Sometimes I feel the generation divide in terms of what appeals to me musically. Case in point, when auditioning songs for this series, I often gauge a song’s appeal by the opening. If if hear drum loops, someone mumbling on a track, or just dissonance, I’m just not feeling it. However, if the opening statement of a song has that “yaggerdang” vibe, my ears instantly perk up. Call it social conditioning, being an older Gen Xer, or just being stuck, my tastes are the product of growing up in a particular time. The musical sounds that humans made during those periods embedded a musical DNA genetic coding into my ears and brain. For better or worse (and this all depends on who you talk to) being in a position to recommend music to people is one I don’t treat lightly. I genuinely love music and come to new releases with as much of an open mind as possible. After all, what I consider good, could be greeted with a shrug by others. That’s just the nature of art. But simply because the subjectivity of art is a thing doesn’t mean that one cannot find objectively good things in new music.
Below are three examples of songs that I recommend because a.) they are subjectively good. And b.) they have objectively good qualities that most people will recognize as such. I know, I know, there will always be someone out there who will relish the thought and opportunity to be the turd in the punch bowl at anything someone holds up as a positive in the world. Those people used to be lumped into the category of critic, but the internet has all but killed off real critics – leaving only the turds to ruin everything.
But hey, I don’t want to be a downer, so let’s get on with the good stuff!
Galantis, David Guetta, & 5 Seconds of Summer “Lighter” (YouTube)
On paper, this collaboration looks like a formula for corporate pop — in the worst possible way. Just look at how many people are credited with writing this song. But, you know what? “Lighter” truly surprised me with its upbeat and uplifting vibe. The lyrics aren’t all that deep, but it doesn’t matter. This is a song about finding love when the world around feels rather heavy and dark. Maybe this is a simple antidote to the doomerism that seems to pervade in these times.
Carly Pearce, “hummingbird”(YouTube)
Country pop with the accent on pop — but with a melancholic underbelly. With the lyrics in the chorus noting: Oooh, when the rain gets poured/The river don’t run to an old love’s door you know some hurt feelings is going on here. Carly Pearce has a lovely and strong voice that is front and center in the mix, and “hummingbird” is a compelling song to showcase her vocal talent. More Americana than country, and more Triple-A than pop, Pearce is defying expectations on this tune. ‘Tis a pity it appears to be a fleeting dalliance in terms of style because she could (if she wanted to) carve out a prominent place in the Americana world.
The Cocktail Slippers, “I Still Dream You” (YouTube)
Written, arranged, and produced by Steven Van Zandt and performed by the Norwegian pop-rock band The Cocktail Slippers, “I Still Dream You” isn’t entirely Van Zandt being a Svengali here. The band was working on a version of this song but was struggling with it. So, Van Zandt took a stab at unlocking “its mystery.” As he noted, “I ended up taking it in a different direction and rewrote the whole thing. And really – not because the song wasn´t good enough, you’ll hear great ones all over the album, but because The Cocktail Slippers relentlessly inspire me!” So, does this make “I Still Dream You” a Steven Van Zandt song that’s covered by The Cocktail Slippers? Well, considering that the band has collaborated with Van Zandt for about 10 years, it doesn’t seem unusual that he took a stab at shaping the song. And oh man, did he ever shape it with a retro/’60s era feel that harkens back to the kind of productions that Phil Spector would do. So, if you’re in the mood for a song that’s new wine in old bottles, “I Still Dream You” fits the bill.
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