Week in Review: Seven Songs You May Have Missed (1/1-1/7/2017)

Happy New Year! The first week of 2017 has come to an end. Whether you have been partying it up or working over the past week, you may have missed some of the new music that has been released over the last seven days.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has you covered. We’ve chosen seven of this week’s best new songs that we think you need to hear. So settle in and check out what the New Year already has to offer.

1.       Punchline, “It’s A New Year (Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself)”: Punchline released their first new song in two years on January 1. “It’s A New Year” is less pop-punk and more indie-rock, a transition that seems quite natural, particularly with the lyrical content of this song. Everyone needs a fresh slate from which to begin in the new year and this song so melodically spells that out. It’s a great anthem for the new year. (video)

2.       AFI, “Snow Cats”: Of the two singles AFI have released from their upcoming self-titled album, I enjoyed “Snow Cats” more. There is just more to hold on to melodically there. “Snow Cats” features the kind of half-haunting dramatic vocals fans are used to from Davey Havok with a heavier bass and rhythm section more like the band’s past offerings. (video)

3.       Ed Sheeran, “Castle On The Hill”: Sheeran has been teasing new music all week and we finally got it on Friday in the form of “Castle On The Hill” and “Shape Of You.” While both offerings are good and genuine, “Castle On The Hill” has this joyousness to it that makes it memorable. Call me a sucker for songs about time passing, but there is so much sunlight and happiness in it. (video)

4.       The Shins, “Name For You”: “Name For You” is the second single from the band’s first album in five years, ‘Heartworms.’ Written to empower his daughters, the song sums up his thoughts on how the world sees strong women. The song is upbeat and vocally and thematically on-point. If the rest of the songs on the album are like this, ‘Heartworms’ will definitely be an album worth looking forward to in March. (video)

5.       The Flaming Lips, “We A Family”: Yet another video from the band’s upcoming album ‘Oczy Mlody,’ “We A Family” finds the band collaborating with Miley Cyrus again for one of the more easily graspable songs melody-wise released from the album thus far. The two already proved that they could work together well on Cyrus’ ‘Dead Petz,’ and “We A Family” expands on that. Cyrus’ vocals are soft and laid back on her parts, complimenting Wayne Coyne’s vocals perfectly. (video)

6.       Kiesza, “Dearly Beloved”: Kiesza had a break out year in 2014 with “Hideaway,” and she seems poised to do it again with her latest single “Dearly Beloved.” The song has this infectious 80s funk quality to it, mixed with a bit of pop flair. This dance-pop jam is surely going to be one of the year’s early radio favorites. (video)

7.       Kehlani, “Undercover”: If not for the prominent use of a certain “f” word, I could hear this little pop song being on the radio. It tells an oft told story of forbidden love in a very simple to understand manor. The song is very catchy as well. (video)

If you missed out on this week’s new music, check out these songs to help get your first full weekend in 2017 started right. Whether you are looking for the latest dance song or something a little more indie, punk-y or pop-y, this list has you covered. Take a listen and enjoy the start of your 2017!

Find music from some of these artists and more at Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have the largest selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia on the island. Search from thousands of titles in store and online at vinylbay777.com. New titles are being added all the time, so there’s always a reason to stop in.