On April 21st, Ben Kweller made his 5th stop in his Cover the Mirrors tour at Underground Arts in Philly – what a way to spend a monday night.
Ben Kweller is an American singer-songwriter with a sound I find a little hard to place into a genre but I would best describe as indie rock. I first heard of Ben Kweller through his single “Dollar Store” where Waxahatchee (who I’ve been a fan of for a while) has featured vocals. I was blown away. The song felt familiar, like a song that used to play on the radio when you were young, but found again and really heard for the first time. I found out that the album featuring that single, and the reason for this tour, Cover the Mirrors, is the artist’s first album since the tragic passing of his son. The name itself reflects the content of the album with covering mirrors being part of the mourning process in Jewish culture. I’ve kept up with the singles he’s been releasing with features from The Flaming Lips and Coconut Records as well as slowly working my way through his prolific previous work as I impatiently wait for the album release (May 30th – his son’s birthday), and this performance only solidified my anticipation.
Ryman
The opener for this event was a singer-songwriter from Nashville, Ryman. I learned after his set while chatting with him by the merch table that it was his first time in Philly and that he unfortunately had gotten food poisoning the night before. Despite his misfortune, he was there with a positive attitude. Honestly, if he hadn’t mentioned it I would have had no idea, his performance was delightful. He brought a very personable presence to the performance which really backed how much emotion he put into his songs. The music was fun but it was also very honest. He’s freshly 21 and his songs feel like that, which for someone around the same age felt relatable. My favorite song he performed is one I have yet to be able to track down on Spotify so I suppose it’s not yet released, but his latest single “Lucy” was also a favorite of mine with a soulful melody that slowly builds, paralleling the story the lyrics that tell of the trouble of accepting you likely deserve more than what a relationship is offering you. Overall stellar start to the show.
Ben Kweller
Now I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect going into this show – the new album dealt with some pretty heavy themes and it was a Monday night – but the crowd and Ben brought the energy. As soon as he stepped on stage the room electrified, people teeming with excitement. He started off the set solo on the keys with “Thirteen” which is a bit of a slower song but only played into building the anticipation of the rest of the show. That song also features a harmonica solo so it won me over instantly. He brought out the rest of the band he would perform within a smooth transition during the second song “Falling.” Everybody, both on stage and in the crowd, really felt like they were having the time of their lives and the energy was completely infectious. You could tell many of the people there had been fans for quite some time now and had a firm dedication. Now Underground Arts isn’t the largest venue with a capacity of 650 people, but it felt like every person in that room knew every lyric. Playing into that Ben led the group in a sort of three-part harmony for “Family Tree” and I’ll be honest the crowd sounded really good, as also noted by the bassist who happened to be Chris Mintz-Plasse (McLovin from Superbad, of whom I seem to have gotten no pictures of). The show alternated between songs with the band and solo performances and even when some of the heavier and slower songs were played the concert never felt like it was dragging or disconnected but rather took those moments and stride and quickly got right back to the excitement. He played the new singles, some requests from the crowd, and even an unreleased one off the new album. Intermixed with the incredible performance were little anecdotes –how the unreleased song was originally written with his son and what it was like finishing it after his death. The concert was rounded out with an encore of “Dollar Store” and one of my personal favorites “Wasted and Ready” (maybe not the most polite song, but it’s really fun and catchy). Overarchingly the concert felt like a testament to the themes covered in his upcoming album, a testament to a long-lived career and feeling your grief but not standing in it for too long, rather carrying it with you as you continue to move forward and live despite it all, relying on love to keep you moving.
After a frigid winter, spring is finally here, and we here at WVUD couldn’t be more excited about warm weather, blooming flowers, and the end of seasonal depression. In keeping with radio tradition, here are the Ops Board’s picks for the perfect songs to ring in spring this year!
James Kelly, General Manager
“Solar Power” – Lorde
As soon as the warmer weather hits–and my sinuses decide they hate me–it’s all sunshine and open sunroofs. I was a bit late to the game with Lorde’s latest album from 2021, but since I’ve first listened to it, it’s become a pavlovian response when the thermometer ticks over 70 degrees. It’s warm, beachy, and if you try hard enough, you can feel cold sand under your feet. What? It’s not summer just yet, so that crap’s gonna be freezing.
“August 10” – Khruangbin
Driving with the sunroof open and this on the radio after it reaches warm temps is also pavlovian, much like the response to warm weather that girls obsessed with their tanning regimen have. I’ve said it before, Khruangbin is great for any occasion, season, or get-together. In this instance, use it to remind yourself that it’s only going to get warmer out. Might as well get a head start on feeling excited about it, yeah?
“Carolina in My Mind” – James Taylor
The best part about this song is that “Carolina” could be anywhere or anyone. Where’s the place you take yourself in your head to clear your thoughts? To remind yourself not to take yourself too seriously, or that life doesn’t have to always be hard? James Taylor has a way of putting a melody behind some of the most resonating lyrics ever put on the sleeves of records. When it’s finally warm enough to tolerate being outside, my mind goes to my “Carolina,” where I’m with everyone I love in the places that I love. Have a listen, so you can go and find yours.
Gretchen Hartenstein, Program Director
“SUPERBLOOM” – Misterwives
When I think of spring-coded songs, “SUPERBLOOM” is what immediately comes to mind. Not only does the title lend itself to spring, but it hits you with an energetic beat that you can’t help but move to. To me, it feels like coming alive again, reminding me that I’ve made it through winter and warm, sunny days are ahead. Plus, what’s not to love about some heavy-duty horns?
“Anyone For You (Tiger Lily)” – George Ezra
“Tiger Lily” is simply bright and happy and exactly what we need as we head into springtime. Its peppy piano riff feels like the warm sunshine that we’ve been craving on these cold, cloudy days. Nothing is better than the first time you get to roll the windows down in the car again and this song is what I want playing from my speakers when that day comes.
“Wild Roses” – Of Monsters and Men
While not as bright in nature as the previous songs, “Wild Roses” takes me back to a point during my time here at UD when the earth was waking up and so was I. It was the moment when I finally felt like I was home. I’d found my people and my place, or perhaps they had found me. I embraced that rebirth with open arms and I have a feeling that spring is always going to be a reminder of that time in life.
