Millennial Music Man

"Too many bottles of wine, can't get my ducks in a row. Who doesn't wanna be high, when everybody's getting low," sing The Summer Set in their thunderous return to music. After being on hiatus since 2017, the band is back in a big way.

Street Lightning is an infectious track that can be slated onto any End of Summer playlist. The catchy upbeat chorus has us "romancing what might have been." Offering a look back on what we should've done differently over the last few months, or perhaps years.

The bridge of the strong is really strong. It builds the urgency of the entire song to a fever pitch before dropping the bottom out entirely. What comes next is a haunting opening to the songs chorus that sees a slight change. The lyrics "my engine is caving in" morph into "I see you in everything", showing that the singer is swept away much in the same way the song does to the listener.

Kacey Musgraves is back. The Dime Store Cowgirl has released the title track of her forthcoming album, star crossed. The album AND film are scheduled to be released on September 10th. Musgraves told her fans yesterday via Instagram story to prepare for "Sad Girl Fall."

star crossed begins with a very cinematic opening. Ethereal beats blend together into a classic Spanish guitar being finger picked perfectly. Musgraves opens the song about two star crossed lovers with, "Let me set the scene." Instantly conjuring up images of Romeo and Juliet.

The rest of the song plays out very autobiographical. Sounding very different than anything we've heard from the Grammy winning songstress in the past. It remains very much a Musgraves song, however, with Kacey hitting a plethora of high notes as only she can.

“I always love when something classic and something futuristic meet,” Musgraves told Zane Lowe on Apple Music. Well that's exactly how this song feels. It's a mesh of something new for Musgraves with something classic.

Longing for old memories is something that Dave Hause does great. The first single of his forthcoming album, Bloody Harmony, "Sandy Sheets", officially out today, brings nostalgic summer love memories with an emphasis on the New Jersey shore.

Hause has made the quick two hour drive, a rite of passage for the Philadelphia area where he grew up, numerous times. You can feel the Jersey influence on this song as it sounds like a hybrid between Brian Fallon and Bruce Springsteen with its boardwalk piano ringing throughout the track. Close your eyes, listen, and let Hause transport you. This song will have you smelling the caramel corn, hearing the arcade games, and tasting the salt air.

Hause shouts out the Gin Blossoms, the Cure, and The Bouncing Souls on the track. Further proving that he is truly a musician's musician. It's the chorus that sells the song. Hause begs, "let me remember you when it was easy." This upbeat song isn't just soaked from taking a dip in the Atlantic - it needs to be toweled off because it is dripping with nostalgia. Produced by Will Hodge, an excellent singer-songwriter in his own right down in Nashville, the track is a MUST ADD to any end of Summer playlist.

Nashville's Charli Adams has released her debut full-length album, Bullseye. The LP from the singer-songwriter does just that. Lines the dart up, pulls back and lands dead center in a world of emo-laced lyrics, methodical dream-pop production, and incredible ethereal vocals. If we're talking about Phoebe Bridgers so much, we should be keeping that same energy in talking about Charli Adams.

Charli's deep themes of reminiscing over past relationships and trying to better yourself through living your own life experiences are heavy lifting for a mere 23-year-old. Yet Charli's lyrics are wise beyond her years. She reflects on youthful mistakes with extreme self-awareness. This album is so many ways is Charli's own version of therapy. She reflects on both past and present versions of herself while keeping a watchful eye towards her future - which will hopefully include a tour in support of the album.

Something that has always gravitated me to Adams' music is the ability to conjure up so many nostalgic images with NOT just her lyrics but every single layer of her songs. Only the strongest of artists can pull off such a feat. They transport you fully to the world they create within their tracks. The listener will lose themselves to their memories which so often turn out to be memories that they share with the artist. Adams does that in a big way. She is reflecting on whiskeys on the back porch, middle-of-the-night drives, talking to herself, and trying to sit in a moment and actually experience it. All paired together with stunning guitar riffs and perfect harmonies.

Charli's voice is a dream. It's showcased on this album in a variety of ways. Most expertly, in my opinion, on the song Bother With Me. The track calling back hazy memories of the past. Asking the question "what about me makes everyone want to leave?" Adams carefully guards herself on the track, she won't allow herself to be overextended to a relationship that doesn't want to bother with her. It's just one of the must listen to tracks on this album which includes the Number 20 song on my Top 25 countdown of 2020 - Didn't Make It. Get High With My Friends will also become an all-time classic in my listening library and is a great start to anyone's Friday.

