This week’s selection for New Music Friday harnesses the energy of the full moon, introducing a dichotomy of fanciful storylines next to raw confessions. A journey awaits, so dive in!
1. YOASOBI: “New Me”
Professional storytellers YOASOBI returned with “New me,” a song honoring a short story competition winner, which is now a jingle for an exclusive advertising project. The duo is known to somehow perfectly capture these niche prompts and turn them into charming, chipper tunes with musical depth. The lyrics follow a girl who continually meets the unknown, discovering life.
2. Linkin Park: “Two Faced”
Legendary rockers Linkin Park made an explosive return with “Two Faced.” One focal point is rapper Mike Shinoda’s lyricism and flow; a signature of the band. He says, “Your truth’s not rigid, your rules aren’t fair / The dark’s too vivid, the light’s not there.” The ominous opening and roaring chorus emphasize the exposé-like lyrics with a sharply delivered attitude.
3. Paris Paloma: “The Rider”
Paris Paloma returns with “The Rider” for the film, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.” The delicate combination of her enchanting voice and the orchestral, nostalgic soundscape together create a beautiful world waiting to be explored. A highlight of the track is the stunning choir that can be seen supporting Paloma in the recording studio through various clips.
4. Emei: “SUGARCOAT”
Rising talent Emei charms listeners again with her new single “SUGARCOAT.” Her voice is warm like honey, dancing over a bouncy, delicious house-pop beat. The prominence of red in the music video and Emei’s recent projects adds to the punchy and playful imagery her sound design conjures. This track gives unconventional advice, saying“Sugarcoat your feelings ’til you’re not the one crying.”
5. half alive: “All My Love [Imperative]”
![half•alive - All My Love [Imperative] (Official Video)](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/1cFvYYW6ihk/hqdefault.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Indie artist half alive introduces an innovative perspective with their latest track “All My Love [Imperative].” The music video is filmed entirely on Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, giving it a grainy, home-video feel. This cinematography style adds to the lightheartedness of the instrumentals and lyrics. With sincere passion, they sing “When it’s all too much for your beating heart, in my arms it’ll be enough.”