Staff Picks 3/26/24
The B-52’s, “Rock Lobster”
The thumping bass of “Rock Lobster,” a bombastic hit from the 1970s new wave icons the B-52s, is instantly recognizable. The song heavily features a surf-rock guitar, echoing the beachy themes of the track. These nautical lyrics are entirely nonsense. Few songs could get away with lines like: “(Sca-do-ba-da) Waving sea fans (Eww)/(Sca-do-ba-da) Seahorses sailing (Eww)/(Sca-do-ba-da) Dolphins wailing (Eww).”
The cackling sounds of dolphins squeaking, electronic buzzes and beeps, and frantic trills of “Rock Lobster!” punctuate the funky instrumentation. Hiding in lead singer Fred Shneider’s incomprehensible words is a vibrant picture of a sunny day at the beach. This brilliant imagery, “(Somebody went under a dock (Eww)/And there they saw a rock (Eww)/It wasn't a rock (Eww).It was a rock lobster (Eww),” colors the story set atop guitarist Ricky Wilson’s fantastic riffs.
“Rock Lobster” an undeniably infectious tune that sends you in a funky submarine back to the oceanic wave of the 70s. Sca-do-ba-da! -Liz Foster
Dua Lipa, “Hotter than Hell”
Before she was a world famous pop star and an Argylle actress, Dua Lipa was a budding artist dropping absolute heat. “Hotter than Hell,” a single from 2016, is a dancy, housy treat. There are trad-popisms a plenty, particularly in the spritely synths, but Dua brings some serious energy that elevates the track’s tropical drums.
On “Hotter than Hell,” Dua’s a certified baddie. She’s confident, opening with “He calls me the devil/I make him wanna sin/Every time I knock/He can't help but let me in, and establishes herself as the powerhouse in this relationship. She further toys with her irresistibility as she asks, “Does it burn when I'm not there?/And you're by yourself/Am I the answer to your prayers?” As a listener, it’s easy to fall under Dua’s spell. As an early career release, “Hotter than Hell” showed that Dua had the prowess and potential to earn her spot in the 2020s pop zeitgeist. -Liz Foster
DETO BLACK, chi, “It's A No From Me”
Finding this on my BOUNCE playlist has forever changed the way I say, “no.” Sometimes you’ve got to do what’s right for yourself, and that may be hard for others to hear- but it’ll probably get you out of some really icky situations. Production on this goes hard, each beat serving as a strut through those who would otherwise waste your time. Listen to this on your home commute to ensure you stay invincible. -Kimberly Moon-Chong
Blake Ruby, “Dirty Laundry”
To miss someone dearly is to have your heart bleed while you’re forced to continue on with life’s routines. Especially if that someone made you feel lighter when they’re around. Blake Ruby’s “Dirty Laundry,” as a metaphor for the mess he’s made inside his mind, can teach us a lot about ourselves. It’s a bit of an existential crisis that can briefly be solved with company. With twinkling piano keys, a stunning bass line, and a raunchy guitar solo—this song has got it all. -Kimberly Moon-Chong
XUZZ, “Mississippi”
Kick your day into gear with Kiwi artist XUZZ’ (pronounced Buzz) latest single “Mississippi”. As soon as the bass begins to play, you know you’re in for a ride. XUZZ’s rich vocals are mixed to feel like a live set, bringing atmosphere and life to an energetic track. The vibrant drums and playful guitars lead to a natural build, driven by a kick drum and dynamic harmonies. XUZZ’s catchy chorus line “Mississippi, Caroline / Nothing more to say” has been stuck in my head for weeks, including the fun background chants of “Hey!” and “Oh!” This playful song is injected with goodtime summer vibes and is perfect for anyone looking for a new song to scream with their passenger princesses. The post-chorus of this track is my personal favorite, it drops in from a softer bridge and finishes the song on a spirited high, using drums and vocals to create a dynamic end to this track. Check out XUZZ on all platforms for a feel-good tune. -Matz Kiernan
Griff, “Miss Me Too”
