September 2022 Monthly Recap
By: Raquel Lacusky
September championed many notable music releases. Here, I’m breaking down my favorite songs that came out last month.
When You Know You Know - The Beths
The Beth’s most recent album Expert In A Dying Field is nothing short of indie-rock perfection. If I had to chose a song to play during the happy ending of my very own coming of age movie, it would definitely be When You Know You Know. The New Zealanders perfectly encapsulate the joyous feeling of being in the right place at the right time with addictive melodies and beautiful guitar parts. The song feels sweet and simple, but musically complex at the same time. When You Know You Know is sure to strike a chord with indie music lovers.
Artwork: Lily Paris West
Photo: Claire Marie Vogel
Sunshine Over The Counter - Maddison Cunningham
Sunshine Over The Counter off Maddison Cunningham’s latest album “Revealer” is a unique psychedelic pop song that pulls inspiration from a variety of genres. The verses are very rhythmic and eclectic while the choruses add classic pop elements to the track. The song feels like it simultaneously takes influence from artists like Fiona Apple, Taylor Swift and Pink Floyd. Sunshine Over The Counter is another great example of Maddison Cunningham developing her own unique sound.
Love Looks Different - Madi Diaz
Madi Diaz’s distinctive vocals and beautiful lyricism have easily made her one of my favorite singer-songwriters. Her latest track, Love Looks Different is a heartwarming song about coming into a place of healing after struggling in a past relationship. Diaz sings, “love looks different to me now, it doesn’t have your face anymore.” The acoustic instrumentation add a breathe of fresh air to the song’s lyrical meaning. This track is an indie-folk staple.
Photo: Shervin Lainez
Photo: Alvvays
Belinda Says - Alvvays
Belinda Says is a precursor to Alvvays’ highly anticipated album “Blue Rev.” The track easily accomplished its goal of getting fans excited for the album. Belinda Says adds a beautiful melody over a fuzzy indie-grunge instrumental, making it feel unique. It’s a bit heavier than the bands previous works, but still stays true to their feel-good indie rock sound.
Love Is Letting Go (feat. Diane Keaton) - Ashe
Love Is Letting Go marks the first time actress Diane Keaton has sang on a recorded track. Ashe was inspired to feature Keaton on the song after reading her memoir. The song chronicles the experience of having to let go of someone you want to be close to over a beautiful acoustic guitar part. Keaton’s vocals add a warmth to the song that perfectly contribute to telling its story.
Photo: Alex Harper
Artwork: Cristina Daura
Words And Guitar - Sleater-Kinney, Courtney Barnett
This revamped version of Sleater-Kinney’s 1997 punk hit Words And Guitar lets fans imagine what the band would sound like if it made modern alternative music. The track encompasses Courtney Barnett’s alternative sound without sacrificing the integrity of the original track. Think of this version as a more mild, simplified version of the original riot grrrr esque tune.
Kill Her Freak Out - Samia
Samia’s return Kill Her Freak Out is easily the most raw and honest song I heard this month. The songs instrumental primarily consists of simple organ chords, while its lyrics are much more complex. Samia details specific experiences and vulnerable feelings while still managing to make them feel relatable. After the vocals of the song end, listeners are able to sit with a long outro that lets you take in the contents of the lyrics that Samia just sang. Kill Her Freak Out makes me very excited for what’s to come on Samia’s upcoming album Honey.
Photo: Sophia Matinazad
Photo: Pierce The Veil Spotify
Pass The Nirvana - Pierce The Veil
Pass The Nirvana may be one of my favorite Pierce The Veil songs to date. The verses of the song take on a grunge sound that makes the track feel elevated in comparison to the rest of the band’s discography. All the while, the band still incorporates its classic pop-punk screamo sound for long time fans. Wether you are a past or present PTV fan, Pass The Nirvana is a track you don’t want to miss.
Morning - Charlotte Lawrence
Bedroom pop artist Charlotte Lawrence takes her sound to new heights with her latest single Morning. The track feels dreamy and ethereal. It’s chorus has an addictive melody that will be sure to get stuck in your head. It also showcases Lawrence’s songwriting in a way that feels fresh and vulnerable. Morning is a song that’s easy to put on repeat.
Photo: @charlotteslawrence Instagram
Photo: @djotime Instagram
Fool - Djo
Fool is my favorite track from Djo’s highly acclaimed album DECIDE. Djo’s sound is so unique that it immediately catches your attention. Fool feels like a fusion of 80s synth-pop and modern alt-pop. It’s different, it’s fun, it’s catchy, and it’s a song that definitely deserves a listen.
