SUMMER 2024 MUSIC PICKS!

Welcome to WMSC Music Picks, a collaborative collection of WMSC’s music recommendations and reviews. In this installment, members of our station reflect on their favorite releases of the Summer while celebrating the start of the Fall 2024 semester!

 “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” — FINNEAS

Review by Jared Tauber

FINNEAS is back with his first single in two years. I believe this is the first song of his that he’s released in collaboration with other writers, which is unlike him but has yielded marvelous results nonetheless; all the lyrics still feel distinctly FINNEAS. It’s the first single release off his upcoming sophomore LP of the same name. A highlight of this track is the brass trio hook that follows the chorus, courtesy of Jesse McGinty. Yet again, FINNEAS has found a way to make his tried and true production style sound fresh and exciting. The song is technically simple—just four basic chords with a conventional structure and a straight-forward groove, but it’s got terrific vocal performances and a chorus that’s difficult to forget. Maybe his most rock solid song yet.

 

 

“Navigating” —  Twenty One Pilots

Review by Alyssa Arroyo 

On May 24th 2024, alternative rock band Twenty One Pilots released their sixth studio album, Clancy. Now usually on this day, I would celebrate because it’s my birthday. However, I woke up on that fateful morning and celebrated the release of Clancy instead. After listening from front to back, I honestly thought the album was extremely unique. I enjoyed the divided sections in “Vignette,” the callbacks in “Overcompensate,” and the brand new vibe shown in “Lavish.” One song however made itself an instant favorite of mine and that is the ninth track, “Navigating.” This song starts off with a thumping bass line, catchy ad libs, and fast paced drums. Lead singer Tyler Joseph has publicly stated that this track isn’t his favorite from the album, but I simply have to disagree. The lyrics, “Give me some advice/ I am wasting all this time” being belted out by Joseph was one of the most powerful lines sung throughout all of Clancy. The drummer of the band, Josh Dun, fully outdid himself on this track and supplied some of the best drum features I have ever heard from him. I believe this song could have been a single released off the album mainly because of how amazing this song stands on its own. The album in its entirety honestly just keeps getting better after each time I listen to it and it genuinely has become one of my favorite albums of theirs. While many of my friends were enjoying Brat summer, I myself was having a Clancy summer. Now all that is left is to wait for the Clancy Tour to reach the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this September! 

 

“Summer Goth (Summer of ‘24 Version)” – Aesthetic Perfection

Review by Aidan Ivers

The creative forte of Daniel Graves was highlighted this season in part due to the release of a refined version of his song “Summer Goth.” In its originality, the song contains spontaneous melodies shifting between a summertime-metal exhilarant. In this version, Graves takes a more concrete approach to the piece, keeping persistent to the song’s roots. It is succinct in a synthwave beat and the melody is at a slightly slower pace to emphasize the relaxing, summertime groove of the work. Although it differs from its 2023 counterpart, the goal to provide fans with inspiring and let-go attitudes for the summer is certainly accomplished.

 

“The Feeling” — Sammy Rae & The Friends 

Review by Bella Freitas 

I had this song introduced to me over the summer and I’ve been playing it nonstop. The vibes are so immaculate giving the perfect blend of pop and jazz. Definitely one of my new favorite songs to jam to while driving through summer nights

 

 

“Juna”— Clairo

Review by Mia Savidge

This song has been on repeat for me this whole summer! What instantly drew me in was the catchy instrumental tune that stayed in my head for days. “Juna” was released this past July and immediately became a huge hit as a part of Clairo’s new album, Charm. The song features an upbeat melody while still maintaining a classic indie feel. What makes this a summer song for me is its use of brass and piano along with modern sounds to create a tune that captures the essence of the warmer months. Overall “Juna” is such a lovely song that embodies that quintessential seasonal warmth while also bringing something new to the table!

