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New(ish) Music Tuesdays: February 2017

Welcome to the February installment of New(ish) Music Tuesdays, our monthly feature in which our music staff write about their favorite new songs.

Reagan Harrison’s picks

SIA – “MOVE YOUR BODY”

A club hit at its finest, this song was originally penned for Shakira but turned down. It was released back in mid-January, but I’m still waiting for it to turn into a hit. Sia took the song and ran with it, putting her own twist on it. There is a message about being true to yourself, similar to “I Took A Pill in Ibiza” in a sense, as most dance songs are more focused on the rhythm at hand (except in this case).

ED SHEERAN – “SHAPE OF YOU”

Ed Sheeran’s sound has been changing more and more with each album he’s released. People are always worried with the release of new singles by him that he’ll sound different than the last time we heard from him. Granted, “Shape of You” is a tad different – but altogether has the same consistent strong vocals and instrumentals as we’ve heard previously. The drums in the back have a very distinct sound and makes the song ten times better.

LADY GAGA – “JOANNE”

The recent appearance of Lady Gaga at the Super Bowl brought to mind her latest album, Joanne. I chided myself for not listening to the full album sooner, but I was deterred at the time because I heard it took a turn for the “folksy”. But boy was I wrong. “Joanne” is a mix of meaningful lyrics with a combination of guitar not usually heard from by Gaga. It’s the titular song on the album, and it’s an indication of how great the full album really is.

Ryan Gibbs’ pick

LOS CAMPESINOS! – “5 FLUCLOXACILLIN”

The first thing you’ll notice about “5 Flucloxacillin” is that its is arrangement is a bit more ornate than Los Campesinos! singles normally are outside of their Christmas tunes (and especially since their violinist left the band). Gareth Campesinos!’s carefully crafted lyrics about medicating through depression sit beautifully on top of lush piano and rhythm guitar-focused instrumentation. The hook on the pre-chorus is a grand earworm in the tradition of the band’s best pure pop songs. Every Los Campesinos! album has one stunning advance single that perfectly sells the whole package. For Sick Scenes, this beautifully composed power pop song is it.

Katie Gill’s picks

RED VELVET – “ROOKIE”

As a whole, Red Velvet’s songs are an explosion of pep, bounce, cuteness and fun–“Rookie” is no exception. And granted, “Rookie” isn’t as good as some of the group’s other work, but a: let’s be real, nothing’s ever going to top “Russian Roulette” and b: it’s still well crafted pop that’ll get stuck in your head for DAYS. “Rookie” is an amazingly catchy combination of talented girl group vocals and a funky backing. And the music video! Red Velvet’s music videos are always as frantic, fun, and frenetic as their music. This pseudo-Alice in Wonderland piece is just absolutely charming.

MUNA – “I KNOW A PLACE”

This is really amazing. It’s no big secret that the world’s a little bit turbulent and a little bit scary right now. With “I Know A Place,” MUNA provides an anthem of hope. The entire song is just so hopeful, so yearning, a queer anthem by a queer group that wraps up inspiration and reassuring sentiments in a beautiful, glossy, synth package. “I know a place we can run / where everyone gonna lay down their weapon” is simultaneously the saddest and the most hopeful lyric I’ve heard in a while and oh my GOSH is it desperately needed right now.