Week in Review: New Rock Songs/Music Videos You Need to Check Out (August 27-September 2, 2017)

Happy weekend! While you’re getting ready to celebrate Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer, let’s take a look back at some of the new music and music videos that were released over the last week.

It’s been another great week for new rock music. Industry veterans Robert Plant and U2 both came out with new songs this week from their respective upcoming albums, as have The National. St. Vincent released a colorful new video for her single “New York.”We also got a first taste of what Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile’s upcoming joint album will sound like, as well as a joint charity single from Lifehouse and Switchfoot.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again been tracking the hottest new songs and music videos of the week. Here are nine that we think will make your Labor Day weekend rock.

1.       St. Vincent, “New York”: After releasing the single nearly two months ago, St. Vincent has finally come out with an official video for “New York.” The video is full of bright colors and bold scenery. St. Vincent’s deadpan delivery in the video mirrors the deadpan delivery she gives in the song, which between that and the gratuitous use of the f-word make the song seem that much more stereotypically New York.  (video)

2.       Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile, “Over Everything”: “Over Everything” is a blues and country tinged slow rocker that’s really easy to listen to. Barnett’s voices go really well together, which bodes well for the album the two are releasing together later this year. The video for the song is simple like the song’s feel. Shot in black and white, it features lip syncing to Vile’s parts and vice versa. (video)

3.       The National, “Day I Die”: I like the more upbeat tone The National has been taking lately with their music. “Day I Die” isn’t necessarily an upbeat song, but it does have a lighter feel than some of the band’s previous material. (video)

4.       Lifehouse & Switchfoot, “Shine Like Gold”: As everyone’s attention is turning to the disaster in Houston, a number of artists are trying to find ways to raise money to help out. Lifehouse & Switchfoot, who teamed up this past summer for a tour, have joined together again to write a new song. “Shine Like Gold” sounds like what you would expect to naturally come from a combination of the two bands. It’s a joyous celebration of life and, according to Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman, the everyday heroes that walk among us.(Soundcloud)

5.       Alex Cameron, “Runnin’ Outta Luck”: While I’m pretty sure “Runnin’ Outta Luck” is about a relationship with an exotic dancer, it’s kind of hard to care when the song itself is so melodic and catchy. It has this 80s pop-rock vibe going on that makes it easy to listen to. Cameron’s dancing in the video is also a nice distraction, as it really rivals the dance Drake does in his “Hotline Bling” video. (video)

6.       Remo Drive, “I’m My Own Doctor”: “I’m My Own Doctor” is a fun little pop punk track. It’s not very deep and he’s singing literally about ailments, but from the moment the band’s lead singer comes out with that snot-nosed (no pun intended) yowl, it hooks you in. (video)

7.       Best Ex, “See You Again”: I’ve loved Best Ex’s minimalistic pop-punk sound ever since they were called Candy Hearts and the band continues to shine with their new song “See You Again.” With mostly frontwoman Mariel Loveland’s speak-sung vocals to rely on, “See You Again” is a very lyric-centric song that runs like a first-person letter asking what would happen if she never saw her partner again. (video)

8.       Robert Plant, “Bones of Saints”: The latest single from the Led Zeppelin frontman, “Bones of Saints” is a bluesy rock jam that borders on surf-rock at times, particularly during the chorus when the background gang vocals come in. By the end, the guitars start to fuzz and the melody and gang vocals start to swirl into a nearly psychedelic spin until the song fades out. (video)

9.       U2, “The Blackout”: U2 have been teasing new music recently, sending “blackout” letters to their fans in the mail. Now the band has finally revealed what they have been teasing, a new video for a song called “The Blackout.” The song is a high-energy rock track that proves that U2 can still rock with the best of them. It’s thumping beat and stadium-ready chorus beg to be rocked out to. (video)

There have been a lot of amazing new rock songs and music videos that came out this week. These are just some of our favorites that we think you should definitely add to your Labor Day weekend playlist. Check these out and let us know what songs you’ve been enjoying this week!

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