Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – March 1
A stripped-down cover by Geographer, riffs (for days) of ERRA, dark beats of Hercules & Love Affair, and the jangly sound of Diane Coffee make the cut for this week’s Tuesday Tracks. We round out this list with new releases from Goose, Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates) and Fredrik Saroea.
Geographer, “Kyoto” (Phoebe Bridgers) — Los Angeles artist Geographer (former San Franciscan Mike Deni) is a synth-pop genius. If you aren’t familiar with the original version by Phoebe Bridgers, it’s worth the listen. The once energetic, bouncy indie pop song has been stripped down to a musical soundscape. The beauty of the guitar, piano and flute coming together to create the sounds of waves is breathtaking. When Geographer sings “Kyoto,” it sounds like poetry in motion. The focus on the lyrics brings out the emotion of the song like never before.
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Daryl Hall, “Here Comes the Rain Again” (Eurythmics) — What happens when you put two greats in one room … you get something as amazing as the original. Daryl Hall, who most of us know from Hall & Oates, announced his first-ever solo retrospective. And for the first released track, Hall brought in the amazing Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics to lend a hand on guitar. The standout of the song is the raw emotion of Hall’s vocals. With just a piano, a guitar and his smooth singing, the song soars.
Sadly, there are no California dates for this tour, which starts in April, but if you can find a way to any of the other concert halls, this is going to be a show you won’t want to miss.
Diane Coffee with Deep Sea Diver, “Forecast” — Diane Coffee is the stage name of musician and actor Shaun Fleming. On “Forecast,” Diane Coffee delivers a fun, light-hearted, bubblegum pop song. Additionally, Deep Sea Diver brings the jangly psychedelic guitars, making the song a blast of joy. The chorus is infectious and a bit ridiculous but definitely makes you want to get up and dance.
If Fleming’s voice is somewhat recognizable, you may remember Fleming as the voice behind Tim Possible (from “Kim Possible”).
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Hercules & Love Affair, “Grace” — Andy Butler’s Hercules & Love Affair was the electro-disco band that used to grace all the dance floors. And on “Grace” it sounds as if the band went back to the ’00s, but perhaps not like many expected. The song plays like a mashup of the darkness of Interpol mixed with vocals by Matt Berninger of The National. “Grace” is a beautiful electronic darkwave number. Butler and Icelandic country queen Elin Ey combine their voices, which build seamlessly with the keys.
Goose, “Dripfield” — Upon first listen, I immediately thought of Midnight Oil and the Native Americans. But, don’t get Goose confused with New York garage rockers Geese and wonder how a band changed overnight. While I’m not a fan of jam bands, I somehow immediately understood this greatness. From the opening rock grooves to the drum chants, the song draws you in. “Dripfield” is a six-minute journey of a dreamy desert landscape with a sonic atmospheric soundscape that continues to evolve.
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ERRA, “Stockholm Syndrome” (Muse) — “Stockholm Syndrome” comes out banging with aggressive riffs and a hard-hitting sound that does not let up. Guitars shred and come firing at you, creating a frenetic energy. Lest not forget, this is a Muse cover. Surprisingly, singer and guitarist Jesse Cash’s vocals are quite impressive and live up to those of Matt Bellamy. ERRA, a prog-metalcore band from Birmingham, Alabama, tears this song apart. It might be one of the greatest covers I never thought I would hear.
Cash sums it up best: “This song is begging to be covered by a metal band.”
Fredrik Saroea, “Bulletproof Vest” — Most people won’t know Fredrik Saroea by name. But, hopefully some will remember DATAROCK, a 2000s disco punk band from Bergen, Norway whose members wore tracksuits. As many other artists have done during the pandemic, Saroea reenvisioned his 2021 solo album, Rona Diaries, as a live album with a string quartet. With the additional accompaniment of BIT20 Ensemble, this heartfelt song comes to life. Violin, viola, harp and cello combine with Saroea’s achingly intimate vocals. Melodies flow beautifully and with the quartet creating a gorgeous sound that soars far and wide.
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Rachel’s pick: I’m a sucker for a great cover and there are a whopping three to choose from! But I’m also a sucker for a string quartet. If done right, the addition of violins and cellos can change up a song. The arrangement by Bjørn Morten Christophersen is nothing short of gorgeous. The lyrics penetrate with Saroea’s vocals aiming straight at your heart. The song has an aching beauty to it.
Follow writer Rachel Goodman at Twitter.com/xneverwherex and Instagram.com/xneverwherex.