Members of GLR’s creative services team discuss a few of the latest music releases from October 2024!
“Gorgeous” - Jaden
Written by Sydney Wertz
“Gorgeous” by Jaden is the third track on his most recent EP, 2024: A Case Study of the Long Term Effects of Young Love. In this song, Jaden serenades his lover through a repetitive chorus: “Baby, you’re gorgeous / love everything about you, baby, you’re gorgeous.” Despite the thematic similarities to my favorite Jaden track, “Summertime in Paris,” these lyrics fall short of my expectations for him. However, what this song lacks in lyricism, it makes up for in melody and pacing. In verses, Jaden raps in his usual slow style before returning to the upbeat chorus. The addictive drum backing in the chorus, leading into the slow and intentional guitar strums during verses, and then right back into the upbeat drum, makes for an addictive beat that manages to justify the lyrics for me. Additionally, certain elements of the song, such as the isolated and clear guitar strums, work well to highlight the airy quality of his vocals, as well as the dreamy echo that evokes these feelings of adoration that Jaden experiences so deeply.
“Love Songs” - Clairo
Written by Brendan DiTullio
This month Clairo delivered her first post-Charm track, “Love Songs.” This is the first single off of Like Someone I Know: A Celebration of Margo Guryan, a cover album of Guryan’s 1968 Take a Picture, which features artists like Empress Of, June McDoom, and, of course, Clairo. Like so many other artists, Guryan’s exposure to the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” opened her eyes to the possibilities of vibrant, symphonic pop music, and she was inspired to write her own soft, dreamlike melodies. The original “Love Songs” is an understated track with fairly simple instrumentation. Clairo has reimagined the song, preserving its simplicity while infusing it with her own personal flair. The addition of synths stands out as the most noticeable change, while the percussion and keys have a more pronounced and dynamic presence. After exploring some of Guryan's music, her influence on Clairo and other indie pop artists is unmistakable, and I think we all owe it to Guryan to give the album a listen when it drops in November.
“Lift Me Up” - Lecrae
Written by Victoria Felix Eduardo
On October 4th, Lecrae made his return back into the music scene with the single “Lift Me Up” in collaboration with songwriter BEAM. The Houston-raised rapper announced the release of his single through an Instagram post, following a series of teasers leading up to the release date. “Lift Me Up” was recorded in Atlanta, Georgia and produced with the help of Thom Bridges, Beau Nox, and Sakii. BEAM had initially written the hook for Kayne but eventually offered it to Lecrae after Kanye switched creative directions. The team of five worked together to write the rest of the song. The overall theme of the song displays emotions of being overwhelmed and mentally exhausted, expressed through different lyrics such as “It’s hard to see Heaven when it’s hell down there” and “Heart so cold, I don’t know if it even beats.” Lecrae is known for using his Christian beliefs as inspiration for his music, aiming for authenticity in his art.
“PUSH 2 START” - Tyla
Written by Praagna Kashyap
Tyla+, the deluxe version of Tyla’s self-titled debut album, came in hot with three new tracks that continue to seamlessly blend Afrobeats, pop, and R&B. “PUSH 2 START,” the standout of the three, is one minute and twenty-nine seconds of pure sensuality and assertiveness. Backed by a groovy, uptempo amapiano beat, Tyla makes it clear to her lover, “Only serve it up if you deserve me / Pull up and earn me.” Her vocal talents are on full display, and the ease at which she tackles melodic runs contributes to the throughline of unwavering confidence that holds this song together. With “PUSH 2 START,” Tyla proves to her audience that having standards is sexy, all while making an enthralling, club-ready hit that is sure to have you moving.
“Silent Earth” - Josephine Illingworth
Written by Olivia May
The release of Josephine Illingworth’s sophomore single “Silent Earth” couldn’t have come at a better time than the misty month of October. Inspired by soft folk of the sixties and seventies, Illingworth’s delicate voice is as mystical and captivating as her lyrics: “They hiked the pass and had to sleep / In purple clouds with cows and sheep / And saw the silent earth.” Invoking mountain towns and rainy nights, “Silent Earth” is an intricately constructed soundscape, layering nature-inspired melodies over lilting vocalizations and chimes. It’s clear that the track was a labor of love, and Illingworth’s ear for detail makes for a song with endless listening potential.
