Written by Various Authors
Every 2 weeks, Music Review Committee comes together and puts together the 6 best singles that came out in the last 2 weeks. Here’s a little bit about the songs we chose this time around! From some members of MRC!
Madden McFarlane – Painless by Ben Quad: The newest single from post-emo band Ben Quad features all the twinkly guitar riffs and angsty lyrics from their previous album “I’m Scared That’s All There Is” and incorporates some of the more harsh vocals from their 2024 EP “Ephemera”. Shifting between math rock and screamo, fans of both styles will find this single to be more enjoyable than just painless.
Dzevad Busnov – Up by Black Thought and Danger Mouse ft. Rag n Bone Man: The duo that brought about the great “Cheat Codes” both remind me of Tim Duncan: spectacular at their craft, but not flashy about it. And just like an athlete, with every new addition to their resume, their greatness becomes even more obvious.
Ryan Watson – Earthshaker by Phantogram: Leading up to the deluxe of their 2024 album “Memory of A Day”, Phantogram pulled together another classic banger to fit perfectly into their expansive catalog. The sound is what we’ve come to expect from Phantogram; funky driving bassline, expansive synths, tense drums, and despondent guitars all coming together to create an almost dystopian soundscape.
Letan Reed – Natural law by Primitive Man: Over 10 minutes of pure unadulterated terror in musical form. Minutes of tension building goodness to finally crush you with destructive riffs. Primitive man continues to put out wicked and annihilating songs time after time.
Payton Lehman – Works and Days by Tortoise: The 90s Krautrock icons, Tortoise, are back after an almost 10-year long hiatus with their new album releasing in mid-November being titled “Touch”, and Their last album being “The Catastrophist” in 2016, which was an album that experimented with the sounds of IDM and ambient-like production. “Works and Days,” the newest single from the album, however, contrasts with their previous reliance on flashy electronic production to a more mellow and stripped-back instrumental track while also retaining some tasteful arrangements of electronics. There is this piano sample loop throughout the entirety of the track with colors of instrumentation and electronics as the track progresses. Overall, this track feels smooth and is jam-packed full of life and colors.
Julien Michalski – The Coward Forgets His Nightmares by Chanel Beads: Following their debut album in 2024, Chanel Beads returns with one of their most energetic songs yet. Shane Lavers’ ethereal vocals glide over a heavenly sea of guitars soaked in chorus and reverb. The soundscape created in this song is beautiful and raises high hopes for the likely album to come.
