Hitting 2023’s halfway mark calls for a celebration. June’s final week offers new album announcements and singles to pair, plus debut albums and EP’s a plenty. Not to mention a few stars are back in the picture. Here’s a gander at who’s come back to life and who’s never left.
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”
In the the two years since Olivia Rodrigo captivated Gen Z with her first record SOUR, the world has wanted more from the chart-topping, four time platinum record holder and three time Grammy winning 20-year-old artist.
The young popstar comes through on “vampire,” the first single ahead of her newly announced second record GUTS, due out September 8 on Geffen Records.
Rodrigo faced a lot of pressure in the months before and years after SOUR (she couldn’t even parallel park). Now her sound has matured.
Pianos and faster rhythms but confidently drawn out lyrics shine on “vampire.” By Rodrigo’s own words, this is likely a glimpse into GUTS.
“For me, this album is about growing pains and trying to figure out who I am at this point in my life,” Rodrigo said in a release. “I feel like I grew 10 years between the ages of 18 and 20—it was such an intense period of awkwardness and change. I think that’s all just a natural part of growth, and hopefully the album reflects that.”
Loyal fans are also likely to help Rodrigo live up to already high expectations. SOUR entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1 and would go on to become the longest-running debut album in the chart’s top 10 of the 21st century—and the first to spend an entire year in the chart’s upper half.
The world will soon know if “vampire“ and other new songs bring GUTS a similar awakening.
Bdrmm – I Don’t Know
In a world where louder bands have almost gone off the deep end with a head first dive into chaotic noise that is too silly to enjoy seriously, shoegaze’s resurgence has found a way to be a composed and turbulent alternative to modern post-punk. When the dust settles, the four boys from bdrmm will emerge among the genre’s modern leaders.
Their second record I Don’t Know begins with two slower tracks that allow beats and machines to breathe and give listeners a nice tempo to nod to. When the vocals and captivating keys fade on second song “Be Careful” they glide seamlessly into lead single “It’s Just A Bit of Blood,” where the band finally shows their erupting noise only to suddenly hit a purposeful pause, slow down, and let the words breathe. Seeing this song performed live will be a treat for years to come.
The revolving door of new sounds and slight departure from their first LP Bedroom prove the bdrmm boys wanted to keep pushing themselves.
“A lot of it is just us gaining confidence, and also not wanting to retread old ground,” bassist Jordan Smith explained in a release. “We’d made the guitar record. So we were thinking, ‘What else can we do?’”
The band has made strides without tossing everything away or exploring new noise and saying they didn’t know why. “I Don’t Know“ proves the opposite–they know where they’re going. After being on the UK charts and a number of year end lists in 2020, this record shows self-confidence in knowing they’ll go straight to the top of rock.
Dilan Jay – “Celebration”
Something about his Latinx rapper Dilan Jay’s sound shouts “summer vibes” and now he’s offering a song with lyrics and instrumentation that can give anyone a reason to celebrate. A guitar solo even sneaks its way in.
Jay has been everywhere; on the road and on stage opening for other acclaimed artists like Lil John, Chemical Brothers and Anderson. Paak. His range has been on display across three different decades, even helping Jay find the top spot on MTV’s Most Popular Music Video chart for “Pretty Girls,” a track he released while rapping as DeLon.
“Celebration” is a chance for Jay to reminisce about the past, tell the haters to look at him now and then dance into the future where more poppy hits await.
Grian Chatten – Chaos For The Fly
Fontaines D.C. lead singer Grian Chatten has already proven to be a generational songwriter. He’s helped his band of Irish pals get nominated for Grammys and countless other accolades.
Chatten’s debut solo album from Partisan Records is a chance for the London-by-way-of-Dublin musician to define his own individual success. It only adds to what Chatten’s many fans already knew: the dude can write. Like really write. The self-published poet is performing solo sets on Later…With Jools Holland and strumming an acoustic guitar. While this sounds nothing like a Fontaines record apart from Chatten’s voice, he isn’t singing about the same subjects.
Chatten also got a bit of hands-on work from legendary producer and his personal pal Dan Carey on the album.
The LP’s first song “The Score” is filled with finger-picking and enough humming to prove the music world can be Chatten’s and everyone else can simply enjoy the ride.
Which of these tracks from New Music Friday will you be adding to your favorite playlists today? Any we missed? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!
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