Melissa Wood, Promotions Director
“Devils in the Canyon” -The Strike
Picture this: you and your friends are in a slick black convertible (top down, of course) coasting through an endless maze of plateaus and rolling hills. Above you, a sea of constellations floods the cloudless night sky. As you cruise down the empty highway ahead of you, the cool night breeze blows through your hair, and you cannot help but feel at peace, like all’s right with the world. This is the image that comes to mind whenever I listen to this song. To me, the upbeat nature and sense of freedom this song evokes within me is why I associate it with spring. It’s like you’re letting go of all your burdens and embracing the change that life brings.
“Carried Away” -Passion Pit
This song is yet another upbeat vocal heavy tune that I feel does a perfect job encompassing the warmth and joy that follow the onset of spring. Whenever I hear this song, all I can think about is strolling in a peaceful meadow filled to the brim with bright yellow and red daisies, the sun shining gently on my face. If you’re looking for a bright and happy song to lift you to the sun in your spirits, I definitely recommend this song.
“drive all night” – joan
Like my first recommendation, this song reminds me of the feeling elicited when driving late at night. Here, however, I am not with my friends, but with a love interest, and I am not in a canyon, but on the edge of a small town, about to leave it forever to start a new beginning. To me, this song offers a warm feeling with its saturated and reverbed vocals, as well as a bright atmosphere with its upbeat tempo that screams “spring is here!”
Rebecca Lewis, Production Director
“striptease” – carwash
carwash is no stranger to making beautiful indie pop music. This song, “striptease,” is an example of a perfect song to play while driving, whether you are driving on windy backroads, hills, or long, flat highways. It sets a calming tone, perfect for those late spring nights. If you are interested in just vibing along with some sweet indie lo-fi tunes, give this song a listen. It will not disappoint.
“Piedmont” – Destroy Boys
As an avid Destroy Boys fan, I had to include this song. Spring is the time for blossoming new life and love, and sometimes, life may not always live up to the grand expectations we set for it. For when things seem to be going every way other than the way you want, “Piedmont” is a perfect song, delivered first in a calmer tone than most other Destroy Boys music, before ramping up later on. Springtime is a time of uncertainty, as we are still figuring out how the rest of the year is going to look, and this song highlights those feelings of uncertainty.
“Let the Sun In” – Wallows
This song perfectly encapsulates spring to me. The song beautifully combines the bands normal indie music style with tasteful trumpet music, creating a fantastic “dancing in a meadow in a sundress” vibe. It could be argued this song is more summer than spring, but as we are “letting the sun in,” it feels like a perfect segue from the darkness of winter to the blossoming beauty of spring.
Sophia Shull, Music Director
“Sure As Spring” – La Luz
Everything about this song screams springtime. From the title to the album art and instrumentals, La Luz delivers this melody in the form of a warm breeze and the smell of pollen in the air. Go outside, close your eyes, listen to this song, and breathe in the fresh air. The keyboard solo also ties the whole song together!
“BUTTERFLY” – MARINA
What better way to start spring than a new MARINA song? Marina Diamandis is no stranger to glitz and glam. If you’re looking for some girl pop, this is the song for you! Be sure to enjoy the freshly bloomed flowers swarmed by beautiful butterflies (and plant native milkweed to attract endangered monarch butterfly species, while you’re at it)!
“Mind Crawler” – Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats
The perfect song to drive to on a cool spring night. The WVUD Music Department is very familiar with Unc’s groovy tunes, and “Mind Crawler” is no exception! Enjoy the vibrance of spring while listening to this psychedelic beat.
Sanaa Mason, Sports Director
“Kiss of Life” – Sade
Honestly, if this song could be injected into my bloodstream, I think antidepressants would be needed less, but it could also be that this song, accompanied by the increasing amount of Vitamin D outside, is just its own cure. It’s soft, it’s calm, it sounds like a really, really good strawberry, and frankly, it could not be more perfect.
“Who Let the Dogs Out” – Baha Men
Of course, as soon as the warm weather appears, the men show out with their dogs…I mean feet. The unclipped toenails accompanied by 6-year-old flip flops truly lets me know that spring is upon us. “Who Let the Dogs Out” is a question I ask myself every year as soon as the weather is over 60 degrees. It is truly a spectacle.
“Rose Colored Lenses” – Miley Cyrus
In class the other day, I heard that someone blocked Miley Cyrus on Instagram after her crazy phase, and I am so glad that never happened to me because this song is pure magic. Rose colored lenses are often seen as a bad thing, but, let’s be honest, as soon as the sun begins to come out, a lot of our worries seem miles away. This song is the perfect transition song to blast while driving down the street, tanning on The Green, or my personal favorite, screaming out the window of your car as you pick up your mother from work.
Macayla Cook, News Director
“Put Your Records On” – Corinne Bailey Rae
My mom always cleaned to this song when I was little, and it still reminds me of the first day after a long winter when you can finally open the windows and enjoy the breeze. In my mind, spring is a time to finally get outside, let the sun hit your face, and ultimately remember that life is worth living (shout out seasonal affective disorder!).
“These Days” – Wallows
Wallows has a sound to me that is just so quintessentially warm weather. Whenever Newark finally gets its first 70-degree sunny day, you can find me listening to Wallows in the grass, a book and a cup of matcha in my hands. Also, this song comes from an EP that is quite literally called Spring. It’s the perfect spring song.
“15 Minutes” – Sabrina Carpenter
I have been bumping Sabrina Carpenter in every season of my life since “Can’t Blame A Girl for Trying” came out in spring of 2014. Judging as the deluxe version of Short n’ Sweet just came out boasting this absolute feat of pop production, I find it only fitting that we celebrate spring with Sabrina. Consider “lot of pretty boys, lot of funny business” to be my official mission statement for the coming months.
