Twostepcub's New Music Roundup 2/4/23...
It's time for my weekly new music roundup, where I feature my choices of the songs making the various radio charts in Billboard magazine, as well as on the charts in the United Kingdom. It's another slow week where the highest entry on the Hot 100 is in the lower half, and is dominated by drivel from rapper Trippie Red as well as dog whistle country from HARDY and Morgan Wallen.
from the album Red Moon In Venus (2023)
Billboard Hot 100 debut: #81
Due to the unlistenable entries from the aforementioned, this new preview of American/Latin pop singer Uchis' upcoming third full-length shines better than it deserves. Though the dreamy production has a soothing effect, the repetitive lyrics remind me that this, which fine, doesn't hold a candle to her breakthrough "Telepatia". Still, alright date dinner mood music.
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from the EP Ready To Be (2023)
Billboard Hot 100 debut: #84
I think the discovery of "Miami Bass" music by K-pop right now is hilarious. However, TWICE, the heirs to the girl-group throne from Girls Generation, is as skilled as can be with this English-language bop that sports lyrics written by members of the American group Citizen Queen that aren't as grammatically and schematically incoherent as what's come out of the BTS camp.
from the album Bluebird Days (2023)
Billboard Hot 100 debut: #91
Coming off of two #1 country radio hits, the best beard in the business is back with a third offering from his forthcoming sophomore full-length album. It's a nice, simple, easy-to-digest song about the usual (heterosexual) love storyline that doesn't try to aggrandize things.
from the album First Two Pages Of Frankenstein (2023)
Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay debut: #46
Billboard Adult Album Alternative (or Triple-A) Rock Airplay debut: #21
The follow-up to their collab with Bon Iver, "Weird Goodbyes", the National sound very Death Cab For Cutie-like in this contemplative uptempo number.
from the album Wet Leg (2022)
Billboard Alternative Rock Airplay debut: #40
The British duo who are up for the Best New Artist Grammy Award tomorrow deliver a wall of noise to back up their cooled anger on this track that sounds great when you're angry-driving in the car (trust me).
from the album Life and Life Only (2022)
Billboard Triple-A Rock Airplay debut: #29
Fans of Yola's earlier country-inflected soul and "Americana" music should check out this breezy strummer from the British duo.
from the album Continue As A Guest (2023)
Billboard Triple-A Rock Airplay debut: #33
Canadian modern rock veterans are back on a new label and with a nice earthly garage rock sound. Great to have them back together after four years and Neko Case's solo gems in the meantime.
from the album The Price Of Progress (2023)
Billboard Triple-A Rock Airplay debut: #38
Talking about returns, Midwestern post-punk revivalists The Hold Steady bring the sardonic wit in this fast-paced burst of energy that has a sweet soft middle center.
"Weightless" - Arlo Parks
from the album My Soft Machine (2023)
Billboard Triple-A Rock Airplay debut: #40
The bisexual British balladeer is back and veering into hyperpop in this dreamy single that's my favorite of all that's here today.
"So Be It" - Alex Vaughn
from the album The Hurtbook (2022)
Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay debut: #48
Bedroom R&B from newcomer Vaughn pushes the right buttons and has the right vocals in this seductive yet sassy come-on.
"Solitude" - Snakehips featuring Lucky Daye & BIA
from the single (2022)
Billboard Dance Airplay debut: #36
This is a slick and musically nuanced track that would make a nice addition to your coming from the club playlist.
"Hoping Maybe" - The K's
from the single (2023)
Official British Singles Sales chart debut: #21
This British band has been trickling out singles for the last five years or so and this latest one is quite pretty and quietly majestic.
from the album 72 Seasons (2023)
Official British Singles Sales chart debut: #32
Speed-metal titans take a tough subject head-on in this flurry of guitars and scowling and emotional release, and it's quite effective.
AND THEN THERE'S...
from the single (2023)
Official British Singles Sales chart debut: #35
Man, I so wanted to like this. I mean, Dolly, Belinda, Cyndi, and Gloria on a collaboration together? But the result here is actually something that depresses me. Combining the worst schlock Diane Warren has even written with such a brazen tie-in to an unnecessary movie about a shitty sports figure (oh, don't even try to tell me his "retirement" wasn't timed to the release of this mess) that every single person involved with the movie as well as this product of a song should be totally embarrassed with themselves. Thankfully there is no way this will get any traction even with the names involved, no respectable ghey is searching out for this. And the single and the music video include Blondie's Debbie Harry, even though she's nowhere to be seen on the clip nor heard on the song, so no idea what's going on there.
I'll be back with my choices of the latest albums on the charts.
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