New Track Jukebox – 10/11/21

A jukebox themed weekly recap of notable new releases

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CONTRIBUTIONS FROM: John Peterson, Caitlin McGeehan, and Samantha Sullivan

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This track is a heavy one, both lyrically and sonically. brakence chronicles and reflects on what his life has been like, seemingly since he and his music rose to popularity. The second verse explains the song title, as an old friend told him he sold and he responded with “All I wear is argyle.” Raw emotion dominates the end of the song, as brakence’s voice breaks in a culmination of frustration. – Caitlin McGeehan

With their second project of the year, Paris Texas gets even closer to perfecting their unique hip hop sound. “BULLSEYE” blends the structural and performative cadence of rap with the raucous energy of punk. – John Peterson

Another shattering release this week, “Change” will make your heart sink. Searching for some sort of comfort and closure, it’s the numbing moment when you realize it’s too late to turn back the clock. Admitting, “what I find is you’re always on my mind/could I feel happy for you/when I hear you talk with her like we used? Could I set everything free/when I watch you holding her the way you once held me.” It makes you want to smoke a pack of cigarettes and see your ex “one last time” – Samantha Sullivan

I’m calling it now, feeble little horse are totally going to blow up a few months from now. With their follow up to “drama queen,” they’ve proven not to be a one hit wonder. They have some serious skill, and will absolutely destroy it at their Philly show later this month. – Samantha Sullivan

James Blake’s monumental voice finds new passion with his latest record, Friends That Break Your Heart. The inclusion of SZA on this track only adds to the sonic beauty of each singer. With innovative vocal effects, drifting arpeggios, and punchy drums, there is no music with better production quality than Blake’s. – John Peterson

Equally lauded for his photography, Nathan Bajar’s music sounds as if it were baked into a picture on film. Muted, lo-fi, and undeniably pleasing. – John Peterson

Although it’s not George’s most engaging track, relatable lyrics on the most colossal vaporwave/electronica beat imaginable— what else could you ask for? – John Peterson

 Oh my god this album goes so unbelievably hard. Bringing a brand of 2000s pop back into the modern age, Magdalena Bay’s synth pop is pioneering a stylistic revolution. – John Peterson

TikTok has a weird knack for finding and promoting really great music. PinkPantheress is no exception to this matter. – John Peterson

“Love Back” ushers in a new era for Why Don’t We amidst an ongoing legal battle with their past management. On this single, the band’s smooth vocals ride the bouncing beat while the lyrics ask a past lover for their love back since they weren’t the one. Does the chorus rely on “na, na, na?” Sure. But it’s fun, which is what feel-good music is all about. – Caitlin McGeehan

Enlisting the help of Brazilian composer Arthur Verocai, BADBADNOTGOOD create a piece that is emotionally a ballad but stylistically Motown jazz. A full album review by Will Kirkpatrick is in the works. – John Peterson

After a weekend bender, “Ode to the blue” is the song you want to shake your Monday headache off to. Liz Harris’ half-whispered vocals have a gentle comfort to them. The sparse finger-plucked guitar further emphasizes the fragile nature of the track. – Samantha Sullivan

 All Day Gentle Hold ! Isn’t the revolutionary album that last year’s Ricky Music was, but it expands on its predecessor’s ingenuity in a number of ways. With “Swimming Big,” Aaron Maine manages to create a powerfully catchy bedroom tune while maintaining an incredible level of dissonance. What ultimately solidifies the track as one of his best yet, however, is the surprise guest vocalist and guitar breakdown. Try as hard as you can, you won’t find a more consistently creative artist than Porches. – John Peterson

Mitski is back just in time to kick off sad girl autumn.  Another devastating masterpiece, “Working for the Knife” feels like a crowbar to the knees. Absolutely shattering, it’s the type of existential ennui and disdain for reality that resembles Sartre. – Samantha Sullivan

Up for Debate:

I really really wanted to like this album, and I tried really hard to convince myself I did. I’ve been a ride or die Lala Lala fan since I was in high-school trying to learn “Fuck With Your Friends” on bass. I don’t think I could’ve been more excited (or more let down) by this album. With it’s off-putting audio effects and the half-concept/half-who knows what approach, it’s a little too experimental and honestly doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. – Samantha Sullivan

Beautiful vocal harmonies surround you, but the track, too, seems to be in a circle, like the snake that eats its own tail. – John Peterson

It’s a pleasant ambient dance track: incapable of shocking but occasionally delighting. – John Peterson

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