Chris Malinowski, Training Director
“Spring” – Two Door Cinema Club
Usually, I’d be one to recommend a song off of TDCC’s debut album, Tourist History, but when an opportunity to use a song with “Spring” in the title arises, you just have to grab hold of said opportunity and firmly grasp it. “Spring” is a simple song with a melodic guitar riff that captures the essence of the season but with underlying tones of a long-lost love. Also, I’d highly recommend the album that this song is from, Beacon, as I would also consider that a spring album too.
“Shutdown” – Joywave
Is it really a certified Chris song section if I don’t reference Joywave at least once? “Shutdown” is a track off of Joywave’s second album, Content, and I wholeheartedly believe that it’s a song that captures the rejuvenation of one’s feelings and emotions, especially if they were plagued by seasonal depression during the winter season. As an added bonus, there is a section at the end of the song where it feels as though you’re sitting at the park with birds chirping and the wind blowing outside and to me, that means that it’s finally spring.
“On Your Own” – Vacations
To me, “On Your Own” has been a staple within my alternative playlists since it was released back in 2019. I’m not fully sure why but there’s something about this song that captures a spring-like essence. From the catchy guitar riff to riveting chorus, there’s a lot to love with this song and it takes me back to spring of my junior year of high school, when I originally started gauging alternative and indie songs off of YouTube.
Neil Irungu, Treasurer
“eight (feat. SUGA)” – IU
A remnant from my BTS obsession (that I hope comes back), “eight” is an old friend that calls you up out of nowhere to hang out because you haven’t seen them in a while and you rush to answer. IU’s airy vocals make for a bubblegum-light experience which, when accompanied with SUGA’s production and rapping feature, is a fun contrast. It’s a pretty easy listen, and I think it captures that breezy, simple happiness that I get whenever it starts warming up outside. The sun comes out, and I bask in the sun like a lizard and remember life is worth it because I get to experience good music and a gentle breeze.
“Cross The Street” – Junior Varsity
This song popped up when I was trapped in Instagram Reels because the band was promoting it, and it jolted me out of my cage and right into my Apple Music because I had to have it on loop. It remains the only Junior Varsity song I’ve listened to, primarily because I know I’ll fall into a whole rabbit hole about them and I have no money to spend on merch right now. The bass line is addictive; the hazy vocals in the verses and the crowd-chanting-together effect in the chorus bring me the kind of joy Marie Kondo talks about. This is a song that convinces me I can dance even though I inherited my father’s moves (standing there and bobbing like a buoy).
“Lost” – Frank Ocean
The minute you put this song on, I’m jamming. The bouncy synth, the low background vocals in the chorus, the bass, the drums. Everything in this song is a sip of happiness for me, and I’m completely unapologetic about it. I also associate it with warm drives with my friends to the Newark Reserve, since WVUD alumna Eden Asmelash introduced me to Frank. Even my mom–my incredibly picky mother–loves this song. It transcends generations. Bless your ears today and listen to this song when it’s warm outside with a refreshing drink of your choice.
On February 8, San Diego based indie pop band almost monday performed at the Foundry in Philadelphia as a part of their Dive Tour that celebrates their debut studio album! (See press release kit for more info)
Opener: Adrian Lyles
The opener of the night was singer-songwriter Adrian Lyles. Prior to this concert, I had never really heard of his name before, but apparently, he’s been in Disney Channel’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. In my opinion, I thought his performance was pretty good. I think my favorite song of his was “King of Everything,” which highlights themes of insecurity and feeling like you’ll never live up to external/internal expectations and really speak to a common feeling never feeling like enough, and how that can make us feel like we’re moving too slow, or we’re stuck in life. Honestly, with a song writing like that, I personally don’t think Lyles has anything to worry about. I’m really excited to see what he does in the future, as he continues to refine his sound and footing in the music industry!
Headliner: almost monday
The start off the show, almost monday took to the stage with “Dive,” the first track off of Dive, followed by “Is It Too Late,” and “Can’t Slow Down,” their current leading single. I always love seeing different artists setlists and the order they put songs in. In my personal opinion, I thought these three songs were a great start for the night and succeeded in breaking in the crowd for the rest of the set. For those who are unaware, almost monday embodies a sound that transports you right to the sandy beaches of California- everything about their melodies screams summertime. Even in the dead of winter, from the moment they started playing, all I wanted was the warm sun on my face and a pina colada in my hand to compliment them.
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Other notable songs in this performance were “Cough Drops,” “Tidal Wave,” a mash-up featuring “Broken People” and “Parking Lot View,” and “she likes sports,” which is a personal favorite of mine. I like to describe this song is the hip sun-kissed younger sister of Cake’s “The Distance.” One aspect of the performance that I particularly liked was the seamless transitions between most songs. It genuinely felt like they all meshed into one another perfectly and created a unique progression that one cannot properly experience other than hearing it live.
In all, I would say this concert was definitely worth the time. I will be honest, it did seem like the energy at this concert was a little low, but I think that is to be expected. It was revealed that earlier that day, the lead singer, Dawson Daugherty, was feeling sick. Fortunately, he was still able to roll up his metaphorical sleeves and deliver a full concert by his band mates’ side. Other than that, I have no real qualms over the quality of this performance. Given that almost monday is only on their debut album and is already dishing out bangers like “Can’t Slow Down,” and “jupiter,” I can confidently conclude that their future is nothing short of sunny!
On December 6, Albany raised pop-punk powerhouse State Champs brought their boundless musical talent to the four walls of the Fillmore in Philly.
Since 2010, State Champs have been curating and perfecting their natural tone and memorable tunes. In those 14 years, they have managed to acquire a sizable footing in the alternative scene with their gift for gab and knack for memorable hooks displayed throughout 3 EPs and 5 studio albums.
My history with State Champs dates back to 2018, when I first listened to a couple of songs from Around The World and Back and Living Proof. From first listen, I was a huge fan of their lyrics and overall sound, and I’ve been along for the ride ever since. Their 5th self-titled studio album was just released last year on Nov 8. To say the least, I can without a doubt say that this album was indeed a lovely light, as November was definitely not an easy month to get through for many people.
