New songs for June 12th 2023

 here they are:


"Act Natural" by Margaret Glaspy: After 2016's one-two punch of gutsy, blues-rockin' adult alt radio hits "You and I" and "Emotions and Math," I never thought I'd hear from Margaret Glaspy again. Surprise! Seven years later, Margaret is back with a vengeance on the equally rockin' and equally gutsy "Act Natural." The song, like Margaret's previous two adult alt radio hits, explores the pitfalls of new relationships. Specifically, "Act Natural" centers around what it's like to be excited on the inside but calm on the outside when you have a new romantic relationship. I think we've all been there.

"Francesca" by Hozier: If Hozier's adult alt radio smash from earlier this year, "Eat Your Young," could be aptly described as "creepy but catchy," then "Francesca" would probably best be described as a song that's powerful but sad. Probably the closest to arena rock Hozier has gotten so far, especially during the chorus, "Francesca" seems to be an elegy of sorts in terms of its lyrics. The song starts out reverent and quiet before exploding into a more rocking chorus. It's hard to tell if this song is about an actual death or just the death of a relationship, but whichever one it is, it's clearly a meaningful one to Hozier, in a song that melds arena rock, prog-rock, soul, gospel, blues, and psychedelic all into one!

"Nu-Grape" by Hiss Golden Messenger: Undoubtedly the most bizarre song title of the week! The music video that accompanies it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-PMLdnU0aY) is just as quirky! A fun, catchy song, Hiss Golden Messenger's "Nu-Grape" seems to be a satire on "fad" drinks, or perhaps commercialism in general. It's difficult to decipher what all the lyrics of the song add up to, but I feel like the entire point of this song is just HGM trying to goof on their audience! Nothin' wrong with that, right?!

"Wagging Tongue" by Depeche Mode: It's going to be hard to top DM's "Ghosts Again," the band's single from earlier this year that mourned the loss of their keyboardist, Andy Fletcher. "Wagging Tongue" does not seem to be about anyone they knew personally, but more an attack on either the media or religion, or perhaps both, as many of their songs have tended to be. Perhaps it could even serve as a "Blasphemous Rumours, Part 2," as both songs criticize religion, as well as the act of spreading rumors. The recurring line of "watch another angel die" could have many meanings, but my best guess is that it refers to how the innocent can unknowingly be used as sacrifices for the egotistical satisfaction of religious leaders. The music of the song isn't near as impressive to me as "Ghosts Again" was either, relying purely on synth instead of the synth/guitar mixture that that one did.