Favorite Songs of 2019

2019 was a big year for music. Rock, pop, hip-hop and R&B all had their big moments in the spotlight. Billie Eilish and Lizzo bolted onto the scene with incredible, unique takes on what popular music could be. Taylor Swift, Eilish, Post Malone and more dominated the airwaves and the charts. Genres intersected to come up with some interesting and groundbreaking collaborations.

There have been some great songs to come out of this prosperous year in music. With 2019 almost at its end, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of our favorite tunes. Here are nine (and a bunch more) that made us think and feel this year.

1.       Vampire Weekend, “Harmony Hall”: Vampire Weekend made their big return this year, releasing an amazing album of alt-rock hits. I love the 90s-meets-current style the band has cultivated on the album, mixing in fun melodies with serious, thought-provoking lyrics. “Harmony Hall” is on another level though. Its mix of 90s melody, 70s flower-power and modern day worry. It’s upbeat and contemplative at the same time and political without being overtly political. (video)

2.       AJR, “Dear Winter”: AJR had another great year in 2019, releasing ‘Neotheater’ in the second quarter of the year. While “100 Bad Days” is a standout single with a big sound, I’m going to go with “Dear Winter” as one of my favorites. The vulnerability in Jack Met’s voice and words as he sings to his future child is palpable. You sympathize with how in his head he is and the loneliness he feels and how excited he is to one day have kids. It’s an emotional song and you’re there for every moment of it.  (video)

3.       Finneas, “I Lost A Friend”: Not just the producer of sister Billie Eilish’s music, Finneas put out some fantastic music of his own this year. “I Lost A Friend” is a minimalist, piano & snare-driven track is well-written and brimming with emotion. With every plunked note and vocal strain you hear his pain as he sings about having a falling out with his friend. (video)

4.       The Highwomen, “Redesigning Women”: Girl power was prevalent in country music in 2019, and no supergroup encompasses that more than The Highwomen and their debut single “Redesigning Women.” The quartet of Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires joined together this year as an answer to the Highwaymen. “Redesigning Women” is an anthem for hardworking women everywhere who break the mold, acting as both homemaker and breadwinner and then some. (video)

5.       Ice Nine Kills, “IT Is The End”: After seeing the video for “IT Is The End,” I was hooked on the creativity that is Ice Nine Kills’ music. The song, as well as the video, is based off the film ‘IT,’ and does a really good job of retelling the film’s plot in an interesting and entertaining way. (video)

6.       Lizzo feat. Missy Elliott, “Tempo”: While many are putting “Juice” or “Truth Hurts” on their year-end lists, I’m going with the Lizzo song that first caught my ear, “Tempo.” What made it for me was the beat, pacing and the body positivity of the lyrics. I also enjoyed Missy Elliott’s appearance on the song because both artists’ styles meld so well together. This generation needs a Missy Elliott and Lizzo is her. (video)

7.       NF, “The Search”: Music about mental health has been a big theme in 2019 as the stigma and curtain hiding it has started to lift. NF’s “The Search” confronts the effects of anxiety and OCD head on in beautifully crafted verse. He’s candid about his struggles and what he’s feeling, giving listeners an outlet to feel less alone with their thoughts. (video)

8.       Ozzy Osbourne, “Under The Graveyard”: This year brought the return of the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne. Despite having to postpone his farewell tour due to a string of injuries, the former Black Sabbath frontman released his first new music in a decade this year. His first single, “Under The Graveyard” proves that he hasn’t lost his edge. The song features Osbourne’s characteristic haunting vocals and instrumental-heavy melody, as well as contemplative, dark lyrics that take inspiration from his life. (video)

9.       Billie Eilish, “Bad Guy”: Despite not having featured Billie Eilish’s breakout track on any of my previous weekly lists, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include “Bad Guy” on this year-end one. Usually songs with whisper-sung vocals don’t go as viral as this track, especially ones where the vocal is just so creepy (sorry, it just is). Then you also have the upbeat, zany bridge, which is completely different from the rest of the song (“duh”). This eclecticism is what makes “Bad Guy” one of 2019’s standout tracks, whether you’re sick of hearing it or not. (video)

