Come and Share This Jam with Me

Just when we thought we got all we can from Courtney Barnett in 2018, a previously unreleased track, "Small Talk," is out from her  Tell Me How You Really Feel   sessions, taking  a step back into her narrative song writing previously seen in Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit  .  Tell Me How You Really Feel  was a very introspective and explicative collection of Barnett's innermost feelings of marginalization, depression, relationships and exhaustion, that saw her narrative-based song writing turn into a more direct approach to her themes. While "Small Talk" is an impressive song (reasons we'll get to later) its narrative structure does not necessarily align with  Tell Me How You Really Feel' s direct approach  to her feelings.  It is more akin to her debut album,  Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit,  although the instrumentals do show a resemblance, which is probably why it had been ...

Roughly a week after the release of " Mariners Apartment Complex ," Lana Del Rey released "Venice Bitch," to unsurprisingly widespread acclaim and joy with the overall notion that Lana Del Rey is back in full form. Much like "Mariners Apartment Complex," "Venice Bitch" is another introspective and dreamy-oriented track that coexists perfectly with the unwinding of summer, and the subsequent end of romantic endeavors that surely encapsulates the persona of summer. Fortunately for Lana Del Rey fans, these two singles are said to be part of her upcoming fifth studio album, Norman Fucking Rockwell, set to release in 2019 and is sure to continue this sonically synth-driven landscape that appears to personify Lana Del Rey's Californian America.   Although roughly ten minutes long, Lana Del Rey has insisted to her managers that "Venice Bitch" be the lead single for Norman Fucking Rockwell, instead of a conventional pop track as ...

While released last year, I have only recently discovered and developed an addiction for "Falling for U," imploring me to further share its aloof yet precise arrangements. Peachy! , with the vocal assistance of mxmtoon  was able to create a mystified landscape of awakening and sanguine but with an air of melancholia that culminates into a valid representation of love's discovery. The premise of "Falling for U" is just that, recognizing one's true feelings for someone without a true direction in which to take said discovery; and while foreboding notions are abound, the calm rhythm and lucid melodies creates a spacial vibe that permits soft sways, singing along and straight lounging. We are introduced to a quiet but increasing chord progression ringing in an ominous overture of what could be a storm or a gorgeous adventure. Its function may be of ambiguity, but it acts in creating the perception of lucidity and an entrance into the mind of mxmtoon w...

The rise of a new wave of Feminism and the #MeToo movement has created some kick-ass and powerful songs that epitomizes the advocacy for justice of womyn who have been affected and marginalized by men, which exposes the limiting facets of the patriarchy and the strive for gender equality. Essentially, these songs deliver a message, particularly to men that this sexist shit isn't cool, and to even consider abiding by these cultural statures is offensive and demeaning. So what do these fiery tracks sound like...well, take a listen: 10.  Your Dog - Soccer Mommy Soccer Mommy, with contemporaries such as Diet Cig , Chastity Belt , Girlpool and Snail Mail are artists snuggled deeply within a similar feminist indie rock scene, and Soccer Mommy's "Your Dog" is an anthem that this scene is unintimidated to sing out. "Your Dog" is a track for womyn to say in unison, "I don't want to be your fucking dog," I will not let you control my life or l...

While we can all sing along with our favorite songs, sometimes verbatim, there are a few lyrics that stand out to us so much that we know by heart, and are lyrics that we end up singing the loudest or on the toilet because it's inescapable. Some artists are gifted songwriters and lyricists and are able to evoke incredible and often palpable emotions be it with a single terse verse or with wordy and long collective lines and that diversity is definitely apparent in the following list. So here we go, ten genius undercover lyrics that we can't help but recite: 10.  "Jesus Christ" - Brand New "Jesus Christ, that's a pretty face" Upon reading the opening line from what is arguably Brand New's best song, you wouldn't think anything of it in terms of evocation as it simply is a commentary on a person's face. However, when listening you have an entirely different frame of reference aside from its literal meaning. Instead of the indicati...

Released on June 7th, "girls" is a single by girl in red , a Norwegian Bedroom Pop star who in her songs unequivocally expresses the importance of being an individual, while accepting each other's foreign idiosyncrasies as something to celebrate rather than a reason to scrutinize. "Girls" is a subtle anthem about gay pride and not solely a song about accepting one's sexual orientation, but about the realistic and upsetting implications that still arise in the process of "coming out." The tune is a conflicting swell of emotions regarding her attraction for the same sex and the bemusement felt because of it. However tangled with this confusion, girl in red expresses the inescapable feeling of having to hide her true attractions "can I tell anyone?/Afraid of what they will say/So I push them away." The fear of being ostracized or seen as an assailant against society overtakes the inclination of being who she is; a detrimental and daun...

Released in 2005 off Gorillaz's second and acclaimed album  Demon Days , "Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head" is an overlooked and undercover track overshadowed by the album's multiple singles: " EL Mañana ," " Dirty Harry ," " Dare ," " Feel Good Inc. ," and " Kids with Guns ." While these aforementioned tracks are bangerz in their own right, and have credible influence, "Fire Coming out the Monkey's Head" is arguably one of the most unique songs Gorillaz has ever made, and that's saying something about the band of cartoon musicians.  Song writing takes many forms or styles, particularly laced with metaphors and expressions to not necessarily tell a story but to express an emotion or feeling. Not often do we see the notion of fryetag's pyramid in songs (some notable examples come from artists like Johnny Cash , Bob Dylan , J. Cole and Courtney Barnett ) as some may feel the format...

