Happy spooky season everyone and welcome back to the New Music Roundup! We’re here for a roundup of five of the best recently released tracks. They’re not all within the same genre and they’re all different in some way or another but that means that there’s a little something for everyone here but come on, let’s get down to the music!
First up this week is the British Singer / Songwriter Charlie Simpson whom you might know from the bands Busted and/or Fightstar. He’s released his first solo track since his 2016 record, ‘Little Hands’.
Starting this weeks roundup off is the fantastic track, ‘I See You’.
Please note at the time of writing in preparation for this weeks list, there is no indication yet if this track will feature on a yet to be announced EP or Record.
Now we move onto the New York alternative pop band Eighty Ninety which consists of brothers Abner (vocals, production) and Harper (guitar, production) James — share their new singe, “Better as Friends”. Following the brothers’ previous release “Happier,” “Better as Friends” is the second single from Eighty Ninety’s forthcoming sophomore EP. The EP was created in collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer Gian Stone (Maroon 5, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Halsey, Dua Lipa).
Both cinematic and intimate, “Better as Friends” is a dreamy mix of contemporary pop and hazy chillwave production propelled by a driving pulse that culminates in a yearning, widescreen chorus complete with soaring melodies, lush arrangements and the band’s distinctive guitar work. As with all of Eighty Ninety’s tracks, “Better as Friends” uses deeply personal lyrics to connect with universal themes and feelings, exploring the powerful pull to stay connected with someone you once loved despite how painful it can be. “It’s about the desire to live in the past rather than face the end, and how loving someone can mean wanting the best for them even if that no longer includes you,” Abner and Harper write.
The NYC based duo’s songs fuse intimate storytelling, sticky melodies, and minimalist pop productions built on acoustic instruments and electronic sounds in a style they call “808s and telecasters” — a shorthand for both their music and their anything-goes mentality in the studio. “We let the emotional arc of the song, rather than any set of genre conventions, lead us to instruments and sounds,” the brothers say of their process.
Now we have the exciting, effervescent Maggie Cassidy, a British band with a fresh, pop-fuelled edge, blending filthy guitars with irresistible choruses to deliver a rare concoction of boyband punk.
The playful tongue-in-cheek track ‘D.E.A.D!’ is about feeling dead inside from staring at screens all day like a zombie, without human interaction. “Given the last six months EVERYONE is more familiar with that feeling than ever,” says guitarist Jan-Erik Barnegren.
“There’s genuine feeling at the heart of the song, but there’s also an element of us poking fun at those emo tropes that really glamourise the macabre (which also comes across in the music video),” adds vocalist Jamie Coupe. “As an emo band we love that about the genre, but sometimes you have to poke your head up from out under it all and not take yourselves too seriously.”
In additional exciting news, the band have also announced that they will be back in the studio with Seb Barlow (Neck Deep) in November to record the follow-up to their recently released debut EP, ‘Life Is Beautiful’.
Check out their track ‘D.E.A.D’, which arrives just in time for halloween tomorow!
Diving further into the spooky, we have Scranton’s very own Motionless In White where ‘Creatures X: To The Grave’, a tip to their ongoing tenth anniversary celebrations of their debut album, ‘Creatures’.
Chris Motionless (Vocals) says:
“After ten years of the most insane highs and lows that a band can experience, we are so proud to hit such a milestone as a record having its 10th anniversary. We wanted to do something special to celebrate, so we decided to throw it back with a very ‘Creatures’ inspired track that includes some of the very same keyboard sounds and guitar riff styles that are found on that record, as well as many callback lyrics and themes to the original ‘Creatures’ song. It’s been a very interesting year for everyone, but we’re happy to have found cool ways to still give fans something to hold on to throughout. Hope everyone enjoys this one. Happy Halloween.”
And lastly, The Pretty Reckless have been pretty quiet as of late, until now.
Their latest track, ‘Broomsticks’ arrived in the middle of the band teasing what is going to be their new record, which will be made with Century Media Records.
“When we first heard the new album, ‘Death By Rock And Roll’, we were very excited,” says the band’s manager, David Sonenberg. “We couldn’t wait to play it to record labels. We took a ton of meetings and received offers from a broad range of labels. But it quickly became apparent that Century Media was the right partner for us. They shared our passion and enthusiasm for what we believe will be a breakthrough album for The Pretty Reckless. So, here’s to our new partnership with Century Media! And long live Rock and Roll!!!”
And that’s it for another week of a countdown of the best new tracks out in the world in the last week. Be sure to check back next-time for another round of great music videos. If you have any suggestions for me to check out, be sure to send an email or message us via the socials on Facebook or Twitter!
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