New songs for October 27th, 2025

 here they are:

"Another Dimension" by Daniel Donato (featuring Elle King):  If you're a fan of the "trippy country music" style The Grateful Dead became known for, you'll like this song! Daniel Donato is already a bit of a "cosmic cowboy," so to speak, and although Elle is more known for sassy tunes like "Ex's and Oh's," she did start out doing more country-influenced tunes, so she's no stranger to the style either. It's easy to assume from the song's swirly sound that "Another Dimension" has a title that's a drug reference, but beneath the surface? Well, it's actually even darker than you might expect (but also more reassuring)! It seems to be about how chaotic the world has gotten lately, but that there's an alternate "dimension" you can escape to where you don't have to face the conflict.


"Break the Jaw" by Madison Cunningham:  A folk-rock-y song from Madison, as per usual, but there's also a moody, orchestral factor that doesn't often appear in her material. "Break the Jaw" is also notable for having no chorus. It's really one continuous lyrical rant to an ex. As if the song isn't already bitter enough, it ends with the words "I may never forgive you" repeated twice. But such sour sentiments are balanced out by the song's lilting feel overall...although even that aspect seems to be at war with itself whenever the orchestral instruments swell up and tremble, which happens from time to time.

"Cobra" by Geese:  Compared to their tenser previous single, "Taxes," "Cobra" is a mellower song from Geese, evoking tropical island vibes with its ukulele-like guitar coupled with breezy brass. The more cynical themes of "Taxes" also contrast with the more blissful lyrical themes of "Cobra," with its repeated refrain of "Baby, let me dance away forever." This song makes you want to do just that! One thing both songs have in common is their minimalist lyrical techniques, but perhaps that's just a typical feature of Geese's material. I'd also recommend this track to fans of the group Beirut, as both the string/brass mixture and the lead singer's vocals are comparable to them. 

"Fatal Optimist" by Madi Diaz:  Madi Diaz's songs usually have an undercurrent of vulnerability, but on her latest song, "Fatal Optimist," she wears that vulnerability on her sleeve! She spells out repeatedly in the song how she "hates being right." With only two verses sung in the span of a little over three minutes, "Fatal Optimist" packs a lot into a small space of moments! The song seems to be about regrets Madi has in a relationship she was in. Even the instrumentation of the song starts out starkly acoustic before going to a fuller band arrangement later on, perhaps indicating the desolate themes of the song through how it sounds!

"Rubber Band Man" by Mumford and Sons (featuring Hozier):  The Irishman in me is pleased! A British band who sounds Irish (Mumford and Sons) duetting with someone who really is Irish (Hozier)! The title of this song is also interesting, as it (almost) shares a name with "The Rubberband Man" by '70s soul group, The Spinners, except this one separates the words "rubber" and "band" and there is no "The" in the title. Actually, I have no idea why this song is even called "Rubber Band Man" since those words are nowhere to be found in the song. This "Rubber Band Man" is a sweet-sounding song evoking the early folk-rock days of Mumford, and Hozier's earthy baritone vocals fit perfectly with this track (kind of like they did on the similarly folk-rock-y "Northern Attitude" by Noah Kahan). The lyrics to this song are soul-searching in a way that both Mumford and Hozier like to do in their songs. Phrases like "I know you by your heart and I will call you by your name" and "You're a world away but you're still the same" bringing yearning imagery to mind, which I often gravitate towards lyrically. This song is an instant winner for me! 

"Run Right Into It" by The Barr Brothers:  For starting out with the stark, Simon and Garfunkel-esque song, "Old Mythologies," back in 2012, The Barr Brothers have come a long way! Their latest song, "Run Right Into It," sounds nothing like that one, instead opting for a psychedelic blues-rock song that sounds like it might be in drop D with a steady, chugging rhythm. The Barr Brothers themselves liken "Run Right Into It" to being like a car chase that goes to the Great Wall of China, and I must say, I do get car chase vibes when I listen to this, but more like a chase that goes into the sunset. Apparently, this song was inspired by The Barr Brothers listening to groups like The Raveonettes. It sounds a bit too closely tied to blues, folk, and country to bear the garage-y sounds of The Raveonettes, but I can loosely see where the comparison might be warranted.

"Up" by Danger Mouse (featuring Black Thought and Rag 'N' Bone Man):  The shortest song title I've ever had, at only two letters, "Up" is an interesting tune with an equally interesting collaboration. Rory "Rag 'N' Bone Man" Graham, best known for his funky mid-2010's indie-pop tune, "Human," shows his vocal talents during the chorus, while Tariq Luqmaan Trotter (aka "Black Thought") really shows off his rapping skills during the verses! The word "up" ends each song's verse, since Black Thought describes improbably bleak situations and counters them with the thought of, "There's nowhere to go but up." Almost seems like Black Thought is really using this phrase to provide a ray of hope through all the depression, oppression, and repression he's been through!