“Miss Me Too” has a hold on me, its melodramatic lyricism and pop-induced production have me dancing through an imaginary heartbreak. Griff has been making waves since the beginning of her “Vertigo” project—a series of EPs written whilst the artist was touring. “Miss Me Too’” depicts the narrative of losing yourself when falling in love, and how difficult it can be to find the old version of yourself post-breakup. Although the song is sad in its narrative, the co-produced track is designed to be danced to, as displayed by Griff in her epic music video released alongside the track. Griff is an artist I believe deserves so much more praise, not only is she an incredible singer-songwriter, Griff has also been highly recognised for her production abilities; self-producing most of her early tracks. “Miss Me Too” is Griff's first track released from Vertigo Volume 2, and I would urge any listener to dive further into her discography when they get a chance. My additional personal favorites are “Astronaut,” “Walk,” and “19th Hour.” -Matz Kiernan
Metro Boomin & Future, "Like That"
Over a year after Metro Boomin first hinted at the collaborative album, Future & Metro Boomin have finally released WE DON’T TRUST YOU – a wink at Metro Boomin’s producer tag voiced by Future (“If Young Metro don’t trust you, I’m gon’ shoot you”). Metro Boomin’s production on “Like That,” the album’s lead single, is impressive from the very start, setting the tone with explosive horns. The dark, shattering beat is peppered with Future’s signature whistle ad-libs, adding a little spice to the otherwise characteristically aggressive lyrics. Future floats on the beat, which is made even more special by the masterful sample of Eazy E’s iconic “Eazy-Duz-It,” which itself is a sample of the “Gumby” theme song. However, Metro and Future, like I have, bury the lede: Kendrick Lamar’s standout guest verse. In it, he shoots back at J. Cole and Drake, who, on “First Person Shooter,” implied that they, along with Kendrick Lamar, are the best rappers of this generation, with Cole playfully remarking that he was number one. Made worse by further beef between Metro Boomin and Drake that is too convoluted to delve into now, Kendrick, Future, and Metro seem to disrespectfully disagree, and in fact, Kendrick lets Drake and J. Cole know that he doesn’t even see himself in the same category: “Motherf*** the big three, n****, it's just big me.” -Leina Gabra
Frost Children, "FLATLINE"
Recently, my go-to track for a surge of energy has been Frost Children’s “FLATLINE.” There is no easing into it—from the song’s first second, a buzzing electronic beat sets the perfect pace to strut, run, or dance to. The arrangement is exciting without being overwhelming, giving the vocalists ample space to shine. “Flatline / My love is blind,” they croon in the chorus, with a falsetto that is reminiscent of 80s dance-pop. However, the track is full of surprises. Every few seconds, it seems like a new melody or trill is introduced. The song’s tone begins shifting fundamentally around the two-minute mark, warning you with a siren sample that is quickly replaced with an EDM-style buildup, building and building until it crescendoes – “Cut the s**t, are you f***ing with me? / Step away, I can feel your disease,” the vocalists yell as the beat drops. After one more chorus, the song winds down after you (and the artists, it seems) have released your pent-up energy. -Leina Gabra
Robert Lester Folsom, “Heaven on the Beach with You”
As a sucker for any song in which the guitar is the main character, "Heaven on the Beach with You" takes me off on a sailing journey of daydreaming, reminiscing, and romanticisation. Robert Lester Folsom's music is a relic from the breezy AM soft rock era, an easy listen for the inner-nostalics. This track paints a beautiful picture of simple music-making: himself and his guitar each morning, meditating. Folsom's free-going guitar chords throughout this track tell a wordless love story–instrumental poetry, let's call it. Folsom grew up listening to and being inspired by a lot of Jonny Cash, which is quite a coincidence, as the title of this song reminds me a lot of Jonny Cash's definition of paradise. When asked what his definition of paradise was, Cash replied, "This morning, with her, having coffee." Poetry and songwriting do wonders for the tender-hearted. -Rosa-Lee O’Reilly
Snoh Aalegra, “Situationship”
