New songs for July 31st 2023

 It's the last day of the year, and we have 8 brand new songs! Here they are:

"Bug Like an Angel" by Mitski: Perhaps the first Mitski song to dip into folk-rock territory, "Bug Like an Angel" continues to add new dimension and depth to Mitski's already eclectic catalog! "Bug Like an Angel" is a rather cryptic metaphor, but the "angel" part seems to refer to death by either drinking or overindulgence. The song is fittingly melancholy for one that has such a depressing theme, but ultimately more bittersweet than bitter. It manages to carry itself in a major key rather than a minor one, but it's still quite powerful! There is also religious imagery woven into the song, particularly at the end when Mitski says, "I try to remember the wrath of the devil was also given to him by God." Again, it's hard to make out exactly what Mitski means here, but my best guess is that the presumably now dead person being addressed in the song made it his own decision to drink himself to death, and now he has to live with the consequences of his actions.

"Good Old Days" by The Revivalists: It's a little weird to hear a normally soulful band go all synth-y, but that is what happens in their latest song, "Good Old Days." Perhaps they are trying to sound more "alternative" than they actually are, trying to maintain the label they were given upon the success of their mid-2010's smash, "Wish I Knew You." Though gimmicky compared to most Revivalists songs, it does at least try to be hopeful with its "hang on to what you have while you still have it" theme. It also contains enough horn sounds to ostensibly make it a typical part of the Revivalists' catalog, but I'm not buying it. Perhaps it'll grow on me in time. 

"History Books" by The Gaslight Anthem (featuring Bruce Springsteen): I've always described The Gaslight Anthem as "The Clash meets Bruce Springsteen." I didn't think they were actually going to duet with the Boss himself back when I first heard about The Gaslight Anthem. Not near as fiery or rocking as The GA's first single of the year, "Positive Charge," but still an awfully powerful song! Both Bruce and The GA are Jerseyans, even though the song smacks of Killers influence, and The Killers are a Vegas group. There's also the matter of the ambiguity the title, "History Books," presents to its listeners. Another thing that Bruce and The GA have in common with one another is their tendency to write about political topics, and a title like "History Books" certainly suggests politics, but the lyrics seem to tell a different story about an ex-friend and/or ex-partner.

"Ready or Not" by Shakey Graves: Much like Shakey Graves first and best-known song, "Dearly Departed," "Ready or Not" is an alterna-folk-rock song featuring a female vocalist who accompanies SG's lead singer. This time the female in question is country-rocker Sierra Ferrell. The song's three verses each address major situations that people are typically not fully prepared for: the weekend, a wedding, and a funeral. The verse about the weekend is more anticipatory, but the song's last two verses are about the negative consequences of anticipating a major event, reassuring yourself that things are going to "be all right," when really, they might not be. Life never turns out the way you plan, does it?!

"The Way Things Go" by beabadoobee: After a few attempts at "alternative" experimentation in her music, beabadoobee scored a surprise crossover hit late last year with the folk-y, bubbly "The Perfect Pair." "The Way Things Go" takes beabadoobee's folk-rock vibes on "The Perfect Pair" and blends them with more subtle, somber string section sounds. The song is essentially about trying to accept how sometimes, relationships (platonic and romantic) are not always the way you plan them to be. beabadoobee sings the song in such a way that you can tell she's struggling to accept the idea she presents in her song while still trying ultimately to come to terms with it.

"Vampire Empire" by Big Thief: "Vampire Empire" might sound like the title of a horror movie than it does an indie-folk-rock song, but I can assure you that it's the latter in this case. While there is nothing horrific on the surface about this song, there is angst beneath this song that seems to be directed at an ex-lover of Adrianne Lenker's. Her anger is palpable in this song, especially towards the end as her voice begins to crack. There's also a subtle nod to Prince in one verse and his song, "I Would Die 4 U" ("I wanted to be your woman/I wanted to be your man/I wanted to be the one that you would understand.") 

"White Horse" by Chris Stapleton: "White Horse" offers the best of both worlds from rising country star, Chris Stapleton. It starts acoustic and countrified, but within less than a minute, it builds up into a rock song reminiscent of one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's slower songs. It is a powerful song about having more than you can handle in a relationship. The titular horse (and the cowboy who rides on it) represents his partner's ideal kind of lover. Meanwhile, his current love affair is depicted as "dangerous," and he wants his partner to take his time and not expect him to be more than who he really is.