Saturday, October 27, 2018

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (October 21-27, 2018)


The weekend is finally here! That means it’s time to take a look back at all the new music that has come out over the past week.

This week saw a lot of great new songs and music videos, especially when it came to rock and pop. My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way released a new solo song. We got a surprise new song from AFI, as well as more pop-punk goodness from Stand Atlantic. Cake released their first single in seven years. Artist on the rise Billie Eilish delivered a creepy new video for her latest single. There were also new pop videos from the likes of Backstreet Boy AJ McLean, George Ezra, Walk The Moon, Sara Bareilles, Little Mix, Black Eyed Peas and Imagine Dragons.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again rounded up some of our favorite new songs and music videos of the past week. Here are 10 well worth checking out.


1.       AJ McLean, “Night Visions”: Backstreet Boy AJ McLean made his foray into country music this week with the release of solo single “Night Visions.” As country music goes, its way more pop than twang, which is fine considering he’s coming from a pop background. It also has this great intensity and passion that I have always found intoxicating in BSB’s work, so I’m glad it translates here too. The video for the track makes the song feel even more intense, as it depicts McLean behind bars with a twist that will have you dialed in until the end. (video)

2.       George Ezra, “Hold My Girl”: There is something so enjoyable about listening to George Ezra’s smooth, husky voice. On “Hold My Girl,” the singer delivers sweet, compassionate lyrics with a sense of passion and a hint of vulnerability. The video is as vulnerable as the song, finding the singer facing mortality as he tries not to drown in the water that is flooding his room. (video)

3.       AFI, “Get Dark”: Following a brief bit of teasing, AFI released a new single this week with the announcement that they will be releasing a new EP soon. “Get Dark” is a pretty standard dark pop-punk track. It’s certainly not as over the top as some of the band’s previous singles, but it’s definitely an energetic track perfect for the mosh pit. (video)

4.       Gerard Way, “Baby You’re A Haunted House”: My Chemical Romance fans rejoice, there is a “spooky” new Gerard Way solo track. “Baby You’re A Haunted House” has a sound somewhere between 1960s early rock ‘n’ roll and 1990s indie-rock. The melody is really easy to get into and will have you bobbing your head along with the skeleton-masked men in the video by the end in an almost zombie-like fashion. (video)

5.       Sara Bareilles, “Armor”: Bareilles’ latest girl power anthem, “Armor” gets straight to the point. The song’s powerful, hefty melody sets the stage for empowering lyrics about women sticking together to become more powerful and inspire each other. It doesn’t have the same effectiveness as “Brave,” which was an effortless hit, but it is the kind of unity song that is necessary in a world where women aren’t really treated equally. (video)

6.       Black Eyed Peas, “Dopeness”: Given the intensely political nature of the group’s last single, Black Eyed Peas go a little lighter with “Dopeness.” With its funky beat and catchy melody, it is the kind of song that would get played over and over on the radio. Sure it’s a bit boastful, but these guys really know how to write a hit song. (video)

7.       Imagine Dragons, “Zero”: Written for the film ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet,’ “Zero” has a different feel than your typical Imagine Dragons song. Instead of the darkness that usually encapsulates their music, “Zero” is very upbeat. The song moves quickly, as if it were written with the cadence of a video game in mind (which makes total sense for this movie). I wouldn’t be surprised if adult contemporary radio took to this song, because once the film comes out it will be everywhere. (video)

8.       Cake, “Sinking Ship”: Cake released their first new single in seven years this week. “Sinking Ship” has the same kind of simple melody and complex lyricism the band is known for. However, instead of the jazzy groove of previous songs, the band opts for a blues guitar riff that runs throughout, giving it a little darker feel than usual. Such is warranted though, after all the song is a political commentary. According to the video description, all proceeds from the song are going to Doctors Without Borders. (video)

9.       Mumford & Sons, “If I Say”: At first I wasn’t sure what to make of “If I Say.” It isn’t the boisterous, upbeat folk rock one usually expects from Mumford & Sons. The song is more of an electronic ballad with orchestral moments that swell and augment its intensity. Marcus Mumford also seems to lose his accent here, which I don’t think I’ve ever heard on a Mumford & Sons track. (video)

10.   Billie Eilish, “When The Party’s Over”: “When The Party’s Over” is all about dynamics. Much of the song is sung soft and reserved, only slightly above a whisper. Then when you get to the second chorus the words explode. Eilish picks it up to what would usually be a normal volume, spiking a passion behind her words before dipping back down to soft and, perhaps, a bit sad. (video)


With the weekend here, now is a great opportunity to catch up on some of this week’s hottest new songs and music videos. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what songs you’ve been digging over the past week.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres to suit most music lovers. 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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