Now that we are roughly half-way through 2018, it's time to reflect on the songs that have impacted us this year. Like any year, there have been great some great songs and flat out terrible songs, but we're going to try and forget about those discrepancies and focus solely on the good ones. So without further ado, here are five songs that have thus far been this year's best. 5. Almost Had to Start a Fight / In and Out of Patience - Parquet Courts Punk's not dead. Parquet Courts is a super interesting and creative quartet that continually doesn't give a fuck about being popular or to commercially successful, rather the foursome often releases music that focuses on meaning be it instrumentally or lyrically in a manner that is raw, digestible and spelled out. "Almost Had to Start a Fight / In and Out of Patience," and Wide Awake!   in general, is a continuation of Parquet Court's leitmotif of straight forwardness and is an amalgamation of fiery f...

Clairo's latest single, "4EVER" was released via Clairo's YouTube channel  on April 27th, but considering the recent release of her debut Ep, diary 001 , it is only fitting to discuss arguably the most expansive effort to come from the Clairo cannon. Clairo's journey from YouTube notoriety to emerging pop star is nothing short of remarkable given the circumstances that has embodied Clairo as an artist: individualism. Clairo has written, produced and developed most if not all of her songs from her bedroom using beats from her laptop and the odd acoustic guitar, all of which amalgamates into an extremely expressive and personal collection of tunes paralleling the traditional format of a diary. "4EVER" is another transparent song about Clairo's involvement or fantasies with boys, but on a larger and more committed level, "Am I going to feel this way forever/Are you going to be around for me to count on?" The song " Flaming Hot Cheeto...

There's nothing like early 2000's New York City Rock. Along with The Strokes and Interpol , the Yeah Yeah Yeahs led the resurgence of New York City Rock but were often viewed as the more playful and flamboyant group to come out of the scene. While songs like " Heads Will Roll " definitely justify this identity, not to mention front-woman Karen O's elaborate outfits and antics, it is "Maps" that displays the range the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have. "Maps" is a cathartic tune about regret and longing that plays at your heart strings with terse lyrics, melancholic and alternating chords that creates empathetic sense of feeling for the listener.  From their debut album, Fever to Tell   "Maps" is just one of the few tracks that brought the Yeah Yeah Yeahs into the spotlight. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' impact is definitely seen in more obscure bands who may be considered "art bands" but mostly these groups are just the alternative ...

As a fan of J. Cole's "1985," I am sort of taken aback with "Old N*ggas." J. Cole is not trying to save Hip Hop or completely remove this recent trap trend that has crept into Hip Hop, however he has been critical and has attempted to mold and assist the new generation of sound cloud rappers and trap stars for the "better." J. Cole's recent KOD   (where "1985" is featured) uses trap at times with irony of J. Cole's and many other's negative perception of trap, but nonetheless does not negate its influence and can't help but embrace it. Being someone who has been in the "game" for a while, J. Cole is aware of having to adapt to new trends and niches that come about, but as someone part of the elder generation who think this style of Hip Hop is dumb, J. Cole cannot help but think something needs to be done for these kids who have embodied trap as part of their identity. Enter "Old N*ggas." YBN Cordae...

While, Donald Glover's Childish Gambino project has proved mainstream and audience appeal with previous tracks, they have not been all that impressive. "This is America" erases any notions that Donald Glover is unable to create an awe-inspiring and incredible song. "This is America" is a single off Childish Gambino's upcoming fourth album, and it is quite frankly the best song Donald Glover's Childish Gambino persona has made and has thus far been the best song of 2018. I might even go all-in to say "This is America" will turn out to be the best song of the year.  Taking influence from trap music, "This is America" is able to be a banger and a song that has an apparent meaning or cause to be made. Kendrick Lamar 's DAMN   is a great example of taking influence from the controversial trap music genre, and creating both mass appeal and disseminating a powerful message, and "This is America" is no different. In s...

"How to Socialise & Make Friends" as a single and an  album is one of the best releases of 2018. The single feels like breath of fresh air; it's smooth, energetic, melodic and has an awesome narrative conducted through a vernacular that is appealing, relatable and comprehensive. As you follow along with the song, you are aware of the complications that Georgia Maq is professing and the story of independence and sanctuary that she feels when riding her handlebar-less bike in the dark.  The feeling you get when you listen to the song is this comfortable warmth just as soon as the initial riffs and steady beat are enacted. It's reminiscent of The Stroke's 12:51, in the consistency and steady pace of Moretti's drumming juxtaposed with the playful rhythm of Nick Valensi's licks.  Obviously, 12:51 is a calmer and more alluring track than the more upbeat and evocative "How to Socialise & Make Friends," but the similarities are ...

Part of what's left of the famed  Jonathan Fire* Eater , The Walkmen are able to distance themselves from Jonathan Fire* Eater incorporating and marking themselves with a post-punk revival style, and their breakout banger, "The Rat" is more than telling of that. Listed by Pitchfork as the sixth best single of 2004 (if that means anything to you), "The Rat" is singer Hamilton Leithauser explicating his disappointments in a frustrating anthem of loneliness and loss in a bravado that expresses a hope to feel wanted or at least noticed. After Jonathan Fire* Eater had fizzled out and The Strokes , Interpol and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs had taken over. The shift in New York City went from the nuanced and gothic stylings in downtown Manhattan to a post-punk and indie rock flavor that focused on the raw basics of rocks rather than trying to break the mold. It was music that reflected the irritation of the indie rockers in New York having to accept an out-dated U2 an...