Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (November 24-30, 2019)

A lot of new music gets released over the course of any given week. Even with Thanksgiving cutting this week short, there were still plenty of new songs and music videos that hit the internet. That was especially true for rock and pop, as we saw brand new jams from the likes of Black Veil Brides, Regina Spektor, Oh Wonder, Bombay Bicycle Club and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s hottest new tracks. Here are six (and a few more) that we think are worth a listen this weekend.

1.       Black Veil Brides, “Saints Of The Blood” & “The Vengence”: Black Veil Brides are back with a new EP, ‘The Night,’ featuring two brand new tracks frontman Andy Black says are attempt to write songs that recall the band’s earlier days. “Saints Of The Blood” is a melodic hardcore track that mixes noodle-y metal guitars and a dark, forbodding rhythm section with confident, melodic & dirty vocals. The chanting adds to the “call and response,” “movement leading” vibe of the song. “The Vengeance” has a fairly similar feel. The noodle-y guitar intro and interludes are Avenged Sevenfold-like in tone, though guitarist Jack Pitts’ guitar solo during the bridge sounds all-original and very impressive. Its melody has perhaps a bit less of the overarching leader vibe, instead taking on a little lighter, yet still aggressive feel. Both songs are ear-catching and do a good job of keeping you invested in the track. (“Saints” / “Vengeance”)

2.       Regina Spektor, “One Little Soldier”: Inspired by the upcoming film ‘Bombshell,’ “One Little Soldier” is a upbeat, bluesy, pop piece, filled with strength and attitude. The song does a great job of capturing that theme of strong women standing up for themselves.  (video)

3.       Flight Club, “All Hell”: A unique blend of metal guitar, pop-punk melody and garage-rock feel, “All Hell” is like nothing you’ve heard before. The instruments are a bit loud in the mix, making hard at times to understand the vocals, but the quality of the sound and melody overcomes that. (video)

4.       Lauren Alaina, “Getting Good”: “Getting Good” is a fantastic country track about learning to love where you are in life. It’s catchy, melodic and upbeat. The video also features the singer’s ‘Dancing With The Stars’ partner Gleb, so it has that going for it too. (video)

5.       Oh Wonder, “I Wish I Never Met You”: “I Wish I Never Met You” is a catchy indie-pop track that gives a pop-y twist to less than pop-y subject matter. Written about the after effects of a toxic relationship and how those scars can bleed into future relationships, the melody goes between soft and contemplative verses and an oddly positive chorus (which is reminiscent of Shawn Mendes’ island-y “Treat You Better”). The song as a whole is rather minimalist, the rolling snare drums and a light synth melody bringing everything together. (video)

6.       Bombay Bicycle Club, “Everything Else Has Gone Wrong”: A piece of easy-going indie-rock, “Everything Else Has Gone Wrong” relates that even if nothing is going your way, there is always something to be hopeful about. Frontman Jack Steadman’s delivery in the verses sounds as defeated as the anxiety and stress he wrote the song about probably makes him feel, while the upbeat outbursts near the end feels cathartic and impassioned.  (video)

Further Listening:

·         Neck Deep, “Worth It” & “Beautiful Madness”: (“Worth” / “Beautiful”)

·         Smoke Fairies, “Disconnect”: (video)

·         Cornershop, “No Rock: Save In Roll”: (video)

·         Black Pumas, “Colors”: (video)

·         Oh Land, “Wishes”: (video)

·         Ashland, “OMG”: (video)

Even with the shortened Thanksgiving week, there were still a lot of great new rock and pop songs and music videos released. Now that the family festivities are over (for now), this weekend is a great time to take a look back at some of the week’s hottest tracks. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what songs your digging this week in the comments below.

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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 a variety of genres. 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 to you 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.

Five Songs to Represent How Thankful You Are for Family and Friends This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the people in your life. For many, the emphasis is placed on family. Whether that is the family that raised you or the friends who took you in as their family, these are the people we care the most about and are most grateful for.

