Grace’s Pick: Walls by Ole 60
My pick this week is “Walls” by Ole 60. This song is featured on their EP from 2023 which is their first release on DSPs. Ole 60 is a country/folk/rock band from Kentucky. This band seems to be more mysterious with little information about the group online. They have quite a presence on TikTok with comments like “You don’t find Ole 60. Ole 60 finds you.” This adds more to the mysteriousness of this band. “Walls” has been on repeat on my country playlist for weeks. This song sings of heartache and missing someone who is no longer there and the devastation of a breakup. The band is “singing to the walls again” because her voice used to echo down the hallway and that is the best way to communicate now that she’s gone. Most people can relate to this feeling of an empty house without that one person there. If you want to be reminded of your own heart break, listen to this song!
Zerita’s Pick: Paper Bag by Fiona Apple
For this week’s prompt of inanimate objects, I chose a song about a paper bag. Fiona Apple’s masterpiece from her Sophomore album- When The Pawn uses the seemingly meaningless object as a brilliant comparison. “I thought it was a bird, but it was just a paper bag” plays on the idea of disappointment at someone not being who she thought they were. “Paper Bag” falls into the 90s alternative genre, but Fiona Apple’s music has never been easy to pin down. The track has influence from cabaret- style jazz while also using elements like somber horns reminiscent of The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s album. When the punchline of the second verse comes in with “I thought he was a man, but he was just a little boy” Apple’s metaphor comes full circle. Perfect for a rainy fall day, listen to Paper Bag below!
Michelle’s Pick: Trash Stains by Microwave
My pick for the week is “Trash Stains” by Microwave. This song is off their 2014 album Stovall which is my favorite album by them. It kicks off with an upbeat guitar riff that immediately catches the listeners attention. To me, the lyrics paint a picture of a love story in your early twenties, navigating the chaos of growing up while clinging to the person who’s been by your side through it all. “I spent all my money so I’ve been sleeping in your bed / and I hate your bed / but I love sleeping next to you” That line perfectly captures the tension between frustration and affection, how love can make even the uncomfortable feel worth it. If you are in this era of your life or want to revisit that young love feeling give it a listen below!
Leo’s Pick ‘Has It Come to This?’ by The Streets
My pick for this week’s inanimate object theme is the artists The Streets. His album “Original Pirate Material,” is a club classic, but the standout on this album for me is ‘Has It Come to This?’ On this track, The Streets raps in an off-kilter flow with a pocket bound to catch any listener’s attention. The beat contains sparse piano chords, sweet vocal chops, a grooving bassline, and swinging drums. The UK based artist shines in his lyricism, rapping, “I’m just spitting, think I’m ghetto? Stop dreaming, my data’s streaming. I’m giving your bird them feelings. Touch your toes then touch the ceiling…” It is impossible to not groove to this track, and be caught off guard by The Streets’ unique flow and lyricism. ‘Has It Come to This?’ is surely a timeless classic for the club scene. Check out the track below!