Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
By Saachi Gupta, Astrid Ortega & Isabella Vega
Cautious Clay, Still Woozy, Sophie Meiers, Remi Wolf, Claud, Melanie Faye and HXNS - “Cheesin’”
An upbeat track with cheery video, “Cheesin” is just what the world needs in this tough time. A collaboration between artists Cautious Clay, Remi Wolf, Still Woozy, Sophie Meyers, Claud and Melanie Faye, the song is a charity single, with 100% of net profits from each stream and download being donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
The video, created by The Valdez, brings together all the aforementioned artists for their take on the “Zoom-lifestyle” that we've all grown used to, during this quarantine. Throwback filters and hand-drawn graphics are another part of the video that add a nostalgic warmth to it, in addition to everyone dancing along– apart, but together.
“Cheesin’” has already amassed nearly 3 million Spotify streams, and has entered the Viral Top 50 Chart. The several artists behind “Cheesin’” are thrilled at the opportunity to not only raise money for a good cause, but also bring awareness to their peers in need on how to participate in MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Zanski - “Hauntology”
A masterful blend of soulful vocals and stunning instrumentals, “Hauntology” is a track that keeps you hooked from the very first second. With the song, Zanski offers an inspirational take on a candid conversation about mental health and anxiety with his listeners.
“Hauntology is a song that explores existentialism through spirituality and mental illness,” he shares, “It explores existential anxiety, meaninglessness, and in the face of absurdity gives itself resolve by saying ‘so what?’”
The second release off Zanski’s forthcoming Upon Frigid Water EP, due June 2nd, “Hauntology” follows the acclaimed single “Consequence.”
Earning support from CLASH, COLORS Studios, EARMILK and more, in addition to Spotify, Canada-based Zanski continues to impress, with music that is authentic and genuine, and offers solace in a much-needed time.
Party Nails - “Effexor”
An upbeat track from latest album, You Don't Have To Go Home But You Can't Stay Here, “Effexor” is catchy and cheeryful, with the vocals blending happily into the beats. Tapping into her plethora of musical talents thanks to her childhood of practice, Party Nails always brings a fun and thoughtful sound to her work.
A frequent collaborator, Party Nails has written and provided vocals for artists including Battle Tapes, Getter and MitiS, and produces and engineers other artists between tours.
With plans to tour the album later in the year, Party Nails gives her listener something to brighten their time in quarantine for the time being.
Mabes - “Keeping The Noise Down”
Mabes makes a loud statement with her new EP Keeping the Noise Down, and she’s ready to keep creating a space for herself in the scene.
Each track included on the stunning collection feels like a statement delivered with flawless honesty– Mabes herself personifies the warmth and genuineness of this EP.
“Keeping The Noise Down”– the title track of the EP, co-written with Jonny Latimer (Ellie Goulding / Rag ‘N’ Bone Man)– deals with social anxiety, mixed into irresistible electronics.
The song, bubbling with pop potential, is born from a real-life event, a party gone awry amid rising consternation. On the new collection of songs, Mabes explains, “I was the ‘new girl’ 3 times throughout my school years, and every time I started somewhere new I thought “this will be the time I find my real friends”. But no matter what, other kids my age were just very different to me. I questioned who I was, what I believed in, and wondered why no one else thought as deep about things as me. I couldn’t find that place where I was comfortable, or where I belonged. My friends were shallow and I couldn’t see the good in anything. The songs in Keeping The Noise Down EP is a reflection of those times and how it was for me.”
Mabes' emotionally raw, expressive song-writing style and effortless vocals have led to her uniqueness, and it is unquestionable that she is a force to be reckoned with, already set to take the world by storm.
Tim Ayre “I Want It”
Influenced by The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and Daft Punk, Tim Ayre allows his sound to flow between genres seamlessly and beautifully. “I Want It” is his new single, full of energetic synths, wistful vocals, and a true sound of a loving day. In his new single, the chorus feels like the climax of a movie, where everything is falling apart but falling into place. Ayre singing, “I just wanna feel it baby” will entrance you into your head and a feeling of the dream-like world we create will surround you. Tim Ayre’s music is full of that wistful and hopeful feeling, letting his first EP claim his attitude with his music and we’re only seeing it evolve into something more powerful. Check out his new single, “I Want It,” and lose yourself to the music.
Moby Rich - “friends*”
Moby Rich, the alternative pop duo taking the music world by storm, has collaborated with the multi platinum rock superstar Bishop Briggs for a collaboration of the decade. “friends*”, written by both parties, centers around the yearning found within the escaping from the ever-deep friendzone. In terms of production, the song has a popy air with a spin of Moby Rich’s signature edginess. The voices alternate turns in what sounds like a conversation, soaring over the bass-heavy production in the form of emotional screams. Moby Rich says of the track “For us, ‘friends*’ is a song about having feelings for someone that you’ve only seen as a friend and realizing that you have to eventually tell them how you feel if you want things to move forward or change. Also, the song is about the anxiety and fear of what the response may be to tell that person that you want to be ‘more than friends, knowing very well that it may mess up what you once had.” Briggs mentions that the track “describes the frustrating yet beautiful cycle of disappointment, hope, bliss, chaos, addiction and love. Wanting something you can’t have can be very alluring and can consume your every thought. I had been singing ‘I hate that I want to be more than friends’ when I was briefly reminded of a guy friend of mine who I previously felt that way for. I was reminded of all the moments I looked far too deeply into and the memories I replayed in my mind in the hopes of us being something more.”
Sexy Pigeon - Avocado Toast
Sexy Piegon has returned with her newest release, “Avocado Toast”. The track, which is sung entirely in the singer’s native Italian, is a fresh and exciting pop track. The production is lighthearted, with lyrics that are equal parts playful and sensitive, like “I transfer my soul in a Dropbox, I want to fill the void I feel”, partnered beautifully with a voice that is as soft as a siren’s call. Sexy Pigeon, who originally hails from Savona in Italy, is a singer/songwriter who prides herself on making music that speaks to the soul.
Yes Please - “Susie”
“Susie” is the latest single from the New York-based duo, Yes Please. Starting with a mysterious beat and building in the rest of the instruments and synths, the vocals create an entrancing and curious feeling, you just want to keep hearing what’s next. The duo, apob and Matt Miggz, showcase a mix of their music style which is highly appreciated by many like Zane Lowe and Ones to Watch. In “Susie,” we see more of apob’s style, a nostalgic 70s rock that differs from the hip hop/rap that Matt showcases. This only lets the duo flow between genres, easily mix them, truly making genreless music. That is something we’ll be sure to be seeing in their upcoming album and it only excites us, for now, we’ll be daydreaming to “Susie.”