In honor of Thanksgiving, which occurs tomorrow, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at songs that celebrate the familial bond. Here are five to help you show just how grateful you are for your family this holiday.

1.       The Cranberries, “Ode To My Family”: Late Cranberries frontwomen Dolores O’Riordan wrote “Ode To My Family” to pay tribute to her family growing up, telling the Los Angeles Times (quote found on Genius) that the song is “about childhood, family and how important they are.” The song is meant to be a realization that once you’re out on your own, you learn to appreciate and be grateful for what your parents did for you growing up. (video)

2.       Sister Sledge, “We Are Family”: Written by Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards and performed by family act Sister Sledge, “We Are Family” is one of the most well-known songs about sticking together as a family. Sung to a funky, upbeat disco beat, the lyrics boast about how they have each other’s backs. Whether you’re talking about actual family or very close knit friends, everyone can feel grateful for having people like that in your life. (video)

3.       Celine Dion, “Because You Loved Me”: Written by Diane Warren and performed by Celine Dion, “Because You Loved Me” gives back to those who have watched you grow and advocated for you when no one else would. Personally, I’ve always visualized the song as a child giving a heartfelt “thank you” to a parent who loves unconditionally and has given them every chance to succeed. (video)

4.       Bon Jovi, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”: “There’s no place like home.” It was true for ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and it remains true with Bon Jovi’s 2000s classic “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” The song talks about how you can go as far away as possible, but there will always be something special and welcoming about going home. There’s something warming about coming home to the people that know and love you, and that’s something to be thankful for. (video)

5.       The Rembrandts, “I’ll Be There For You”: As stated above, sometimes your friends are your family. The Rembrandts got this sentiment right when they wrote “I’ll Be There For You,” best known as the theme song to the hit sitcom ‘Friends.’ When you’re in a rut, sometimes the best thing to have is a set of peers to support you, who know you and how to make things better. Like with “We Are Family,” you have each other’s backs. (video)

It is important to be thankful for your family and friends this Thanksgiving and holiday seasons music is a great medium to show just how grateful you are. Check out some of our favorite family-centric tunes above and let us know what your favorite songs of thankfulness are in the comments below.

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Find the perfect soundtrack to your Thanksgiving and holiday season at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a plethora of genres. 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. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (November 17-23, 2019)

A lot of new music is released in a given week, fighting for the listener’s attention. This week was no different, as we saw a plethora of songs and music videos hit the internet, especially when it came to rock and pop. Sleater-Kinney, The Struts, Haim and The 1975 are just some of the artists with new music out over the last seven days.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the best new songs and music videos of the week. Here are six (and a few more) that we think are worth taking another look at this weekend.

1.       Nasty Cherry, “Brain Soup”: “Brain Soup” has a retro 1970s punk-y disco quality to it. The groove is infectious and the delivery is full of attitude. They remind me of a mellower version of The Runaways ready to take over a roller disco. (video)

2.       The 1975, “Frail State Of Mind”: “Frail State Of Mind” sounds a bit like “TooTimeTooTimeTooTime” from last year’s ‘A Brief Inquiry,’ sharing a quick vocal injection-like delivery. However, “Frail State” is more chaotic. Set to an electronic dance beat, frontman Matty Healy deals with social awkwardness, singing about how he doesn’t go out because of anxiety, but also how it pushes people away. (video)

3.       MOBS, “Big World”: Coming out of the gate with a buzzy guitar line that draws you in, “Big World” explodes into a big pop rock party. You can’t help but dance and groove along to the song’s over-the-top energy. (video)

4.       Sleater-Kinney, “Love”: You can’t really go wrong with that classic riot grrl sound. “Love” has a straightforward and catchy melody, carried along by steady bass and snare drum. Carrie Brownstein’s strong, staccato verses and Corin Tucker’s floaty choruses meld together in a way that’s inviting and easy to listen to. (video)

5.       The Struts, “Somebody New”: The Struts are usually known for big, Rolling Stones-meets-Queen anthemic pieces. But “Somebody New” is different. This piano-driven tune is just as big and theatrical as you would associate with the band, but in a much more intimate, emotional way. There is so much passion and pain behind Luke Spiller’s vocals that it’s hard not to get sucked in. (video)

