The musical trio COIN contributed to some of this month’s best music with their latest album. PHOTO CREDIT: Music Daily
Another month, another full plate of new music releases that absolutely knocked my socks off.
You might recognize the 2017 hit “Talk Too Much” from the repertoire of COIN, a pop-rock trio from Tennessee. The band dropped “Uncanny Valley,” an album that immediately caught my attention. One of the first lyrics in this collection is, “There’s no algorithm for intuition/ You just know.” COIN explores the wonders of technology and of the “self” throughout this 14 song collection.
Listening from start to finish, each track has a clean transition to the next, flaunting synthy-techno elements one second and moving to a timeless guitar and brass combination without warning. Somehow, COIN finds the perfect balance between cutting-edge and classic sounds. They compiled some of the most ear-catching organized chaos that I’ve heard this year.
“I Think I Met You In A Dream” takes first place. This track interweaves more of a classic, emotional perspective among COIN’s futuristic experimental tunes. The familiar chord progression is relieving, and lead singer Chase Lawrence shows off an incredibly dynamic vocal range.
Alternative-pop duo Arctic Lake released a gripping EP entitled “side by side we lie awake.” Leave it to TJMaxx and the Shazam app to help me find one of my favorite March collections – sometimes, the best discoveries aren’t chart-toppers.
The album starts with a sensual pop-rock feel before moving to a more laid-back bedroom pop feeling. What struck me the most about Arctic Lake was their sophisticated production. They incorporate different types of complexity within each song, including midi beats, guitar riffs and layered vocals. The duo’s versatility is on full display on this album.
Track three “Lonely” stands out as my favorite from this album. It’s more of an upbeat, toe-tapping song despite the title. Multiple vocal registers compliment the driving beat of this tune.
Matilda Cole might just be the next big thing. The 18-year-old’s EP “The High Dive” puts emphasis on her distinctive tone as she sings about entering adulthood and the coming of age experience. I can draw so many different elements from each of her four songs, yet she still makes a cohesive release.
While Cole first reminded me of other young pop artists, like Olivia Rodrigo, her writing and rhyming mature as the songs progress, which makes me think that she’s already a step ahead of those her age.
I’d choose “Halloween” to be number one in this collection. Cole’s voice is somewhat haunting in this song. Her lyricism is also top-notch, as she writes “and I know that you don’t like love songs, and this doesn’t have to be/ but I’m gonna join a coven and you’ll fall in love with me.”
In the University of Rhode Island’s dining halls, plenty of students have become accustomed to “abcdefu,” an overplayed chart-topper by young sensation GAYLE. To my surprise, the rest of her album, “a study of the human experience: volume one,” proved GAYLE to be worthy of the hype.
Her music isn’t just catchy – it’s relatable. Lyrically, she shows off the confident female attitude that young people search for. Every song is anthemic, making me ready to roll down my windows in the warmer weather and belt out the album with friends.
GAYLE’s swagger is epitomized in track four, “ur just horny.” This song gives me more of a pop-punk theme, with an isolated breakdown at the bridge. I love GAYLE’s ability to add elegance to a harsh sound. I’m the first to admit that hearing “abcdefu” over and over again initially turned me off from her work, but now I’m so happy that I delved deeper into her music.
As you listen to these March releases, be sure to check out “Our Five Cents,” a podcast brought to you weekly by us at the Good Five Cent Cigar.