Members of GLR’s creative services team weigh in on the latest songs released in September 2024!
“Ashe” - Ashe
Written by Kayla Anderson
“I’m learning to like myself for the first time,” is the leading line of Ashe’s self-titled song, and final single off her third album Wilson. Her highly anticipated record was teased with tracks about having the courage to fall in love, while “Ashe” is the first truly emotional look into her current state of mind. Having been divorced and fresh off a yearlong break from music, Ashe takes a step back to look at her life. She speaks of ignoring her deep-rooted feelings of anguish and moving away from the artificiality of California. She continuously replays the faults of her past, yet questions; “Will it matter when we all turn to ash?” While fans idolize Ashe for her musical talent, spending thousands of dollars and countless hours to consume her music, the two parties share one common fate: death. This track implores listeners to grasp the finite moments they have on Earth and spend them alongside their loved ones in a place that makes them feel at home. Culminating in a musically chaotic outro, Ashe releases all her frustration and hopes others will follow her lead.
“Ballet” - The Garden
Written by Sophia Kolios
Experimental rock band The Garden is back this fall with a newly teased EP alongside the drop of their most recent single, “Ballet.” The song consists of the twin brothers’ famously fast-paced punk instrumentation with a new taste for head-banging electronic beats. With heavy background effects like a Joker-esque laugh track and train horn, it is safe to assume that the Californian band will take an experimental turn with their upcoming EP, exploring the overlap between punk rock and house music. The song itself is a fairly repetitive track, keeping the listener engaged with blatant beats and nearly unintelligible lyrics referencing patriotism – possible commentary on common punk themes.
“Bark at the Moon” - MJ Lenderman
Written by Caden Garza
Folk fall is back and in full swing with MJ Lenderman's third album, Manning Fireworks. In the 10-minute final track, “Bark at the Moon,” Lenderman induces all the raw emotions associated with change and leaving the summer behind. Starting with a woeful, yet catchy slide-guitar, the song’s first half is a verbal expression of Lenderman's desires and his reaction to the changes around him. But in the final six minutes, it culminates into an epic instrumental, filled with guitar screeches, chimes, and echoes. Is this what is left after "barking at the moon," or rather what it sounds like to accept change?
“Dispose of Me - Live” - Omar Apollo
Written by Paige Pataky
It’s September and the season of yearning is here. But, for Omar Apollo, yearning is a year-round job. Following his album God Said No, Omar Apollo peels back the protective layers behind his hurt on the live version of his leading single “Dispose of Me.” With this version, Apollo’s voice feels closer to the listener and even more raw, making the pain in his lyricism hit even harder. Full-bodied strings and horn sections make a lush backdrop for the rich vocals on this track, which showcase both Apollo’s impressive vocal ability and the fantastic live chorus that accompanies him. With layered harmonies and a classical spin on the instrumentation of “Dispose of Me”, this live reworking fully punches the tragedy of being left alone by someone you still love.
“For Sure” - Ethel Cain
Written by Praagna Kashyap
To commemorate 25 years of the legendary self-titled American Football album that transformed the emo/alt-rock landscape, American Football (Covers) is scheduled to release on October 18th. For the second single on the album, Ethel Cain released a 10-minute cover of American Football’s “For Sure,” and her rendition is as haunting as it is enthralling. The slower pace allows its minimal lyrics, like “We're relatively stable / Tentatively able / To say for certain / Whether this uncertainty / Is for sure,” to truly sink in and envelop the listener in their somberness. The instrumentals are the real star of the show, with the repeating guitar riff and atmospheric drones being overtaken by heavy, quintessential emo-rock guitar in the outro. Cain could teach a masterclass in the art of creating a perfect cover, as her version of “For Sure” blends the hallmarks of the original song while staying true to her dreamy, drawn-out, and eerie production style.
“Laredo” - Leon Bridges
Written by Olivia Watson
Leon Bridges crushes another single release with “Laredo,” track three on his highly anticipated self-titled album Leon coming out this October. “Laredo” truly matches his soulful, R&B vibe. Bridges has such a soothing voice that matches perfectly with the sound of this song. His verses recall parts of Laredo, Texas, and the familiar sights that you can find there. In his song, he speaks a lot about the memories he had from a dance competition, and he references various dance moves in the chorus. This song yields good vibes all around for any type of gathering. The instrumentals also add a layer of depth that combines well with his lyrics.
“Model, Actress, Whatever” - Suki Waterhouse
Written by Willow Pannozzo
“Model, Actress, Whatever” is the seventh song off Suki Waterhouse’s sophomore album Memoir of a Sparklemuffin. “Model, Actress, Whatever” is more laid-back yet still sounds like an anthem; it's the kinda song that’s easy to sing along to. The track starts off soft, allowing her voice to shine through the accompaniment but picks up by the first chorus. The lyrics detail her career in the entertainment industry, all the highs and lows that got Waterhouse to where she currently is, and where she is going in the future. The track is a message about Waterhouse embracing her legacy while she moves ahead in her career. She asks for people to stop listening to what everyone has to say about her and demands agency over herself. Waterhouse sings, “Call me a lover, disaster, whatever / Other half of my story is with me forever.” Reclaiming her past and letting it guide her into a new era of her life, Suki Waterhouse is content with herself and won’t let anyone get in her way.
“Neva Play” - Megan Thee Stallion ft. RM of BTS
Written by Daniel Rateau
The second collaboration between Houston rap star Megan thee Stallion and BTS, more specifically RM, takes the music industry by storm through playful and arcade-like production that would make anyone feel like a winner. As Megan does as she does best, spitting pure fire with no apologies, she is joined by RM, who adds in great assistance with the overall track. With his own cadence and quick delivery, he and Thee Stallion go hand-in-hand in delivering a confident track that shows both artists individuality and creativity in such a unique way, one that could not be completed by another rap duo.