6.       Haim, “Hallelujah”: Somber and reflective, “Hallelujah” (not a cover of the Leonard Cohen classic, but if you want to hear Haim cover him you should check this out) puts thought behind feeling grateful for being where you are and remembering those who have had an impact on who and where you are. The last verse in particular, about the loss of Alana Haim’s friend, is especially touching. The lyrics make you think and reflect on life, and will perhaps bring a tear to your eye.  (video)

Further Listening:

·         Maggie Rogers, “Love You For A Long Time”: (video)

·         Nada Surf, “Something I Should Do”: (video)

·         Echosmith, “Shut Up And Kiss Me”: (video)

·         Best Ex, “Bad Love”: (video)

·         The Who, “I Don’t Wanna Get Wise”: (video)

·         Drive-By Truckers, “Armageddon’s Back In Town”: (video)

·         Rina Sawayama, “STFU!”: (video)

This week saw a log of great new rock and pop songs and music videos hit the internet. With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to revisit some of the week’s best. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tracks you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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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 a variety of genres. 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 to you 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 gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Seven Takeaways from the 2020 Grammy Nominations Announcement

Nominations for the 2020 Grammy Awards were announced on Wednesday morning (11/20).  Leading the pack is Lizzo, who is up for eight awards. She is followed by Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X with six nods a piece, and Ariana Grande and H.E.R. with five nods a piece. A full list of nominees can be found here. The Grammy Awards telecast is set to take place January 26.

With the announcement of this year’s Grammy nominees list, VinylBay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a closer look at some of its highlights and lowlights. Here are seven things we took away from this year’s announcement.

1.       Women are dominating the big four categories: The Grammys have been in hot water for the last few years about how women have been represented in their nominations and winners lists. Tides seem to be changing though. As Billboard points out, this is the second year in a row where five of the eight nominees for Album of the Year and Best New Artist are women. Seven of the eight Song of the Year nominees are performed by female artists.

2.       But not rap: While the bigger categories seem to be getting more diverse, the genre categories are still lacking that same diversity, and in some senses falling backward. That is what seems to have happened in the rap category this year. Rolling Stone pointed out that there are no women nominated for any of the rap categories despite many very eligible artists who are having a moment right now. Megan Thee Stallion released her debut this year, not to mention had one of the songs of the summer with “Hot Girl Summer.” Lizzo wasn’t included in the rap category either, instead putting her in the more female-friendly R&B categories. The only female artist on the nominations list is Cardi B, who featured on husband Offset’s single “Clout.” Even the notoriously male-dominated rock and alternative categories had a few women getting nods for songs they had top-billing on (Karen O, Brittney Howard, The Cranberries), so this is a head-scratcher.

3.       Newcomers are reigning king: This seems to be one of the first years in a while where new artists are dominating the big four categories. The three top-nominated artists have never been nominated for a Grammy before. Lizzo and Billie Eilish’s nominations in all four of those major categories also marks the first time two artists have achieved that feat in the same year, not to mention they are only the 11^th and 12^th artists to ever do so.

4.       The Grammys still haven’t figured out what K-Pop is: Considering that K-Pop has exploded in popularity lately, it seems odd that there are no artists in the genre nominated for an award, not even in the international categories (which other award shows have done). With BTS breaking all sorts of chart records with April’s ‘Map Of The World: Persona,’ this seems like a bigger than usual snub.

5.       Latin is getting another boost: While the Recording Academy’s knowledge of K-Pop might be weak, Latin music’s popularity continues to shine. Rosalia has become the first Spanish-language artist to be nominated for Best New Artist. Unfortunately, this is Latin’s only mainstream spot this year. All other tracks are only being honored in the Latin categories.

