By Keith Walsh
Joy and merriment abounds (and a bit of darkness, if that’s your thing) in this collection of new popular music. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Blessed Hanukkah and Wonderful Kwanzaa to you all.
Gramercy Arms “Yesterday’s Girl”
Dave Derby (Lloyd Cole) and Renée Lo Bue (Elk City) turn in stellar vocal performances in this tender duet that sounds wonderfully bright and organic. Co-written by Derby and Lloyd Cole, “Yesterday’s Girl” is a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. In other words, it’s a love song in the Americana style. And you can never have too many love songs.
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Elk City “Apology Song”
Renée Lo Bue’s lovely soprano pulls you into this playful pop rock song about the drama of romance. The catchy chorus is sweet – and who wouldn’t accept an apology from Lo Bue – she sounds completely sweet and sincere. Borrowing from across the decades, “Apology Song” is art rock at its most skillfully played. There’s hints of 70s rock here; even the background vocals on the fade remind me of The Eagles. It’s from their new album Above The Water; Elk City are from Montclair, New Jersey.
Elk City Link Tree
Blaklight “Innocence Lost”
Originally on the Wrapped In Plastic compilation (organized by Darkness Calling to benefit at-risk LGBTQ youth), this tune finds the LA-based duo of Adam Collier and Brian Belknap at the top of their game. Collier’s studio wizardry delivers satisfying synth beats, while Belknap’s lyrics and plaintive crooning convey a passion that couldn’t possibly be faked. “I can change/strangled by my innocence/Is it lost/When I take the drop?” It’s from the Innocence Lost EP which includes a tasty remix of the title track plus two additional tracks, including “Devour,” to which Collier lends his vocal talents.
Blaklight Link Tree
Blaklight “Control (Stripped)
This new take on the song from 2021’s wildly successful Into The Void puts a new spin on the earlier version, with two guitar tracks and Brian Belknap’s vocals dominating. It’s from the forthcoming Into The Void – Stripped, coming on Dec. 23 with all new remixes of the duo’s hugely successful album from 2021.
Hetpampa “Una Mañana De Sol”
Who doesn’t love an upbeat love song sung in Español? Belgian singer/songwriter delivers this catchy piece of warm awesomeness with lots of gusto. It’s a global affair, composed by Juan Pablo Cieri in Uruguay, with instruments and vocals recorded in Brussels, Belgium and Puerto Madryn, Argentina. “Una Mañana De Sol” is from the new album Alma.
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