A Daisy Grenade For Sure
The first act of the night was none other than the power grunge duo Daisy Grenade. Having been in the alternative music scene for quite a while, I have heard this name pop into my peripheral from time to time, however, I never quite found a chance to really listen to any of their music in earnest up to this point. From what I heard, their music is a delicate combination of sassy bubblegum grunge with claw scratches of metal throughout to depict the dark reality of being a girl in today’s day and age. My favorite song of theirs was “How To Hide A Body,” as it perfectly encompasses a narrative of feminine rage. Sadly, I failed to get any pictures because not only was I late getting to the concert, but I had failed to turn off my camera after learning how to use it a couple of hours before arriving. It was indeed a moment of weakness. As a result, the entirety of Daisy Grenade’s setlist was heard from the back of the venue, whilst I charged the camera battery. Sorry, Dani and Keaton, the lack of pictures is on my hands, and you deserved better.
Let the Service Begin: Meet Me at the Alter
Next in the lineup was the three-piece easycore band Meet Me at the Altar. This was yet another group to which I had awareness, but no real interaction with. Upon the first couple of minutes of listening to their set the main thought that kept recurring through my brain was how powerful and crystal-clear lead singer Edith Victoria’s voice is. Seriously, with a sound like hers, this woman could sing any genre of music with a high chance of it sounding amazing. Highlights of their set included ” Say It (to My Face)” and “Now or Never.”
Knuckle, Puck This Band Good! The last opener was Knuckle Puck, an emo group inspired by the ice hockey play of the same name. Prior to this show, I was really only familiar with a couple of their more popular songs from their 2017 album Shapeshifter, so it was nice to catch up with this band’s more recent discography. One thing that I really enjoyed about their sound was how raspy lead singer Joe Taylor’s voice is. It is absolutely perfect for the genre of music they are in. Some of my personal favorites from their setlist included “Groundhog Day,” “You and I,” and “On All Cylinders”.
The Real Winners of America: State Champs
After waiting patiently for around an hour and a half, Derek, Tyler, Ryan, and Evan, finally took to the stage before an ever-ready audience. As their newest album State Champs had just been released, a majority of it was played throughout the show, save for “The Constant,” “Sobering,” “Just a Dream,” “Golden Years,” and “I Still Want To.” The rest of the setlist was filled with hits from their older albums like “Perfect Score,” “All You Are is History,” and “Dead and Gone.”
One aspect of the setlist that I absolutely loved was how four of my all-time favorite songs “Outta My Head,” “Light Blue,” “Criminal,” and “Clueless,” were played immediately after I had stepped out of the pit, ultimately meaning I could relax and enjoy them. In all honesty, this could not have worked out any more perfect. I saw it as a little reward for powering through the stress induced by both a camera battery that I forgot to turn off properly, and unexpected crowd surfers I constantly had to look out for while I was taking pictures. Other songs I was delighted to hear live were “Elevated,” and “Secrets,” the latter which was played as the very last song during the encore.
Aside from the setlist, another aspect that made this show special was the banter between the bandmates themselves and their interaction with the audience. Throughout the show, the band made it a point to thank everyone in the crowd for supporting them several times, as well as leave out time for joking around and talking about their experience as a band so far.
In Closing…
All in all, I would say this concert was a solid performance. Everyone who was on stage at one point or another sounded great and brought some much-needed energy and catharsis to the crowd. Everything down to the concert playlist between sets was amazing, especially when One Direction’s “No Control,” began blaring through the speakers. Whoever decided to put that song on the playlist was doing something right and needs a huge raise. Too bad it was cut off right before the chorus could even play… as someone who was partly a Louis girl, it was a little disappointing. I quickly got over it though because I was able to hear Knuckle Puck live.
As always, the Fillmore served as an exceptional venue with a beautiful atmosphere, great sound equipment, and friendly staff. I honestly cannot say enough about how nice this venue is. It has been one of my favorite venues in Philadelphia for a long time and will most likely remain so for a while!
When WVUD was presented with the opportunity to go see Chase Atlantic on a press pass, I received a call within three minutes of the email going out. This call was from Becca, a friend of mine, the station’s production director, and, evidently, a pretty big Chase Atlantic fan. She immediately asked “do you want to do this?” I had not seen the email yet and was very confused, but once I figured out what was happening, I was on board. We clinched the passes and prepared to see Chase Atlantic at the Met in Philadelphia on October 30.
Let me preface this by saying I was at best a local fan of Chase Atlantic before this. I was definitely familiar with their more popular songs like “Friends,” “Meddle About,” and “Into It,” but I was deeply unfamiliar with pretty much everything they’ve released since I abandoned my Tumblr account in 2018. I heard the lead single off their recent album, “DIE FOR ME,” on TikTok and liked it, but didn’t feel a strong urge to explore the full extent of LOST IN HEAVEN. I knew their general sound and enjoyed it, but wouldn’t consider myself a fan, per say.
Following the concert, I definitely would consider myself a fan.
When we got to the venue, we collected our passes and went up to the top level of the Met to find our seats. Usually, press seats are either really good or really bad, but either way, they’re free, so we don’t complain. One uniquely odd aspect of these particular seats was that Becca and I were in completely different sections, both on the ends of aisles on opposite sides of the mezzanine. This seemed kind of funny, as the venue knew we were from the same station, but maybe they just wanted to be safe in case we hated each other. Thanks for that, Met Philly. Always looking out for us.
Before the show, I ended up just chilling in my seat, watching the crowd fill in and waving at Becca as she was escorted with the other photographers into the photo pit all the way down at the front of the stage. It was a show right before Halloween, so some members of the crowd were in costume (the band also wore costumes for a period of the show since they didn’t have a show on the actual holiday). The girls next to me were dressed as vampires, capes and all, which would’ve been really cool if they hadn’t been so clearly wasted. I got hit in the face a lot that night by many a vampirically accessorized hand.
The opener was a rapper called 24kGoldn, a name that sounded vaguely familiar. Later, I would learn this was because he had a song go viral on TikTok, which I think you could also tell from his performance. To his credit, he brought a lot of energy to the stage and encouraged the audience to vote, both good things, but he was very much giving TikTok performer for a lot of the time. The songs were very repetitive and seemed engineered to go viral in a way that felt, frankly, annoying to me.
