After hours of going through online catalogues picking classes, looking up teachers on RateMyProfessors.com and figuring out your schedule, the semester has finally started. Another five months of essays, tests, crazy book fees and studying all night long. However, with a new semester comes an onslaught of cool new music and artists to enjoy. Here are some nice tunes to get your semester started and keep you company through those soon to be all-nighters.
1. New Found Glory – “Selfless”
After a small hiatus and a lineup change, the godfathers of pop punk surprised their fans with a music video for one of their brand new song from their upcoming album, “Resurrection.” The lead single, “Selfless,” is a little different than the band’s previous releases. The song has a slightly heavier and mature pop punk sound, with guitarist Chad Gilbert taking over guitar duties since the departure of former rhythm guitarist Steve Klein in 2013. Lyrically, instead of the song dealing with love and relationships, a New Found Glory staple, it deals with being selfless and contributing to the world. It’s a song that old school NFG fans will love and new fans will fall in love with.
2. Chromeo – “Jealous (I Ain’t With It)”
Fans of Chromeo might have been listening to this song since its release in March. However, for the rest of the world, it became one of the songs that highlighted their summer. “Jealous (I Ain’t With It)” is one of Chromeo’s biggest hits in the U.S., peaking at No. 15 on Billboard’s U.S. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Musically, the song is classic Chromeo; straight up electrofunk overflowing with dance-pop and disco influences. Like most of the duo’s songs, the lyrics deal with women. This time, though, lead singer David Macklovitch sings about how jealous he gets when his girlfriend is around other guys and how he is “too cool to admit it.” It’s guaranteed that this is an electronic dance music (EDM) song that even the most earnest EDM hater will love.
3. Tomomi Itano – “Crush”
Formerly a member of one of Japan’s top pop groups, AKB48, Tomomi Itano is quickly rising to become one of Japan’s most talented artists. Her debut album, “SxWxAxG,” solidified her as a solo artist ranking at No. 6 on the Oricon charts its first week out. One of the tracks that stands out from her debut is “Crush.” The song is a total 180-degree turn from her solo songs she did while in AKB48. While her solo AKB48 songs were mostly typical J-pop, “Crush” is an eclectic mix of pop, EDM and hip-hop. The song also complements her signature low register singing style. Another plus with this song is that it’s a song almost tailor-made for nightlife. So, if you’re in the mood for some club music to get your blood pumping for the evening ahead, queue up this song. You won’t regret it.
4. Dr. Awkward – “Gotham Is …”
What do you get when you mix a killer beat, slick rhymes and everyone’s favorite crime-fighting caped crusader? San Diego’s own Dr. Awkward’s hip-hop twist on a comic book classic. Dr. Awkward – real name Joshua Watson – is known for his atypical hip-hop topics and thought-provoking lyrics. “Gotham Is …” is a prime example of his work. The song is off of his EP “The New 52 Mixtape: Vol. 1,” which is based off of DC Comics’ revamped and relaunched versions of its entire superhero roster. The song is a creative take on Bruce Wayne’s rise from helpless victim to the hero known as “Batman” on the gritty streets of Gotham City. All in all, “Gotham Is …” is a refreshing hip-hop song that is a nice break from all the cliché stuff on the radio and the Internet.
5. f(x) – “Red Light”
f(x) is undoubtedly one of the most underrated pop groups on Korean record label and talent agency S.M. Entertainment’s roster. After a year of being in the studio the group finally released their comeback album “Red Light.” The music video for the lead single, also called “Red Light,” premiered July 2 with much fanfare. The song itself isn’t the typical R&B;, pop, EDM hybrid sound that K-pop is known for; it’s almost the exact opposite. “Red Light” is an interesting blend of genres including electro house, hip-hop and trap, a hip-hop subgenre that originated in the south known for the aggressive use of an 808 kick drums and a clean snare hits. “Red Light” is guaranteed to change your perception of how creative and just how mature K-pop can sound.
6. The Interrupters – “White Noise”
Produced by Rancid front man and punk legend Tim Armstrong, The Interrupters are one of the bands to watch out for the second half of 2014. The band’s self-titled debut album was released Aug. 5 and is thirty-and-a-half minutes of non-stop in-your-face high-energy ska punk. Their song “White Noise” sounds like Rancid circa their brilliant 1995 album “… And Out Come the Wolves” but instead of Armstrong’s gritty and raw vocals, we have lead singer Aimee Interrupter’s which are just as gritty and raw as Armstrong’s. All in all, if you’re a fan of Rancid, or just a fan of ska or punk in general, then you’re going to like this song. If you’re not, then this is the perfect gateway.
