Saturday, December 9, 2017

Week in Review: Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (December 3-9, 2017)

The week has finally come to a wintry end. Now that the weekend is here, it’s time to kick back, relax and take a look at some of the new songs and music videos that came out over the last seven days.

As the year is ending, new releases typically start to wind down. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t new songs to talk about. Eminem released another new track from his upcoming album. Aaron Carter made his return to music. Bjork released a stunning video for the title track to her new album, as did Blondie. We also got a new video for Franz Ferdinand’s latest single, as well as a one off single from Sufjan Stevens.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again been searching the internet for the best new songs and music videos of the week. Here are nine that we think are worthy of your attention.


1.       Ryan Egan, “Swarm”: “Swarm,” the latest single from Ugly Club frontman-turned-solo artist Ryan Egan’s upcoming ‘Fever & Bloom’ EP, has an easy feel to it. The verses are low-key, just vocals and an electric guitar. Then the song builds during the chorus, falling into this head-bobbing groove that keeps you entranced until the very end. (video)

2.       Jocelyn & Chris Arndt, “Red Stops Traffic”: Backed by Chris Arndt’s lone acoustic guitar, Jocelyn Arndt’s deep, bluesy voice really shines on “Red Stops Traffic,” the latest single from the brother-sister duo’s new album, ‘Go.’ (video)

3.       Bjork, “Utopia”: The imagery in Bjork’s new video for “utopia” is beautiful. It really brings the album’s artwork and its title track to life. The fairy-like nymphs sweetly playing their bamboo flutes under a rose-colored sky melds well with Bjork’s light vocal, used here more as an instrument than as a means for delivering words, creating a sense of bliss. Utopia, if you will. (video)
4.       Sufjan Stevens, “Tonya Harding”: Sufjan Stevens’ latest one-off single is an ode to the 1990s figure skating icon. The song, a sweetly sung take on a bard-like melody, is sincere and emotional. It comes off like a letter to Harding, letting her know that even through the hardships, she will be alright. (video)

5.       The Reverend Shawn Amos, “2017”: The Reverend Shawn Amos’ “2017” is a bluesy observation of the past year and his reaction to it. It doesn’t mince words, telling people that they need to watch what they’re saying and the kind of example they are setting for others. (video)

6.       Marty Friedman, “Miracle”: “Miracle” shows that a rock song doesn’t need to have words to be powerful. Former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman’s dexterity is amazing. Starting out slow, the song ramps up into full metal power, but with a softer, sweeter undertone. The video builds on that undertone with a collage of photographs from his childhood. (video)

7.       Blondie, “Doom or Destiny”: The latest single from last year’s ‘Pollinator,’ Blondie released a political new video for their collaboration with Joan Jett, “Doom or Destiny.” The song is pure rock, a bit harder than a typical Blondie track but not unwelcome. Lyrically, it comes from a place of frustration with the current state of the world, something they play up even more in the video. Featuring Debby Harry and Joan Jett as news anchors growing more and more frustrated with the news they are presenting, the video eventually finds the two going crazy and making a mess of their studio. (video)

8.       Franz Ferdinand, “Always Ascending”: Franz Ferdinand has released a new video for their new single, “Always Ascending.” Guided by the band’s signature pounding beat and electronic groove, the song is a catchy bit of dance rock. The video, like the song, is “always ascending,” with the camera moving up as the band is performing the song in front of a light screen. (video)
9.       Aaron Carter, “Don’t Say Goodbye”: Long gone are the days when cute little Aaron Carter rapped about candy and playing basketball with Shaq. Carter has since grown up, gotten himself in trouble and changed his sound. His latest single, “Don’t Say Goodbye,” from his upcoming fifth album, ‘Love,’ brings the singer to a new level in his music. The song shows off his sultry vocals over an electro-pop melody, broken up with staccato beats and horn-like synths. (video)


These were some of our favorite new songs and music videos of the last week. Check these out and let us know what you’re listening to this weekend.

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Discover music new and old at Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from on new and used vinyl records, CDs and cassettes, as well as music DVDs and memorabilia. Drop by our Plainview location or shop online at vinylbay777.com this holiday season to find the perfect gift for the music lover in your life. Whether you’re looking for something new or rediscovering the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

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