"Cheer Captain", the new single from Nashville based Charli Adams comes in hot. Right out of the gate, the religious trauma of Charli's youth takes a front row seat. In the opening verse of the track, Charli sings about talking to God in the shower at nine years old. The rest of the song passes the heat check as well, acting as a triple digit fastball drilled into the back of the problems with being a people pleaser.

The verses are built around folky jingle jangle guitar with frequent slides and a simple drum beat. They pair very well with the ethereal, breathy style of Adams' vocal. The chorus kicks the song into high gear revealing a more buzzy guitar that recalls something out of the Phoebe Bridgers discography.

Built from a voice memo recorded on her iPhone after her debut album, Bullseye, was all but finished "Cheer Captain" showcases not only the unique sound that Charli has been able to establish for herself with her previous releases, but shows off her songwriting chops as well.

There’s tons of choices to highlight on Goody Grace’s first full length album, Don’t Forget Where You Came From. There’s songs featuring everyone from blink-182 to Cigarettes After Sex to G-Easy. It’s the nostalgic dreamscape of “Grape Swisher” that shows off Goody’s song writing ability and craftsmanship. 

The song is reminiscent of a radio hit from the late 90s. The ambient textured background vocals, combined with the atmospheric effects on the drums and guitars create a heavy nostalgic haze. Goody loses himself to the dreams of a budding love affair. “So darling can I come on over, let’s get lost in your bed sheets. Your kiss could put me in a coma, you’ll be the death of me,” the Canadian sings on the song’s hook.

Right after singing the hook, a bent and distorted guitar kicks in. This acts as an alarm clock to wake Goody and the listener from this dream. Goody hits the snooze button, begging for just a few more minutes of sleep as he heads into the song’s bridge singing, “All my fears slowly start to fade when you’re around, something in your eyes won’t let my feet stay on the ground. Your the last thing that feels like home in this town, nothing gets me high as you my love.” The last lyrics of the song are a play off the numerous references to getting high littered through the song. It also serves as a wake up call from the nearly three minute love induced dream Goody has taken his listeners on through the song’s narrative. A buzzy guitar is held as we fade out of the track, designed to wake us up and bring us back to reality. 

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/1PZDyestTVydtHpaIcfUJg?si=GRk0IYByS9KCBe3bJPlJzw)

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“Flames” is the collab that no one knew they needed.

Feeding off the energy of producer John Feldmann of Goldfinger, Avril and MOD Sun look to pick up where Machine Gun Kelly left off with Ticket to My Downfall in September. Avril’s chorus features an acoustic guitar and haunting piano. This compared to the free-flowing verses of MOD Sun which feature a more aggressive distinct pop-punk sound. 

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/2rkY1tk2e2y7GzscvTrfVT?si=MLl9AhMVSBeeI62EOn3QWQ)

Tigers Jaw’s “Hesitation” is one of the band's strongest songs so far.

“Hesitation” sees Tigers Jaw build on the formula that made them indie darlings. Vocalists Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins combine for amazing vocals. The harmonies are beautiful. Thundering drums pair with catchy guitar riffs to announce the band’s evolution while keeping your toes tapping. 

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/2y7an0zD7jCNw2MiM2u6OQ?si=yWcH_oJNQzS_ZzelBaK5xg)

Brash Brit slowthai is off to a great start in 2021. 

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/0ZNU020wNYvgW84iljPkPP?si=VpG4heHJQRynZz2uhlL2cQ)

Number 1- Taylor Swift - mirrorball

Taylor’s two surprise release albums, folklore and evermore, were bright spots in a dark year. “mirrorball” shows us the most vulnerable version of Taylor that has ever existed. It’s quite “shimmering, beautiful.” 

Twangy, echo driven guitar; a gentle tambourine; and the breathy vocal whispers firmly paint this song with a dream pop/shoegaze brush. It sounds retro, as if beamed to us through a musical time machine. The luscious cottage core haze envelops you. You become lost in its imagery.

