and Red Phoenix), deliver a 70’s and 80’s inspired, hook-filled stunner of a track. With bluesy riffs, a big chorus, powerful melodies and a strong hook, this should be one you roll your windows down for this summer.
Albums of the Week:
Local Support by Broke Royals
I’m so excited this is out! The DC indie rock band brought on Bartees Strange to produce their third full-length album. It dives further into the band’s rock influences than before. The first half of the album is great bar band rock and roll. I have to believe these songs will kill in concert. The highlight for me is the track “Postcard” - a catchy rollicking track complete with horns. The second half of the album brings the pace down a bit and helps focus more on the emotion of the songs. “Hardly” is a beautiful song with the band swaying together. Check them out and if you’re local to DC, catch them live when you get the chance.
Special by Lizzo
While we’re all still singing and TikTok’ing to “About Damn Time”, we need to turn our attention to the fact that Lizzo’s fourth full-length album is fantastic. It’s funky and fresh and her voice is better than ever. She’s channeling 70s Donna Summer and 80s Pointer Sisters with her latest. Check out “Birthday Girl” and “Break Up Twice”. The songs touch on relationships, body image, feminine power but also show a vulnerable side. “Naked” is a soulful poignant song about…well, being naked and letting down your guard. The growth Lizzo has shown in her writing is evident and that’s what makes this…special.
Beatopia by beabadoobee
Fake It Flowers, the debut album from beabadoobee was a top album of the year for me in 2020. Beatopia is an excellent follow up! Gone, for the most part, is the angst replaced with self-acceptance. The sonic, dreamlike music is still there, along with her distinct guitar playing. She told NME magazine last month: “If [listeners] came out of it feeling like they were in some sort of lucid dream, then I did my job.” Beatopia was an imaginary place she dreamed up when she was only seven years old. I was already digging the first single, “10:36” but the ASMR-ness to “Ripples” is soothing and gorgeous. Other favorites include “the perfect pair” and “Don’t get the deal” which shows the fierceness of beabadoobee’s songwriting and guitar playing.
Comments