New songs for July 21st, 2025

 here they are:


"Downstairs" by Matt Maeson:  Matt Maeson's work is usually guitar-oriented, but it often goes more towards folk-rock than it does electric guitar-based material. This is what makes his latest song, "Downstairs," stand out from his other material! The song starts out with just Matt's vocals and the electric guitar by themselves before it crescendoes to full-band instrumentation during the chorus. The title seems to be metaphorical, too, suggesting an escape from the world when everything goes wrong. Although clearly rooted in an indie-pop sound, there's something almost post-grunge-y about how "Downstairs" is set up with its soft-but-about-to-break verses and more explosive (but still relatively calm) chorus.

"Enough" by Jeff Tweedy (Wilco):  In this midtempo folk/country-rock tune, Wilco's lead singer poses a tough question at the very start of this song: "Has it ever been enough? Has it ever been OK?" The question is never answered directly, but the lyrical tone of the song overall suggests that Jeff has been through a lot! Even the song's title, "Enough," makes it seem like he's tired of what's going on in his life! This seems to be a particular problem with whatever romantic relationship he has going on, as he repeatedly states "It's hard to stay in love" during the song.

"Float" by Jay Som (featuring Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World):  Could Jim Adkins be the one to bridge the gaps between emo and indie?! This song certainly seems to suggest that! Though indie sensation Jay Som takes the lead on this song vocally, it's Jim who tends to anchor the instrumental shape of the song - fragile and teetering on the edge of a break but never quite crescendoing to full breakdown mode. This honestly seems like it could have been one of the lighter (but still powerful) Jimmy Eat World songs! I would have never expected these two to get together, but they have a surprising amount of chemistry and energy with one another! "Float, don't fight" gets repeated towards the end of the song as a mantra of sorts, perhaps suggesting the listener should just roll with life's punches instead of trying to actively turn against them.

"Mangetout" by Wet Leg:  Wet Leg are Scottish, but is part of their ancestry French?! Both the title of this song (pronounced "Monj-TOO") and the title of their biggest hit, "Chaise Longue," seem to suggest that they could be! Or maybe they just like using French and French-sounding phrases because it sounds appealing?! After the frantic summertime burst of "Catch These Fists," Wet Leg continue to navigate murky waters with "Mangetout," but in a way that's more grunge-y than punky. A song like this wouldn't be out of place in the catalog of a group like Hole or Smashing Pumpkins. The phrase "Mangetout," by the way, is a phrase that literally translates to "eat all." In slang terms, it means "my pleasure." The song overall seems to flirt with flirtation in a very cheeky way as many Wet Leg songs do, simultaneously compliments and insults its listeners!

"Save Your Tears" by Jade Bird:  This song starts as a bittersweet folk-rock song but quickly morphs into a much happier song! The alt/indie vibes of the song are present throughout, but it doesn't seem to take itself too seriously. It's a song of sincerity and reassurance. The sad-sounding title is really just a way for Jade to say she wants her partner to have her be the one they confide in when they become sad. Very sweet message, really, and a far cry from the frustration and sarcasm Jade started with in songs like "Uh Huh" and "I Get No Joy"!

"Sushi and Coca-Cola" by St. Paul and The Broken Bones:  Is this anything like "Rum and Coca-Cola" by the Andrews Sisters? Well...probably not, but the titles are still pretty similar! Anyway, while this song is still a blue-eyed soul tune like most of their stuff is, it uses less guitar and more keyboard. Paul Janeway's Al Green-esque vocals are unmistakable on this track! But I can't help but feel like if not for the song's funky bass and soulful sax, it could easily be a pop-soul song for someone like Adele rather than the grittier soul that SPATBB are known for! Fun song nonetheless, though.