157 songs, albums, videos submitted for review this week
New Attitude, single by Patti Labelle. Not a new song, obviously, but a great one that I just could not put down when I was reminded of it this week. The iconic 1984 hit combines an infectious, danceable beat with empowering lyrics about personal transformation and confidence. The song marked a turning point in LaBelle’s career. Great song, great lyrics, great attitude. From her Greatest Hits album. Stream everywhere.
Zunzun Baba, single by Rita Donte . An early release from her forthcoming album, ‘Ritual’ the Baja, Mexico-based Cuban is an angelic singer-songwriter in a style that is unapologetically Cuban, but brings in Mexican regional music as well as influences from Son Jarocho from Veracruz in México. Truly Music Sin Fronteras. Stream on Spotify and major platforms.
Houdini, single by Dua Lipa. Tap your foot to the bass beat while Dua Lipa asks man who wants her why she should not just be like Houdini and disappear. As she gets going you will go, moving from foot-tapping to wild dancing. Stream everywhere.
Bang, singly by Melenas . Melenas is a Spanish indie-rock band from Pamplona, featuring Oihana Herrera (vocals, guitar, keyboards), María del Amor Zubiaur (keyboards), Leire Zabala (bass), and Laura Torre (drums). Known for their blend of garage rock, dream pop, and krautrock.
SONAR, single by Ichiko Aoba. Let this one just carry you away while you contemplate loneliness. Aoba uses synths to create a softly glowing underwater environment swimming in luminescent tides with jellyfish floating around you. Aoba sings in a gentle voice with melancholy notes . The lyrics, translated from Japanese, pierce you with the pain of loneliness – the waters support you, but they isolate you, A beautiful, marine dream. Stream on Spotify and major platforms.
tqum, single by Sofia Reyes with Dana Paola. Lest anyone think that Mexican pop is all men rapping to vaguely regional music, Sofia Reyes brings out tqum: remix. A fast moving pop song driven by a electro bass beat and utilizes here very feminine but mature voice to give you energyo sing along to and dance to. Spanish. Stream on Spotify and other major platforms.
Patrick O’Heffernan