Further Listening:

·         I Prevail, “Hurricane”: (video)

·         Waterparks, “Turbulent”: (video)

·         Charly Bliss, “Capacity”: (video)

·         The Avett Brothers, “High Steppin’”: (video)

·         Frank Turner, “Don’t Worry”: (video)

·         Meg & Dia, “American Spirit”: (video)

·         Set It Off, “Dancing With The Devil”: (video)

·         The Darkness, “Rock and Roll Deserves to Die”: (video)

·         We The Kings, “Turn It Up”: (video)

·         Simple Plan feat. State Champs & We The Kings, “Where I Belong”: (video)

·         Mumford & Sons, “Beloved”: (video)

As 2019 comes to a close, it’s compelling to take a look back at the year that was, including the music that brought us so much joy over the last 12 months. Check out some of our favorites in the list above and let us know what some of your favorite songs from the past year were in the comments below.

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Celebrate 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 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 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.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out: (December 15-21, 2019)

As we get into the holiday season, there may be fewer new tracks to cull from, but there have still been some great new songs and music videos that hit the internet this past week. That includes new releases from the likes of Wayne Brady, Pentatonix, Ozzy Osbourne 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 five that we think are worth checking out this weekend.

1.       Wayne Brady, “Flirtin’ With Forever”: [Spoiler Alert] Following his win on the second season of ‘The Masked Singer,’ Wayne Brady released a new single. “Flirtin’ With Forever” shows off Brady’s smooth R&B vocals in a fun, swoon-worty way. His classic style is easy to listen to and makes you want to groove along. (video)

2.       Pentatonix, “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch”: Pentatonix’s cover of ‘The Grinch’ favorite “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” is anything but classic. The acapella group shows off their newest member’s soulful vocals here,  jazzing up the song’s vile descriptions of the Grinch with a knowing smirk and a grace the original (or the character) doesn’t have. (video)

3.       Ozzy Osbourne, “Under the Graveyard”: Ozzy Osbourne released an official video for his track “Under the Graveyard” this week, getting very personal in the process. The video graphically tells the story of him and wife Sharon’s relationship and how she saved him from his drug addiction. It’s beautifully done and the power of their love comes through clearly. (video)

4.       Machine Gun Kelly, “Why Are You Here”: Machine Gun Kelly heads in a more rock direction with his latest single “Why Are You Here.” The song itself isn’t very different from his usual fare, as most of it is accompanied by a pop-punk melody to begin with. But there isn’t that much different about his sung vocals than his rapping, which makes it an easy transition. The song is also upbeat and catchy, which is sure to suck you in. (video)

5.       Front Bottoms, “Camouflage”: The Front Bottoms have released the first single from their upcoming, as-yet-untitled new album. “Camouflage” is a good mix of classic Front Bottoms and the band’s more recent sound. The speak-sung vocals, lyrics and phrasing of the verses are reminiscent of songs like “Beer,” while the hefty rock sound and instrumental melody is something the band has gotten into with their recent releases. They also add in short bits of The Talking Heads’ “Once In A Lifetime,” which is a great little sample and fits well with what the band is trying to do. (video)

Even with the holidays upon us, there were still some great new songs and music videos released this week. Check out some of our favorites 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 different 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.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (December 8-14, 2019)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week. This was no exception as we saw a plethora of fresh songs and music videos hit the internet. It was especially true for rock and pop, as we got new tracks from the likes of Kesha, The Chainsmokers, Brian Fallon 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 songs and music videos. Here are seven (and a few more) that we think are worth revisiting this weekend.

