Saturday, November 10, 2018

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (November 4-10, 2018)


There is a lot of new music released over any given week. So much so that it can be hard to keep up with it all. But with the weekend here, now is a great time to catch up on everything you may have missed.

This week saw the release of some great new songs and music videos. We got some powerful new tunes from Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott and Kelsea Ballerini. Ariana Grande released a couple more singles from her latest album. The Backstreet Boys released a second single from their just announced new album. We got new rock from Mae, J Mascis, Imagine Dragons, A Perfect Circle, Dan Wilson, Muse, and BOYO, as well as new music from up-and-coming songwriters like WILSN, Noah Kahan and Elise Davis.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve searched the internet for the best new music of the past week. Here are seven songs and videos we know will be worth checking out.


1.       Mae, “The Overview”: There is a lot going on in “The Overview.” The spoken word poetry at the beginning is a little odd at first, but once everything kicks in and the pieces come together, the song really takes off. Like the band’s full name and new album title suggest, “The Overview” is an auditory multi-sensory experience. With this in mind, it will be really interesting to see what directions their upcoming self-titled album (their first proper studio album in 11 years) will go in. (video)

2.       WILSN, “Do This”: Soulful pop-singer WILSN shows off her powerful pipes on “Do This.” The recording is very minimalist, prioritizing the vocal over the guitar and piano, which lay low in the mix to let the melody and lyrics soar. You can really hear the passion in her voice as she sings about making her own decisions and learning from her mistakes. (video)

3.       Backstreet Boys, “Chances”: This week, the Backstreet Boys announced a brand new album and massive world tour, topping it off with a brand new song and music video. “Chances” is a ballad reflecting on the one-in-a-million chances of finding that special person. The song gives each member the opportunity to shine, falling into the roles which suit them best. Brian and Nick start things off sweetly with the first verse into the first chorus with AJ’s booming voice picking up the bravado for the second verse. Howie and Kevin break things down in the bridge before they all take it home in the symphonic final chorus. While I do feel like some of the lyrics are a bit clunky, the song continues to grow on me as I listen to it. (video)

4.       Calum Scott, “No Matter What”: British singer / songwriter Calum Scott gets personal with his new single, “No Matter What.” Written about his experience as a gay youth, the song is more broadly about acceptance. The storytelling is remarkable, especially when paired with the video, which features young actors playing Scott at various points in his life. The melody is gentle and reflective, really supporting the storytelling and embracing the solemn-ness of the subject. (video)

5.       Kelsea Ballerini, “Miss Me More”: A pop-country break-up song about finding yourself again in the aftermath of a bad relationship, “Miss Me More” is bold and powerful in its message. The song’s lyrics are blunt, detailing how she changed everything for this guy and now that it’s over she could be herself again, saying “I thought I’d miss you / But I miss me more.” Its heavy, “Eye of the Tiger” bass line supports the song’s self-empowering vibe. (video)

6.       J Mascis, “Elastic Days”: “Elastic Days’” easy, acoustic vibe is perfect for reflecting on life and the passage of time. The melody falls somewhere between optimism and sadness, mixing with the lyrics to foster a more pensive feel. (video)

7.       Shawn Mendes feat. Khalid, “Youth”: “Youth” is an anthem for standing strong in the face of all the tragedies that have befallen the country lately. Not only are the lyrics powerful, in particular the chorus lines “You can’t take my youth away / This soul of mine will never break,” but the melody sticks with you as well. The melody is cheerful and celebratory, but muted to give it a more serious vibe. (video)


The weekend is the perfect time to catch up on the new music released during the week. Check out some of our favorites from the past week above and let us know what songs you have enjoyed in the comments below.

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Find music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new or to rediscover 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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