By: Danielle Davie, Courtney Miller, Aritro Mukhopadhyay, and Natasha Tar
“Magic” – Sia
Danielle Davie: This doesn’t do much for me.
Aritro Mukhopadhyay: It’s kind of generic.
Courtney Miller: “I’ve been waiting for a magic moment” for this whole song. Generally a fan-ish of Sia, but, ehh.
Natasha Tar: I’ve never liked Sia, but this isn’t as bad as her other stuff.
“Fadjamou (remix)” – Oumou Sangare, Tony Allen, St Germain
DD: It was nearly two minutes until this song did anything different, and even then it was stagnant. The last two minutes were different from the first three, but I still wish it did more.
AM: I don’t really listen to this kind of music, although if I had understood the tongue then perhaps it could have been different.
CM: The first part started strong, but yeah, after a minute or two of the same kinda thing it got a little boring. Doesn’t seem like a good remix.
NT: I feel like the original might have been better? Maybe it’s the remix that screwed it up.
“Athletes World” – So Loki
DD: It’s not terrible, but it is very generic.
AM: Catchy trap with unique theme and intent choices.
CM: The music sounded pretty good and then the lyrics started and everything went downhill from there. Generic AF.
NT: GROSS.
“Loup Garou” – Maître Gims, Sofiane
DD: This went a lot harder than I thought it would based on the opening chords. I’m into it. I would like it more if I could understand what they were saying though.
AM: Even though I don’t understand a word, the song is intense. Although after a bit of Googling, it seems to be about weed and unappreciated rappers, what a shocker.
CM: Yes, angry French. Other than that, the intensity is the only thing this song has going for it, tbh.
NT: GROSS but in French.
“Company” – The Proud Sons
DD: In the beginning I thought it would be a little more folk and a little less country. I think that I would have liked it more if it had used more folk elements.
AM: A good old rock and roll number mashed with a country lead.
CM: Yes, I’m about this life. Those harmonies are 🔥🔥🔥.
NT: Oh look, a country song! Surprise! If New Music Friday playlists are any indicator of the music scene, new country music hasn’t come out in about 20 years.
“Pink Lemonade” – James Bay
DD: This is by far my favourite on the playlist. It’s more upbeat than his work on Chaos and the Calm, and I really dig it!
AM: A must-have in your transit music playlist. Imagine yourself in a speeding 1960s Impala (preferably maroonish red with some rust), barren land on both sides, overcast and windy weather with miles ahead of you. The song also has a the F-16s kind of a vibe.
CM: The beat is pretty chill and there’s a lot of bass, but if I want ‘60s music, like, I’ll just listen to ‘60s music? They did it better and earlier. I mean, it’s fine though, I guess.
NT: The best thing about James Bay is his signature hat.
“La Même” – Maître Gims, Vianney
DD: I like this more than I thought I would when it started. I can understand some words from my very limited French knowledge. I wish I knew more.
AM: I like this song more than the previous one by Maître Gims. It’s got a nice ring to it.
CM: This is better than the last one, but also, why do they get double-billing?
NT: Better because it’s not rap.
“Morning is Coming” – Sting, Shaggy
DD: I heard “Angel” by Shaggy on the radio today. That was my jam back in the day! This one will never be my jam.
AM: I wish I was on a beach with some lemonade under a cool blue sky. This song reeks of the above.
CM: Why the fuck is Sting on here.
NT: This is pretty cheesy for reggae.
“Over and Over and Over” – Jack White
DD: I feel like high school me would have loved this.
AM: Perfect head-banging material.
CM: Yep, this is Jack White. The guitar is the best part here, otherwise pass.
NT: Yep, this is Jack White. The guitar is a Jack White guitar, Courtney, of course it’s the best part.
“Supercut (remix)” – Lorde, El-P, Run the Jewels
DD: I saw Lorde and Run the Jewels last week. Lorde was amazing. RTJ taught me that all bands should probably say their band name in their songs a minimum of 10 times. This remix was sick though. The perfect amount of the original song combined with something new.
AM: Chill, yet intense. There’s something about this remix that makes me feel like a tempest is about to strike, but you will want to listen to it over and over again.
CM: This sounds like it’s from a weird dungeon level on a video game. As far as remixes go, it’s not the worst I’ve heard. But 1:40 in, it goes too far.
NT: Yeah, I definitely get the video game vibe, too. And then it went rap, and everything good was ruined and eradicated.
“Loving Arms” – Ady Suleiman
DD: I don’t like this very much. It’s so generic.
AM: A feel good number for when the lights are dim and the wine is expensive.
CM: This is the generic you get in a Spotify ad. Vocals are clean, but that track is so dull.
NT: It’s like a white piece of paper.
