Singles Roundup 2/4

posted February 4, 2019 in Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Staff.

 

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – "Cyboogie"

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard has released a brand new single entitled “Cyboogie.” This release is King Gizzard’s first new piece of music since their five-album endeavor in 2017.

While maintaining the bizarre and psychedelic style they are known for, King Gizzard opts to incorporate more reverberated and digitized effects for the vocals. Combined with the wavy guitar riffs and simple progression, the band is able to create an environment that is almost euphoric and easy for the listener to let play.

This style allows itself to play as background noise, yet does so in a way that is alluring and leaving the listener to want more. “Cyboogie” is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s triumphant return, hopefully with a few new singles or an album in tow. – Jack Grossman

 

Billie Eilish – "Bury A Friend"

Striking a perfect balance between spooky and calming in her latest single “Bury A Friend” from her forthcoming debut studio album "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go," Billie Eilish proves the malleability of her signature eerie and ethereal sound.

Embodying the monster under your bed lyrically, “What do you want from me”, “Why aren’t you scared of me?” and “Why do you care for me?” are just a few of the internal questions Eilish poses throughout the song. These eerie lyrics play into Eilish’s trademark; a disaffected, thoughtful and emotional demeanor.

Eilish incorporates an upbeat and capturing tempo into the piece, expanding from her usual repertoire. This is paired with various ornamental screeches, gasps and sighs that underpin the overwhelmingly skittish atmosphere of the song that you can’t turn away from.

Overall the single proves that there is more to come from the 17-year-old artist. “Bury a Friend” showcases an evolution in Eilish’s signature sound and production complexity to curate a captivating musical landscape that draws both emotion and feeling. – Imogen Corker

 

Andrew Bird – "Sisyphus"

There is a certain level of respect to be given to anyone who can break through the tropes of songwriting. Think The Decemberists or Neutral Milk Hotel, these deemed “indie rock” legends that have built songs around folklore or the story of Anne Frank, respectively.

At the heart of these tunes there is that usual message of love or loneliness, but it's this use of linear characters that divert you from the same language, while still getting the message across.

Andrew Bird is another one of these “legends,” a classic in a genre that’s yet classical.

Telling the tale of Sisyphus as though he truly embodied the Greek myth, Andrew Bird strums, sings and even whistles with emphatic nature that makes the task of being forever cursed to push a boulder up a hill, seem like a scene out of your favorite Wes Anderson movie.

Bird has stated that this latest single is about not being able to overcome addiction, plateauing quite like Sisyphus. Through the tried and true acoustic guitar, Bird still finds ways to keep his sound so fresh. Be it a plucking of violins in his previous work, or synths in this one, he is able to play with outside elements gorgeously, without changing the genre itself.

His new album My Finest Work Yet is set to release on March 22nd, and if this track is even a slight semblance of what the album has to come, then its no joke of a title. “Sisyphus” is perhaps his best showing since 2013’s hit “Pulaski at Night.” – Matthew Dunn

Empire of the Sun - "Chrysalis"

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary re-release of their debut album "Walking on a Dream," Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore commemorate the occasion by unearthing a previously cut track, “Chrysalis.”

This track fits in perfectly with the band’s style at that time, an electronic synthpop experience. The light vocals with a positive message, “rising from the shadows with the sunrise.” The title alludes to this, liking it to emerging from a chrysalis.

The vocal style fits in perfectly with the other tracks on the album it was cut from. The vocals are a bit repetitive but that is normal in this genre.

The instrumental is trademark Empire of the Sun, synths with an electronic space feel. A nice drum beat complements the other tracks, and the synth bass has a funk style to it. The different synths blend into this spacey, easy listening style which is the band at its greatest.

The track is not the most complex but take that with a grain of salt. This was made 10 years ago, so the growth that the band has made does not apply to this track. – Owen Paiva

Omar Apollo – "Trouble"

The young R&B, Soul, Bedroom-Pop, crooner Omar Apollo has built a strong name for himself over recent months due to his powerful voice, beautiful lyricism and glistening guitars. His latest single "Trouble" simply adds to his prolific discography.