1.       Kesha feat. Brian Wilson & Sturgill Simpson, “Resentment”: Kesha seems like she’s at her best when she’s being serious. Case in point “Resentment.” The song is a change of pace for the pop singer, heading in a twangier, country direction. Sturgill Simpson and Brian Wilson provide the perfect amount of harmony to Kesha’s vocal. (video)

2.       The HU feat. Jacoby Shaddix, “Wolf Totem”: “Wolf Totem” is a perfect intersection of hard rock, guttural metal rumbling and indigenous chanting that you didn’t know you needed. Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix does a good job with the rock melody, making it more palatable for an audience not acquainted with Mongolian tradition. But the real fascinating part is that traditional throat singing. The style fits so well with the heavy elements of metal. However, it’s kind of hypnotic and comforting in a way that metal usually isn’t. (video)

3.       Brian Eno, “Everything’s on the Up with the Tories”: Brian Eno’s tongue-in-cheek political commentary “Everything’s on the Up with the Tories” is like something out of ‘Monty Python.’ The march-tempo track is engaging and upbeat as Eno takes jabs at Brexit, Trump and more. (video)

4.       Lizzo, “Good As Hell”: Lizzo released a new video for her hit “Good As Hell” this week and it’s just as feel good as the song itself. Taking place in the context of a school marching band and color guard, the video shows people helping their peers in preparation for a big performance. Lizzo’s presence shines bright as she leads the band and the dancers in said finale. (video)

5.       The Chainsmokers & Kygo, “Family”: From the beginning, “Family” seems like typical fare from The Chainsmokers; it has a good beat, it’s mixed well. But by the end of the song, and by extension the very personal, passionate video, you’re invested. The melody is sweet and not as over-the-top on production as some of their songs. “Family” ends up being a sentimental and warm tune that makes you smile. (video)

6.       Nada Surf, “Looking For You”: “Looking For You” is an uplifting indie-rock ruminating on the idea that “whatever you are seeking is seeking you too.” Starting out soft and internal, the melody swells into its full, inspirational sing-along by the end that captivates and sweeps you away. (video)

7.       Brian Fallon, “You Have Stolen My Heart”: GaslightAnthem frontman Brian Fallon’s new single “You Have Stolen My Heart” is a low-key, waltz-tempo, guitar-driven love song. The sincerity in Fallon’s heartland vocals as he sings such genuine and love-struck lyrics is moving. (video)

Further Listening/Viewing:

·         PVRIS, “Old Wounds”: (video)

·         Set It Off, “Catch Me If You Can”: (video)

·         Bastille, “Good Lesson”: (video)

·         Dua Lipa, “Future Nostalgia”: (video)

·         MGMT, “In The Afternoon”: (video)

·         Theory, “Say Nothing”: (video)

This week saw a lot of great new songs and music videos hit the internet. With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to take a look back or catch up on what you may have missed. 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 you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

13 Concerts in New York to Get You Ready for the 2019 Holiday Season

The holidays are fast approaching! With 11 days until the start of Hanukkah and Christmas exactly two weeks away, the festive mood continues to grow here in New York, as it undoubtedly has in the rest of the world. Why not continue to ramp up the festivities with some live music?

New York is full of great live music all year round, but during the holiday season it can’t be beat! From huge artists like Mariah Carey and annual concert events like Jingle Ball to smaller yearly Hanukkah events from the likes of Moshav and Golem, there is something for everyone. We even celebrate the winter solstice big!

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of holiday shows happening in New York over the next couple of weeks. Here are 13 to get you deeper into the holiday spirit!

1.       WALK Holiday Show/Goo Goo Dolls: Long Island’s WALK 97.5 is already getting into the holiday spirit with a 100% Christmas playlist, so it would make sense that the station would be gearing up for a holiday show of their own. That happens tonight at the Paramount in Huntington. 1990s rockers the Goo Goo Dolls headline the event with Beach Slang and ‘American Idol’ alum David Cook will opening. (12/11 @ The Paramount Huntington)

2.       Idina Menzel: Actress and singer Idina Menzel is a busy women. Aside from the release of ‘Frozen 2’ a few weeks ago, she also released a new holiday album, ‘Christmas: A Season of Love,’ in October. Menzel will be ending a three-show tri-state area holiday run of shows tonight with a stop at New York’s Carnegie Hall. (12/11 @ Carnegie Hall)

