If you’re like us, you’re always looking for new music to add to your playlist. If you’re even more like us, you always have trouble describing your music taste since it doesn’t fit into one nice genre box.
We’re all about finding the next big thing here and getting in early. These artists are quickly rising to the top with releases that will hook you immediately. From pure pop to punk to indie to folk, we’ve rounded up the songs that may have flown under your radar this July.
Cavetown – “Grocery Store”
“I’ve been trying not to cry in the grocery store,” sings Cavetown in their latest release. This whimsical song allows you to get lost in the feeling of a daydream, but ironically the lyrics are filled with authentic experiences. It’s easy to get lost in a song that has a very real and meaningful message to be told.
The song explores some of the lowest feelings of the human experience. Themes of the feeling of isolation even in a public setting reach out and touch listeners. Cavetown gives listeners an explanation of a very real and difficult experience: one of guilt, sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness.
It’s the sort of music that is short and sweet but burnt with sad undertones that make us question our lives.
JVKE – “Golden Hour”
Viral musician and producer JVKE was supposed to tour alongside boyband Why Don’t We this summer. Unfortunately, the tour was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, but JVKE is still persevering in his career.
His release “Golden Hour” proves that setbacks like this aren’t going to hold him back. The song showcases his well-known production style. Beyond that, though, it truly emphasizes that JVKE isn’t just a background producer, but a true solo artist with an absolutely incredible voice.
He uses quick lyrics that build into a smoother melody. JVKE also chooses calm piano to be elevated by bright production qualities. The song truly feels like basking in the sun during a “Golden Hour.”
Range Life – “Trucks”
Range Life released a smooth and calm song “Trucks.” The sound feels like a “retired pop-punk kid” and draws on elements of folk and indie. Fans of Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties may love this track for its similar elements of storytelling and powerful usage of an acoustic sound.
“Burn”
The second of Range Life’s releases — “Burn” — brings us to a much more grunge sound that is reminiscent of Nirvana while still bringing in elements of modern pop punk. It’s easy to get lost in a nostalgic feeling and sound that has been making a resurgence in the scene. “Burn” is a dizzying song perfect for anyone looking to get lost in music again.
Marina Laurendi – “Upper East Side”
The singer-songwriter on the come-up Marina Laurendi has dropped a new tranquil song about the city we’ve fallen in love with.
“Upper East Side” explores the romantic and whimsical life of New York City. With a sound similar to old Lana Del Rey, Marina invites you to get lost in her little slice of city life. With some elements of rpck, Marina delivers a soothing alternative pop song. While you can feel those romantic elements, you aren’t giving a glorified version of the city that many artists seem to give us. It’s truthful and candid, packed with clear real-life experience. Most notably, the song highlights Miranda’s clear vocal talent.
Shower With My Clothes On – Ashe
Ashe releases “Shower With My Clothes On” and depicts a real feeling of emptiness. In the echoing state of loneliness, Ashe plays with her lyrics and masterfully alludes to several different themes. One that is ever present is the difficulty of coping with her rise to fame. Ashe was a breakthrough artist who is seeing the reality of Hollywood. She admits that “California’s a bitch,” and playfully makes a joke about 15 minutes of fame and trying to sustain it.
Outside of the nod to the state of her career, she also talks about loneliness. While the music industry itself is often regarded as lonely, she’s talking mostly about relationships she’s lost. Her sadness is so consuming and she feels as if she’s fading. Lyrics aren’t a whole song, though, and Ashe’s incredible songwriting means that her instrumental backing guides listeners effortlessly through the whole song. At first, the song feels like it’s going in the direction of Ruth B’s “Lost Boys,” but instead takes an unexpected turn that is closer to a folk-pop.