“mirrorball” finds Taylor playing word games with listeners from start to finish. In the beginning of the song Taylor sings she’ll “show you every version of yourself tonight.” She says she’ll “get you out on the floor, shimmering beautiful.” Sounds a lot like her concerts, which makes sense considering “mirrorball” was born out of the cancellation of her Loverfest tour. Taylor would have any concert goer running the gamut of emotions using her well versed discography. At the end Taylor is one again singing about the pagentry of her concert experience. She sings “they called off the circus, burned the disco down. Sent home the horses and the rodeo clowns,” clearly referencing what could’ve been this past summer on tour. It’s reason like this that Taylor’s song writing is so strong. 

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/042qimpXttQhl6wt985ofu?si=fFYAYwzIQ2GOAqt0drsM8Q)

Number 2 - Spanish Love Songs - Losers

Developed as an anthem for the voiceless, COVID added additional weight to “Losers.” Spanish Love Songs remind listeners that life is a grind. Instead of getting easier, life “gets harder, doesn’t it.” 

Opening with whirring, driving guitar and thundering drums, “Losers” goes on to comment on how hard life can be for the millennial generation. Wandering around without any direction, “watching television we’re stealing from our parents.” Reflecting on mental health, frontman Dylan Slocum tells us that the “prick inside my head's laid off and daring me to try.” You can feel the torment inside of him as he screams his vocals. The song’s chorus features double-timed drums that beg for a mosh pit. 

During the breakdown of the song, Dylan reaches his zen moment. The song slows for Dylan to contemplate what he’s known all along. “We're mediocre, we're losers forever.” There’s acceptance here, no matter how heartbreaking it may feel. 

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/5u1n1kITHCxxp8twBcZxWy?si=Jor8IHPcR4yRjW8cymLLcQ)

Number 3 - Justin Bieber ft. Chance the Rapper - Holy

Doubling down on overtly religious metaphors Justin and Chance find themselves creating some good old-fashioned pop magic. 

In the first verse, we find Justin questioning whether he’s a saint or a sinner. It’s just Justin and the strength of a piano. Whether people want to admit this or not, Justin Bieber has a strong voice. It’s enough to carry ‘Holy” all the way through its first chorus. 

In the middle of the song, the production takes over. The crisp, bright bass line burrows into your brain. Good luck getting it out. The tambourine really starts to pop. Bieber steps up to deliver some of his best lines of the song, “they say we're too young and the pimps and the players say, “Don’t go crushin’.” Wise men say, "Fools rush in" but I don’t know.” It’s not only a reference to the legendary Big Pun, it’s also a Frank Sinatra and Elvis reference all rolled up into one. 

Finally, Chance the Rapper knocks the door down with some great bars. “I know he made you a snack like Oscar Proud,” Chance raps. Throwing it back to The Proud Family, one of the most underrated shows on Disney +. It’s the type of verse that Chance has become known for. Full of love and admiration, happy to lend a hand. It’s on a feature that I feel sometimes Chicago’s prodigal son is at his strongest.

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/3qZwJ1SiY32JW70JqgiFbY?si=KHZ2oA53Sd_0fkt_4pIQkw)

Number 4 - The 1975 - The Birthday Party

A leisurely stroll through the mind of frontman Matty Healy the 1975′s “The Birthday Party” is totally lacking in any sort of conventional structure. 

The song unfolds as if it's a journal entry. Matty writing his own branded hot takes on society. Reflecting in the margins about attending a birthday party as he copes with living a sober lifestyle. Dealing with his own apathy set against heavy country twang. “The Birthday Party” demonstrates just what fans love about the band. They’re willing to totally flip conventionally on its head. Proving that, is the indulgent sax solo taken at the end of the track.

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/7Cw3yXDA8Uui37SI5FFaA7?si=4KLRs8j9SIeV8K8H_j4mpg)

Number 5 - Thomas Rhett - What’s Your Country Song

Thomas Rhett name drops 16 other country hits during one of the most ambitious songs of the year. There are references to Hank Williams, Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, even Thomas’ own father, Rhett Atkins. "What’s Your Country Song” serves as a celebration of the genre.

The idea is that people from Seattle to New York all have a little country in them.  The song explores the growing relationship with country music. “What’s your Strawberry Wine? What’s your family tradition,” Rhett asks. “Which one hits you, baby, what’s your country song?” Lovers of music have so much of themselves tied up in these tracks, the answer is far from easy.