The end of Spring semester was rough and then I was so exhausted after that I couldn’t focus for a minute. So here’s 5 songs that released in the last month to make up for the absence! Sometimes they’re new artists, sometimes they’re seasoned artists. If you see a recent release missing that you would like my feedback on, feel free to comment and it might find its way into a future post or video.
An important note: I am studying music production and often talk about the production of songs. I also mention other songs or artists that come to mind. This isn’t to compare talent, but to provide a reference point to what I’m hearing or describing. I will often critique, but please don’t confuse this with being negative. If I honestly dislike something, it won’t be featured on the site because I’m not in the business of being mean.
As always, the tracks are in chronological order by release date (of the video). So as to not look like there is a favorite. ^^
Fake Faces – FELIP
This track is such a mood! The rock guitar riffs suit Felip’s raspy voice so well. While the instrumental is very typical rock vibes with a wailing synth (I think that’s what that is, it’s mixed in super well) that adds to his vocal color, the emotion shines through his voice and elevates the track. This is the song you put headphones on and crank the volume to 11. Or blast the speakers on the drive home, singing along at the top of your lungs. “They just wanna use me until I’m dried up, fake faces come and go” is such a relatable line, but also highlights what a lot of artists feel. So beautiful done. Absolutely love it.
Too Much – Prxd.Jay
I might be a little biased because I work with him so I heard this track before it was released, but if you haven’t heard Prxd.Jay and you like Hip-Hop, where you been? This track gives The Weeknd vibes but Jay doesn’t let himself get lost in the mix. His smooth vocals interact with his production in a way that is somehow slick and bouncy at the same time. This could play at a house party or a club in between upbeat tracks for a breather, or it could play during solo drinking on a rainy day and it would hit just as hard in both scenarios. Prxd.Jay is very good at setting and mood and then riding that wave the whole way through, the track songs with guitar and reverb which sets an emotional tone, with his lyrics delivering. But he adds so much ambiance with the bass and the harmonies. Absolutely on a playlist and it should be on yours too!
Reality – XIN LIU
Opposite mood of the previous tracks, but the groove in this song (along with Xin Liu’s runs) are totally worth it. It’s got 2000’s R&B vibes circa Destiny’s Child. You can’t help but move along to the music and fall in love with this single love she’s describing. “Gimme all your behind the scenes” is possibly the best line in a love song. It’s simple but packs a lot. And I love the way the music is hanging in the back and letting her vocals take center stage for a majority of the song. Because they really do shine. Definitely worth a listen… or several.
LIQUID LUCK — Gun Boi Kaz
My only gripe about this song is why is so short? If you’ve been here for a bit, you know I adore proper juxtaposition. The song has that swinging love song vibe, with the guitar and bass and the rhythm of the vocals and the way he goes up at the end of lines, like he’s asking a question without asking. It makes it feel very… am I allowed to love you like I do. But listening to the lyrics shows the real message. “Feels just like flying too close to the sun” we love a good mythology reference around here. When you listen to it with the concept of toxicity in mind, the swinging cadence no longer feels like drunk on love, it feels like a drunk on bad decisions and the knowledge that this isn’t going to end well. And while I’m past that era of my life, there is a nostalgia that makes this song easy to listen on repeat.
NU SHOES – TOZ
This is such a light and cute track. It reminds me of old school Astro, in a good way. For a while, Boy Groups were trying to top each other for the edgiest debut. But this feels like it’s paying homage to older groups and their light and cute concepts. It feels like summer in high school, their vocals are bouncy and airy, the guitar is giving summer camp vibes, and the drums and bass are very punchy. Plus this retro funk undertone and the triangle? It’s like it’s trying to hint at nostalgia without actually leaning all the way into it. Which is why it feels like a nod to older generations. TOZ and BOYNEXTDOOR are hitting a similar vein. I’m interested in seeing where they go from here.
(TW: some flashy, quick, and spinning edits)
Thank you for joining me! And I hope you leave a little lighter than when you arrived. ^^