Snoh Aalegra is here making music for those in the grey area of a situational relationship (nearly everyone I know)—"So tell me how to resist what we have when it feels right / The moments that I'm with you / I forget about the issues, oh"—she sings truthfully. Evoking an essence reminiscent of Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, and Jorja Smith, Aelegra is a leading woman with a voice ready to steady any shaky situation. With a slightly more hip-hop-influenced sound, this track presents a minor departure from her classic soul sounds. Raw and authentic, Snoh Aalegra writes and sings with relaxed mannerisms that calm and contain the hearts of her audiences: "And so many times you and I made love in my mind / Don't wanna regret you, I can't seem to forget you now." With a lyrical fluency that precisely captivates vulnerability, Aalegra hits every chord of relatability regarding modern romance. -Rosa-Lee O’Reilly
Eli Sostre “I Like It”
A hypnotic blend of R&B and hip-hop, pulsating with sensual rhythms and introspective lyricism. Sostre's smooth vocals glide effortlessly over the atmospheric production, creating a mood of nocturnal allure and introspection. The song delves into themes of desire, self-discovery, and the complexities of modern relationships, offering a glimpse into the artist's inner world. With its infectious beat and captivating melodies, "I Like It" invites listeners to immerse themselves in its seductive ambiance, making it a standout track that resonates long after the music fades. -Hansel Adu
Flo Milli, SZA & Cardi B “Never Lose Me Remix”
A powerful fusion of rap and R&B, brimming with fierce energy and raw emotion. Flo Milli kicks off with her signature fiery flow, delivering confident verses over a pulsating beat. SZA adds her soulful vocals, injecting the track with vulnerability and depth, while Cardi B's dynamic presence elevates the song to new heights. Together, they create a compelling narrative of resilience, self-assurance, and unapologetic empowerment. With its catchy hooks and infectious energy, "Never Lose Me Remix" is a bold anthem that celebrates strength and love. -Hansel Adu
ian, "Figure It Out"
There are a million rappers with a gimmick, hoping to flip a viral moment into a long, successful career. Ian, who's rocketed into the underground consciousness over the last few months, has one of the funniest gimmicks in recent memory. He raps like a mixture between Texas mainstay 00Daredevil and "4L" era Yeat, and yet presents himself on social media as your everyday college student. His flow is snappy and he punches in memorable bar after memorable bar ("the driver go straight to the staircase, how could I ever be late to the airplane?", he asks). Unlike someone like Lil Mabuu, whose appeal is directly tied to the post-ironic branding that label execs have dreamed up for him, "Figure It Out" is legitimately good and fun without knowing that he shoots videos in his dorm and looks like he shares the world's dirtiest bong with three dudes named Jack. We know he doesn't actually wear nothing but high-end Japanese brands, we know he doesn't take private flights, and we know he doesn't "make the trap jump like a MF parlay hit." But man, he sells it damn well. -Michael Di Gennaro
Surfing, "Mirror"
Surfing are the greatest band you've never heard of, and I'm almost positive of it. I've been listening to their music for well over a decade, and as they've moved through different genres - 2011's vaporwave masterpiece "Deep Fantasy", the IDM of 2013's "Chrome", psych-pop on 2019's "Emotion" - they've always been able to pack a hazy, emotional punch. 2023's "Against The World" EP brought them closer to referencing themselves than ever before, the EP containing songs that brought a mix of "Deep Fantasy" and "Emotion", but expanding on production choices for a fuller, more well-rounded sound. "Mirror" takes the classic hypnagogia that Surfing has long mastered, and brings in airy female backing vocals and a gorgeous saxophone section. They've always been able to create a unique feeling of daydreamy longing; and for a band that once made one of the greatest songs of all time ("Hit The Spot") by slowing down a Kenny G song, it's impressive to see them circle back and create songs with the same atmosphere in a fresh manner. Please never stop making music if you're reading this; I'll never stop listening, even if you never get your due. -Michael Di Gennaro
