Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – Nov. 16
LØLØ, courtesy.
This week we feature the solemn soliloquies of Lani Renaldo and Tom The Mail Man, pop-punk of LØLØ, drill rap of Kur, and garage influences of Weatherstate and Drug Church.
Lani Renaldo, “help!” — As the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder, it’s important to remember that this time of year can take a toll on those who struggle with mental health issues. Bedroom pop artist Lani Renaldo captures the state of mind in which so many people find themselves caught, doing everything to keep themselves from falling apart, while trying to not let it all come pouring out at once.
***
Tom The Mail Man, “NOTHINGTOLOSE” — I’m getting flashbacks to the mid-to-late aughts with Tom The Mail Man’s angsty, emo ballad. Tom’s desire is to experience something better than the directionless mundanity of being, “Still just a kid out in Georgia.” There’s nothing quite like the frustration of feeling stuck, desperate to shake loose from the ruts we find ourselves in—and “NOTHINGTOLOSE” embodies those sentiments perfectly.
Drug Church, “Detective Lieutenant” — In the grand scope of things, when humanity is long gone and every historical record is inevitably lost to time, absolutely nothing matters. Whether you agree with that sentiment, perhaps a lesson can be learned with the garage rock musings of Drug Church’s “Detective Lieutenant.” Maybe people assign too much significance and meaning where it isn’t necessary. Nothing is static as things fall apart and gradually form into something new, only to repeat the cycle yet again.
***
LØLØ, “hurt less” — TikTok pop sensation LØLØ has taken on pop-punk in a manner similar to Willow Smith or Olivia Rodrigo. This breakup track sees LØLØ endure the worst of her emotionally manipulative partner, suggesting that being “shoved out of an airplane” or “thrown down the stairs” would hurt less than the on-and-off games she’s being forced to endure. Melodramatic? Sure. Relatable and catchy as hell? Absolutely.
Weatherstate, “Panic Attack” — Classic garage-punk at its finest. Weatherstate delivers a nostalgic ’90s-era number and paints a picture of the anxious and neurotic state of experiencing a panic attack. The irony of the carefree and loose melody contrasted with the nerve-racking themes deliver a bit of sardonic humor in an age where it seems everyone is kind of going through it.
***
Kur, “PLAY IT COOL” — The drill scene is quickly growing, and Philadelphia native Kur is a prime example of the movement taking root. Kur glides effortlessly over the ominous muffled organ instrumental. He raps about his rise from the streets to the stage. He packs every line with punches that will have you nodding along as he rattles away.
Tim’s pick: I have to go with LØLØ for a combination of the bold veer into the equally pessimistic and jaded lambast of “hurt less.” While it may be hyperbolic to say emotional manipulation is akin to the outlandish metaphors she uses throughout the song, who hasn’t had the desire to go mask off and unfiltered toward those who’ve wronged us?
Follow editor Tim Hoffman at Twitter.com/hipsterp0tamus.