6.       Posthumous awards: Nipsey Hustle dominated the rap categories this year. He got Best Rap Performance and Song nods for his single “Racks In The Middle,” which was released just weeks before he was fatally shot, as well as a Best Rap/Sung Performance nod for his featured spot on DJ Khaled’s single “Higher.” The Recording Academy also nominated The Cranberries ‘In The End’ for Best Rock Album, honoring her nearly two years after frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan’s untimely passing.

7.       Popularity Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Getting the Nomination: Ultimately, popularity doesn’t seem to be the deciding factor when it comes to nominations. In the last decade especially, there have been a lot of head-scratching inclusions on the nominations lists, most notably and controversially with the big four categories. Bon Iver makes that list again as his album ‘I,I’ was nominated for Album of the Year and its single “Hey Ma” was nominated for Record of the Year seemingly out of the blue. The album wasn’t necessarily a big hit overall, topping out at 26 on the Billboard 200 and “Hey Ma” not even charting on the Hot 100. Bon Iver was in a similar spot in 2012 when he won Best New Artist over Nicki Minaj. Other odd inclusions for 2020 include Black Pumas and Tank And The Bangas, who were both nominated for Best New Artist even though neither one have spent much time on the charts, or appear anywhere else in the nominations.

The 2020 Grammy nominations list may have its ups and downs, especially when it comes to inclusion. However, there is no denying that this year’s awards will be an interesting night of music and firsts.

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Find music from this years and past Grammy-winning artists at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to choose from. 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. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (November 10-16, 2019)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week and this one was no exception. We saw many top artists, as well as smaller bands, drop new songs and music videos over the last seven days, including Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Mike Posner, Super Whatevr and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are eight (and a few more) that we think are worth a second listen this weekend.

1.       Naughty Boy & Mike Posner, “Live Before I Die”: It’s not so much the song that’s so captivating (though it is an easy, uplifting listen), but the video for it. Earlier this year, Mike Posner walked across the entire United States. The video shows his journey from the Atlantic, through the mid-west where he was bitten by a rattlesnake, all the way to the Pacific. It’s very uplifting if you want to know his story. (video)

2.       Celine Dion, “Courage”: Celine Dion’s latest single “Courage,” from the recently released album of the same name, is filled with power and pain. You can feel her vulnerability as she speaks to her late husband through the song and pleads with her higher power to help her find the courage to cope. The song’s confessional tone is amplified by the minor key piano and strings surrounding her voice.  (video)

3.       Weezer, “Lost In The Woods”: Weezer’s contribution to the ‘Frozen 2’ soundtrack, “Lost In The Woods” has that old school, “emo” rock feel that seems to be missing from a lot of the band’s recent work. (video)

4.       Cory Wells, “Cement”: “Cement” is a slow, emotional ballad about making a relationship work through the hard times. Wells’ vocals and lyrics are blunt and vulnerable against the song’s acoustic melody. It’s a sound very reminiscent of Dashboard Confessional’s early 2000s “emo,” but he makes it his own and does it in such a beautiful, melodic way. (video)

5.       Super Whatevr, “Yours Truly”: “Yours Truly” is a genuinely joyful pop-punk song. The beat keeps your toe tapping and the speak-sung vocal delivery is as upbeat as the words themselves. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to get up and dance like the people in the video. (video)

6.       Little Big, “Go Bananas”: “Go Bananas” is so weird that its meme-worthy. The electronic track is all over the place but stands out sonically, giving off heavy “Barbie Girl” and “Pineapple Pen” vibes. (video)

7.       The Reaganomics, “Grown Ass Man”: Some of the best punk comes from bands just letting it all go on the most mundane of things (Black Flag’s “TV Party” comes to mind). “Grown Ass Man” is that kind of song. The band sings about the pains of being an adult and aging in an engaging, fast & loud manor that’s equal parts serious and playful. (video)

8.       Taylor Swift, “Beautiful Ghosts”: “Beautiful Ghosts,” the collaboration between Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber from the upcoming ‘Cats’ movie, is emotional without being too over the top. Its lyrics are vivid in a way where you can see the scene in your mind as the song is being sung. (video)

Further Listening / Viewing:

·         …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, “Don’t Look Down”: (video)

·         Train & Skylar Grey, “Mai Tais”: (video)

·         Modest Mouse, “Ice Cream Party”: (video)

·         Marshmello x Yungblud x blackbear, “Tongue Tied”: (video)

·         Billie Eilish, “Everything I Wanted”: (video)

·         Peter Bjorn and John, “Reason To Be Reasonable”: (video)

This week saw a lot of great new rock and pop songs and music videos hit the internet. With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to take a look back and listen to some of the best. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new songs you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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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 a wide variety of genres. 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 for something new to you 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.

