New songs for May 8th, 2023

 Here they are:


"Are You Gonna Run?" by Low Cut Connie: What little I've known so far from Low Cut Connie has been jazzy, soulful, and energetic. "Are You Gonna Run?" slows things down a little bit. There are blues-y guitar hooks in the song, but they don't take center stage. Instead, the piano and vocals take the front seat, and there's a reason for this. LCC's lead singer, Adam Weiner, was heavily affected by the death of Ronnie Spector, lead singer for the early 1960's girl group, The Ronettes. The Ronettes' front woman was highly innovative not just for pop and R & B, but even for alternative rock (The Jesus and Mary Chain's "Just Like Honey," for instance, imitates the opening percussion riff for The Ronettes' "Be My Baby"), so it's no wonder Adam was compelled to write a song in her honor. The song's sweet yet sensual vibe would have fit perfectly for The Ronettes!

"Looking for Love" by The Tallest Man on Earth: Kristian Mattson, a.k.a. "The Tallest Man on Earth," is like the 21st century answer to what Nick Drake was in the mid-20th century. Both musicians were known for their bittersweet, lo-fi compositions on acoustic guitar which often featured unconventional guitar tuning. The TMOE's latest, "Looking for Love," sounds somewhat more conventional and less lo-fi, but it still retains his trademark quality in terms of its use of acoustic guitar and bittersweet melody. A distinguishing feature of this song is its fingerpicking technique and lush, almost classical-sounding string section, neither of which are common for TMOE songs.

"Positive Charge" by The Gaslight Anthem: "Charge" describes this song very well! The Jersey rock quartet, The Gaslight Anthem, haven't released a new song in almost a decade, and they left us last with the vulnerable, slow "Get Hurt." "Positive Charge" is not vulnerable or slow. From the get-go, it punches its listeners in the face unapologetically, yet it still manages to retain a strong sense of melody and harmony underneath its gruff exterior, coming off like a cross between Bruce Springsteen and Husker Du. Though the song might sound somewhat angry at first, it's actually a song that lives up to its title. It's a song that wants to inject positive energy into its listeners! Aggressive yet sweet, brash yet melodic, this song is full of musical contradictions, but it still manages to come out right!

"Supernatural Thing" by M. Ward: With all the blues-y and psychedelic touches M. Ward has made on his late 2000's and 2010's efforts, it's good to hear him return to form as a more sweet and melodic folk-rocker without much gimmick beyond that like he was when he debuted in the mid '00s. "Supernatural Thing" is a lovely, whispery sort of song whose use of percussion does not upset its mellow balance. Even during the song's brief electric guitar and cowbell solo, it still sounds chill. 

"The Alcott" by The National (featuring Taylor Swift): So many questions here. First of all, what IS an "Alcott"?! It's preceded by a "the," so I assume it's a more regular sort of noun, and not just someone's name. Also, what is pop star diva Taylor Swift doing on a song by brooding, orchestral indie band, The National? If you ask me, that's not a good fit, but no matter. Thankfully, Taylor doesn't take a huge role in the song, mainly there to provide backing vocals to Matt Berninger's. It's mainly a National song, for those who might have been concerned that they were going in a more "pop" direction. I assure you, they are not! This is still the same baroque pop style and hushed vocals that I've heard in about 15 other National songs. The song's bittersweet sound is typical for The National, but it takes on a special meaning here since the song's theme revolves around a couple who want to relive a moment in time they know they can't get back.