September has been a month of exciting music releases. New singles have increased enthusiasm for upcoming albums, and it’s interesting to see how artists are releasing music. This year, we have seen Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, and more drop albums over night. Visual albums are trending, music videos are released before singles, and pop-up concerts are creating buzz. The music industry is evolving to its changing public. Here are four songs that have recently been released that I’m excited about.
Roll Tide – Dawes: Dawes’ new album, “We’re All Gonna Die,” is extremely different from their previous albums. Dawes has always had a folksy sound, but this album takes a darker tone. In “Roll Tide,” the lead singer, Taylor Goldsmith, sings about a woman that he wants to date, but she is now dating a man from Birmingham. In the song, he explains that he has not been able to giver her up and will continue to fight for her. “Roll Tide” is the love ballad of the album and reminds me of their last album, “All Your Favorite Bands.” The new album is a fresh direction for the band, one that I think pays off.
Take Me Down – Gary Clark Jr.: “Gary Clark Jr. Live” is one of those albums that I can’t get tired of. His voice is unparalleled and exudes soul. His newest single for the new movie, “Deepwater Horizon,”, is no exception. The song begins with the guitar playing slowly and then a harmonica is added, finally Clark sings. Clark’s voice and the guitar slowly build to a seamless harmony. Clark’s guitar skills consistently astonish me and this song further demonstrates his expertise.
WALLS – Kings of Leon: “WALLS,” the second single off the soon-to-be released Kings of Leon album, starts quietly with a soft beat. A guitar is added and Caleb Followill begins to sing. Based on previous Kings of Leon songs, I assumed that the song would build to a crescendo, but “WALLS” does not. The song reminds me of a lullaby, but a uniquely Kings of Leon lullaby. The music video and song were released on the same day. The music video is a close-up of Caleb’s face as he sings the song. Being able to see his eyes fully as he sings sheds a new understanding of the song. When he sings, “You tore out my heart/You threw it away,” you can see his face change. He closes his eyes and shakes his head. Caleb’s voice already reveals emotion, but seeing his face as he sings adds a new layer.
Rhythm & Blues – The Head and the Heart: “Rhythm & Blues” can be found on The Head and the Heart’s new album, “Signs of Light.” The song describes a relationship in which one person has feelings and the other does not. The lyrics, “Cause I’ve had the rhythm and blues/Since the day you meant me,” explain the mix of sadness and hope that the singer has for the relationship. “All We Ever Knew,” “Colors” and “Your Mother’s Eyes” are also found on the album and show the diverse sound of the band.