The other thing throwing me off was his background while on stage. The stage was set up with what were essentially three sets of risers at different levels, presumably to house the band that was headlining the show. These risers were in front of a massive video screen. I felt a little bad for the intrepid 24kGoldn as he ran around trying to fill a stage clearly designed for more than one person, with the same confusing, untimed visual playing behind him over and over.
Y’all remember the old DVD menu logo that would bounce around the screen whenever you paused whatever Disney movie you were watching? The background was essentially that, but instead of DVD, it said 24k. It was kind of cool at first, as it changed color, bounced around all fun, and was timed so that on the first chorus, a bunch of the logos popped up and bounced around instead of just one! I thought that was cool and was excited to see what else he had up his sleeve.
Would you believe it turned out to be just that?
Now, that visual was fine. It wasn’t super grating or annoying, perfectly fine for an opening act. The problem I was having was that it wasn’t timed at all throughout the rest of his nearly 45-minute set, meaning it would go from one logo to a bunch of multicolored ones at completely random times. At one point, he was in the midst of the first verse of an acoustic guitar, phone-flashlight type of song and the background started going crazy again. It was just so disconcerting, it was almost comical.
In terms of good stuff, I will give 24kGoldn some credit for how engaging of a performer he is. It’s gotta be a tough gig being an opener, as you’re walking out to a crowd that may or may not know any of your music as one of the only things standing between them and the artist they actually paid money to see. At least this guy was running around and getting people to yell stuff out and appeared to be generally having a good time, which is always a good thing for an opening act. He wasn’t taking himself too seriously; he understood he was there to get the crowd hyped and hopefully pick up a couple extra streams here and there, which he did.
The only songs from the set I knew were “City of Angels” (a 2020 TikTok hit that I remember quite liking, actually) and “Mood,” a 2021 mega-viral collaboration with iann dior. My like of “City of Angels” was tempered by the finale of “Mood,” as I remember truly hating that song and, upon further investigation, I still do. iann dior, when I catch you.
At least it was a step-up from Chase Atlantic’s previous opener, the infamous Leah Kate. I will gladly take 24kGoldn over “twinkle twinkle, little bitch.”
Thus began the second intermission of the show, and you could really feel the excitement. Honestly, the Chase Atlantic crowd may have been one of the loudest crowds I’ve ever heard at a concert, and that’s saying a lot considering I’ve been to quite a few shows in my day. I do at this time want to shout out the few teens I saw with their parents, as my dad has told me to turn off “Into It” in the car before because they curse too much so taking a parent to the Chase Atlantic concert is truly crazy work. Those girls are brave.
Additional shout out to the drunk vampire girl next to me, who took a 10-second video of the photosensitivity warning that was plastered across the back video screens during the break. This would have been odd to me if I hadn’t looked over 24kGoldn’s set to see her fully scrolling through nearby restaurants on GrubHub. Drunk people are weird and hungry.
Finally, the show began, just over two hours after doors. The crowd was, as I mentioned previously, LOUD. And my first observation from the main set was that lead singer Mitchel Cave actually does sound like that in real life, which is crazy.
I always kind of wanted to see Chase Atlantic in concert just to see if their lead singer sounded the way he does on the mastered versions of their songs. In a very pleasing development, I can confirm that his voice is like that in real life! Not only that, but if there is one thing I learned about Mitchel Cave over the course of the band’s set, it is that he is going to riff for his life over the end of every song, and I felt like I was taking physical damage every time (in a good way). Like, I was genuinely, viscerally awed by his voice. Homie can SING.
The band started their show with a few hits: the familiar “DIE FOR ME,” a popular 2016 release called “Slow Down,” and “Consume.” After this, Becca returned to me (yippee!) and we snuck into two unoccupied seats so that we wouldn’t be alone the whole night. What commenced was a really impressive performance with some truly immaculate vibes.
The set list was peppered with songs off of LOST IN HEAVEN, which meant no one knew the words and I didn’t stick out too badly. Score! I also was content to just enjoy the combo of easily danceable songs and captivating visuals. Chase Atlantic clearly puts a lot of work into the aesthetic identity associated with their discography, meaning the screen behind them was a lot of fun to watch during the songs I didn’t know. Plus, there were cars in a bunch of them, so I’m sure Jamie would be hyped. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check the 500 articles he’s written about cars on this very blog.
Some of my favorites from the show included my previous favorites like “OHMAMI” and “Into It,” but it also exposed me to quite a few Chase Atlantic songs that I’ve obsessed over in the days since the concert, particularly “HEAVEN AND BACK” (what a BANGER).
Other observations I wrote down included: “fully forgot he was an Australian jump scare,” “their fashion sense is like the street wear final boss respectively,” “he says ‘hands up’ a lot,” and “these guys ‘she said’ almost as much as the 1975 do.” I stand by all of these and will not be elaborating further, thank you.
The band also exhibited really great chemistry during the show. Two of the members are brothers and the third member is their best friend, so it wasn’t shocking, but they were interacting with each other and the crowd a lot. For one portion of the night, the band were in costume, and Mitchel yelled “and I am Aladdin!” to much confusion from the crowd, before yelling it again and everyone went insane. We also cheered for the time at one point after Mitchel briefly struggled to find the clock onstage. It was 9:59, a lovely time.
He also made a joke about Halloween in America being nice because we get candy, as opposed to the Australian version where children get “sticked,” meaning they are given sticks and told to beat each other. I do not know if this was serious and if it was, I am deeply concerned about Australia as a whole.
Finally, we reached the end of the show. The band performed “Church” and “Swim,” two of their biggest hits, before leaving the stage. After we all chanted a bunch, they arrived again to close out the show with “Friends,” which is their second most-streamed song (their first is in fact “Swim”). Last words we heard from Mitchel were a very loud riff of “fuck yeahhhhhh!”
Overall, a great show. I found myself very impressed with the vocals throughout the show, and I liked a lot of the songs despite not being super familiar.
