Saturday, June 23, 2018

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (June 17-23, 2018)


The first official weekend of summer is here! What better way to spend it than to sit out in the sun (when it stops raining) and catch up on all the new music that came out over the last week?

There was no shortage of great new songs and music videos released this week. Jay-Z and Beyoncé surprise released a joint album with a brand new music video to go with it. Panic! at the Disco released a new video to go with the release of their new album. Pop-punkers We The Kings and music legend Paul McCartney both released new songs to go with their album announcements. In pop, PRETTYMUCH, Demi Lovato, OneRepublic and Ariana Grande all released new singles this week. Rock and indie also saw a lot of excellent new release from the likes of Sylvan Esso, St. Vincent, Father John Misty, Florence + the Machine, Halestorm, Gang of Four, Iggy Pop and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we have once again been scouring the internet for the best new songs and music videos of the week. Here are eight of our favorites that we think you’ll enjoy.


1.       Panic! at the Disco, “Hey Look Ma, I Made It”: In the wake of the release of their sixth studio album, ‘Pray For The Wicked,’ this week, Panic! at the Disco has also released a music video for their song “Hey Look Ma, I Made It.” The song is an upbeat, dance-y track that sounds positive on the surface, but goes deeper within the lyrics to comment on fame and the music industry. An extension of this commentary is the video, which finds a puppet of frontman Brandon Urie getting famous, abusing drugs and sobering up to realize he is a disposable “puppet” for the record label. (video)

2.       PRETTYMUCH, “Summer On You”: Somewhere inside me there is a weakness for boy bands and PRETTYMUCH’s latest single “Summer On You” satisfies that. Virtually acapella (there are hints of guitar and drum loops), it’s really easy to hear the outstanding harmonies between the five voices. The song is also very well planned out with every note hitting at perfect points with snaps punctuating the end of every line, making it very satisfying to snap along. (video)

3.       We The Kings, “On My Love”: We The Kings announced their sixth studio album, ‘Six,’ this week with a brand new song. “On My Love” starts out a bit like an indie-rock track (the band that came to mind while listening to it was Death Cab for Cutie). But as the bass and guitars kick in, all of a sudden the song takes you back old-school, “Check Yes Juliet” We The Kings, except pop-punk-y. What is so remarkable about the song though is that it is very easy to catch on to it. I found myself singing along halfway into the song and really feeling its “I will never let you down” vibes. (video)

4.       Demi Lovato, “Sober”: Demi Lovato gets real on her latest single “Sober.” Far from the pop-y and empowering fare of her usual singles, the song finds her vulnerable, apologizing for falling off the wagon and causing her loved ones so much pain. The weight of the song falls on Lovato’s heartbroken vocals, which are only accompanied by a minor key piano melody that rises and falls when the vocal dictates. (video)

5.       OneRepublic feat. Logic, “Start Again”: Whatever OneRupublic’s formula for writing hits is it really works. The band’s latest single, “Start Again,” has that same joyous, “see the world anew” vibe that has always made their music feel like you’re reflecting on life while sitting under the stars. (video)

6.       Gorillaz, “Hollywood”: The latest single from Gorillaz’s upcoming album, “Hollywood” has a slow, almost hypnotic vibe to it. Commenting on Hollywood and the lifestyle associated with it, the song’s point is abundantly clear in the way it’s put together. There is so much going on in the song that the rap verse from Snoop Dogg doesn’t even feel like overkill. (video)

7.       Paul McCartney, “I Don’t Know” and “Come On To Me”: A lot of times, new music from older artists sounds, for lack of a better word, old. But Paul McCartney manages to avoid this on his new singles, “I Don’t Know” and “Come On To Me,” the first from his upcoming 17th studio album, ‘Egypt Station.’ “I Don’t Know” is a contemplative, piano-driven ballad full of heartache and sympathy. In contrast, “Come On To Me” is a mildly upbeat song about hooking up with someone that somehow makes sense coming from a man who just turned 76. The quality of these singles makes me very interested in what the former Beatle has up his sleeve next. (“I Don’t Know” ; “Come On To Me”)

8.       St. Vincent, “Fast Slow Disco”:  A reworking of “Slow Disco” from her latest album ‘Masseduction,’ “Fast Slow Disco” is a sweaty, 80s-inspired dance tune that sounds both retro and futuristic at the same time. The Madonna-esque melody and vocals are energizing, perfect for going out to a club and dancing the night away. (video)


A lot of great new songs and music videos were released over the last week. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tracks you’ll be listening to in order to kick off the first official weekend of summer.

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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 wide array of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our 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 to find something new or 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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