Spencer Griffin's New Music Mondays

 here they are: "Better Man" by Rayland Baxter:  After a brief detour into pop-psychedelia with 2018's "Casanova," Rayland Baxter is going back to his country/roots-rock roots with "Better Man" (there are a LOT of songs with this title now, by the way, even from earlier this year). This "Better Man" has wistful, yearning vibes and a George Harrison-esque "sighing" guitar, both of which reflect the self-improvement oriented lyrics the song has to offer. Not a self-help kind of self-improvement, though, but more one that proves Rayland's perilous journeys of survival, and how he has come out a "better man" because of the challenges he's faced. "Indu" by Greg Freeman:  Supposedly, Greg is a country-rock musician, but I'm getting Strokes and Modest Mouse vibes here (albeit a slightly rootsier version)! There's something almost sardonic about Greg's breakthrough song, "Indu," the title of...

 here they are: "Bite My Tongue" by Michael Marcagi:  The same vulnerable, charming folk-rock that made Michael Marcagi a household name on adult alt stations in 2024 with "Scared to Start" is making the rounds again this year with "Bite My Tongue." Where "Scared to Start" seemed like it was about reluctance to start a relationship, "Bite My Tongue" seems more like the aftermath of it. Phrases in the song like "we could only bond on things we hated" and "So we fight about our income" give me the impression that Marcagi has gone past the fear stage of relationships he was addressing in his debut song and going straight into the dissatisfaction phase. "Bite my tongue, pretend that it didn't happen" is the central line of the song. Relationships (and social interactions in general) can be a lot to handle. This is a song for anyone who feels like relationships can be this way for them. The banjo flourishes ...

 "Bobby" by Phoebe Bridgers:  I don't know who Bobby is, but Phoebe doesn't seem pleased with him! Right from the start, the song seems kind of eerie. The guitar seems a bit down-tuned (in a sort of open C sharp tuning), and the uncertain synths that punctuate the background also hint at a feeling of unease! The lyrics accompany the message of the music quite well, too! I had a suspicion that Bobby was not a nice person from the tone, and it seems like he isn't! With lyrics like "this could be the end" (which repeats), as well as the haunting and piercing "Bobby, this could be the end of wanting/I exist only if you're watching," I get the feeling that Bobby was a toxic, draining ex of Phoebe's! If anyone does not want to be in Bobby's world, it's Phoebe!  "Born Again" by Star Moles:  There's something about Star Moles - probably cleverly named for their lead singer, Emily Moales - that strike me as being older than...

 Here they are: "Lonely in the Future" by The Strokes:  If you thought The Strokes' previous single, "Going Shopping," critiqued the modern world, "Lonely in the Future" punctures and wounds it, in both the best and worst ways possible! Julian Casablancas tells us right from the start that he "did that yesterday, when [he] was a kid." Of course, we know Julian wasn't literally a "kid" yesterday, but as criticism towards many modern entertainers ranging from John Legend to Josh Groban to The Weeknd to Harry Styles mounts through the first verse (and even contemporary phrases, like "YOLO"), he's basically telling us that modern life is overrated and kind of empty, hence the line, "it's lonely in the future." Over the song's funky space-age post-punk revival sound, "Lonely in the Future" is essentially telling us that the "future" is isolating us more than it is truly connecting u...

 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...