This year has been filled with an abundance of amazing jams, as readers of this blog have probably noticed over time. So far, Popfad has brought a lot to the table to bring light to so many wonderful artists and tracks to explore that listeners may have heard before. And these two tracks stand out as some of the stronger releases of this year. Here are 2 more tracks to add to your radar that blend styles old and new.
Johan Huumo – Hard to Fight
‘Hard to Fight’ meshes modern melodies with 80s-inspired synth instrumentation to create something fresh that sounds both nostalgic and new. The vocals do well at taking the forefront without overpowering the instrumentation, and the percussive instrumental leads carry along the reverb-laden synths well. This track is a strong release, and there’s an addictive quality to it that isn’t to be missed. Additionally, the vocals do well at hitting some great rhythm with a wonderfully full mix of lower and higher tones. In terms of lyrics, this track does well at telling the narrative of someone who’s overcome life struggles to pack up and get to a better place. It’s about things falling apart, but it also explores getting through that to chase a brighter future.
Evan Kreutz – Deja Vu
‘Deja Vu’ is a lively and exciting pop punk jam with an addictive melody, strong guitar leads, and a really nice sound to bounce along to. The vocal feeling in this track is reminiscent of artists such as Lit and blink-182, with a twang of a whine that shines in the pop-punk genre. On top of the musicality being so wonderfully crafted, the crisp production and clear mix allow a full band sound to thrive and pop out with absolute clarity. It’s a track that overall takes old and new musical themes to make something fresh that harkens back to a nostalgic time, much like the prior inclusion in this list. Lyrically, this track seems to capture the feeling of falling in love that hits so deep it feels like this feeling for this person has already been in one’s life. But it also keeps the feeling of seeing this object of affection, but never fully crossing paths.
Written by Sage Plapp
Cover image by Tima Miroshnichenko
