If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Catherine A LoMedico Miya Folick has become one of my favorite modern pop artists, but her latest single sees the artist move away from pop slightly. "Fist" is still a pop song, but it's not a pure pop track, even by alt-pop standards. Instead, it has a strong rock based undercurrent, particularly with the guitars. Folick starts this one off sounding like a pop focused folk song. As it goes on, the song gets heavier and angrier until it erupts into a scream filled rock song with some pop leanings. This one reminds me of how Lucy Dacus builds songs into this epic climaxes. "Fist" is like that, but starts more quiet and ends more loud than you might expect. Miya Folick says of her latest single: “ Fist is about rage.  It’s about sexual trauma and generational trauma and what that does to our feelings of safety, self, and home. What it does to the people we are in relationship with. I wrote this song by candlelight in the first place I really considered my...

Photo by Jonny Marlow As someone who is coming to terms with enjoying pop music, Miya Folick's latest single is a revelation. "Erotica" has just enough of a singer-songwriter organic vibe to satisfy the music snob in me, but this is a glorious pop song. It isn't quite a club banger, but it's definitely a song that's going to inspire dancing. This is the type of song that has me questioning how much I've been missing out on by rejecting pop music. It's simply that good that I'm rethinking the last thirty years of music taste. If you love singer-songwriter based pop, "Erotica" is a dream come true. If you normally don't enjoy this genre, be prepared to join my on the bandwagon. Miya Folick says of her latest single: "'Erotica' is a song about fantasy and pleasure - It’s not just about sex, it’s about a richness of experience, a playfulness, a connection, an open approach to each day. I think that we’re fed rules about what ...

Photo by Catherine LoMedico The latest from Miya Folick is a pure pop song, but one of the finest we've heard all year. "Alaska" sounds along the style of artists like Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers, but a more pop focused version of that sound. Although it's pop, the song is much more creative than you typically hear in that genre. There are little flourishes hiding throughout if you're paying attention, and the song has one of the best climaxes of the year. "Alaska" is building towards it the entire time, but it still comes in mostly unexpectedly. It's still not quite a rock song, but rock/indie fans are still going to find a lot to love with Miya Folick. Miya Folick says of her latest single: " The song is me exploring the weight of my fear of losing my relationship, but also finding comfort in the fact that if I did, things would be okay .  The line ‘I could lose you’ is a double entendre. When we translated it into Japanese for the cover ar...

Artist : Miya Folick Album : ROACH Quick Thoughts : Miya Folick has carved a nice little singer-songwritery niche for herself in recent years, and her latest effort feels like a leveling up of sorts. Solid, compelling songwriting and interesting instrumentation make for a really great album that could serve to launch her into the bigger conversation. Songs of Note : "Bad Thing," "Get Out of My House," "Drugs or People," "Cartoon Clouds," "Shortstop" Artist : Kassi Valazza Album : Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing Quick Thoughts : This album made both of our shortlists this week, and it delivers. It's a gorgeous slice of Americana with enough familiar trappings to offset its own unique voice. I loved, loved, loved this album and would recommend it even in a busy week. Absolutely worth your time. Songs of Note : "Song for a Season," "Rapture," "Smile" Artist : Clark Album : Sus Dog Quick Thought...