New blog post for February 24th, 2025

 here they are:


"Everything is Peaceful Love" by Bon Iver:  After Bon Iver's much needed return to folk-rock with "S P E Y S I D E" last fall, my interest in their music was renewed! I was excited once again to see what they'd come up with next! What did I get?! Well...the results aren't quite as good as that one, but as far as Bon Iver's experiments in electronica go, their latest song, "Everything is Peaceful Love," isn't the worst. Unlike some of the odder forays Justin Vernon and co have taken into electronica in the recent past (with equally odd titles like "33 God" and "8 (Circle)"), "Everything is Peaceful Love" at least has enough to balance it out. As electro-rock hybrid songs go, it's a smoother, calmer song.

"In Love With a Memory" by Sasami (featuring Clairo):  And speaking of electronica songs, this song lays the synths on thick! The song walks the line between club/dance and ambient, although there is a surprise electric guitar solo in the middle of it that you might not expect in most electro-pop songs. A collaboration between two women in the "bedroom pop" scene, "In Love With a Memory" is as ethereal as it is boomin'!

"Joy, Joy!" by Valerie June:  Valerie June must be quite the busy gal this year! She already had a collaboration with Sunny War just weeks ago! On her own, Valerie makes waves as well! A song borrowing gospel exhortations to "find the joy, joy in your soul," "Joy, Joy!" is a joyful song, apt to its title! Its effortless combination of soul and rock make this the best Alabama Shakes song that never was! 

"Laredo" by Leon Bridges:  It was only a matter of time until Leon Bridges, who grew up in Texas, to write a song about a city in Texas. Fitting to its title, "Laredo" utilizes country music elements while still staying true to the soul and jazz styles that Leon typically uses in his music. Specifically, the song asks the question "What if I stayed in Laredo just one more night?" hence the title. It has a yearning sense of nostalgia for Leon's youth and the experiences he had there. 

"Let Things Go" by Caamp:  Some Caamp songs like "Peach Fuzz" and "Officer of Love" combine bluegrass with rock, whereas others, like "By and By" go for more of a straight bluegrass flavor. "Let Things Go" falls into the latter category. Not a drum to be heard in this gentle number, at least during the first verse! Even then, the drumming is light, and it is mostly defined by its breezy banjo and sweet, reassuring vocals. The lyrical content in "Let Things Go" is sparse and it's only 3 minutes long, but in the few minutes and words that it has, it reminds us all that we should take life easy!

"Spaceman in Tulsa" by Counting Crows: Almost 30 years into their career, and I'm still finding out things about Counting Crows I didn't know! For instance, did you know they were Queen fans?! If their latest song, "Spaceman in Tulsa," is anything to go by, I'd say they are! While it is not uncommon for CC to have songs that sound like the roots-y side of hard rock like The Rolling Stones or Tom Petty, I have never heard them attempt a space-glam-opera song like "Spaceman in Tulsa"! It brings out an entirely new side to the band! The song is about transformation, and boy, do they transform!! The song even contains a few swear words, a bit of a rarity for Counting Crows although not unheard of. Highly recommended!!

"Ultraviolet" by Clover County:  A good way to describe a song like this is "folk-tronica"! Clover County's "Ultraviolet" provides a sweet, delicious, billowy blend of acoustic guitars and chiming synths. It is a yearning song in which Clover longs to feel connection but has trouble reaching out to the person she wants to establish a connection with. As she pores over poignant poetry to reach out to her love, Clover seems to know deep down her love is unrequited but tries reaching out anyway. Having the post-Valentine's Day blues, are ya, Clover?!