Saturday, June 16, 2018

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (June 10-16, 2018)


A lot of new music has come out over the last week. So much so that it can be hard to keep up with all of it. Now that the weekend is here, it’s time to take a look back at some of the new songs and music videos that came out over the last seven days.

This week saw some great songs and videos across the musical spectrum. Drake released a heavily talked-about video that hit hard with the nostalgia. Death Cab for Cutie and the Plain White T’s both announced new albums this week, which they each followed up with new videos. Chaka Khan released her first new song in more than a decade. We got brand new songs from vocalists like Tom Odell, George Ezra, Shawn Mendes and Jason Mraz. In rock, Arcade Fire and State Champs both released new videos while Young the Giant, The Struts and Gorillaz all released great new songs.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again been scouring the internet for the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are 11 that we think are worth a listen / view.


1.       Arcade Fire, “Chemistry”: There is a lot going on in Arcade Fire’s latest single “Chemistry.” The song mixes together Caribbean horns, 80s power-rock and a little bit of blues timing to create a unique sound that you can’t help but groove along to. (video)

2.       Tom Odell, “If You Wanna Love Somebody”: “If You Wanna Love Somebody” starts off as this soft, piano-driven confession of love. But as the song progresses the rest of the instruments kick in, ramping-up the passion and intent. The song ends in this triumphant whirlwind of sound that overtakes you with joy and renewed hope. (video)

3.       George Ezra, “Shotgun”: George Ezra takes his impressively (and impossibly) deep and soulful voice to new territory with “Shotgun.” The song has more of a pop/dance flair than his previous hit “Budapest,” which seems a little off at first given the depth of his voice. However, the song grows on you by the middle and you can’t help but tap your foot along to the beat. (video)

4.       The Struts, “Body Talks”:  Starting out like a jazzy, finger-snapping Broadway show tune, “Body Talks” explodes into this big rockabilly number that will have you dancing in your seat. (video)

5.       Plain White T’s, “Your Body”: Along with the announcement of their eighth album, ‘Parallel Universe,’ this week, Plain White T’s released a new single. “Your Body” isn’t the kind of acoustic love song that made the pop-punk band famous. Instead, the song melds sweet, sincere pop with understated electronic instrumentals, giving off a more rock vibe while still maintaining the band’s simple love song formula. (video)

6.       Drake, “I’m Upset”: Drake released his latest single “I’m Upset” this week, and even though it is a decently executed bit of slow rap, it’s the song’s video that has had everyone talking this week. Pulling from his days as a teen actor on the show ‘Degrassi: the Next Generation,’ the rapper staged a high school reunion for his fictional classmates, giving fans of the early 2000’s show closure on all the characters involved. (video)

7.       Jason Mraz, “Unlonely”: The king of wordplay is back! The second single from Mraz’s upcoming album, “Unlonely” brings back the speed-talking pop culture references of his early music, but this time wraps them neatly into the upbeat, feel good melodics of his later material. (video)
8.       Death Cab for Cutie, “Gold Rush”: Earlier this week, Death Cab for Cutie announced the upcoming release of their ninth studio album, ‘Thank You for Today,’ and along with it came the release of the album’s first single. According to NPR, “Gold Rush” was written about the passage of time and how neighborhoods you once knew become unrecognizable. The song derives its pace from a sample of Yoko Ono’s “Mind Train,” a tune which complements the reflective nature of the song’s melody and theme. (video)

9.       Shawn Mendes, “Nervous”: There is something generally endearing about Shawn Mendes in the video for his latest single “Nervous.” There is something very honest about this song. You can hear his smile in his voice when he sings (not just the one on his face in the video while a disembodied pair of female arms caresses him from behind), which in return makes you smile inside too. It also doesn’t hurt that the song has a decent beat and a melody that is both minimal and catchy. (video)

10.   Chaka Khan, “Like Sugar”: Chaka Khan released her first new single in 11 years this week. “Like Sugar” is a soulful jam lead by Khan’s incredibly powerful vocals and a pounding snare loop that holds it all together. It could probably go a bit further, as it would probably sound really good with some brass fanfare, however it still has enough groove to get you out of your seat and moving along. (video)

11.   Darius Rucker, “Straight to Hell”: A tune about debauchery and sin, Darius Rucker’s latest single “Straight to Hell” is a fun, upbeat honky-tonk jam. Calling on his friends Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Charles Kelley to trade off verses, the song feels like a party in more ways than one. Also, setting the video in an underground speakeasy makes it even more perfect. (video)


With all the new music that comes out over the course of the week, it can be hard to keep up with all of it. That’s why the weekend is the perfect time to catch up. If you need a place to start, check out some of our favorite new songs and music videos above, then let us know what songs you enjoyed in the comments below.

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Discover 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. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylay777.com. 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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