Now Listening: This Week's Tracks

 

By KAITLYN CAMPBELL, ISABEL DOWELL & LILAH PHILLIPS

 
 

Holly Humberstone - “London Is Lonely”

Winner of The Brits Rising Star Award of 2022 and soon to be seen on tour supporting Olivia Rofrigo and girl in red, Holly Humberstone is a star. Debuting her brand new single “London is Lonely”, her first release since her breakthrough EP, The Walls Are Way Too Thin, this track feels like a hot cup of coffee on a winter day or a Facetime with a friend after years apart, it’s heartwarming and poignant.

According to Holly, she wrote it in February 2020 before the pandemic caused London to officially lockdown. Having just moved out of her childhood home, she felt trapped and isolated. Lost in the city and not knowing her new identity, Holly used writing as her safe space and created this song. 

Holly’s vocals and lyricism stand for themselves. Her lyrics remind me of what it feels like to read your friend’s diary and the soft loftiness of her voice reminds you why she’s making such a splash in the industry. It’s hard to believe at only 21, someone has such a grasp on honest storytelling and being comfortable to be deeply personal. Check out “London is Lonely” now.

awfultune - “sad love song”

“Sad love song” carries this pop-y, upbeat, and quite a catchy vibe with some gloomy undertones that bring forth the hurt and real feelings behind it. "This song is a story of something most girls are far too familiar with—a boyfriend that is a player—so she obsesses over the idea of writing a ‘sad love song’ to ruin his reputation as revenge for breaking her heart,” Layla Eden is an artist who emerges out from upstate N.Y. and “She is both an austere champion of the LGBTQ+ community and a perennial advocate for anyone who’s simply ever felt alone or estranged from themselves.” She’s emerging out from the indie bedroom pop scene and has an amazing 300 million streams globally. “Sad love song” is one of the few installments that represent Edens journey as a trans artist, as it goes through the different colors of the LGBTQ+ flag and what each color represents to them. Blue represents the sad and crazy aspects of relationships and how we grow stronger from them when they fall apart.

Kid Bloom - “I Fell in Love Again”

The Los Angeles-based artist, Kid Bloom, never fails to bring us something new and fun to listen to. “I Fell In Love Again” is Kid Bloom’s newest track and it’s full of a smooth and airy flow of instrumentals that completely take over you, reminiscent to the feeling of warmth from the sun. Kid Bloom has a certain energy in his music that feels hopeful for the days to come. All the elements of synth, electronica and time traveling notes is what makes Kids Bloom sound something more than Indie Pop, it’s a world of playful magic. Kid Bloom has been releasing music consistently, always treating us to something with a unique sound but sticking to elements that are clung to who he is. “I Fell In Love Again” is a nice track to daydream about the hopefulness we have for 2022.

Scream Mountain - “Runaways”

Soothing and dreamy is how “Runaways” would be described to anyone listening to this indie rock track. Scream Mountain’s unique sound uses a broad palette that creates a beautiful concept that's truly theirs. The use of booming drum grooves, reverb soaked bridges, synth pop melodies and a tight rhythm section create this freeing and reliving sound. The song is accompanied by a retro-cinematic MV that compliments the dream-like feel to the song and is sure to brighten up you day, as the MV provides a sense of humor and the haziness adds a sense of escape. It feels as if you’re watching a start to an iconic indie film. With a slew of upcoming singles, an EP, and all the hard work they put in last year to refine their sound, Scream Mountain is ready to take 2022 by storm.

Araya - “Doctor”

Bursting with vibrant colors and stunning cinematography, Araya’s new music video “Doctor” showcases an unsettling electronic music world that takes listeners on a ride. Directed by New Jersey filmmaker, Cult Classic, the video plays as a moving collage as we see Araya transform in the dreamscape around him.

Having been writing songs since age ten, Araya has had time to explore and push his music to new boundaries clearly shown in “Doctor.” According to Araya he uses music as, “a medium to comprehend and channel life experiences into reflective tales of self-acceptance and understanding.” “Doctor” can be described in the simplest ways as a revenge song. It’s about a love that drives you to the point of losing your sanity and turns you into the person you fear to become.

His next album, Ethos, drops on February 22 and if this is any indication of the upcoming album, I can’t wait to hear more. Having been hailed as the most streamed artist on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist, Araya is becoming a pop icon, and I am here for his taste of visual languages and soulful sound.

Lilyisthatyou - “Purity”

What a great way to start the year off with this sex positive anthem by Lilyisthatyou. In Lily’s words, this song is best described as “baseball bat-chic-villain-euphoria-cheerleader-harley-quinn-girl-power-shower-sex-scene madness.” “Purty” is Lily’s unapologetic new single that follows her last single “Party 22”- which is an empowering breakup anthem that also has that party-jam vibe! The beautiful film MV is paired with playful and exciting cheerleading choreography with “just the right amount of aggressiveness” and awesome wardrobe and make up. Based in Toronto, Lily’s past single “FMRN” (F*ck Me Right Now) gained 1 million views on TikTok in 24 hours it sadly was taken down do to it being too explicit. Once it gained permission to be put back on the platform, It gained 40 million streams+ and counting. Lily is a force to be reckoned with and is an unapologetic queen to keep your eye on.

Katie Tupper - “Danny”

Katie Tupper's "Danny" comes from her upcoming debut EP, Towards The End, releasing on February 18th. This Canadian singer has a deep, soothing voice that in turn makes me want to float away into the dreamy and simplistic visuals of "Danny". The representation of Danny as a heavy, awkward mannequin provides the perfect metaphor for a hard to forget relationship.

Friends, lovers, etc., will come and go but the lasting impact they had on us, those little quirks and memories we gained from them, never seem to fade no matter how hard we try. Tupper's gentle tone elevates the devastating message and sentimental drumline behind the song and puts this situation into a brand new reality - one where we can begin to heal from those who hurt us.

Her previous single, "Can I Get Your Love?" will also be featured on her upcoming EP. For a post Valentine's Day release, we’re not sure if we’re prepared to embrace love or want to ultimately destroy it for the pain it could inevitably cause.

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