The 4 songs in this roundup are all different, but they collect the best of the best that Popfad has discovered in the last week. From alternative rock, to indie, to some folk and funk influences, every song in this list deserves to find a space in some playlists. They’re all super strong releases from the past few months.
jak demo – trojan war
If there’s one word to describe ‘trojan war,’ it would be “exciting.” With an alternative rock basis, this track has a nice groove in the way that it swings. Additionally, there’s a bit of a rap influence in the strong punch that the vocal rhythm helps to deliver. This track has a really lively mix, putting different guitar layers in different spots of the stereo, so they both jump out in their own space. ‘Trojan War’ has a really strong driving beat, but there’s also a bit of a nice swing at times, and having it sway and jump is really entrancing. Overall, it’s a lot of fun to listen through, and feels like one of those windows down on the highway songs. Lyrically, this track seems to be about love, lust, and the fleeting nature of relationships and infatuation.
Ava Claire – Honestly
‘Honestly’ pulls the energy back, starting with held-out synth tones and others that seem to float around in the sky to deliver an immediately distinct atmosphere. The vocals have this full alto sound, though they find a nice space between strength and softness. There’s a guitar that rests in the left end of the stereo, which pairs well with the synths, before a stronger mix with another guitar layer in the right jumps in. This track is soft and laid-back, but everything has some great clarity while still letting the vocals jump out. Also, said vocals have a nice rawness to them that delivers emotion well. Lyrically, this track seems to capture the tale of a toxic relationship and trying to find love when there’s no real love to be found. The lyrics are poetic and painful, and they explore a sense of disconnect.
William Pilgrim & the All Grows Up – Black Bird
‘Black Bird’ stands out with a full and lively band and a beautifully raspy vocal. It’s built with drums, a guitar, a bass, a synth keyboard, and backing vocals that build beautiful harmonies. It has a nice bit of funk in it, though there are some folk sensibilities in how the vocals are delivered, tied together with some rock influences. This track breaks the boundaries of genres, and the instrumental bits let some intricate guitar lines come to life. ‘Black Bird’ is dynamic from front to back, and it’s obvious that it was meticulously crafted. Lyrically, it poetically tells the narrative of the death of Eric Garner and how it was handled on social media.
Gerald Kainberger – Dream of a Dream
‘Dream of a Dream’ is a full and exciting track built on full baritone vocals and an acoustic guitar. Its soft intro with just vocals and a guitar offers a nice pull before the initial punch of a full band sound. Though the intro is folksy, it breaks into a soft rock sound with a focus on electric guitars and dynamic vocals. This track is lifelike and exciting, but on the other hand, it doesn’t feel like too much. It saves its big moments for the perfect times, and there are different times that highlight the vocals and guitars. Lyrically, it comes from the voice of someone who dreams of moving forward from struggle toward peace and freedom.
Written by Sage Plapp
Cover image by Alina Vilchenko
