Weekly Roundup
Roundup by Carson Huffer
Following a massive explosion on TikTok, Grace Gardner has released the stunning and soul-shattering “Deny Me”. The song is full of yearning and desire for someone who is missing all the signs, even when directly made a muse for Grace’s music, layering soft vocals between building guitar and strings. Gardner’s poignant heartbreak is resolute and relatable, offering a comfort in the desire to finally just be denied affections instead of sitting in the waiting, and it is most definitely a must listen for this week.
gigi’s distinct alto rings through on her latest track “Figurines”. Focusing on the circle of life and one’s own mortality, “Figurines” creates an aura of haunting need to build an immortal image that will live on postmortem. gigi is currently tour with Noah Cyrus, and I can only imagine just how powerful this track is live and in concert while in conjunction with her other latest releases. I’ve been a major gigi fan for years now, and “Figurines” is just the latest installment in what I guarantee will be eventual sad indie domination from gigi.
Phoebe & Elliott by Kalina Tyne
Kalina Tyne is looking back on an ended relationship and realizing her own growth in new alt folk song “Phoebe & Elliott”. Boldly name-dropping Phoebe Bridgers and Elliott Smith in both the title and the lyricism, Kalina lets go of the way she used to change herself and create a new image for the person she was attracted to. The track is passionate and raw in its cinematic build as she comes to terms with the way her naivete changed her, and I can’t help but fall in love with her mesh of Phoebe styled vocalism and Elliott inspired guitar lines. To put it simply, you won’t be able to turn “Phoebe & Elliott” off.
Rife with the dread but excitement of growing up, Emei’s newest single “End of an Era” comes to terms with the period of leaving behind youth while not yet fully being an adult. While starting the track in a stressed and unsure way, “End of an Era” continually builds into vibrant confidence in surviving the next steps forward, even if the path isn’t yet apparent. As a recent college graduate, Emei’s understanding of life is far too relatable and also incredibly too catchy through each kick of the drums and lush guitar riff.
Falling in love with someone new is the featured topic of Carly Butler’s “cringe!”. Discussing the early moments of attraction and awkwardness, Carly Butler features an upbeat bedroom pop beat to drive her emotions forward, even if she is cringing away from the thought. Her subtle yet stunning vocals anchor this track and her emotions from running away from her, and I can’t imagine a song more specific to the complex feelings surrounding the butterflies that always bring about simultaneous excitement and frustration.
Gold Spectacles is over the modern debts and payments found in daily life with new single “Felines”. Equating the uber wealthy to fat cats who don’t do anything while the common people perform hard labor, Gold Spectacles features a strong and vibrant bassline to compliment the lead singers’ voices in their tale of strife and fury at the capitalist scheme.
Poison or Patience by Friday Pilots Club and OSTON
Featured track of pop rock group Friday Pilots Club newest EP, “Poison or Patience” spirals through self-loathing and seeks escape through either poison or patience. One of the many commentaries of the modern world on EP I LOVE YOU, ROBOT SUPERSTAR!, Friday Pilots Club have found a mastery of broadcasting their deep feelings while also being furious that they’re doing so.