 

“Too Late To Say” – State Champs 

Review by Amber Bintliff

They’re back! State Champs have finally returned with not one, but two new songs from their upcoming self-titled record. “Too Late To Say” was the surprise, second single paired along with “Silver Cloud.” The song feels like you took all four of their previous albums and mixed them together like a bowl of brownie batter. When I think about the pop-punk genre nowadays, State Champs are the first band that enters my mind. They have so effortlessly crafted their sound over the last 10+ years as a band while keeping the genre alive and well. “Too Late To Say” is a perfect blend of all the elements that make State Champs the band that they are, while still feeling completely fresh and new. 

 

Touch” – The Maine

Review by Amber Bintliff

The Maine gave us a gift of a brand new song right before Sad Summer Festival kicked off back in July. The band continues to evolve as they enter their 17th year creating music, and “Touch” is a perfect example of that. It’s definitely different from any track they’ve released before, but that’s what makes it good. Hearing it live at Sad Summer in both NYC and Asbury Park also added to my listening experience of “Touch.” This song was made to be played in front of a crowd and I’ll never forget the way I felt during it everytime I press play. Although we still have yet to find out what they meant by the whole “The Maine Is Dead!” bit, I’m excited to see where this new era of The Maine leads. 

 

“FREAKIN’ OUT” – Stand Atlantic 

Review by Amber Bintliff

Stand Atlantic have proved two things this summer: they are the cuties of the music industry and they know how to make a jaw-droppingly good album. Off their 4th studio album titled WAS HERE, “FREAKIN’ OUT” has quickly become one of my new favorite songs. It’s a haunting, yet energetic track that details what it’s like to struggle with anxiety. The song is a great representation of the thoughts associated with anxiety and adds to the overall darker, more vulnerable nature of the record. If you want to read a more in depth explanation of my thoughts on the rest WAS HERE, you can check that out here! 

 

“whatthehellishappening?” – Glass Animals*

Review by Emily McCormack

When a favorite artist of mine releases a new album, sometimes it takes me a little while to “get around” to listening to it. I want to fully absorb it… I didn’t quite get to listening to Glass Animals’ latest album I Love You So F**King Much in time for their concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC, and decided I rather listen to some of the new songs in person for the first time, rather than rush to listen to the studio recordings beforehand. This was an AMAZING DECISION. The UK band never disappoints with their upbeat energy, story-driven visuals, and making for an overall enjoyable experience from all ends of a concert venue. The set opened with “whatthehellishappening,” and upon first listen I LOVED this song. The song doesn’t skip a beat, and the audience was immediately brought into the space-themed story that is Glass Animals latest project through a space-ship journey – leaving the audience wondering what the heck is happening, but more than happy to go along for the ride!

While I was simply blown away by the bass-boosted “Wonderful Nothing,” that song and this were neck and neck for my favorites of the album… but what sent “whatthehellishappening?” over the edge (aside from the silly one word title), was the very last second where Dave Bailey’s vocals are split in half when he sings the word “Surprise!” Even the lyric video only gets so far as “Surpr…” During the concert, all the lights cut out- and took the audience by surpr–

“Rainbow” – Cage The Elephant

Review by Emily McCormack

I was obsessed with Cage The Elephant’s album Social Cues when it debuted in 2019. My high school friends and I all bonded over listening to Cage before, when this album when it came out, and over their music for years afterwards… When the band broke the news that they would release new music, I knew they would not disappoint! Neon Pill in its entirety was released in May, 2024. For months prior, I had been enjoying the title track and “Metaverse.” “Rainbow,” the second track on the album, took some time to grow on me to be honest… but boy did it ever. This song earned a top spot on my soundtrack for Summer 2024, from topping the alt charts, to being a frequent play on my car rides to campus. I had the pleasure of seeing this song live in August in Holmdel, NJ (with Matt Schultz being the Broken Boy himself!). The visuals had, you probably guessed, rainbows! Looking above at the rainbow-colored lights and lasers and hearing Cage The Elephant perform this new song live only solidified my love for the band and this song! 

 

You can check out Pride 2024 Music Picks here!

Images from Amazon; “Touch” – The Maine from Genius.

*These songs contain explicit lyrics.