Spencer Griffin's New Music Mondays

 here they are: "If I Let You" by The Womack Sisters:  Their first single, the dramatic yet soulful "Chauffeur," still seems like it IS a new song for adult alt radio, so to have another song come on this suddenly seems kind of soon, but word spread fast about The Womack Sisters! After all, they are related to soul legends like Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack! They carry both of their flames into the 21st century quite well! "If I Let You" goes for a more fun, slinky, seductive vibe than their previous single did, almost mixing bossa nova jazz with the classic '60s and '70s soul they were raised on! It's like The Supremes meets Sergio Mendes! Truly a unique and captivating sound. The question implied in the song's title is basically, "If I let you love me, will you love me?" Perfect song to get the flames of romance burning brightly! "Marianne" by Fontaines D.C.: Fontaines D.C. have become known for being one of the few ...

 here they are: "Billy Came Back" by This is Lorelei:  A bittersweet indie-folk-pop/rock tune in D minor, "Billy Came Back" almost comes off like a deadpan, slightly faster, and almost Beck-ish "slacker" version of "All I Want" by Toad the Wet Sprocket, musically speaking. I don't know who Billy is, but from the story the lyrics tell, he is most likely someone who was a karaoke regular at bars. Nate Amos (who is "This is Lorelei" himself - he's a one-man band) states in the second verse he hasn't seen Billy since 2022. Oddly specific lyric, I must say! But it does give more context about him...kind of. Something strange about this snide slacker song that seems sweet and somewhat silly simultaneously! "Sick of the Times" by Thao (featuring tUnE-YaRdS, and The Linda Lindas):  Holy mother of mothers! This list already reads like a who's who of women in indie rock before I even hear it! Thao is a distinctive and po...

 here they are: "Home Depot" by Medium Build:  After hearing Medium Build's funky song, "Last Time," from late last year, I'm surprised to know that what is poised to be their second adult alt radio hit, "Home Depot," sounds more like a sad, laid-back country-folk song! Why the change in sound?! Perhaps part of it is because of the heavy emotion this song carries! The song is also somewhat a character study for "the Steves" - a group of men, all named Steve, who Nick Carpenter made up for this song. The Steve narrating opens up his heart to ask another Steve about the painful, emotional turmoil he's been facing in his life lately. Though the song itself wouldn't sound out of place as a Garth Brooks ballad, the lyrics tell a more poignant story that pegs the song as more "alternative" for both its raw emotional quality and its quirkiness in character naming. "The Hallelujah Trail" by Charley Crockett:  Country m...

 here they are: "Blowin' Up" by Eddie 9V:  "Blowin' Up" describes exactly what Eddie 9V is doing on this song from the moment it starts! It's a slow-churning, barn-burning blues-rock that brings to mind what a slightly more countrified version of Gary Clark Jr. might sound like! For those wondering how he pronounces his name, it's not "nine-vee," it's "nine-volt," a nickname Eddie earned both from his quick temper and from the batteries he uses to power his guitar. Though there are country elements on this song in both its sound and its lyrics (it opens, for instance, with "I pulled into Nashville half past 3"), I'd say this is a blues song overall. The spirit of Southern rock lives on! "Days Like This" by Late Night Thoughts:  More country influences weave their way through this week's blog, but this time in a more folks-y, banjo-driven way than a blues/rock one. The breakthrough song from Late Nig...