I was not thrilled at the lack of “Meddle About,” my personal favorite Chase Atlantic song, which confused me a little bit since it’s their seventh most popular song on streaming. However, this continues a long line of press pass concerts missing one of my favorite popular songs from an artist, as Greta Van Fleet also didn’t play “Safari Song.” I believe I may be cursed, ultimately, but what’s done is done.
In the end, I recommend going to see Chase Atlantic. The lead singer has questionable hair but a hell of a voice, the songs are catchy, and the vibes are overall perfect for a fun night out. Give it a shot (just not with your dad).
After a semester-long hiatus from writing for the blog, I figured there was no time like the new year to jump back in. Although I am a tried and true WVUD-devotee, I’ve taken inspiration from my second favorite radio station, WXPN’s, Top 15 Albums of the Year. As much as I wish I could say I’ve listened to 15 full albums released in 2024, I would be lying to you. So, on this the second day of January in the year 2025, I’ve decided to present you, dear reader, with the Indecisive Hour’s top 25 new songs of 2024. I hope that perhaps this will be some encouragement to check out something you haven’t heard before in this new year and reflect on some of the fantastic music that 2024 brought us.
25. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Billie Eilish
While I have to admit that I’m getting a little tired of this song due to its major popularity and trendiness, that could not stop “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” from making my list. I found it to be an extremely refreshing release for Billie Eilish and, when I heard it the first time, I didn’t even recognize her voice. This song is softer and more emotional than what I’m used to hearing from Eilish, heavy hits like “bad guy” and “Happier Than Ever.” Perhaps it’s the simplicity of the song that threw me too. I find Eilish’s tracks to often be either complex and technologic or rather bare but BIRDS OF A FEATHER lacks complexity in its steady drum beat, tambourine rhythm, and easy acoustic melody that underlay the whole song. Being only a sporadic listener, I found it different to hear raw, romantic lyrics in her song. She speaks of love so deep that to lose her lover to death would leave her nothing else to live for. And then of course, the phrase that Eilish made internet famous: “I’ll love you till the day that I die.” It turns out that she and her brother/songwriting partner, Finneas, purposefully created this juxtaposition within the lyrics, a deep love song that is also dark and beautifully sad at the same time.
24. “Pink Lemonade” – Sub-Radio
It’s still surprising to me that Sub-Radio isn’t more popular than (I think) they should be. I’m certainly biased, but there’s just something addictive about their indie-pop sound, infused with a hint of punk-rock. The band released this sunny-sounding tune in late September and it would have been a killer summer anthem had it preceded the season. Sub-Radio has a knack for bringing home unapologetic, punchy grooves that harken back to the early days of the 2010’s in the best way possible. Despite hailing from D.C., their sound feels like California to me – beachy and bright, endless pops of color and easy-going kind of greatness that makes me yearn for whatever they cook up next.
23. “Creeping on the Dancefloor” – The Zutons
The Zutons’ 2024 album, The Big Decider, was the first new music from the England- based group in 16 years. I have WXPN to thank for introducing me to this tune and I was taken with it from the opening riff – simple yet driving, then supplemented charmingly by some cowbell and lead singer David McCabe’s gravelly vocals to really hook you. My favorite lyric in the song is undoubtedly this: “Gina likes to party, puts on her favorite pants.” Just this additive alone makes me think that Gina, whoever she is, sounds like a super cool person to hang out with. I mean, she’s got favorite pants – favorite party pants at that. Regardless, this song lives up to its name in my book as it makes me want to crank it up on the dance floor.
22. “National Treasure” – Barns Courtney
“National Treasure” kicks off Courtney’s 2024 album, Supernatural, and the song is unmistakable from the very beginning for its loose, tinny-sounding guitar that seems to reel you in and put you on edge at the same time. One of the things that I think Courtney excels at in many of his best known tracks is to the ability to produce a driving and darkly hypnotic groove that keeps his listeners sucked in. “National Treasure” follows suit and packs a punch with its deep, heavy bridge that only leaves you wanting more.
21. “Too Sweet” – Hozier
From my perspective, “Too Sweet” turned out to be Hozier’s most mainstream hit since “Take Me To Church” swept the board back in 2013. A decade later, the Irishman presented us with this earthy, vibey tune that we all can’t seem to get enough of. Hozier takes inspiration from the Irish phrase “too sweet to be savory,” and uses the song to give voice to the feelings of rejection toward someone who has their life together just a little bit too much. He presents a stream of so-called bad habits and quietly defends them, a subtle rebellion to charm even the most Type-A people out there…or maybe it’s just that awesome bass lick. Put simply, the song is a straight-up vibe and I think that’s what has drawn so many listeners in. Though, I have been thoroughly amused by many of the misheard lyrics that have also resulted. Now half of my brain wants to hear “I’ll take my whisk and leave” every time I hear the chorus.
20. “Bright Lights” – The Killers
If I’ve been craving anything lately, it’s a new album from The Killers, which we haven’t gotten since 2021. Admittedly, I never really got into Pressure Machine but it’s music akin to the masterpiece that is their 2020 album, Imploding the Mirage, that I long for with a burning passion. While I didn’t get the album that I wanted in 2024, “Bright Lights” was a fair consolation prize with its sparkling percussion and energy. Over the past few years, the band has made sure we don’t forget about them, releasing the single “Your Side of Town” in August of 2023, their compilation album, Rebel Diamonds, in December of 2023 (which I must say was a rather cruel joke to someone constantly on the lookout for a new album from them), and now we have “Bright Lights” to tide us over until the next album. But even without the tiny doses of new music, The Killers are simply unforgettable and I attribute some of this to lead singer, Brandon Flowers, his incredibly distinctive voice, and he has the uncanny ability to fill any lyric he sings with emotional power. Regardless of how long they make us wait, you better believe I will still be ready and chomping at the bit for that new album.
19. “She Flows Like H2O” – Capital Cities, Alex Rzyan
It’s funky, it’s techno – I love it. I’m not a big Capital Cities listener and I really only know their ever-popular hit, “Safe and Sound” and their less mainstream banger from the same album, “Kangaroo Court,” the latter song being my preference in this comparison. I don’t have a lot of specific reasons for loving this single…I just do and it’s great to enjoy some music that’s a little bit different in genre to what I’m used to hearing.
