Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
By Saachi Gupta & Astrid Ortega
Omar Apollo - “Imagine U”
Upbeat and buoyant sounding from the very first second, “Imagine U” by Mexican-American artist Omar Apollo, is a song that deviates from convention, in the best way possible. While it’s the happy beat that hooks you to the song, it’s Apollo's voice, and the riveting lyrics that keep you there.
These lyrics are a stark contrast to the cheerful production of “Imagine U”, talking about a relationship that is complex and multi-faceted, but clearly important to the singer. “Imagine U” has been received with enthusiasm and delight from both critics and frequent listeners. Singing in both English and Spanish, Omar Apollo has gained quite a following and a dedicated audience over the past few years.
With “Imagine U”, he showcases his constant growth and integrity as an artist, and proves that every song he creates is just as brilliant as the last.
Vulfpeck - “Bach Vision Test”
With “Bach Vision Test”, critically-acclaimed and beloved band Vulfpeck, tries something new, and pulls it off brilliantly. An entirely instrumental track with cheerful, happy undertones, “Bach Vision Test” is a thrilling experience for every listener, including those who don't usually listen to instrumental music.
Clearly different from the usual sound of Vulfpeck and leaning more towards classical music (the hint is in the name), the track still manages to be just as absorbing. Usually aiming for a minimalistic sound, Vulpeck prefers each instrument to contribute in its own way, but not dominate. Recordings are mostly done live, with real instruments, instead of cutting and mixing different takes together.
Vulfpeck is a band known for their range: from Sleepify, their ten-track silent album released on Spotify, to running a meme page on Instagram, they have several sides, that are also showcased in their music– and each side, wonderfully, manages to be just as interesting and creative as the other.
BOYO - “Skip”
BOYO never fails to make music that feels like you’re connected to the person behind the song. “Skip” is a vibrant yet low and endearing, mixing what sounds like indie with aspects of 90’s melonchalic rock. “Skip” is about skipping town, with minimal goodbyes and leaving things behind. It’s a bittersweet song with BOYO’s close to microphone vocals that make it sounds like it’s playing through another room, completely sticking inside your head whether it be the repeated, “skipping town” or the sweet guitar notes playing. BOYO’s music is able to make you feel something through his music, letting you resonate through lyrics or sonically.
He never fails to make you feel connected to him and his music, like you’re there and a part of it. With a new album coming out soon, Where Have All My Friends Gone?, out June 26, we’re only more excited after listening to “Skip” to see what BOYO has in store for us.
Alfie Templeman - “Happiness in Liquid Form”
Rising indie-pop artist Alfie Templeman gives us another sonically pleasing track with his new single, “Happiness in Liquid Form.” The song creates a fun and vibrant atmosphere that is something Templeman is excited about releasing. At only 17 years old, he’s rising everywhere, being picked as the rising artist for Apple and the “Foundry Artist” of 2020 by Youtube Music. His music videos are creatively nostalgic and take you to a different era and an Alfie Templeman world.
“Happiness in Liquid Form” takes you into Templeman’s vibrant world just by the song, it makes you want to jump and dance, makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs. Perfectly capturing Alfie Templeman’s personality. It seems like every song he makes becomes a staple to listeners.
Mini Trees - “Slip Away”
Charming guitars and an upbeat flow welcomes the listener to “Slip Away” and the sound of Mini Trees. The title and opening track for their upcoming EP, “Slip Away” moves forward with a happy-go-lucky pace and feel. Despite the light tone of the track, the lyrics touch on "an internal dialogue. Mini Trees notes the track is “about struggling with self-acceptance, and how, despite my best efforts to fill my life with distractions to avoid facing myself, the inevitable and unsettling feeling of self-loathing always finds its way back to the surface.” “Slip Away” indicates the upcoming EP is sure to be packed with both feel good track as well as heartfelt and impactful lyrics.
Hollyy - “Miss That Feeling”
With a gentle start and soulful vocals “Miss the Feeling” effortlessly grabs the attention of the listener, gearing them up for a heartfelt track. The blues and jazz elements blend together to create Hollyy’s signature sound, complete with vocals that get your head moving. The Chicago based band spent 2019 honing their craft and are ready to share their sound with the world. Currently working on their next album with award-winning producers Nick Boyd & Mark Needham, Hollyy has build up an audience eager for each track they release.
