13 Songs You Can Enjoy on Monday - A Pop Rock Heavy The Best Stuff I Heard This Week

1. “Dead Broke” – Ditch Boys

Elegantly capturing the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants-lifestyle that is an essential part of being young, New Haven’s Ditch Boys deliver “Dead Broke.” An anthem for people sharing Netflix passwords and hustling to get by, “Dead Broke” depicts reality for many Millennials and Gen Z folks coming of age. The song is kind of fun until you start to realize the grim truth of it….

2. “PUSH TO START (Freestyle)” – ICECOLDBISHOP

With a name like ICECOLDBISHOP, you’d expect an ice cold beat, and that’s exactly what “PUSH TO START (Freestyle)” delivers. A sparce beat featuring a heavy beat and scarcely anything else leaves room for the MC to go to work. Featuring the flow of modern trap and varying his inflection, ICECOLDBISHOP raps in a sort of mania, similar to Olu and WowGr8 of EARTHGANG. The Bregma production gets space to breath for over a minute of a song that clocks in under two, but you won’t be mad because the damn thing just rides. It’s smooth as hell and a great edition to this week’s playlist.

3. “Inside” – Doll Klaw

Coming off of Doll Klaw’s new release, Thorns, is “Inside.” The dramatic tone makes it an anthem for anybody fighting to defy the odds, but particularly for women. The opening line “Thought I needed him but I don’t” is a feminist cry for independence. The thrust of the song however, is ultimately more broad, with the message that we all are enough, and that we all carry the strength we need inside of us. The song has the one of the most interesting compositions, with verses giving way to mini musical interludes before returning to the original unrelenting beat.

MORE DOLL KLAW: New Synth Pop - Doll Klaw’s Thorns

4. “Vermin” – Doll Klaw

“Vermin” borrows the opening synth riff from Stranger Things, and I wonder, “Does Thorns hold some hidden darkness?” If there is, you won’t find it on this track. Despite its name, “Vermin” is gentle and bright. If Alvvays had made music during the late 80s, it would probably sound a lot like this. That, my friends, is high praise.

5. “The Greatest Movie of All Time” – Litvar

Litvar is interesting, because they sort of resemble The Cure, and from a band with influences that include both Dashboard Confessional and Harry Styles, I guess that makes sense. “The Greatest Movie of All Time” is written by Rex Thurston, also of Autopoet. Litvar’s album, The Greatest Movie of All Time, was released this past September, but will be rereleased soon on vinyl. More on that later…

RELATED: Autopoet’s The Nightlife Has Changed You – A Masterclass in Emotion and Relationships

6. “Mouthful of Blood” – Juliana Hatfield

Boston rock veteran Juliana Hatfield has been in the game for more than 30 years, and worked with a litany of musicians. “Mouthful of Blood” channels the pop rock of the late 90s, an era Hatfield is especially associated with. Released through Mystic’s American Laundromat Records, “Mouthful of Blood” is part of Hartfield’s upcoming project Blood. The song is bubbly, and although you can take some meaning from the lyrics, you won’t be doing any heavy lifting. It’s a smooth playing number that is easy to enjoy.

7. “West Coast” – Basement Apartment

Torrington is a place I don’t know much about, which I take some shame in as a lifelong resident of Connecticut. The city’s Basement Apartment may have finally peaked my attention. Their new track, “West Coast” has an easy, breezy, beach rock sensibility. Jon Cahill, the man behind Basement Apartment released his EP People I’ve Never Met this November, it has yet to make it’s summer debut. You’ll want to have “West Coast” in your rotation as the days get longer and warmer.

8. “Nowhere to Hide” – B Rob

B Rob, the New London by way of Massachusetss artist has a new musical release, “Nowhere to Hide.” Taking time to focus on improving the quality of his production, his effort has certainly paid off. “Nowhere to Hide” shows great growth and improvement from previous releases, including writing and vocal performance. If you’re a fan of pop punk and emo acts of the 2000s and 2010s, this will be one to enjoy.

9. “End Credits” – Ali Horn

“End Credits” is a funky song with some cool synth and percussion elements. Hailing from Liverpool, Ali Horn has a casual, cool nature that matches the song. His single is a free flowing joy ride, instructing us to “sing a happy song” and enjoy the time we’re alive on Earth. The rhythmic guitar and bass keep things moving, perhaps speaking to the speed and quickness of life. Am I the only one who hears shades of LCD Soundsystem?

10. “Oasis” – Enslow

We sure do have a variety of pop rock vibes going this week. Add “Oasis” by Enslow to the list. Taking more of a indie stance than some previous artists, Enslow compares well to Local Natives or the Head and the Heart. “Oasis” is a pretty cool track, with moments of piano and organ sprinkled over an outstanding vocal performance. It’s another feel good track amongst a set of feel good music.

11. “Cherry Blossoms” – Sargasso

New Haven’s Sargasso has another great song on their hands with “Cherry Blossoms.” The eclectic band seems to be forever changing form, releasing music that dances across musical genres. Whatever form they choose to take on, the result is always wonderful. This will be a band to see once it is safe enjoy live music again. Be sure to check out the song on Bandcamp; proceeds from “Cherry Blossoms” go to The People's Kitchen in Philadelphia, a food security project distributing free meals throughout the city, including during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

12. “Came in Through a Window” – LOMELI

I’m a big fan of electronic musician LOMELI and I can’t hide it. I think it’s because he reminds me of pre-What For? Toro y Moi, which is fun. The music he makes shares the stylish, lounge vibes with calm, ambient melodies and hip hop beats. “Came in Through a Window” is the last single ahead of March 19th Slow Scene Familiar, LOMELI’s debut LP. We’ll definitely be on the lookout for that one.

13. “A New Friend” – HEELE

The song, a blend of industrial and indie rock, is off his upcoming project Ethos, part of a trifecta of EPs along with Logos and Pathos (released in 2019).  “A New Friend” starts in a flurry, getting into the thick of things without a moment’s hesitation. That said, it isn’t in a rush. It takes its time getting where it’s going. Along with that, “A New Friend,” is well-written, feeding listeners snapshots of rejection that they can then project their own experiences onto. What really sets the song apart are the industrial details HEELE has included meticulously. When combined with some of the other unconventional production choices, “A New Friend” has a chilling feel, like cold steel pressed against your warm body.

MORE COVERAGE ON HEELE: A Conversation with HEELE - His track “A New Friend,” pandemic life, and sushi

The Best Stuff I Heard This Week 2/26/21: The Complete Playlist

Michael Stroneski, editor at mvsicthovght, has started several blogs and multi-media projects you’ve never seen. He is a life-long cheerleader for Connecticut and underground music. You can reach him at contact@mvsicthovght.com.