18. “House Parties” – Dawes
It’s undoubtedly the lyrics from brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith that capture my attention when it comes to Dawes’ music. They always seem to find unexpected ways to be relatable and “House Parties” is not lacking in the honest thoughts and cheeky takes that I’ve come to adore (particularly their calm, subtle judgement of Kanye West – that gave me a good laugh the first time). This particular song addresses the less glamorous realities of traveling, which seems so simple but it’s something that everyone can understand, especially with something as romanticized as travel. The Goldsmiths speak of sunburn at the beach, exhausting trips to New York City and seem to encourage their listeners to think…why? I love this song because I find it grounding. I’m a homebody myself and travel isn’t always my forte, so it feels nice for someone else to acknowledge the challenges that come with it but also to just bring us back to the smaller, simpler things in life, using the lyrics to contrast with the hustle and bustle of travel and tourism.
17. “feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Coldplay
Preceding their October album release, Moon Music, Coldplay released “feelslikeimfallinginlove” as a single in June. In my opinion, the song truly does feel like falling in love. Martin and the band captured the both hesitation and fear, as well as the deep wonder and euphoria in this track. I don’t think I even realized it was Coldplay the first time I heard it but it still has the same sweeping, celestial beauty that I’ve come to associate with their music.
16. “Howling at Wolves” – Stephen Sanchez
“Howling at Wolves” came with a collection of five new songs on Sanchez’ Angel Face (Club Deluxe) album that became available in April. As a big Sanchez fan myself, it was such a treat to be gifted with new additions to an album that I already revere as one of my favorites of all time. This song is a wonderful burst of energy from this saccharine crooner, once more showcasing his incredible capability and range. It pays homage to one of Sanchez’ favorite bands and biggest inspirations, indie-rock group Lord Huron. Sanchez has certainly captured many hearts with his mid-century swagger and his persona as “The Troubadour” and “Howling at Wolves” is merely another iteration of his ability to take his listeners back in time.
15. “Blue Over You” – Mason Ramsey
I am a sucker for music that takes you back in time…and admittedly for a crooner as well. Mason Ramsey has been steadily rising to fame on the country music scene, performing on prestigious, national stages such as the Grand Ole Opry, the Grammy Awards, CMA Awards, and several other events and festivals. I hadn’t even heard his name until I stumbled upon this, his most popular song, in the spring. Ramsey is recognized for his vocal resemblance to 20th century country star, Hank Williams, and also for his remarkable youth. But he certainly doesn’t sound like he’s 18 when you hear him sing. It’s not all that often that we get to hear classic-sounding ballads like this anymore, so “Blue Over You” was a welcome change to my listening habits with its throwback feel. I’m not so much a fan of classic country music but I sure am interested to see where Ramsey goes as his popularity continues to skyrocket.
14. “The Kill” – Maggie Rogers
I have to be honest…this is the one song on the list that I really haven’t listened to all that much. So how, you may ask, did it make its way to my number 14 song? I didn’t really give it a huge amount of attention until this December when I watched parts of Maggie Rogers’ set from this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival and I was reminded just how badly I want to be obsessed with her (the reasons why I hold back not are a story for another time but in short, they don’t have anything to do with Rogers herself). I’m enchanted by her energy on stage and the dichotomy of two ex-lovers that she presents in this song, that way that both parties were at fault for the demise of their relationship. It’s a beautiful and harsh reality that Rogers tackles in an undeniably catchy tune.
13. “FRI(END)S” – V
K-pop group BTS’ member, V, came out of left field in March with this charmingly punchy pop song that deviates from what have become his rainy-day jazz tendencies when it comes to his solo music. As a BTS fan, I’m used to hearing V’s unique, sultry tone in tandem with his six fellow members but there’s just something so different about hearing him sing a full solo song in English rather than his native language of Korean. Not to mention he’s been actively serving in the South Korean military for the past year. I don’t pretend to know how all the member of the group have managed to release solo music during their time in mandatory military service but needless to say, it is impressive.
12. “Happy” – Something Corporate, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
This song might just be my favorite gut punch of the year. Now don’t get confused – Andrew McMahon and Something Corporate are more or less one in the same. Having been the frontman of both Something Corporate and punk-rock band Jack’s Mannequin, Andrew McMahon and his current Wilderness bandmates embarked on a reunion tour with both bands this past year. In July, “Happy” hit streaming platforms. It’s the simple chorus of “I just wanna be happy, happy, I’m trying but it’s never enough” that really hits me in the feels. For me, it connects to my feelings (much anxiety and anticipation) about my future career path as I start my final semester of college because in the end, whatever it ends up being, I just want to do something that makes me happy.
11. “Slow Dance” (feat. Sofia Carson) – Jimin
I must admit…I only know Sofia Carson from her appearance in the Descendants movies. But, as embarrassing as that may be, I cannot deny that she blends perfectly with the likes of Jimin, another BTS powerhouse. In his small assortment of solo work, this is Jimin’s first collaboration with a female singer and I think it’s simply magical. Carson’s breathiness pairs so well with the breezy vibe of the song and Jimin gets to utilize his powerful range. In my opinion, it’s yet another combination of two well-matched singers and the result is three minutes of affectionate bliss and unmatched easy vibes.
10. “I Guess Time Just Makes Fools Of Us All” – Father John Misty
This song feels like the opening overture of a musical when it begins. It feels like the start of a story. And, in a way, it is. XPN DJ Eric Schuman called it a “songwriting tour-de-force” in XPN’s mega list and, given that the whole song feels like a poem, I have to say I agree. Josh Tillman (pseud. Father John Misty) underlaid a disco beat in this song merely for the reason that it was so “uncalled for” on the track. In each verse, he presents a new type of story to illustrate his overall point: time really does make fools of us all at one point or another. It’s a genius collection of many different tales across the eight and a half minute song and each offers a view into ideas that really make you think.
