Water From Your Eyes – Everyone’s Crushed
In 2016 a Chicago couple demanded an answer from themselves: what would happen if they created a sad dance band?
Seven years and five albums later Water From Your Eyes give answers beyond that ask on Everyone’s Crushed–a record packed with cathartic sounds and a multitude of implicit lyrics. Call it chaos, or whatever you call it, but now Rachel Brown and Nate Amos are exes and New Yorkers. Those big changes seemingly changed nothing. The two still write dreamy upbeat songs, namely “Barley” which opens with Amos’ instrumental combos jingling between the ears. Then comes Brown’s monotonal offering, “One two three four / I count mountains / One two three / Counter / You’re a cool thing count mountains.” Does this evoke rhythmic pleasure in the listener? Yes. Does it make sense? It doesn’t have to.
“Out There” is bound to become a live staple. This song’s bassline is downright dirty. It’s a fast and low riff. It’s dark, oily and rubbery. There’s beautiful swagger in Brown’s voice and you can imagine them swaying back and forth on stage to the bass brushing underneath. The chorus is just as infectious when the groove steps aside, leaving room for plenty of vocal effects.
The two save space for a slow-burning classical song with strings on “14,” which Amos described in a release as something from a “gross-out horror movie”: “I’m ready to throw you up.”
Water From Your Eyes begs you to “Buy My Product” on the closer. If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably down.
“There are no happy endings,” Brown sings.
Most listeners would agree, if only because Everyone’s Crushed is over. At least you can press replay.
Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine
Mercury Prize-winning singer Arlo Park’s second album is a reward that’s been a long time coming.
Parks’ debut effort Collapsed In Sunbeams came out over two years ago and the singles for My Soft Machine first rolled out at 2023’s dawn.
Every release added something of substance, mounting cherries on top of the sweet treat Parks delivers in her poetic lyrics.
Phoebe Bridgers even stops by for a guest appearance on “Pegasus” but that’s not close to the nicest surprise. The most astonishing part of the album is how much space Parks leaves in each song. Everything seems wide open without being slow. All songs take place in a tall and wide room where the pianos, drums and vocals can be soaked in and appreciated both individually and collectively.
This record is a playground for style. Instead of running around causing chaos, Parks enjoys each piece of equipment at her own ever-gentle pace.
The Voidz – “Prophecy of the Dragon”
There have been a number of Voidz singles since 2018’s Tyranny, but each was an individual gift. This band from the future led by The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas seems poised to give more than that this go around.
Earlier in May the group was featured on a demo recorded in 2013, released on the 10-year anniversary pack of Daft Punk’s classic Random Access Memories.
Lately, the band has caused a ruckus on Instagram with a number of cryptic (if not chaotic) posts and even created “Voidz TV” on YouTube. It’s an ad that’s definitely an ode to the Mets, er, um, the 80’s. Tarzan appears on a fake version of MTV to say something new is coming from The Voidz.
Something new apparently meant the band’s new rock track with cover art that parodies NASCAR.
The song itself is equally all over the place. Listen for yourselves and be glad The Voidz are back to save us all from the seriousness of human existence.
Which of these from New Music Friday will you be adding to your favorite playlists today? Any we missed?
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