I had come across so many incredible songs these past two weeks that it was hard for me to narrow down which ones to highlight. From Latin Rock to Jazz to Lo-fi; this week’s Editor’s Pick covers a lot of ground. Let’s get started!
“Mango Negro” by Rubio
Rubio is a solo project and artistic experiment by Francisca Straube who mixes ambient, Hip-Hop, Pop, and cultural elements to her work. The Chilean avant-garde artist has created a mystifying track that anyone could enjoy regardless of what language they speak. This title track was the second single from her sophomore album released on October 15th. She had this to say about making the album, Mango Negro:
“When we started working on this album, I imagined myself emerging from the water ready for a journey. Naturally, I was confronted with the mundanities of life, existentialism, sorrows, and, of course, death. Mango Negro reflects on experiences throughout this journey called life, and on the importance of treasuring our present.“
“Fairweather Friend” by Southern Space
Sonically, “Fairweather Friend” is a feel-good track to play on your record player and dance around your room to. Lyrically this track discusses the topic of “not being able to get something out of your system.”
“The song doesn’t lay it down in specific terms, just in the form of allegorical narratives; it could be a mean vice, a bad habit, a negative aspect, drug use, or anything, and it sticks like goo.”
“With Me” by Jackey Baxter
Looking for an upbeat heartbreak tune? This is the track for you. When first listening to this track, you’re met with a simple yet catchy synth piano beat which is interrupted by an upbeat electronic drum kit and Jackey Baxter’s auto tuned voice. It’s a bop. The song itself is about wanting to be needed when you’re not.
Baxter says that this track was part of a two pack of singles. “They were recorded on the central coast circa February. Stay Inside is the first song and it addresses a situation of figuring out what to hold on to and what to let go of; that growing is an easy pain.” In between these realizations and creating the songs, “I fell in love, and ended up with something that explained that.
“Smash/Hit” by Thirsty Curses
For those more into garage rock with in sync punching in a music video Thirsty Curses’ latest work is for you. In collaboration with Fire Star Pro Wrestling, the band has created one of the most fun music videos I’ve seen in awhile. When talking to them about the collaboration the band said that “shooting [the video] was probably the most fun we’ve had in 2020.”
“To Believe and Suffer” by YOU
YOU is a new solo project of Italian musician Emanuele Tabarrini. This title track is the first single of the artist’s upcoming debut EP. Showcasing his impeccable guitar playing and soft vocals, Tabarrini will put your mind at ease with this track.
“Love Take Over” by Dominique Fils-Aimé
The visuals for the music video are immaculate. Fils-Aimé sought to evoke the fall of male supremacy with the rise of feminine forces leading us towards freedom both in the lyrics themselves and the music video. “Love Take Over” is the first single in the last album of her trilogy series which explored the roots of African American culture.
“I Don’t Wanna Love You” by Tristan McIntosh
American Idol talent Tristan McIntosh has just released her debut single. It’s a beautiful fusion of modern Jazz and Indie Blues Rock. McIntosh’s powerful vocals shine through in this stunning production created by Jamie Houston. Her time as the lead singer in the “Linda Ronstadt Experience” has given the artist a strong sense of direction in her sound and career. I can’t wait to see what she releases next. https://www.youtube.com/embed/nRmMzM_234M?ab_channel=IntheUniverse-Topic&wmode=opaque&enablejsapi=1
“Waking Life” by In The Universe
In The Universe has a sound that’s hard to pinpoint. “Waking Life” is an Alternative Rock, Shoe-Gaze, Electropop fusion that I can’t get enough of. The production changes part way through to a more hard rock sound. This transition gives the feeling of being in a pleasant dream that has just turned sour and you’re trying to find a way to escape. Which is fitting for the premise of the band.
“The band was initially called Ajna. A name that started by the fascination of Lucid Dreaming and the production of DMT in the brain. Perhaps a romantic way of looking at reality despite what the laws of physics sets as limits.”