Seven Rock Artists & Bands Who Have Guest Starred on ‘Sesame Street’

The groundbreaking 50^th season of ‘Sesame Street’ is set to premiere this Saturday (11/16) on HBO. On Tuesday, the world got a sneak peak at the first episode when the show posted a clip featuring Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl singing a song called “Here We Go” with Big Bird and Elmo as they traveled around the United States. Other guest stars set to drop by this season include Maren Morris, Charlie Puth, Thomas Rhett and more.

Over its five decades on the air, the iconic children’s program has featured a multitude of guest stars interacting with the Muppets, including a slew of prominent musicians. From legends such as B.B. King, RayCharles, David Bowie and Michael Jackson to today’s hit makers such as Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, many a musician has had their moment with these beloved characters. This also includes a handful of rockers and rock bands.

In honor of ‘Sesame Street’s’ 50^th anniversary, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of the rock artists who have gotten to perform on the show over the years. Whether they performed something new, rewrote their own songs or performed their own music unedited, here are just seven of the rockers who have had the opportunity to play with the ‘Sesame Street’ Muppets.

1.       Spin Doctors: In 1993, Spin Doctors were at the height of their career, having two massive hits with “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong.” For their appearance on the show, the band rewrote portions of the former song to soundtrack a segment where Telly and Elmo were fighting over who Zoe should play with.

2.       R.E.M.: Following the success of their 1991 album ‘Out Of Time,’ R.E.M. made an appearance on ‘Sesame Street’ with a rearranged version of their second single, “Shiny, Happy People.” The song was re-titled “Happy, Furry Monsters” and was featured in a segment where the band played while all the monster characters acted out different feelings.

3.       Dave Matthews: In 2013, Dave Matthews appeared on the show sans band to work through some feelings with Grover. The singer strums through a new song called “I Need A Word” on banjo while the two sing about their “not very good” feelings in an effort to find what’s bugging them.

4.       OK Go: Technically, OK Go’s appearance on the show wasn’t interacting with the Muppets. However, the band did write an original song for the show called “Three Primary Colors,” and starred in the accompanying “insert” video, which they filmed in the stop-motion style that helped them go viral five years prior.

5.       Paul Simon: Back in 1977, Paul Simon played his hit song “Me And Julio Down By The School Yard” sitting on the iconic ‘Sesame Street’ stoop for the show’s human children (an interesting choice given the song’s subject). Simon returned more than a decade later to appear with Ladysmith Black Mambazo for “The African Alphabet.”

6.       Train: Following the release of 2012’s ‘California 37’ and a renewed interest in the band, Train made an appearance on the iconic show. The band reworked their then current single “Drive By” into a counting song called “Five By,” which found the trio, The Count and Elmo wondering how many peaches and chairs they would need.

7.       Goo Goo Dolls: Still riding high from the success of 1998’s ‘Dizzy Up The Girl,’ the Goo Goo Dolls were invited to appear on ‘Sesame Street’ in 2000. The band performed a reworked version of their hit “Slide” entitled “Pride,” which they sung to Elmo to celebrate his successes.

Over ‘Sesame Street’s’ 50 year history, the show has played host to hundreds of guest stars, many of which came from the world of rock and other genres of music. Take a look back at some of the rock artists who have reworked their music or written entirely new songs for the show and let us know who some of your favorite past ‘Sesame Street’ guests were.

