Listicle – Hot singles near two (you)!
By Noah Temple
You’re scrolling through Spotify; music’s been dry, and nothing has been hitting recently – I get it, but wait! Your favorite artist released something new! A 2-minute long single … Whether it’s for money, trying out a new sound, or previewing an album that will drop four months following it, singles are inevitable in music, so I wanted to try compiling some of my favorites and seeing how they stack.
Kim Jimin, or Meaningful Stone, is a 28-year-old indie artist based out of Korea who has found critical acclaim with her first full-length album A Call from My Dream (2020), and since then has put out one EP and multiple singles. “Psychomania” is a 2022 single that strays from Jimin’s typical soft, ethereal vocals and instead heads for a different sound – from the drum work to the heavy strumming bass and lead guitar riffs, the rock influence is evident but the vocals lean more into the choppy, modern shoegaze sound, though higher energy. The song is a fun listen at 3 minutes, and 58 seconds long; it is the perfect length to put on if for no reason other than just listening to a new song. The song is good because it is different from Jimin’s other work, yet does not stray too far from her original identity. The song is not good if you prefer her earlier works more, as the instrumental goes in a different direction.
Swedish-origin origin hip-hop collective Drain Gang recently released a new group single, “TL;DR.” All members have garnered acclaim in online circles (because most drainers don’t go outside). “TL;DR” was a long-awaited single due to its showcase of each member’s talent, from Whitearmor’s heavy production and infectious beat, Bladee’s silly lyrics, Ecco2k’s voice, or Thaiboy Digital’s energy, there is something for fans of every member of Drain Gang. The song is good due to its fun production and listenability. The song is bad because it’s 2 minutes, and Trash Island 2 is a myth.
Irish rock band NewDad released their first album recently, although I’d like to look back at their 2022 single, “ILY2.” They haven’t won any awards yet, and although their sound has been compared to bands like The Cure and artists like Beabadoobee, their sound is unique and refreshing. When comparing bands, it is important to understand the young age of NewDad (formed in 2018) and how they leverage their sound. “ILY2” is a catchy love song, and Julie Dawson’s vocals are wonderful to listen to, with her soft vocals making the song addicting to listen to all the time. Whether at the front or back of your attention, the energy of the song is infectious, and I can’t help but smile while listening to it. The backing track is also amazing, with fun guitar riffs and an incredible drum line that accentuates the entire performance, I hope I get to hear it live in November at The Atlantis when their tour comes to D.C. The song is good due to its infectious energy and fun sound. The song is not good if you do not love anyone.
To conclude, singles are often a treat dropped by an artist for their starving fans, and even if I wrote what “wasn’t good” about singles, these are all tracks I find myself consistently coming back to listen to. To me, these are the hottest singles in the area, and they want YOU to listen.
