January was a great month for music. This is going to be a long one, so buckle up.
Songs
- “Boys Will Be Bugs” by Cavetown: This is a chill, laidback song about being a young teenage boy. It provides interesting insight into the anger and frustration boys feel as they become men.
- “Cold Cold Man” by Saint Motel: It’s an upbeat alternative track with swing to it. I really need to get into this band more.
- “I Wanna Fuck You Till I’m Dead” by YACHT: Such a cheerful sounding song for such an aggressively lustful sentiment.
- “Nights Like This (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)” by Kehlani: Smooth, soulful, and unapologetically sapphic. Kehlani is a pop/R&B queen.
- “More Than That” by Lauren Jauregui: It’s about telling a guy to try and tempt her from her boyfriend, which is awful. But Jauregui’s soulful rasp just sounds so good.
- “Over My Head” by Judah & the Lion: This song is frantic and nervous, upbeat in a frenetic way.
- “Old Man” by Stella Donnelly: An indie track about holding sexual predators accountable. A celebration of #MeToo by way of mocking the old men anxiously awaiting their accusations.
- “Sunshine” by Danielle Durack: “You are the reason that I’m not afraid of dying/Why I’m choosing every moment to live.” These lyrics alone make this indie jam a slam dunk.
- “Land of the Free” by The Killers: Political in the best way. Though vague, the music video makes up for it.
- “Anywhere but Here” by Christina Aguilera: From the Finding Neverland album from a few years back. Beautiful ballad.
- “I Get No Joy” by Jade Bird: Ironically, I get lots of joy from this song. This is the kind of song you hear at a music festival.
- “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande: It’s a bop that makes me wish I was rich. Sometimes trap pop works.
- “Hold You Back” by Emotional Oranges: A story told in two perspectives. Spoiler alert: the guy is wrong. Also, it’s pretty gay.
- “Welcome to Silvertown” by Saint Agnes: Angry and ferocious. Absolute anthem.
- “LBD” by Becky G: Don’t like the production, but still bop to this song nonetheless.
- “Don’t Feel Like Crying” by Sigrid: An upbeat breakup song about not wallowing in sadness? Sign me up!
- “Monster” by dodie: Dark indie song with vivid lyrics.
- “Maybe You’re the Reason” by The Japanese House: Great lyrics? Check. Indie? Check.
- “My Name Isn’t” by LOVA: Upbeat song about demanding basic respect from men.
- “Arrow” by half•alive: This song is about living in the present. It’s upbeat and fun.
- “Trip the Mains” by Methyl Ethel: Unique indie song I totally dig.
- “Can’t Help the Way I Feel” by Lily & Madeleine: An indie bop about embracing your feelings.
- “Dips” by Daisy the Great: So relaxing. I love it.
- “These Four Walls” by Pretty Vicious: I mean, the band name says it all. This song is Queen meets Nine Inch Nails.
- “Violins” by Kassi Ashton: Maybe some pop/country is still good. This is a bop and a half.
- “watch you sleep.” by girl in red: The indie gays are back with an acoustic bang.
- “Manic Pixie Dream” by Chloe Lilac: A lovely ballad about wanting to be loved for who you are.
- “Dancing With a Stranger” by Sam Smith & Normani: Is this Sam Smith’s best song? I think so. Normani is great here too.
- “I Know” by King Princess & Fiona Apple: Lovely cover that actually features the original artist.
- “Sober” and “Flake” by FIDLAR: All they do is yell at me and I love them for it.
- “Say My Name (Destiny’s Child Cover)” and “Almost (Sweet Music)” by Hozier: “Say My Name” is the perfect example of making a cover song your own. “Almost (Sweet Music)” is just plain perfect.
- “Thunderclouds” and “Genius” by Sia, Diplo, and Labrinth (and Lil Wayne on the remix): What a trio (or quartet, if you count Lil Wayne on the “Genius” remix). These two songs are expertly produced and performed. They deserve to be bigger.
Albums & EPs
- WAR + RAINDROPS by Iyla
Her voice is a cross between JoJo and Naya Rivera. Her ingenuity and theatricality call to mind early Lady Gaga. This EP is a phenomenal pop/R&B crossover.
- DNA by Backstreet Boys
This is a fabulous pop record and a brilliant comeback album. Check out my review for my in-depth thoughts.
Artists
- Kelly Clarkson
I was feeling really nostalgic earlier this month and felt the need to listen to one of my all-time favorite singers. Clarkson is so effortlessly talented. Who would I be without her?
- JoJo
When JoJo finally won the rights to her old music and they were added to Spotify, I didn’t realize she’d rerecorded it. Once I did, I bopped to JoJo and The High Road on repeat. JoJo sounds amazing as ever.
- No Doubt
I used to go through a No Doubt phase at least once a year. The past few years, I hadn’t listened to them at all. Then one day “Spiderwebs,” “Ex Girlfriend,” and “Excuse Me Mr.” were all stuck in my head, so I decided to give them a listen again. I forgot how good they were. From ska to alternative to British pop rock, they dominated every genre they attempted. I want them to make a comeback.
What music were you into in January? Let me know in the comments!
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