Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
By Saachi Gupta & Isabella Vega
parking lot - “early”
Life in a big city has always seemed like the stuff of dreams, reserved for people who long for more. Being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the people, each one a dreamer, creates a special connection with the environment around you. With "early", the band Parking Lot creates a track that is supposed to embody "the feeling of driving around during the early morning in L.A.". Electric guitars and wailing vocals, mixed with Parking Lot's signature optimist aesthetics, “early” keeps the listener with each note. Parking Lot shines a light into our current moment by making us reveal in a memory we haven't lived.
WILDIVE - “Dopamine”
A debut single for a band is always a first impression of sorts for the listener. "Dopamine" by Wildive is a mark of longevity for the band's career. The band states that the song itself is "almost dreamy and summerly", filled with rock influences that complement the out-of-body vocals of the frontman. The 3-piece band from Cologne has heavy hand in their visual aesthetics, and even created the music video that accompanies the song. The video centers around two girls that go on a road trip, and what the band describes as "a curious relationship between them.”
sam woods - “What Can I Say?”
Catchy and evocative, “What Can I Say” is a perfect mixture of meaningful lyrics and a fun beat. It’s the kind of song that would play in the first few hours of a house party that stretches into the morning, when people are a little tipsy, and everything's a little softer. T fourth single off an upcoming debut EP, the tracks highlights Wood’s funky undertones. According to Woods, the song itself is essentially about the breakup and fallout that follows a long-term relationship. “When a part of you always knew there was something off but at the same time you never expected it to really end and you're questioning now what the point of it all was,” he explains.
“What Can I Say?”, soft and indie, not only manages to catch your attention as it plays, but also manages to hold this attention until the very last moment.
Cal Maro - “Bad”
A groovy and slightly psychedelic song, Brooklyn based Cal Maro's “Bad” is a sultry, get down jam. Taking influence from artists like D'Angelo, Frank Ocean, and James Blake, Cal Maro showcases his groovy side with the track. Layers of soulful melodies and fun production elements, the track shifts things up 2:26 mark, to a more laid back and chill flow.
On the track, Cal Maro shares, “‘Bad’ is a pop song, but undressing. It was originally a faster song, like a set the night type of energy, but the iteration that hit right was when we slowed it down and let the energy speak for itself. It's a strut. It's tequila in the system. It's the moment you're so shook, you know things are out of your control. But you're past the point of nervousness or doubt; you're feeling yourself. You're ready for it, and you're showing out because you know it's too good both ways for things to not come through."
Youth Basketball - “No Reason”
Sweet and gentle, “No Reason” taps into a dreamy feel with lyrics that everyone can find themselves in. Youth Basketball notes, “‘No Reason’ is a song about how things just happen in life. How, to me, there’s no meaning. I liken life to when one “breaks” in a game of pool. You hit the rack, the balls scatter, and whatever happens, happens. If you want to create your own meaning in the randomness, go ahead, but don’t pretend like you have the definitive answer. The song holds even greater importance to me in the wake of Kobe Bryant’s passing and the helicopter tragedy that took all those lives.”
The song definitely manages to get this message across– in the most stunning way possible. With a dreamy production and vocals that melt into the music, “No Reason” leaves you feeling strangely peaceful, and in control of your own life. Youth Basketball manages to make a lasting impression.
Skin Mag - “Wild West”
Skin Mag continues to give us insight into their more defined sound for their upcoming album with their latest single “Wild West”. A reflection of the current political climate in the U.S., “Wild West” features yearning vocals delicately flowing with the seemingly simple but concise instrumentals. At each listen the audience is able to pick up more and more production elements, as “Wild West” highlights the band’s attention to detail and ability to explore in a tasteful way.
