Singles Roundup: Week of Oct. 21

Story posted October 21, 2019 in Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Staff.

Free Nationals — “Eternal Light”

The Free Nationals first gained prominence as the backing band to Anderson .Paak, but the band is going without the Los Angeles based R&B singer while releasing a string of singles throughout the second half of 2019, recruiting a wide array of artists from Daniel Caesar to Unknown Mortal Orchestra to JID.

For “Eternal Light,” Jamaican dance hall artist Chronixx joined the Free Nationals. Like the previous releases, the latest single is a relaxed song, mixing elements of rap, R&B, and funk music.

Chronixx works well with the Free Nationals, his soft voice goes well with the bands instruments, which featured a prominent bass line and a clean staccato guitar riff.

The lyrics, which are written by Chronixx, is not full of emotional depth but are still good, as he sings about enjoying his life.

Overall, the fourth single from the Free Nationals proves that the band does not need its prominent frontman to create interesting, well-produced, genre-blending music.  —Jim Krueger

Beck — “Hyperlife”

The 2015 Album of the Year winning artist Beck has released teh single “Hyperlife” off of his upcoming album, “Hyperspace.” This track has an ethereal, dream-like feel to it, with synth heavy instrumentals accenting the opening. The spacy feel goes really well with the title, the song conveying a little unease, almost like drifting in space. The song was produced by Beck, frequent producer David Greenbaum, and one half of the Neptunes in Pharrell Williams.

The lyrics are simplistic but effective, describing “Hyperlife” in a basic but meaningful way. Beck sings about wanting to grow and grow with someone he cares about. The singing is given a bit more emphasis to the low bass strings that accompany them.

For a single, this song only clocks in a little over a minute and a half, so this is probably an intro or transition song off the album, but makes the album more intriguing in the long run.  —Owen Paiva

Cody Simpson — “golden thing”

Cody Simpson probably hasn’t been trending since his teenage days when he was a young pop star, but has recently been scattered throughout headlines after he made his budding relationship with Miley Cyrus official. After Cyrus’s breakup with Liam Hemsworth following 10 years together, Simpson’s relationship with her was the last thing fans expected to happen.

Whether their relationship is a publicity stunt or not, it may have churned out a great new song for Simpson, five years since his last full studio album. “golden thing” is an acoustic love ballad about finding a girl who radiates the beach waves and sits upon her very own “diamond throne.” Simpson’s love interest shuts herself out from the world, but feels safe letting him in. He’s insistent that they have something special and golden.

No matter how many ways one tries to twist it, every single element about this song screams Miley. The verses are nothing but short, two word descriptors (“smoky eye, pearly white”) so it’s possible that Simpson penned this quickly after the two made their relationship official. In fact, the single artwork even features a girl with hair just like Cyrus’s wavy, blonde locks. “golden thing” is sentimental, but nothing groundbreaking, though it’s certain to pick up traction as the couple continues to post sappy videos on Instagram.  —Jade Campos

Griselda —"DR. BIRD’S"

The trio comprised of Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine and BENNY THE BUTCHER have been releasing some of the most aggressive and grimy raps over the past few years and “DR. BIRD’S” is no different. This is the first single from the trio since the group signed to Shady Records in 2017 and it shows that even though the trio is a part of a major, you can still expect to hear the vicious lyricism that put them on the map. Conway spits,  “That's just one zip, the drum rip, leave you rinsed (Rrah) / Hide the body for a week and it's gon' leave a stench (Smell that?).”

The trio’s knack for providing graphic detail about their violent escapades combined with their luxurious vernacular (“Hid behind the Warhol, dip to Bergdorf, shot up the whole store”) is why the group has been so highly regarded over the past year. If “DR. BIRD’S” is any indication, the trio’s major label debut album is going to showcase just how menacing the men can be.  —Jerome Taylor

 


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

Jim Krueger is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email kruegerjim19@gmail.com.

Jade Campos is a sophomore majoring in print/digital journalism. To contact her, email jmc7727@psu.edu.

Jerome Taylor is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jerome.taylor.jr97@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).

Jerome Taylor's photo

Jerome Taylor

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

Jerome Taylor currently serves as one of two Arts & Entertainment Managers for CommRadio. He currently serves as a host for the department’s flagship radio show, “The Nittany Record Club.” He has also written several album reviews and has contributed to several lists that the department has produced. Jerome has also served as a beat writer and producer for several Penn State sports including, lacrosse, volleyball, and basketball. After graduation Jerome hopes to work in the broadcast journalism field covering sports or entertainment. Follow him on twitter (@ThatGuy_Rome) or email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Jade Campos's photo

Jade Campos

Junior / Print/Digital Journalism

Jade Campos is a junior from Caroline, Virginia. She is a director of the arts and entertainment department of CommRadio and a co-host on the talk show The Nittany Record Club alongside Colton Pleslusky and David Fortunato. Along with CommRadio, Jade is currently the assistant lifestyle editor for the Daily Collegian. In the past, she has interned with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. To contact her, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).