New songs for May 27th, 2025

 here they are:


"Clean Heart" by Perfume Genius:  After the surprisingly folk-rock-y "It's a Mirror," Perfume Genius are back to the trip-hop-y, breezy indie-pop they're known for with "Clean Heart." An interesting combination of instruments seem to combine here to make the song sound as affecting as it does! It almost seems like Nick Drake's "Northern Sky" if it relied more on keyboard than on guitar, and it's even in the same key as that song is (D sharp/E flat major). A lot of synthetic instruments here, as one might expect from Perfume Genius, but there's a very tinkly xylophone-ish sound oddly reminiscent of the Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood intro that seems to run throughout the song and that kind of makes it what it is! Halfway through, as the song briefly gets stripped down to one instrument, there is a bit of guitar in it, but that part quickly gets clouded by the other instruments of the song. Michael Alden Hadreas' quavering yet smooth vocals really sets the mood for ultra-chill yet ultra-sensitive track!

"Flower Moon" by Durand Jones and The Indications:  Here we have yet another ultra-chill song in the key of D sharp/E flat major, but this time we're going for old school soul vibes instead of trip-hop or indie-pop. The alluring title is dropped in the very first line ("Do you believe in flower moons?") Smooth yet still funky guitars and slinky, sexy, smooth, sensual saxophones set off this sensationally soulful song, perfect for a sweet, sizzling Saturday night in the summertime! What is a "flower moon," you may wonder? Durand answers that (kind of) in the very next line, "it smells so sweet when love is in bloom." Seems that Durand is trying to seduce a special someone, and song like this is super successful for such occasions!

"No Rain, No Flowers" by The Black Keys:  The Black Keys have come a long way from the blues-y garage rock they started with! Since then, they have touched on soul, folk-rock, country-rock, and a number of other rock subgenres! But they haven't yet touched upon the electro-rock vibes of groups like Phoenix and Tame Impala yet...until now, that is. Dan Auerbach's trademark guitar sound is still present on this song, but it is awash in more swirling, electronic instrumentation that seems simultaneously designed both to tug at the heartstrings and to give you a mind trip! Another breezy, chill song to help you unwind from the excitement of Memorial Day weekend!

"23's a Baby" by Blondshell:  23 was how old I was about a year or two into starting my music blog in the early 2010's. I didn't feel like having a baby then, and I still don't feel like having one now! Apparently, Sabrina Mae Teitelbaum of Blondshell feels the same way I do, and she's about a decade younger than I am. In her latest bittersweet indie-pop song, "23's a Baby," Sabrina expresses the awkwardness and shame she feels about 23-year-old people having babies. I'm not sure if she's directing this song to a partner (current or ex) or just to 23-year-olds in general, but either way, I agree with her sentiment. To paraphrase a quote from Overboard, I am still a "large child" in my mid 30's!! 23?! No way would I have been ready for a baby back then if I'm not ready for one now! Preach to the choir, Sabrina!