Here are 5 songs released in the last 2 weeks. 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. ^^
Sweet Dreamz by Hanbyeol
Hanbyeol has such a dreamy voice. It’s very soft and airy but emotive. The layered harmonies add to that so much as well. The glitch effects towards the end adds a very interesting affect to the dream-like quality of the song. The music production feels very 90’s R&B inspired. It’s a total vibe and I’m loving it. It could play at a dance party as a little wind down song or it could play during a date for 2. Solid song to add to your rotation for sure. And come back later in the week to learn more about Hanbyeol!
Die Hard by Stela Cole
I love Stela Cole’s whole vibe, Walk the Moon is my mantra. But this new track hits a nerve and I think the aesthetic she went for with the music video is perfect for the feel of this song. The guitar punctuates her point so incredibly well. Her smoky, raspy voice fills the room with that toxic love that you hate to love. But ending the song with everything but the strings falling out and her whispery voice was mean because I wanted that to continue longer and then it was just done. Lovely track!
(TW: Blood)
Broken by Seori
Another beautiful smokey voice. The production on this one feels a bit like a twisted dream. The twinkling sounds seem like a good dream, but the distorted guitar and the tinny drums give a nightmarish feel to it. Which I think is very fitting with the lyrics. And if you see her standing still in the snow singing, it fits the vibe building so well. Like she’s stuck in the snow globe memory of this memory of a lover lost and everything is distorted outside of the globe. Absolutely stunning!
Do or Die by DPR ARTIC featuring DPR IAN
This belongs in a club or a rave. It’s such a zone out and dance type track. The way they utilized the space in this track is amazing. Sounds slowly pan between left and right, front and back, in a way that implies movement. Often panning can be annoyingly overdone or jarringly abrupt but this feels like it’s meant to roll slowly around your head if you’re wearing headphones. Obviously everyone knows DPR IAN sounds great and uses his voice as an instrument exceptionally well, but the lyrics are so minimal here and he still fills them with interest and impact. I don’t listen to this style of music very often but it’s such a good song regardless.
(TW: Flashing Lights)
Venom by Emily Mei
Nothing about this one is going to be unbiased. I adore Emily Mei’s whole vibe and aesthetic and I have been watching what Cuz Y Not is doing. The way this storyline is playing out with them is fantastic and I’m here for it. That said, I love how this song has a different slower cadence and pace from Manic and Monster Under the Bed pairs with the video also being a break from the story to this unreliable narrator vibe that concludes in such a cliff hanger kind of way. She leans into that vocal fry gravel voice in this track and I think it absolutely suits the lyrics and has this interesting effect laid against how sleepy the track feels. Like that electric guitar is slick but even the chants feel like a playground chant that haunts your nightmares more than anything. The lower harmonies really drive that home as well. Usually revenge songs are angry and loud and biting. But she just slowly growls through it and it has such a satisfying effect in the end.
(TW Flashing Lights and Flashy Editing)
Thank you for joining me! And I hope you leave a little lighter than when you arrived. ^^