3.       Pre-Hanukkah Smackdown: Looking to get into the Hanukkah spirit even before Hanukkah begins. Drom NYC is presenting their “Pre-Hanukkah Smackdown” this Thursday with a worldly list of artists that put a spin on traditional klezmer, including the Afrobeat-infused sound of Zion80 and the klezmer-bhangra fusion of Sharabi. Headlining you have gypsy-punks Golem, who’s mix of klezmer, Yiddish melodies and high-intensity performance makes for a lively show you won’t want to miss. (12/12 @ Drom)

4.       Jingle Ball: iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball has become synonymous with the holiday season at this point. The series of yearly holiday events from the radio mega network, Jingle Ball brings together some of the year’s most popular artists to celebrate the season. This year’s New York line-up is a veritable who’s-who of chart-toppers, including Taylor Swift, Lizzo, the Jonas Brothers, Camila Cabello, 5 Seconds of Summer, Dan + Shay, Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, Halsey, Monsta X and Fletcher.  (12/13 @ Madison Square Garden)

5.       Mariah Carey: The queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey is currently celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of her first Christmas album, ‘Merry Christmas,’ and the inescapable holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The singer will be wrapping her 2019 holiday tour on Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden. (12/15)

6.       Hot For The Holidays: If you’re looking for a hip-hop holiday show, Hot 97 is gearing up for their annual Hot For The Holidays show next week. This year’s artists include Khalid, Wale, Layton Greene and The Bonfyre. (12/18 @ Kings Theatre)

7.       Lea Michele: Actress and singer Lea Michele released her first-ever Christmas album, ‘Christmas in the City,’ in October, which hit Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart at number 3. Catch her perform music from the album and more during a special three-night residency at the New York Society For Ethical Culture.  (12/19 -21 @ NY Society For Ethical Culture)

8.       Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Perennial holiday instrumental favorites the Trans-Siberian Orchestra are heading our way to spread some Christmas cheer. The group will be bringing their “Christmas Eve And Other Stories” show to Long Island and New Jersey next week. (12/20 @ Nassau Coliseum; 12/21 @ Prudential Center)

9.       Marky Ramone’s Holiday Blitzkrieg: Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg, featuring former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone, is set to rock New York’s Gramercy Theatre for their annual ‘Holiday Blitzkrieg.’ Like last year, the group will be joined by Bad Religion/Circle Jerks guitarist Greg Hetson.  (12/20 @ Gramercy Theatre)

10.   Make Music New York Winter: Back for its winter festival, Make Music New York will be celebrating the winter solstice with as much outdoor music as possible all over the city. Favorites such as Piano City (which features pianos placed randomly around the city for people to play), Flatfoot Flatbush (a folk music gathering) and “The Mobile Hallelujah” (traveling carolers singing Handel’s famous ‘Messiah’ movement) all return, and there will be plenty of opportunities to jump in and join a holiday parade or sing Christmas carols with your fellow New Yorkers. (12/21)

11.   CeeLo Green: “Forget You” singer and Goodie Mob member CeeLo Green is celebrating the holidays on the road for his “Holiday Hits” tour. Green will be playing songs from his 2013 Christmas album, ‘Magic Moment,’ as well as hits from throughout his career. (12/21 @ Sony Hall; 12/22 @ Suffolk Theater)

12.   Yo La Tengo: Yo La Tengo’s Hanukkah shows are a holiday tradition at this point. The band will be playing eight consecutive nights at the Bowery Ballroom starting December 22 (the first night of Hanukkah), celebrating every night with special surprise guests. All shows are sold out except the 24^th and 25^th (Christmas Eve and Christmas).  (12/22-29 @ Bowery Ballroom)

13.   Moshav: Another Hanukkah tradition: Moshav. The band will be playing their annual “Festival of Lights” show on Hanukkah night three / Christmas Eve. Soulfarm and Yimmy will be opening. (12/24 @ SOB’s)

With the holidays only weeks away, now is the perfect time to start celebrating with live music. Check out some of the shows listed above and let us know what holiday shows you’re excited to see this season in the comments below.

