February 2023 Monthly Recap
From Lana Del Rey, to Paramore, to 100 Gecs, to Gorillaz, February was no stranger to major releases. Here’s a breakdown of my favorites.
A&W - Lana Del Rey
A&W is the second single off Lana Del Rey’s forthcoming album Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd, and one of the best additions to her discography in a long time. The song starts as a classic dark melancholy LDR ballad, but just when you think the song has reached its conclusion, it takes a completely different turn. Right before the four-minute mark, Lana sings over heavy 808s that usher in the second half of the song, which brings new energy. Fully equipped with heavy bass, trap drums, gang vocals, and distortion, the second half of A&W is what truly makes the track shine. It takes on a sonic tone similar to the dark alt-pop sounds of the earliest days of the singer’s career, a tone that has been dearly missed by numerous fans. The release of A&W has easily made Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd one of the most anticipated albums of the year.
Sugar - Rodeo Boys
Rodeo Boys are a queer rock band from Lansing, Michigan, that perfectly fuse southern rock and grunge punk sounds, and their most recent single, Sugar, is no exception. Sugar sounds simultaneously DIY and polished, twangy and punk, and original and nostalgic. The single comes in anticipation of the group’s upcoming sophomore album Home Movies. Despite having a relatively short discography, the band has obtained a long list of accolades, from spots on festival lineups to editorial playlists to national tours. So if you’re looking for a new up-and-coming band to claim you followed before their big break, keep Rodeo Boys on your radar.
STARHEART - Trash Panda
Trash Panda is a band that has mastered how to pull the psychedelic potential out of Indie Rock music. Their latest single, STARHEART, is a fun, upbeat track with a groove that has a life of its own. The verses take on an easy, laidback flow, while the guitar part in the choruses creates a more structured rock grove. Regardless of where you are in the song, it’s hard to keep from dancing. The track closes out with a guitar solo with neopsychedelic tones that perfectly wrap up the song. STARHEART is the perfect pre-summer jam to get you ready to welcome in the warm weather.
Hollywood Baby - 100 gecs
Hyperpop super duo 100 gecs is back with their single Hollywood Baby ahead of the release of their third album 10,000 gecs. The instrumental of the track is rooted in a pop-punk style guitar riff merged with classic 100 gecs electronic manipulation. This track is perfect for alt-rock fans who are ready to dip their toes into the world of hyperpop. Like in many 100 gecs tracks, the duo proves on Hollywood Baby that they’ve mastered the art of the buildup. Hollywood Baby is an addictive track that makes plenty of room for head-banging while fostering fans’ excitement for the upcoming 100 gecs release.
Thick Skull - Paramore
Thick Skull is my favorite track from Paramore’s highly acclaimed new album This Is Why. Thick Skull fuses the old angsty Paramore sound with their new experimental-indie sonic explorations. The track starts as a soft ballad as Hayley Williams sings, “I am a magnet for broken pieces / I am attracted to broken people” over an isolated guitar part. The song builds to a much more robust second verse and chorus with the whole band in full effect. In the final chorus, listeners are finally given the classic Hayley Williams belt as she sings, “Over my head, repeatedly / Thick skull never did nothing for me.” The track beautifully builds up and breaks down repeatedly to hammer in the message that having a thick skull never really saved Williams from times of trouble. Thick Skull serves as the perfect closer to the album and a testament to where Williams and Paramore are in their career.
Emerson - Annie DiRusso
Emerson is a single off masterful indie singer-songwriter Annie DiRusso’s latest EP, God, I Hate This Place. The song is about accepting your past and how it looks a little bit different as you grow up. The lyrics are gut-wrenching from the start as she opens with the line, “Baptized by a pedophile / In a church that reeks of oak and death.” DiRusso’s uniquely descriptive, and at times disconcerting, lyrics have never failed to separate her from other emerging indie singer-songwriters, Emerson being a perfect example. Sonically, the song takes a grungier rock tone which pairs perfectly with DiRusso's fight for acceptance of where her life has taken her. If you haven’t already added Annie DiRusso to your list of favorite indie sad girls, now is the time.
RATATA - Skrillex, Missy Elliot, Mr. Oizo
RATATA is my choice EDM track of the month. The song is featured on Skrillex’s comeback record, Quest For Fire. The DJ’s long-awaited return comes with no disappointments. This track features a sample of the Missy Elliot classic Work It. He loops the line “this the kinda beat that go ratata” over an addictive beat that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of your EDM preferences. Despite only being released last month, the track has been repeatedly remixed by a plethora of DJs at festivals, raves, and live sets a like. If you’re a fan of EDM, you can run, but you can’t hide from RATATA; and for that, I’m grateful.
Hawaii - Juicebox B-Side - The Strokes
The Release of Hawaii is a big win for fans of The Strokes. Originally recorded in 2005, the track finally made its way to streaming platforms last month as a part of a compilation project by the group titled The Singles - Volume 01. The record contains ten previously released singles paired with B-side singles that had yet to grace streaming platforms. Hawaii has been an unreleased fan favorite and is the B-Side to the track Juicebox off the band’s 2006 record First Impressions Of Earth. It’s a vacation-like track with fun lyrics about loving the paradise found in Hawaii paired with classic The Strokes instrumentals. In my eyes, Hawaii is the Surfin’ U.S.A. of The Strokes discography. It’s a previously secret fan-favorite that can finally be enjoyed by everyone.
Finger In Your Eye - YACHT
YACHT - short for Young Americans Challenging High Technology - is an L.A.-based post-pop trio. Finger In Your Eye is an addictive alternative pop track with scattered electronic notes. It’s a highly enjoyable song with fun background vocals and frivolous post-punk-like lyrics such as “Finger in you eye / finger in your eye / won’t you see me better.” It’s playful and challenges the modern notion that deeply meaningful lyrics equate to better songs. The chorus’ vocal melodies create a rhythm that is sure to get stuck in your head. Regardless of if you’re new to the post-pop genre or a seasoned listener, Finger In Your Eye is a track that is hard not to fall in love with.
Oil (feat. Stevie Nicks) - Gorillaz
February blessed us with another studio album from the Gorillaz. The album is stacked with numerous featured artists like Thundercat, Bad Bunny, Tame Impala, and Beck, but to me, the standout is Oil (feat. Stevie Nicks). Something about getting to hear Stevie Nicks on an electronic-influenced alternative pop song with the Gorillaz feels truly special. Hearing her sing the lyrics “You’ll be falling into the / bass and drum” is sure to garner a smile from listeners. And, in true Gorillaz fashion, the production sounds perfect. The instrumental is extremely modern, but Nicks’s vocals lend extremely well to bringing a sense of nostalgia into the track. To put it simply, it’s the best of both worlds.
