Music From My Car

Music has always been a big part of my life. It's how I've connected with my sisters, friends, and complicated emotions. I loved singing in my high school chamber choir and learning about different elements that make our favorite songs. I feel like music is practically a universal language. I wanted to talk about some artists I love to listen to and hopefully persuade you all to listen to them too. Here are some musicians that deserve more recognition.

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Dominic Fike

Dominic Fike surged in popularity this year when season two of HBO’s Euphoria premiered in January. Before his role of Elliot, he already made a name for himself in the music industry with his hit “3 Nights”. The song was released under his first EP, Don't Forget About Me, Demos, in 2018. His EP is inspired by west coast sounds with a mix of acoustic and electric guitar leading the melody of most of the tracks. His first project shows how talented of a guitar player he is as well as a collaborative producer. His first full-length album What Could Possibly Go Wrong? is where he pulls you in with his lyrics. My favorite song off of this album is "Politics and Violence," which is an intimate view into Dominic's rise to fame. The storyline of the song is about drastic change and finding love through all of the fame or, in this case, the politics and violence. My favorite line is "hollywood don't need a reason to make you think you look bigger than you are," which has a double meaning in my mind. I believe it has to do with body image of women in Hollywood and the self-delusion that stardom brings. This song is definitely about questioning whether fame is worth losing who he was before it took over his entire life. His music launched him into notoriety so quickly that he even collaborated with Paul McCartney to cover his original song, "The Kiss of Venus" in early 2020. I finally got to see Dominic Fike in concert when he came to my college last April. He didn't talk much while he was on stage, but when he did he said it was really cold (It was above 50 degrees which is warm for New Hampshire in early spring). He was a great performer and I would see him live again.

My other favorite songs by Dominic: King of Everything, Rollerblades, Phone Numbers, Hit Me Up

Clairo

Clairo started off as a bedroom pop artist making Lo-fi beats with a keyboard and posting it on Bandcamp and SoundCloud. Her first viral hit was "Pretty Girl" in 2017, which is still her top song on all streaming platforms. I was introduced to Clairo by my freshman year roommate who played her song "4EVER" in our built-up triple dorm while we were getting ready to go out. Clairo didn't have many songs out on streaming services back in 2018, but I would check my Apple Music every once in a while to see if she released any new music (don't judge me for not having Spotify). She released her first full-length album, Immunity, in 2019. This also happened to be the time that Tik Tok started to become really popular and her song "Sofia" went viral. I instantly loved the song, since I heard it so much on social media. It was the type of song that got stuck in your head a lot, but you don't mind because it's an excellent song to hum to yourself. It took me a while to get into more of her songs from this album like "Impossible," and "Bags," which are two of my favorite songs by her. This album had a bit more of a tangible feel to it with the instruments she used. She moved away from the electricpop sound that she debuted with from her bedroom years before. By the time that her sophomore album Sling released in June 2021, she had an almost completely different sound. This album was far more acoustic and instrumental than her previous work. She collaborated with Jack Antonoff to create a sophisticated and cohesive album. This entire piece of work reminds me of Carol King's Tapestry because of the lyricism about being a young woman trying to navigate different relationships with others and herself. It also has the same 1970's vibe with the groovy keyboards, traditional keys, and prominent bass guitar. I just really love the instrumentation, lyrics, and the overall concept of this album. Clairo just has a soft sing-songy voice that is easy to listen to and smile. She makes you feel understood and comforted in that way.

My favorite songs by Clairo: Amoeba, Wade, Steeeam (under the name Shelly), Management

Paramore

I saw Paramore live at Austin City Limits Music Festival in early October. I had been a fan since I listened to "crushcrushcrush" on my sister's MP3 player in 2008, but never had the opportunity to see them live. I knew it was gonna be a great show to watch and dance to. Hayley Williams alone is such an energetic performer with a palpable voice. She danced all over the stage by herself and charmed the crowd with her ability to lose herself in the music. Paramore's sets are pretty simple with the band just playing behind Hayley. She just bops around the stage and gives earnest speeches that makes the audience feel like close friends of hers. She has a connection with the audience that is so genuine. Their sound has come a long way since their punk-rock days of "Misery Business," and "Decode," but they still include those fan favorites in their setlist. Paramore's most recent album, After Laughter, released in 2017 before their five year hiatus. This album definitely has more of a pop-rock sound to it, but still has somewhat emo lyrics. "Rose-Colored Boy" is about Williams's chronic cynicism and stormy disposition. The beat of this song reminds me of their previous hit, "Ain't It Fun," with the prominent drum progression keeping the tempo. The overall sound of their fifth studio album is very upbeat and a little mainstream pop in my opinion. It has tracks that you can really move to because of the high energy music behind the lyrics. Paramore finally released new music this past September with their single "This Is Why," showcasing their new sound. This single takes the band back to their roots with alternative rock, but with a new wave element. The production to this song is more about the instruments rather than using synths like their previous album. Paramore is planning on releasing the full album in February 2023. I am excited to see where they take this next album and how it will be received by other fans.

My favorite Paramore songs: All I Wanted, Hard Times, Caught In The Middle, Brick By Boring Brick, Still Into You

Chappell Roan

I found this artist on Tik Tok when she was posting promo of her song "My Kink is Karma". Her style of writing is brutally honest and heavily influenced by Gen Z rhetoric. What I like most about this artist is that she doesn't hold back when she's writing her lyrics or singing them. She has a hauntingly beautiful voice that echos perfect pitch while you're singing along with her in the car. She knows how to belt out a note that sounds powerful and light. Her lyrics are cut-throat and uninhibited. "Pink Pony Club" is one of my favorite tracks because of how well it sets the scene with the music that perfectly accompanies the storyline. It starts with a whimsical piano riff as she sings about her "wicked dreams" to move to LA and become famous. I see her singing on the stage with a single spotlight to an empty theatre when she explains why she must go. As she sings about dancing at the Pink Pony Club, The music becomes a synth-heavy pop ballad that I could see playing in a club. Chappell Roan creates music for people who love putting their headphones in and dancing around their room. Her newest song, "Casual," describes the modern-day situationship, which I'm sure everyone reading this has experienced at least one time or another. She perfectly sums up how hard it is to navigate casual relationships without getting too invested and in turn, getting hurt. Most of her songs are singles, but I see her becoming a major artist within the next year. She doesn't make the underdeveloped, slightly reimagined nursery rhymes like many other viral Tik Tok singers (abcdefu is the worst song to come across that app, I'm sorry). I really hope she comes out with an album or at least an EP this coming year.

My Chappell Roan favs: Casual, Naked in Manhattan, My Kink is Karma