“Whiplash” - Aespa
Written by Willow Pannozzo
K-pop group Aespa’s newest release is “Whiplash”, a dance track with heavy bass and catchy, repetitive lyrics. Released on October 21st on their fifth EP of the same name, “Whiplash” is a perfect addition to your Halloween party playlist. Listening to the track transported me to a club, with the single being inspired by electronic dance music and party culture. While I really enjoyed listening to the song on its own, the track sounds very similar to other popular K-pop singles following the dance music trend. For example, Leserrafim’s “Crazy” and XG’s “Something Ain’t Right,” both released this year, have a similar sound and dance concept. Even though these tracks all have a similar sound, the visual concept for “Whiplash” is what sets Aespa apart. While it's a great listen on its own, I think the release added to its success through gorgeous styling for promotional materials and music video. Overall, I love Aespa’s new concept and “Whiplash” is a great addition to their discography.
“NOID” - Tyler, the Creator
Written by Caden Garza
Paranoia. Around every corner is a threat– from stalker fans to inappropriate signage at concerts, rising stars have had enough. While this commentary on the dark side of fame can come with backlash, Tyler, The Creator continues this conversation in his new drop “NOID”. Starting with a loud snare roll and chant-like repetition of “paranoid”, immediately the listener’s sense of urgency is heightened– there is something tracking us. The following stop-start aspect introduces a breath, allowing that paranoia to seep in, matching the music video’s flashes between the real world and Tyler’s mind. Throughout the song he samples the Ngozi Family’s “Nizakupanga Ngozi”, with the chorus translating to “When you come to my house, please be respectful…”. This reinforces his ideology throughout the song of having issues with fans overstepping his boundaries. While the first half of the song is something new for Tyler and directly contrasts his character from his last album, the second half of the song falls in line with what we’ve heard from Tyler before. It has a slowed-down pace, warm piano/synth chords, and reverb you can hear in his other albums. I think this song is a great mix of Tyler’s sound and something he is diving more into on Chromakopia. It’s a fun listen and hopefully will help gain support for respecting artists’ privacy rather than attacking them.
“ROCKMAN” - Mk.gee
Written by Paige Pataky
Mk.gee is currently on tour, enveloping audiences with spacey and elusive guitar tones and extraordinary riffs. At select stops, he will put down his guitar to play something new. He lifts his iPhone above his head and dances around the stage as the crowd bops to the mysterious song. That song is “ROCKMAN,” now out on all platforms, and continues that same playful feel from the track’s leaks. “ROCKMAN” provides an exciting deviation from Mk.gee’s usual sound while still retaining his distinctive style. A notably more upbeat track, the foundation of “ROCKMAN” is laid by a crunchy, bounding guitar riff before complex harmonies layer on top. Mk.gee emulates Phil Collins in this 80’s-esque pop rock track, but now adds tinges of Bruce Springsteen and Hall & Oates to create a fresh groove. Similarly, the song brings a newfound silliness to Mk.gee’s music. An eagle screeches over the song’s playoff; the track’s album art shows Mk.gee’s socked feet as he stands over and points a gun at a modular synthesizer. Through “ROCKMAN,” Mk.gee pokes fun at the indulgence of rock-n-roll in a sincerely loving way, a sentiment that is palpable thanks to the downright fun of the track.
“Sympathy is a knife featuring ariana grande” - Charli XCX and Ariana Grande
Written by Daniel Rateau
“Sympathy is a Knife” by Charli XCX featuring Ariana Grande is an emotionally charged and sonically compelling track that fuses each artist's signature sounds. Charli’s edgy, synth-pop sensibilities combine seamlessly with Ariana's ethereal vocal range, creating a song that feels both haunting and anthemic. The lyrics explore themes of betrayal and emotional detachment, portraying “sympathy” as something sharp and destructive—an incisive metaphor for the pain caused by toxic relationships. Many may even draw comparisons of Ariana’s verse to later songs such as “yes, and?” as if it was written in her tumultuous, yet simultaneously confident thank, u next era. Charli’s verses pulse with dark energy, balancing raw vulnerability and power, while Ariana’s delicate yet potent chorus adds a layer of heartfelt sorrow, after years of trauma, judgment, and public scrutiny of her personal life.