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Find the perfect holiday music and more 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 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. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

New Albums Coming Out in December 2019

December is here! That means the final new releases of 2019 (and the 2010s) are on their way.

With the holidays right around the corner, the release schedule has slowed down a bit, but there are still a lot of highly-anticipated albums coming just in time to be gifted. The Who, The Chainsmokers and Harry Styles are just some of the artists to watch for in the coming weeks.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the most anticipated albums of December 2019. Here are five (and a few more), to get excited for.

1.       The Who, ‘WHO’: Rock legends The Who release their first album in 13 years, ‘Who,’ this week. The band still has the knack for writing impeccable and exciting rock melodies, as evidenced by the album’s first three singles. “Ball And Chain” is a strong, bluesy track with political lyrics, jangly guitars and grit for days. “All This Music Must Fade,” with its big sound and early rock feel, and “I Don’t Wanna Get Wise,” with its uncompromising stadium rock feel, were made for the band’s larger-than-life shows. This album will definitely be worth the decade + wait. (12/6)

2.       The Chainsmokers, ‘World War Joy’: The Chainsmokers are set to release their third studio album, ‘World War Joy,’ this weekend, just over a year since the release of 2018’s ‘Sick Boy.’ The duo goes back to their electronic, producer roots for the new record, pulling out all the stops with some huge collaborations. Featured artists on the album include 5 Seconds of Summer, Illenium, Lennon Stella, Blink-182, Bebe Rexha, Ty Dolla $ign, Kygo and more. The album’s first single, “Who Do You Love,” which features 5 Seconds of Summer in a track that tries to meld the two artists sounds but ends up electronic-heavy, has already gone platinum in a handful of countries. With fresh hype following the announcement of their Blink-182 collaboration dropping before the album, ‘World War Joy’ could be a big seller. (12/6)

3.       Various Artists, ‘Hannukah+’: Hanukkah compilation album ‘Hannukah+’ is getting a physical release this month, just in time for the holiday. The album features traditional songs, covers and new compositions from indie-rock darlings like Yo La Tengo (who are known for their Hanukkah shows), Haim and the Flaming Lips among others, as well as two very odd contributions from comedian and Tenacious D frontman Jack Black. You don’t come across a lot of mainstream Hanukkah albums, so this one stands out. (12/13)

4.       Harry Styles, ‘Fine Line’: Harry Styles has been defining his own path since the dissolution of One Direction. His 2017 self-titled debut found a whole new audience who found his new, more indie-rock-leaning sound to be of a much higher level than his previous work. Styles looks to build off this success while exploring new sounds on his sophomore album, ‘Fine Line,’ out later this month. The album’s first single, “Lights Up,” is a dark pop track with a deep groove and an ethereal aura that covers the entire composition. “Watermelon Sugar” has a similar 70s groove-meets-dark, sweaty pop feel. (12/13)

5.       Kanye West, ‘Jesus Is Born’: Kanye West released ‘Jesus Is King,’ his first album of gospel music, in October and is already gearing up to release its follow-up. ‘Jesus Is Born’ will be an extension of his Sunday Service events, which he has been performing all over the US this year with an “esteemed choir” backing him up. There doesn’t seem to be too much more information about the album yet, other than its intended release on Christmas day, which is surely going to peek the curiosity of fans come release day. (12/25)

Further Listening:

·         Camila Cabello, ‘Romance’: (12/6)

·         Cro-Mags, ‘From the Grave’ EP: (12/6)

·         Liam Payne, ‘LP1’: (12/6)

·         Ashland, ‘Over the Moon’: (12/13)

Even with the holidays and end of the year upon us, there are still plenty of new albums to look forward to in December. Check out our list above and let us know what new album you’re excited to get your hands on 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 growing selection of new and used vinyl records, CD, 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 to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.