9. “Barefoot on the Dancefloor” – Moon Taxi
Moon Taxi manages to capture a moment in time with this easy, breezy, beachy tune. You may recognize the band by their 2018 hit, “Two High” but I think they’ve lent themselves to enticing a new audience with this song. It’s very much a slow, intimate song, one that‘s for swaying on the dancefloor with your lover on a summer evening. I just want to note that during the year, I kept mistakenly thinking that this song was from reggae-based singer, Mihali, whose music I’ve also been listening to this year. Then, ironically, Moon Taxi appeared on Mihili’s most recent solo release in mid-December…coincidence?
8. “Baby Blue Bathing Suit” – Stephen Sanchez
Sanchez definitely set the tone for the summer when he released this single in May. He took a stab at writing a Beach Boys-inspired tune and the result is a sunny sensation that still carries the vintage, throwback feel that Sanchez does so well. And, to top it all off, it packs a killer, euphoric key change, the likes of which I couldn’t have dreamed to be blessed with. Nothing made me happier than to enjoy this soaring serenade in the lead-up to the summer.
7. “Say It Like You Mean It” – Sleater-Kinney
It’s good. I like it. There, I said it like I meant it. In all seriousness, Sleater-Kinney does come with one of my favorite stories of the year. Over the summer, I worked at The Queen Theater in Wilmington and I was scheduled to work Sleater-Kinney’s concert at the end of July. And I would have done so but, as circumstances might have it, one of the members of this female duo had lost her voice and thus, the concert was cancelled. And while this was disappointing, it did bring up an ironic realization that I cannot take credit for. If you know Sleater-Kinney, you may be familiar with their 2019 song, “Can I Go On.” On that night, it turned out they could not.
6. “Can’t Stop Talking” – The Struts
I’d heard good things about The Struts for a while and finally got around to listening to their music this fall. I saw they had just released this single and decided to try it out. “Can’t Stop Talking” began a fixation for me that I still find myself in the depths of as The Struts have quickly risen to be one of my current favorite artists. I’m obsessed with their unapologetic lyrics and their English rock sound. Their songs have boundless energy and they’re electrifying in their punchy sound. And of course, they’re incredibly cheeky, like any good English rock band should be. They’re fun and entertaining just to listen to and I’m still bumming that I couldn’t take the opportunity to see them live in Harrisburg this past October.
5. “Caesar on a TV Screen” – The Last Dinner Party
This badass female quintet rose to popularity this year with their smashing debut album, Prelude to Ecstacy. The album as a whole has an orchestral-type feeling but I was immediately drawn to the unique structure of “Caesar on a TV Screen.” It has what feels like three distinct and recurring musical themes, reminding me of the classical pieces that I have studied in various music theory and history courses. I’m fascinated by the theatricality of this musical decision and enchanted by the way it works so well for the song. These ladies are not afraid to say what’s on their minds and “Caesar,” like the majority of the album, subtly highlights the strength of women and confronts sexism by putting females on top, our own version of Caesar himself.
4. “Housewarming” (feat. Brandi Carlile) (The New Recording) – Lucius
Like its name, “Housewarming” just feels warm to listen to, with its light, acoustic flow and the soothing, folky voices of Lucius and later, Americana legend Brandi Carlile herself. The duo’s vocals and lyrics take the spotlight over a quiet instrumentation and I love the way that the words celebrate the humanness of a romantic partner, not only as a lover but also as a friend. I feel that these lyrics describe something like what real love should be: accepting the flaws of the other and acknowledging the struggles that come along with a relationship, but also how the willingness to put in the work can make all the difference. And all of this comes together in the feelings of comfort, familiarity, and love that Lucius feel is the essence of making a home, wherever you are.
3. “I Like It” – Stray Kids
They were my top artist of the year on Spotify, so they had to make it into my top three and this is a song that I’ve been obsessed with since Stray Kids released their new album, ATE, in July. I find that I keep coming back to their music because they seem to always cook up something unexpected with their new tracks, something you didn’t expect from them and yet, they never disappoint. Despite being on a Korean album, the majority of “I Like It” is actually in English and it is essentially alluding to the nature of a casual dating experience, the reluctance to commit. I enjoy the clever way that they play around with using the words “like” and “love” in these lyrics because it’s a great way of symbolizing what a situation like this can look and feel like – roundabout and complex. Just take the line “Love that I like you, but I don’t wanna love.”
2. “Me Before You” – Bleachers
I’m still in awe of this beautiful, seemingly timeless track from Bleachers. It’s been one of those that has grown on me steadily as I’ve listened to it more and more and I was even lucky enough to experience it live this summer when I saw Bleachers perform in Philadelphia. Frontman Jack Antonoff explained on Bleachers’ Off The Record TikTok series that the song describes a lonelier time in his life and that he feels we humans have a habit of revisiting our past through the lens of where we are in life. “Me Before You” is meant to channel that feeling and to find the beauty in being alone and to appreciate it for what it is. I’ve always felt like Bleachers has the ability to capture what the East Coast sounds like in every song that they make, but this is the one that grips me the most when it comes to this idea. I don’t know if it’s the characteristic saxophone inclusion or simply the brain of a man from Jersey, but it is perhaps my favorite thing about Bleachers’ music.
1. “Fainted Love” – Conan Gray
I’ll start with a disclaimer here: You will never hear me shut up about this album as a whole and I found it incredibly difficult to choose just one song from it to crown my list. But “Fainted Love” has a very special place in my heart: it was the first song I ever listened to from this album, the song that Gray opened his Found Heaven tour with, and the song I simply never get tired of hearing. All of the songs from this album carry a very distinctive 80’s pop-rock sound, from the abundance of synth beats to the kick-drums and I truly cannot get enough of it. Gray took inspiration from 80’s songs for this album and this track was originally called “Faded Love” when he first wrote it. He channeled the feeling of settling for love that isn’t what you deserve, but it’s better than being alone; a love that’s faded and toxic. But “faded” didn’t feel quite right, so he changed it to “fainted” because of the way it sounded like “fated.” If you happen to be interested in reading more about Gray’s Found Heaven album, check out my album review right here on the WVUD blog.
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