What I’m Listening To This Week
The blog was originally published on April 30th, 2021
New music? For spring? Groundbreaking. But really, I’m so excited because some of my favorite artists are releasing albums in May and June which means new singles! Lead singles always give us hints on what to expect from an album and so far I haven’t been disappointed by what I’ve heard. Sometimes singles are just singles, so I’ve included some of those new songs too. Here are some of my current favorites!
“Imagine” – Ben Platt
After a beautiful, but heartbreaking debut album, Sing To Me Instead, Ben Platt has launched us into a new era which seems to be filled with joy and happiness. ‘Imagine’ is one of the happiest songs I’ve ever heard. The lyric that has played over and over in my head states, “I can’t imagine my life without you / I can’t imagine one night without you.” If a lyric could represent a smile this would be it. From the first couple seconds of the new track, you’re immediately transported into a bright new world filled with Ben’s music. No official album drop date has been released, but I think we can expect the new album in the coming month.
“when was it over? (feat. Sam Hunt)” – Sasha Sloan, Sam Hunt
Sasha Sloan and Sam Hunt. The collaboration you didn’t know you needed. This song is so quiet and stunning. The acoustic vibes and soft instrumentals perfectly accommodate the vulnerable and painfully truthful conversation turned to lyrics between two lovers. Our hearts break right along with our narrators. The song leaves the listener wondering whether they reconciled their love or called it quits.
“deja vu” – Olivia Rodrigo
If you’ve listened to any music this year, chances are you’ve heard Olivia Rodrigo. Her massive debut single “driver’s license” has shattered records everywhere, and rightfully so. Her lyrics paint vivid scenes with bold imagery that fill in character details and tell a full story. Her second single “deja vu” is just as stunning as “driver’s license.” Her vocals pull the listener in from the first line “car rides to Malibu / strawberry ice cream / one spoon for two” and a quiet instrument line flows through the first verse and chorus. After the first chorus Olivia drops us into a moody landscape, with distorted sounds from mellotron, to create a melody line with instrumentals that match the lyrics. Her debut album, SOUR, drops May 21st.
“The Ones That Make It” – Leah Nobel
Coming off of the success of her song “Beginning Middle End,” featured in the Netflix movie “To All The Boys: Always and Forever,” Leah Nobel spins listeners into a dreamy landscape with “The Ones That Make It.” The scene that this song paints in my mind is a warm summer day in the 1950s or early 1960s. The narrator compares her and her lover’s personalities with how they differ. She is looking for things that point to their relationship not working out, but her lover knows they’ll be the ones that make it and that their personal differences are what makes their relationship strong. Cute, right? I love it.
“I’m Fine” – Ashe
Ashe is the quintessential cool pop star. Her music and lyrics are funky, but obtainable, detailed, but relatable. After releasing a steady stream of singles and EP’s, Ashe is releasing her debut album Ashlyn on May 7th. I’ve been listening to her music for a while and I am very much looking forward to her debut album. “I’m Fine” is an almost comical song about saying you’re fine when you’re really not and having that one person in your life that knows when you’re lying and is there for you when you need that extra support.
“Off” – Jake Scott
Jake Scott is amazing. He hasn’t released a song to date I haven’t loved. I don’t know how he does it. His lyrics are catchy, real, and capture the mundane moments of life most of us overlook. “Off” is the first single from his upcoming EP, Goldenboy, out in June. This track is simple, just vocals backed by electric guitar, but it doesn’t disappoint.
“Not Yet” – Brett Young
And why not round it out with a country song? Brett Young is one of my favorite country artists. His songs have melodies that will stay stuck in your head for days. “Not Yet” is his lead single off his upcoming eight song collection (it hasn’t explicitly been called an album) Weekends Look A Little Different These Days out June 4th. This new song has checked all my boxes for classic summer bop- catchy lyrics, upbeat acoustic instrumentals, and happy feels.
Happy listening. Xx
