New songs for September 21st 2026

 here they are:



"Bottle" by Remi Wolf:  With its smooth and clean guitar licks, slick production, and its yearning yet somewhat resigned vocals, Remi Wolf's "Bottle" is one of those songs that defines the recent wave of "bedroom pop" musicians. In case it wasn't already obvious from the title, "Bottle" tends to be about addiction. The chorus' "I can't get the bottle if I don't get up" is one indication of this, but elsewhere, phrases like "sweet, sweet nicotine" and "I can't get drunk if I don't got drugs" confirm the helpless state Remi is in during this song, not to mention "I'm off and on and off again" which encapsulates addiction in a nutshell. The song's sound suggests a breezy, beachy summer, but the lyrics suggest otherwise.

"Hot Blooded" by New Constellations:  Not to be confused with Foreigner's hard rock anthem of the same name, New Constellations' "Hot Blooded" is an atmospheric, haunting synth-pop song with pristine guitar hooks sneaking in and out of the song. And where Lou Gramm meant his "Hot Blooded" to evoke lustful, passionate emotions, Harlee Case suggests the opposite in her "Hot Blooded," revolving more around uneven relationship dynamics than lurid physical attraction. More specifically, this "Hot Blooded" is a somewhat tragic tale inspired by a man Harlee dated who had a traumatic brain injury. When she begs, "Just a little bit more" twice during the chorus, she's not merely aiming a come-on at the subject of her song, she's also pleading in vain (and knowingly so) for her partner to offer her something he can't give. Sad song, really, when it comes to its lyrics, but it's still a song that's ready to hit the dance floors!

"My Whole World" by Kings of Leon:  Although Kings of Leon have many songs that could qualify as "soft rock" (often soft and hard simultaneously), very few of their songs could be called folk-rock, aside from "Back Down South." With "My Whole World," KOL have a new folk-rock (almost country-rock) song in their midst! The Folowill brothers and me must have been facing similar circumstances recently! Both the somber tone of this song and its lyrics seem to tell the story of a death one of them had to face. I recently had to lose my own cat who had been around for 13 years! There must be some cosmic force in the universe in the air right now! More than likely, KOL are talking about a person and not a pet, but the grief is still the same! "As the wind blows, there goes my whole world" in the chorus only hints at this emotion, but then "We talk about how time flies/And how all the good ones die/And all those tears we cry" in the second verse?! Hits me right in the feels!! Music is always my savior even in the worst of times! What else is there to say?!

"Who's That?" by The War on Drugs:  The WOD's first song in about 5 years, "Who's That?" contains familiar elements to fans of the group:  soaring keyboards, atmospheric guitars, yearning sound overall, and Adam Granduciel's trademark withering yet quavering vocals. But the violin in this song gives it something distinctive! A YouTube commenter even compared this to "Bittersweet Symphony," and I can see why! Both songs have similar rhythms and similar approaches. Not only is the title to this song a question, but it seems like almost every verse revolves around a question(s)! At least some of those questions have answers, though, including the titular one. "Who's that?" Adam asks. "It's only my depression, baby," he answers. 

"You're Never Around" by Lake Street Dive:  In a week full of bittersweet, slow songs, this song injects bright, happy energy!! "You're Never Around" contains the trademark soul influences Lake Street Dive have become known for, but this track also seems oddly new wave-y! It has a notable Casio-ish synth sound, and parts of it sound like "Rock Lobster" by The B-52's...although the song's blistering guitar solo is pure rock and roll! The lyrics of the song seem like Rachael Price conveying and venting her frustration about a failed relationship, but this song is still a much needed ray of sunshine for an otherwise bleak week!!