Who says you must sacrifice satisfying hooks and riffs for creative songwriting? Tap your pencils to these catchy, critically acclaimed, new tunes.
Sam Bruno-“Search Party”
At a glance “Search Party” seems to be about escaping on an adventure, which is fitting to the theme of Paper Towns as the lead single on its soundtrack. However, Sam Bruno has deftly disguised an earnest song of a couple’s secret world under a breezy synth-pop swagger. The radiant riffs and hip-pop lean has whiffs of M.I.A’s “Paper Planes”, and its hook has the sing-along quality of a major pop anthem.
Troye Sivan- “Fools”
Clean beats and slick production are not uncommon in the flood of alt-pop on the internet. What makes “Fools” stand out at first listen is the Australian singer’s strong vocals and lyricism. The hook, “I see swimming pools and living rooms and aeroplanes/ I see a little house on the hill and children’s names/ I see quiet nights poured over ice and Tanqueray” is a breath of fresh air and evokes the feeling of lounging in an airy condo.
Florence and the Machine- “Caught”
The flamboyant English songstress is known for thunderous vocals and feminist undertones in her music, yet she is not afraid to show her vulnerability in a soulful ballad such as “Caught”. The rising chorus, “And I’m caught/ I forget all that I’ve been taught/ I can’t keep calm, I can’t keep still/ Pulled apart against my will” throws caution to the wind while staying keenly self-aware at the same time.
The Arcs- “Stay in My Corner”
The Arcs is a side project recently started by Dan Auerbach (front man of The Black Keys), which will supposedly release him from commercial restraints. Their album’s first single “Stay in My Corner” is a mid-tempo blues-rock tune featuring Auerbach’s white-soul falsetto. Its lyrics are a contemplation on romantic need, while taking influences from the recent Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao bout. The lush instrumentals and vocals are also nostalgically reminiscent of The Black Keys’ earlier work from Brothers.
Keyes-“Veins”
The 18 year-old Warwickshire soloist stuns with her promising debut “Veins.” Its immediate catchiness is balanced by a subtle dark maturity. The vocals are full of restrained emotion as she croons over her passion. The hook “Cause you’re running through my veins/ Every thought, every word now is stuck in my brain” is bound to keep the track running through your head.
Alessia Cara- “Here”
Ms. Cara refuses to glorify raging parties. The 19 year-old from Brampton, Ontario rose to the industry spotlight after releasing her stomping debut that sticks up for introverts and wall-flowers everywhere. “Here” is a loud and poignant single, with silky vocals and elegant R&B soul that describes the misery of being trapped in a haze of smoke and gossip.
Leave a Reply