Spencer Griffin's New Music Mondays

 here they are: "Bloodstream" by Alyssa Grace:  Armed with a spacious acoustic guitar and a powerful voice, Alyssa Grace makes a striking debut with "Bloodstream." The song's seemingly simple sound contrasts with its commanding presence and dark yet relatable lyrics. The subject of the song being in Alyssa's "bloodstream" refers to how she finds it hard to let go of her previous relationship. Obviously, different people feel different ways about their own past relationships, but "Bloodstream" is still a very relatable song since some things are hard to let go of! "California Sober" by Iron & Wine:  A gorgeous song, as per usual from IAW, "California Sober" doesn't seem to feature the exotic alternate tuning that "In Your Ocean" from earlier this year did, but it is probably capoed, and it seems to feature an arrangement of notes that's complex even by IAW standards. Sam Beam's lyrics are abstr...

 here they are: "Burning Out" by The Linda Lindas:  The Linda Lindas have been one of the youngest AND most hard-rocking singing sensations of the past few years!! It was only a matter of time until I came around to reviewing their material. Their first adult alt breakthrough single, "Burning Out," contains their trademark fiery sound and attitude, but sounding a bit more like a slightly edgier "B**ch" by Meredith Brooks than it does like Joan Jett, Blondie, and other punk grrl forebears the way one might expect a Linda Lindas song to sound. The title of this song seems to indicate how The Linda Lindas feel in it - just tired of the humdrum existence and routines of everyday life! The drums briefly climax during the pre-chorus of the song, but most of "Burning Out" sounds like a once rebellious band trying desperately to hold onto their punk rock cred and sound but still facing the inevitability of becoming adults in the process. "Candlebox...

 here they are: "Bottle" by Remi Wolf:  With its smooth and clean guitar licks, slick production, and its yearning yet somewhat resigned vocals, Remi Wolf's "Bottle" is one of those songs that defines the recent wave of "bedroom pop" musicians. In case it wasn't already obvious from the title, "Bottle" tends to be about addiction. The chorus' "I can't get the bottle if I don't get up" is one indication of this, but elsewhere, phrases like "sweet, sweet nicotine" and "I can't get drunk if I don't got drugs" confirm the helpless state Remi is in during this song, not to mention "I'm off and on and off again" which encapsulates addiction in a nutshell. The song's sound suggests a breezy, beachy summer, but the lyrics suggest otherwise. "Hot Blooded" by New Constellations:  Not to be confused with Foreigner's hard rock anthem of the same name, New Constellations...

 here they are: "If I Let You" by The Womack Sisters:  Their first single, the dramatic yet soulful "Chauffeur," still seems like it IS a new song for adult alt radio, so to have another song come on this suddenly seems kind of soon, but word spread fast about The Womack Sisters! After all, they are related to soul legends like Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack! They carry both of their flames into the 21st century quite well! "If I Let You" goes for a more fun, slinky, seductive vibe than their previous single did, almost mixing bossa nova jazz with the classic '60s and '70s soul they were raised on! It's like The Supremes meets Sergio Mendes! Truly a unique and captivating sound. The question implied in the song's title is basically, "If I let you love me, will you love me?" Perfect song to get the flames of romance burning brightly! "Marianne" by Fontaines D.C.: Fontaines D.C. have become known for being one of the few ...

 here they are: "Billy Came Back" by This is Lorelei:  A bittersweet indie-folk-pop/rock tune in D minor, "Billy Came Back" almost comes off like a deadpan, slightly faster, and almost Beck-ish "slacker" version of "All I Want" by Toad the Wet Sprocket, musically speaking. I don't know who Billy is, but from the story the lyrics tell, he is most likely someone who was a karaoke regular at bars. Nate Amos (who is "This is Lorelei" himself - he's a one-man band) states in the second verse he hasn't seen Billy since 2022. Oddly specific lyric, I must say! But it does give more context about him...kind of. Something strange about this snide slacker song that seems sweet and somewhat silly simultaneously! "Sick of the Times" by Thao (featuring tUnE-YaRdS, and The Linda Lindas):  Holy mother of mothers! This list already reads like a who's who of women in indie rock before I even hear it! Thao is a distinctive and po...

 here they are: "Home Depot" by Medium Build:  After hearing Medium Build's funky song, "Last Time," from late last year, I'm surprised to know that what is poised to be their second adult alt radio hit, "Home Depot," sounds more like a sad, laid-back country-folk song! Why the change in sound?! Perhaps part of it is because of the heavy emotion this song carries! The song is also somewhat a character study for "the Steves" - a group of men, all named Steve, who Nick Carpenter made up for this song. The Steve narrating opens up his heart to ask another Steve about the painful, emotional turmoil he's been facing in his life lately. Though the song itself wouldn't sound out of place as a Garth Brooks ballad, the lyrics tell a more poignant story that pegs the song as more "alternative" for both its raw emotional quality and its quirkiness in character naming. "The Hallelujah Trail" by Charley Crockett:  Country m...