Written by Abby Chadwick. Photo courtesy of Slate
In case your playlist needs some revamping, here’s the latest music that dropped in February!
‘Laurel Hell’ by Mitski
If I had to sum up Mitski’s latest album, I’d describe it as being “melodramatic 80’s pop”. It seamlessly combines the cinematic pop production of the 80’s with Mitski’s eerily encapsulating lyrics and sound. There’s a certain pattern that winds through songs like ‘Valentine, Texas’ and ‘There’s Nothing Left for You’ in which the song starts off soft and mellow, then builds in the vocals and production until it becomes this really grand and overwhelming listening experience. These powerful songs are complimented by Mitski’s softer tracks, like ‘I Guess’. This song talks about Mitski’s experiences after an intense breakup, but instead of being a breakup song rooted in anger or rage (as with many radio hits today), this one is rooted in catharsis and is more of a gratifying release of the relationship and the lessons learned from it.
‘reckless driving’ (feat. Ben Kessler) by Lizzy McAlpine
The latest single on her upcoming album ‘five seconds flat’, ‘reckless driving,’ is just further proof that Lizzy McAlpine’s lyrics and songwriting abilities only get better with time. The song begins with a nod to McAlpine’s signature sound with an acoustic guitar strum and her soft vocals, but builds in both production and anticipation as she and Ben Kessler’s voices intertwine. The song is just as intense and suspense-building as the name, and a perfect sneak peek into her upcoming album.
‘Trouble’ by Troye Sivan & Jay Som
If I could paint you a picture of this song, it would be driving down the highway with the windows down in the middle of summer. If Troye Sivan had a superpower, it would be creating these songs that truly earn the title of “pop perfection.” All of his music is something that could be playing in the back of a lighthearted coming-of-age movie, which in my opinion is the ultimate goal when I’m curating any playlist.
