This morning, on 01/17/2025, Alma Owren released her new single ‘outcast’, and Austin Coven dropped ‘Rubbing Alcohol’. These are both tracks with a distinct edge and stellar production. As the day comes to a close, now is a great time to give them a listen and explore 4 more singles that dropped recently. Here’s a bit about each release with something that’s sure to catch your eyes, or more so your ears.
Alma Owren – outcast
‘outcast’ has that dark melancholy indie sound that’s sure to pull at the heartstrings. The instrumentation is built with electric guitars with strummed tones and some higher tones that create atmosphere with interspersed fingerpicking. The vocals are delivered with clarity, but they have a bit of a mumble that builds into the somber sound. Something of intrigue is that the music builds over time, slowly introducing elements such as bass and a violin sound that resounds through the stereo. In the middle, there’s also this soft interlude that has some laughing sounds and a spark of a lighter. Anyone who likes a melancholic and dreamy atmosphere with an edge will find something to love in this track. The lyrics match this energy, as they delve deep into the emotions that come from mental health struggles. “I can stay much longer / He’s unlocked my problems / now I’m slowly burning,” they ring out.
Austin Coven – Rubbing Alcohol
‘Rubbing Alcohol’ has that high-energy house-influenced EDM sound for anyone who likes a rush. The synth bass bounces along with a bit of a buzz in its undertone, and the electronic drums work with a hi-hat-sounding basis. The brighter synths cut in and out and also bounce around in their tonality. Overall, this track is dynamic, instrumentally and vocally. The way the flow of the vocals specifically evolves is impressive. They hit different rhythms that have snappy transitions and have a bit of a mumble like the last track shared. Though the production is high-end, there’s a grunge to the overall buzz. It captures a lyrical tale of longing, but one with an edge due to darker themes being used. It explores passionate physical love and how it seems to infect the moments when the other person isn’t there.
Jay El Dee – Can’t Stop Me
‘Jay El Dee’ keeps up with the EDM bass-influenced vibes, but it works more with a catchy and melodic pop basis. The production of this one hits super well, as the mix introduces different synth sounds that work into different parts of the stereo. Everything seems to weave around an infectious bass-bounce which serves as a great basis. It sounds upbeat and confident, and the instrumentation and vocals seem to take turns taking the foreground. The vocals have a quick punch and snappiness while working with belts. There is also a rap bit that brings the punch up even more. Overall, this track is a snappy bop, and the lyrics tell a story of confidence. It’s about being unstoppable. It essentially says, “I am everything and can’t be stopped,” and it works as a good pick-me-up for anyone who needs a spike of confidence.
Chris Wenner – Something’s Going On in the House
‘Something’s Going On in the House’ as it has a soft and classic rock sound with folk influences. It uses a moderate pacing and snappiness with clicky percussion and guitar chords that cut in and out. The chorus is infectious, and the way the last hit of the vocal line hits the same last hit as an instrumental line before a vague pause. Aside from electric guitars, it also has a nice bass bounce and some moments with brass. Instrumentally, this track is full of life. Then the vocals have a bit of a rasp to them and play just above the instrumentation in the mix to make them clear but not overpowering. Lyrically, it depicts a tale of an older man starting to disconnect from the world as he grows older. Life starts to seem strange and alien to him, and he becomes confused as age starts to take hold.
SXHYLER – LOOKING
‘LOOKING’ has a dynamic R&B sounds with a bit of an edge behind it and lo-fi production. The bass in this one is amazingly slappy, and the percussion works with a lot of claps and higher tones. Additionally, there’s an interlude after the first chorus that introduces atmosphere with its synths, and the first verse does well at stepping the energy up. Overall, the sections step out of the range of most compositions, as bridges and pre-choruses fill the track with an intriguing flow. The vocals, though having an R&B basis, use a snappy rap flow mixed with melody. It captures the story of someone falling for someone else, they can’t stop looking at this person, but they note another person that this subject is with. The main voice of the track is expressing disappointment, as they see themself as a better option with confidence.
Naomi Jane – Like Like Love You
‘Like Like Love You’ has an anthemic girly pop sound exploring youthful love. The vocals bend and weave beautifully with introspective-sounding verses and powerful choruses. Some of the sections have higher-toned boopy synths, there’s some piano, and the drums hold the pace to a moderate tempo. In general, it has dynamic instrumentation, and several elements enter and exit as the track moves forward. This is one of those tracks that’s full of life but gives the vocals a space to shine. Lyrically, it uses a catchy pop melody to tell a story of falling in love. The choruses end with the lines, “Was running away from love / When I ran into you / The boy that I can, cannot lose.” It expresses themes such as being healed by another, wanting to receive love back, and wanting to be open to the world about the deep love that is felt.
Written by Sage Plapp
