Staff Pix 4/1

The Milk Crate staff’s favorite recent releases, presented with blurbs worthy of a promotional sticker on a jewel case. Tune in Fridays from 1-2 EST to the Staff Pix radio show.

Maura Cowan

DRIFT ALONG SMALL WORLD by Tom Rosenthal

British singer-songwriter Tom Rosenthal, to me, is a nearly eternal calming presence in a life that is so often turbulent and confusing. When everything feels upside down and spinning at a million miles per hour, his soft and simple words on loss, hope, and healing always help to center me, and this piece epitomizes that comfort to me. Written only with five-letter words (Rosenthal, after all, greatly enjoys an unconventional songwriting framework), it feels almost more like a musical meditation than a song. A simple piano riff supports short and sweet observations on the way we humans get by, with quick images that flash through the mind like the landscape on the outside of a train window.

Maxwell Reid

Rafters by Scoo

You know I’ll always plug any music from Denver whenever I can. It’s hard for me to really define Scoo, his sound is all over the place. Pop rap? Pop punk? Midwest emo meets trap? I can’t even tell you. All I know is that this guy can do it all, but unlike a jack of all trades, he’s a master of all. An Elaborate Way to Say Goodnight, his debut, is riddled with everything from clever samples, fun bars, and hints of a pop punk love. “Rafters” is all of that come into fruition. A synthy, midwest emo introduction showcasing his virtuosic guitar leads into a pop punk banger with a classic catchy choruses. Half way through he interrupts this thing with a goddamn Spongebob sample. If you’re looking for creative pop punk or creative music in general, please listen to this song and listen to his last album.

Sarah Fournell 

Jersey by Barrie 

Opening up Barrie’s newest album Barbara, “Jersey” is a lighthearted, twangy bass-driven, coming of age track. Barbara is Massachusetts-born Barrie Lindsey’s first solo project following Happy To Be Here, which was made with a 5 piece band that separated during the pandemic. The album flawlessly bends genres, spanning across techno deep cuts, dreamy synth-pop dance songs, acoustic guitar ballads, and even features a few poignant harp tracks. The versatility of the album as a whole is introduced in “Jersey” with its youthful lyrics that are simultaneously intimate and universal. “Jersey” captures the essence of a song that a band from an early 2000s teen rom com is playing at the prom when the protagonists finally kiss under the disco ball.

Lily Hartenstein

21st Century Schizoid Man by black midi 

I’m no musician, but even I listen to certain songs and think “this would be so fun to play.” I get the sense black midi is having an absolutely ball covering this King Crimson classic. The first minute of the song is almost a perfect emulation, with black midi’s style becoming more and more prevalent as the track progresses. They play on the lyrics with cartoonish voices, adding a sense of both horror and humor. The ending is an addictively jarring frenzy I desperately wish I could see live. It’s fitting the English prog rock band would play such an iconic track from their predecessor, but what makes their short collection of covers all the better is the Taylor Swift song that follows; Cavalcovers is not a collection of covers to miss.

Julia Norkus

Talk by beabadoobee

Being rebellious is a guilty pleasure for many, and for artist beabadoobee, going out on a weekday is all the rebellion she needs. Her new single “Talk” feels reminiscent of the scene sound of the early ‘00s, all while incorporating the idea of doing things we know are bad for us, but are equally exhilarating. It opens up with Bea trying to get her partner to go out with her on a Tuesday night, which Bea explained in an interview, “I was obsessed with Tuesday because I thought it was the best night to go out, not too much chaos but just enough to have a good time.” However, a weeknight party isn’t all that’s inherently bad for Bea in this song. Later on, she goes on to sing the line, “You don’t exist, you’re my imagination/You don’t exist, you’re just a bad decision,” which leads the listener to consider Bea’s relationship with this person in the song. It shows that Bea is with someone that isn’t necessarily good for her, and while they’re able to have a good time together at parties or with distractions, Bea wants to forget them when the fun begins to flow elsewhere, like a group of 20 somethings on a Tuesday night bar crawl.

Sophie Severs

Elevation by Susanna

Norwegian artist Susanna Wallumrød’s cathartic melody, “Elevation,” invites listeners to explore the purifying characteristics of nature. The track illustrates the feeling of being completely unlimited and free in exploration—both of nature and the self. Employing the words of poet Charles Baudelaire, Wallumrød sings, “Happy the man whose thoughts, like larks, take wing/Freely towards the morning skies - who glides/Above this life and simply understands/The speech of flowers and of silent things.” Accompanied by melancholy piano and a faint binaural beat, Wallumrød’s soft voice puts listeners into a peaceful trace. Ending in a cacophony of ambient noise, one finds themselves longing to explore and immerse themselves in the all-encompassing mystery of nature.

Harry Bates

As it Was by Harry Styles

It’s been over two years since the December 2019 release of Fine Line, and listeners have been eagerly waiting for new music from the beloved singer-guitarist-songwriter. “As it Was” combines an alternative/indie sonic – reminiscent to sounds of “The Adults Are Talking” by The Strokes – with the lyrical intimacy of earlier recordings from Styles such as “From the Dining Table” and “Meet Me in the Hallway.” Altogether, it forms to make this heart-pulling tune that is very much introspective of the artist’s life in the spotlight, highlighting the feelings of isolation and distance common within the lives of the famous. Harry’s House seems to be positioning itself as a new chapter in Styles’ discography, shaping up to be an album exploring the deeply personal thoughts of an individual whose name is at the forefront of global media and popular culture. I absolutely love the artistic spirit showcased in this new track, and can hardly wait to see what Styles has to share in the coming months. “As It Was” comes from Styles’ upcoming third studio album, Harry’s House, which is set for release on May 20.

