Another New Music Friday filled with hits from start to finish. The up-tempo, sensual ‘Heaven Angel’ gets counteracted by Big Red Machine’s ‘Renegade’ whilst Sam Fender’s ‘Seventeen Going Under’ is on a self-reflecting planet by itself. And as the summer is going along nicely and the sun-filled days are spent listening to music and with the laughter of friends – we hope that this list is yet another addition to your evergrowing playlist.
THE DRIVER ERA – Heaven Angel
Pulsing beats, a daunting melody and a sensual glistering of drums set the tone for The Driver Era’s latest track ‘Heaven Angel’. The dictating vocals of lead singer Ross Lynch result in a combination of heavenly features with a flicker of fiery hellish undertones.
The alternative duo consists out of brothers Rocky and Ross Lynch and they have yet again transported us to the gates of their musical atmosphere with the highly addictive ‘Heaven Angel’. A song made to become an anthem when played live. As the instrumentals pick you up – and let you get lost into the music, this is another track of theirs that is made to be performed in front of thousands of screaming, jumping fans.
‘Heaven Angel’ is a perfect introductory tale to the energetic bands with occasional soft tracks that get counteracted by the pulsating strokes of their presence as well as the other songs in their catalogue. The Driver Era is entering into a new era of their trajectory and everyone is waiting on the tip of their seats to see what they have yet to show.
Written by: Lauren Dehollogne
Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
Sam Fender has made his return to the indie scene with ‘Seventeen Going Under’, which is the title track of his upcoming second album that will be released on October 8th, presenting critique on society and thematic topics just as we got to know him.
When listening to ‘Seventeen Going Under’, an already classic exhibit of Sam Fender’s musicality can be recognised with his characteristic voice backed up by typical guitar riffs. Although this time, Fender is reflecting on his own dark experiences and memories in his late teens when he was seventeen years old with a monologue of lyrics like “See I spent my teens enraged / Spiralling in silence / And I armed myself with a grin / Cause I was always the fuckin’ joker” which describes the difficulties of growing up.
Together with upbeat drums, the song turns out to be a classic indie-rock tune giving the fans an interesting first taste of the new record which will be a coming-of-age story as Sam Fender mentioned, a personal album about growing up and a celebration of surviving.
Written by: Jamina Roobrouck
Big Red Machine – Renegade (feat. Taylor Swift)
“Are you really going to talk about timing in times like these?”, preserves the overarching theme of ‘Renegade’, the tale of a troubling relationship hiding behind facets of anxiety, timing and damage. Big Red Machine, the collaboration project of Aaron Dessner of The National and Justin Vernon otherwise known as Bon Iver, bring in Taylor Swift for their latest track.
The trio recently worked together on Swift’s GRAMMY-winning album ‘folklore’ and sister album ‘evermore’ and solidified their relationship by featuring the 31-year-old on two songs of Big Red Machine’s upcoming album ‘How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?’. The daunting essence of a crumbling relationship with ever-so-often stretches of passive-aggressiveness has manifested as a feast for the ears through ‘Renegade’. Swift’s longing, whispering voice compliments the haunting indie-folk undertones with a pop-beat that follows the purpose of the words being sung.
The anxious, claustrophobic intention ‘Renegade’ exhibits seeps through from start to finish, “And carry your baggage up my street and make me your future history”, “Is it insensitive for me to say – get your shit together so I can love you?” creates the illusion of effort masked by no longer knowing your way out. This cinematic piece of music gives even more to the story by having Justin Vernon use his vocals to counteract the story in the background by Swift’s main narrative in this equation.
‘Renegade’ was the only natural follow-up in the chapters of musical excellence made by these three people. And although the track would have fit perfectly on ‘folklore’ by making this part of ‘How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?’ it stands out – and makes the world excited about what is yet to come – and which piece of the puzzle comes in afterwards to make this story whole?
Written by Lauren Dehollogne
GEM Magazine 