“Trouble” teases his forthcoming EP and takes on a slightly slower style than his previous work. The first minute builds up Omar's voice in parallel to his guitar chords, with backing vocals, and slightly humorous ad-libs "buy me a set, f*** up a check" that don't quite fit the songs message or cadence, but more so play on the popular trend of flexing oneself through music.

The song contrasts these backing vocals of confidence with this upfront lyricism of shyness; who he wants to be versus who he truly is. "It's just nice to meet you anyway / didn't mean to scare you yesterday."

Perhaps not his best standalone track, "Trouble" still promises for bigger and better things from Omar in the coming months. – Matthew Dunn

Rico Nasty – "Roof"

When a rapper finds their producer, it’s like witnessing something magical. Hearing Rico Nasty yell “Kenny” is like hearing “Yo Pierre you wanna come out here?” on a Playboi Carti track; it’s going to be good.

Kenny Beats’ raw, unfiltered production aligned with his hard-hitting bass brings the absolute best out of Rico Nasty’s aggressive delivery and flow style.

Already registered as an artist to look out for back in 2018, Rico comes into the new year with the same punk energy she left off with last time. It’s the swagger in her lyrics that makes her such a positive artist to listen to. “I look good in every angle, so you don’t like me beside you / Seven b****** three lines, b**** that’s a haiku.”

Maybe not to your parents, but this is feel-good music. When Rico flexes on the bassline you really feel the passion and emotion, you feel like you can block out all negative energy and get done whatever menial task you have to do.

Rico is an important enigma in the rap scene right now with how she blends the male and female fan base. There is a sad reality in the lack of prominent female rappers; while men can occupy as many spaces as necessary, women often seem to be categorized as either the best or simply washed up (take the recent Cardi B, Nicki Minaj beef for example). Her skill on the mic makes her an easy choice for top five new school rappers out right now and with each song she only continues to grow. – Matthew Dunn

Galantis - "Bones" featuring OneRepublic

This past Friday, Galantis released their new single “Bones” featuring OneRepublic. This single is a part of their track list to their upcoming album, G3.

Lead singer, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, sings about someone he once loved who broke his heart and gave him so much pain. Although she hurt him so bad, she is the only one who can heal the pain. He sings in the chorus, “And I know when it cuts deep down/ Through your chest into your soul/ That’s how you know, that’s how I know/ I feel it in my bones (Hey).”

They say that love is felt in the heart, but after he broke up with his ex-lover, the pain he felt went deep into his bones. Heart break is one of the worst feelings someone can experience, his pain through his bones can relate to the meaning of how painful it is when someone you care for can hurt you so bad.

The song starts off with a guitar and echoing voices in the background. As the voices fade, Ryan Tedder starts to sing while the beat picks up with multiple drum rhythms playing in the background.

The song chorus is the best part, as you feel the lyrics emotionally tie in with the beats. As the guitar and multiple beats play out, the chorus bursts with loud trumpets that add a catchy tune. This is one of the many songs Galantis has in store for us in the new year, and it is exciting to see what’s coming. – Rachel Miloscia

 

 

Jack Grossman is a junior majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email jackdgrossman@gmail.com.

Imogen Corker is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email ohmigen@gmail.com.

Matthew Dunn is a junior majoring in print journalism. To contact him, email mzd5424@psu.edu.

Owen Paiva is a sophomore majoring in film/video. To contact him, email
owenpaiva@sbcglobal.net.

Rachel Miloscia is a junior majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email rachelmiloscia34@gmail.com.

 

About the Contributors

Owen Paiva's photo

Owen Paiva

Senior / Film/Video

Owen Paiva is a senior majoring in film-video. He currently serves as a social media director at CommRadio. In the past, he interned at both WPSU as a sports production intern and at Shadowbox Studios as a production intern.  f you want to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).