Andrew Johnson

Tip The Surgeon by Young MA

Some songs people listen to for insight into their own mind. Some songs are meant to make you think about the grand nature of the universe. Some songs are also meant to be dope and “Tip The Surgeon” is most definitely dope. This rap song has great bars in it that mesh seamlessly with the backing track. The flow of the song makes me feel hyped. I want to work out to a song like this, or do something crazy that I will definitely regret later. I don't listen to a lot of modern rap but “Tip The Surgeon” just feels good.

Everly Orfanedes 

We’ll Never Have Sex by Leith Ross

No lyrics have ever devastated an entire generation of songwriters the way “We’ll Never Have Sex” by Leith Ross does. Leith Ross, a singer-songwriter who grew popular on the social media app TikTok in the past year has finally released the long awaited acoustic track. The thing that makes “We’ll Never Have Sex,” stand out so strongly is the intense, heartbreaking lyrics that contain layers of meaning, and provoke intense thought regarding what it means to be in a relationship where you are not expected to give up your body to a person. That is just my interpretation. That is what is so special about this song, it contains so many possible interpretations and meanings. Leith Ross is such an incredibly talented songwriter, and this haunting track only further proves their talent.

Will Ingman

What It’s Like by Together Pangea

A more delicate offering from Santa Clarita surf-punks Together Pangea, “What It’s Like”, is positively teeming with energy, contrasting hand-claps and sparkling clean chords with the band’s characteristically melancholy lyrics to form a sad surf-jam, ideal for Malibu misanthropes and L.A. loners alike. If you’ve ever wanted to cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway and cry, “What It’s Like” will take you there.

Adri Pray

RUNRUNRUN by Dutch Melrose

“RUNRUNRUN” marks Dutch Melrose’s first single of 2022! Catchy electric guitar riffs punctuate Melrose’s edgy lyrics as he sings about the obsession he has with his newest crush. This song deviates from Melrose’s previous sound, adding a more garbled, whiny tone to his voice and preludes his untitled sophomore album.

Karenna Umscheid 

Nothing Gives Me Pleasure by Girlpool

Girlpool matches intense, slowly metallic instrumentation with soft, tender lyricism and vocals in their latest song, “Nothing Gives Me Pleasure.” The combination is enough to make you feel like you’re spinning in a treacherous body of water. The violently descriptive verses spell out a desire for pain and intensity in a relationship. Girlpool eerily depicts the dangers of infatuation, lacing the song with gory metaphors, if only as a precautionary measure. The chorus goes back and forth between leaping for the danger and staying in safety, switching from saying that “Nothing gives me pleasure like the things I know you won’t say” to “Nothing gives me pleasure, just the things I know you won’t say.” Indecision is rough, and it’s not always made easier by the loss of choice, it’s still circles of pain and desire.

Izzy Desmarais 

Shotgun by Soccer Mommy 

Sophie Allison, better known by her stage name Soccer Mommy, recently announced that her third studio album, Sometimes, Forever, will be released this year on June 24th. Along with this exciting news came the album’s first single, “Shotgun.” Known for dreamy vocals paired with softer, indie-rock instrumentals, Allison opts for a grungier and faintly ‘90s sound on “Shotgun.” Its lyrics, however, remain upbeat as they delve into the whirlwind feelings that come with falling in love. The juxtaposition between the song’s lyrics and its sound may be a sneak peek of what’s to come on Sometimes, Forever, and tackle the conflicting emotions one experiences while in a relationship. Either way, I absolutely love the direction Allison went in with this track (you know I’m a sucker for ‘90s alternative rock) and I cannot wait for the album’s release!

Nat Szczepanski

Fire Escape by Beach Bunny

I remember when I first discovered Beach Bunny — it was way back before their song “Prom Queen” propelled them into the greater alternative community’s consciousness. What I’ve noticed in their music between then and now is a sense of confidence. The guitar solo, a facet of almost Beach Bunny song, has grown to not be afraid of its presence; rather, with their latest single “Fire Escape” the catchy lick is right in your face. The release of this single is in preparation for a third studio album (Emotional Creature) set to release July 22nd. I’m excited to see what else the band has in store and you can definitely expect me to purchase this on vinyl — gotta keep that collection growing, after all.

Lydia Aga

AMERICAN GURL by Kilo Kish

“AMERICAN GURL” is what feels like the retro, playful successor of fellow art-pop extraordinaire Santigold’s 99 cents - both projects shapeshift between electronic pop and brooding R&B and find musical purpose in discovery. Kilo Kish departs from the autobiographical narratives that weaved together Reflections In Real Time in order to shift focus because frankly she has much more to say. Kilo Kish’s “AMERICAN GURL” yearns to understand rather than to simply accept as she questions “Who are you baby?/Who are you keeping around?” The intimate, conversational whispers once scattered throughout Reflections in Real Time rise to a roar as Kilo tries to makes sense of a world gone mad.