.jpg)
To quote a Eurythmics song (featuring Aretha Franklin) - Sisters are doin’ it for themselves. It’s a big week for the ladies - as has been the trend in 2022. Check out new music from these talented artists.
Albums of the Week:
Surrender by Maggie Rogers
The growth that Rogers shows on her second full-length album, Surrender, is immense. Her songwriting is deeper, the indie-pop sound has evolved in the three years since Heard It In A Past Life and the freedom to explore new feelings and desires is up front. The ocean-wave flow of the opening track sets the pace, “Overdrive” is a lament about a crumbling relationship with Rogers' voice dominating the track. “Want Want” is a sexy AF track with a funky bass beat behind lyrics that are frankly, horny. It’s a hot, sweaty track. “Be Cool” celebrates hanging with friends and getting “drunk on the month of June”. Re-listening to Past Life and now Surrender, I’m so impressed with her powerful voice and how she’s matured. To close out the album, the ocean-wave returns. “Different Kind of World” crests over us and summarizes where Rogers and her fans are: “When we’re riding all together - I’m a different kind of girl.”
Renaissance by Beyonce
Damn, Beyonce brought it with her latest! You can’t sit still with her latest release - it’s full of danceable, singable/rappable tracks that will make you move your ass. She’s a master at switching decades of dance - Her homage to disco, “Cuff It”, is straight up Chic with disco strings backing everything up. “Alien Superstar” has a cool 80s synth vibe with a killer bass beat. This is a dirty, sexy release that may make you blush at some point with Beyonce mixing her fantastic singing voice and her found rapping voice. Check out her chops on “Church Girl” and turn the volume in once she drops the sick rhymes. According to Beyonce, this is only Act One, with two more to follow. I can only imagine the path Beyonce will take us on in the future. And I’m here for it.
Take It Like A Man by Amanda Shires
Shires has admitted that, while most artists always say their latest release is their favorite, she means it on this one. She never truly loved her previous releases. Everything she wrote about on Man is autobiographical, from the easy to the very bumpy in life. “I didn’t hold anything back,” says Shires. Her lyrics are poetic while fierce and while they may sound uncomfortable, her delivery is stronger than ever. “Hawk For The Dove”, the opening track is sultry and empowering. The heartbreaking break-up song “Empty Cups” is straight up Dolly (with a great assist from fellow Highwomen Maren Morris on background vocals). That’s the beauty of Shires and her form of country. She can take the classic and bring a modern sound to combine with it. I love the soulful track “Lonely at Night”, something we can all relate to at some point. It’s all come together for Shires this time around and we’re lucky to have her as an artist.
Comments