Here are our latest picks for you featuring Shawn Mendes, ASHRR, Eliot Lipp and more!
1. “Fatal Deluxe” – L.S. Dunes
Jump-starting the week with a blend of heavy metal and head-banging melodies is “Fatal Deluxe” by Chicago-based L.S. Dunes. The new single opens with riveting electric guitar riffs stabbed with emotion-laden vocals that explore introspective themes of personal identity. “You isolate and hibernate (it feels like dying)” the band sings. L.S. Dunes brings the heart and soul of major rock groups, with members hailing from My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, Thursday and Circa Survive.
2. “Heart of Gold” – Shawn Mendes
“Heart of Gold” by multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes sheds light on the raw experience of losing someone close to you. Composed of an acoustic melody and driving drum beat, the depth of Mendes’ songwriting is amplified, with lyrics like, “You left too soon / It was out of your control, underneath your skin and bones / You had a heart of gold.” The accompanying music video finds the 26-year-old seemingly reflecting at the memory of his late childhood friend, all while bathed in golden hues of light. “Grief is a really, really difficult thing to deal with and a huge part of what has helped me has been celebrating that person,” says Mendes. “I would just like to dedicate this song to anyone out there who has lost someone – some who has passed or someone who’s alive – whichever one. This is for them.”
3. “Lightyear” – Eliot Lipp
Filled with funky grooves and infectious synth pulses, Eliot Lipp‘s “Lightyear” brings a diverse new sound to the electronic music scene. The new single is composed of atmospheric beats that fully immerse listeners into Lipp’s technicolor world of funk. “I started this one off wanting to make an old-school glitch-hop beat,” says Lipp, on the song’s production. “The vocal sample on this one ‘been around for a lightyear, haters get nightmares’ resonates with me. I’ve been making music for a long time and still feel as inspired as ever. I crafted some distorted synths and breakbeats to sculpt this track into a heavyweight.” As a multi-talented musician, sound designer, visual artist and DJ, Lipp continues to break barriers with his experimental take on an everchanging genre.
4. “No Garden” – ASHRR
Up next is “No Garden” by Los Angeles trio ASHRR, a hypnotic, head-bopping anthem that fuses together elements of space disco, electronic soul and indie dance. Reoccurring motifs of hip-hop beats and orchestrated percussion hits contribute to the track’s atmospheric feel. Further, the band draws upon lyricism that simultaneously reflects helplessness and hopefulness, with lyrics like “No fertile ground / No garden / Still lookin’ out” and “I won’t let you, let you take me down.” “No Garden” can be found on ASHRR’s latest 14-track album, Sunshine Low.
5. “Day of Reckoning” – Warren Haynes, Lukas Nelson, Jamey Johnson
Closing out this selection is “Day of Reckoning” by GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, producer and Gov’t Mule frontman Warren Haynes. Originally from Asheville, NC, the 64-year-old rock artist decided to collaborate with Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson. The combination of each artists’ unique voices create a rich blend of powerful soul. Set amidst electrifying guitar riffs and classic rock-esque drums, the new single pays tribute to late 60’s and early 70’s influences. “‘Day of Reckoning’ is written about equality and civil rights in a modern light and can apply to many demographics,” Haynes says, on the song’s lyricism. “‘It’s never too late to be free.'”