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Find music from ‘Sesame Street’ and its many guests at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top 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, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (November 3-9, 2019)

Another chilly week has come and gone, and with it came a lot of new music fighting for our attention. This was especially true when it came to rock and pop music this week, as we got some great new songs and music videos from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Angels & Airwaves, Best Coast and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for some of the hottest new tracks released over the last seven days. Here are eight (and a few more) that we think are worth taking another listen to this weekend.

1.       Ozzy Osbourne, “Under The Graveyard”: Osbourne’s first official single in nearly a decade, “Under The Graveyard” is classic Ozzy. From the fuzzed-out metal guitars to the dark, haunting melody and husky vocals, the song has Osbourne’s signature all over it. The lyrics are a bit downcast, but the melody goes with those dark lyrics nicely. It’s a great way to welcome the Prince of Darkness back to music after the rough couple of years he’s had. (video)

2.       Angels & Airwaves, “Kiss & Tell”: Taking a break from his alien-hunting hustle, Tom DeLonge has revived Angels & Airwaves for a new album and single. “Kiss & Tell” focuses a little more on the pop-punk side of the band’s sound, though the big, atmospheric electronics are still very much present.  (video)

3.       Patrick Stump, “Deep Blue Love”: Fall Out Boy vocalist Patrick Stump has released a soulful new solo track for the upcoming film ‘Spell.’ “Deep Blue Love” is fairly formulaic when it comes to slow jams, but Stump seems to play into that here. The song is accompanied by a cute, quirky, self-aware video that lets you in a bit on just how cheesy it and the song are. That being said, Stump’s vocals are smooth and his falsetto on-point, which make it a very pleasant listen. (video)

4.       Panic! At The Disco, “Into The Unknown”: “Into The Unknown” is a true theatrical piece, like it was meant to be sung powerfully on Broadway. The song, which is being released as the first single from the upcoming ‘Frozen 2’ film, is a full story following the thought process of Elsa’s character probably before the main adventure of the film kicks off. I don’t think it will have the same kind of popularity as “Let It Go” from the original film, just because it is too theatrical for radio, but it is big and catchy (especially the chorus), which will allow for some grip. (video)

5.       Hot Chelle Rae, “I Hate LA”: After four years, Hot Chelle Rae are back with a brand new single. “I Hate LA” is less of the dance-y pop-punk of their big single “Tonight, Tonight,” and more of a refined pop tune. The easy beat and minimalist vocal melody give the song a breezy, California feel. The lyrics unfold to reveal a simple, easy to follow story that shows how they’ve grown as storytellers and songwriters. (video)

6.       Higher Power, “Low Season”: “Low Season” falls somewhere in between heavy pop-punk, grunge and 90s alternative. The combination is kind of intriguing. If you ever wanted to listen to Hinder and Story of the Year at the same time, than this could be for you. (video)

7.       Best Coast, “For The First Time”: “For The First Time” is a post-break-up song that celebrates being able to be yourself again. From the very beginning, the bright, country-tinged melody takes hold of you and immediately transports you into this open, happy, upbeat world. It makes you feel good just listening to it. (video)

8.       The World/Inferno Friendship Society, “Freedom is a Wilderness Made for You and Me”: There is a haunting quality to “Freedom is a Wilderness Made for You and Me,” a product of its dark melodic tones and strong, dramatic vocals. The one thing that pulls you out of that sense of dread are those horns, which have a nice, lifting effect amidst the darkness. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Graham Coxon, “She Knows”: (video)

·         Beck, “Dark Places”: (video)

·         The Rentals, “Spaceships”: (video)

·         The Black Lips, “Gentleman”: (video)

·         The Shins, “Waimanalo”: (video)

·         Atmosphere, “Bde Maka Ska”: (video)

·         Beach Slang, “Tommy In The 80s”: (video)

·         The Naked And Famous, “Sunseeker”: (video)

A lot of new rock and pop songs and music videos were released over the last week. With the weekend here, now is the perfect chance to take a look back and listen to some of the best. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tracks you’ve been digging this past week in the comments below.

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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 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 DVD, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.