Spencer Griffin's New Music Mondays

 here they are: "Bloodstream" by Alyssa Grace:  Armed with a spacious acoustic guitar and a powerful voice, Alyssa Grace makes a striking debut with "Bloodstream." The song's seemingly simple sound contrasts with its commanding presence and dark yet relatable lyrics. The subject of the song being in Alyssa's "bloodstream" refers to how she finds it hard to let go of her previous relationship. Obviously, different people feel different ways about their own past relationships, but "Bloodstream" is still a very relatable song since some things are hard to let go of! "California Sober" by Iron & Wine:  A gorgeous song, as per usual from IAW, "California Sober" doesn't seem to feature the exotic alternate tuning that "In Your Ocean" from earlier this year did, but it is probably capoed, and it seems to feature an arrangement of notes that's complex even by IAW standards. Sam Beam's lyrics are abstr...

 here they are: "Beaches in Tennessee" by Cage the Elephant:  This bass-heavy indie-pop/rock song from CTE is a catchy one, but there's more than meets the eye than just how memorable it sounds. The song isn't about having fun on the beach, despite what its summer-slated release and energetic sound might make you think. It's actually about Matt Shultz's three-month stay at a psychiatric ward in Tennessee. Just as their 2024 breakout single, "Neon Pill," chronicled Matt's detainment from a hotel, "Beaches in Tennessee" is the song that picks up from where "...Pill" left off. Matt boldly declares he will not go back to the "beaches in Tennessee" where he was before. It's not the beaches themselves that gave him bad memories - it's what he did near that area!  "Can Old Lovers Ever Be Just Friends?" by Tom Odell (featuring The Lumineers):  While I've never been too big on Tom Odell's post-millen...

here they are: “Different Kind of Love” by Young the Giant: Young the Giant have always been one of the more heartfelt groups of the 2010’s indie-pop movement, and their sincerity has continued into the 2020’s with their latest song, “Different Kind of Love.” Gentle synths combine with soaring yet friendly electric guitars in this song. This song is full of yearning, especially during the chorus. Sameer Gadhia seems to be saying that he wants love to survive even in difficult conditions (e.g. “Living in a house that’s not your home/Living on a prayer you used to know.”) He reassures himself towards the end of the song that he’ll “be okay,” but I sense more vulnerability in that comment than the phrase suggests there is. “Hummingbird” – Colony House: This song’s organ, gentle acoustic strum, and overall psychedelic-influenced sound remind me a little of The Beatles (One YouTube commenter also compared this song to The Flaming Lips, which I also think is accurate). Much like the titula...

 here they are: "Alone" by The Cure:  One of the best-known and best-loved goth rock bands of all time have released their first single in nearly 15 years! And how does it hold up?! Its lonesome, spacey atmosphere does make "Alone" sound like a classic Cure song circa 1989. Much like "Pictures of You," there are no words in the first few minutes of "Alone," setting up the song's melancholy mood before the lyrics even start! Speaking of which, the lyrics are also classic Cure. Robert Smith drearily yet dreamily about how isolated he feels from the world. The lyrics are a hallmark of what The Cure were best known for in their heyday. If you need a song of hopelessness and despair that also feels like a warm hug in the cold snow, "Alone" is your song! "Audacious" by Franz Ferdinand:  "The Strokes go ska" is probably a good description for Franz Ferdinand's latest song, "Audacious"! The fuzz guitars of ...

 here they are: "Atomic City" by U2:  U2 were and still are one of the biggest rock bands in the world, and they have stayed together for over 40 years! Although many know who they are and are familiar with their songs, not many seem to know that in their early years, U2 were heavily influenced by punk and post-punk groups of the day. It really shows here on their latest song, "Atomic City." Mixing darkly avant-garde poetry reminiscent of Patti Smith, the chugging beat and instrumentation of The Clash's "London Calling," and the vocal patterns and rhythm of Blondie's "Call Me," "Atomic City" sounds more like it would be at home in 1979 than in 2023, yet here it is! U2 have had many "comebacks" over the years, but they've rarely been as strong or compelling as this one! Highly recommended!! "Cherry Baby" by Jenny Lewis: A short but sweet song, clocking at not even two and a half minutes, Jenny Lewis' ...