Sometimes, melodrama and our capacity for emotional highs are treated as signs of weakness, both in terms of human-to-human relations and artistic integrity. But the three artists with new songs out this week prove the opposite is true, whether it be through shiny synthesizers or mosh-ready riffs. Underrated by the mainstream, but heavily appreciated by music lovers in the indie music communities, press play on these new songs by Magi Merlin, Ceremony, and Widowspeak. To hear more cool new songs that aren’t played on mainstream radio, stream our Best New Songs of the Month playlist, updated every week.
Magi Merlin “pixxxie”
With the sort of dark synthesizers you’d expect with a group like Boy Harsher, albeit with more yearning and a vulnerable core, “pixxxie” by Magi Merlin is a song that balances the sensual and the sentimental. More importantly, the Montreal-based artist doesn’t let the song become a production showcase and lets her vocals carry as much weight.
That element is punctuated by the glitzy, cathartic chorus that emotionally opens “pixxxie” up to more hard-hitting lyrics. While that first “Make me your pretty god” already has enough punch to let the rest of the melody behind the chorus work magic, lines like “Wish I was stronger” and “You just want my lust” double as knife-to-the-heart twists and narrative pushes.
No matter what part of “pixxxie” attracts you, it’s hard to deny Magi Merlin on any front, as she zeroes in on a sound equal parts infectious and hypnotizing.
Visit Magi Merlin to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Listen to “pixxxie” the new single from Magi Merlin.
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Ceremony “Death Destruction Mayhem”
If you name your new song “Death Destruction Mayhem,” which happens to be the case for California band Ceremony, then you better expect the resulting sound to unleash a little bit of hell. Fortunately, the experienced punk rockers have achieved that with their new single, setting up a great precedent for their upcoming seventh album, Tell Me Your Dreams, their first major project in seven years.
In keeping with the triple seven theme, it’s sounding like their album has hit the jackpot based on how “Death Destruction Mayhem” is pure, unadulterated punk full of anti-conformity lyrics, high-energy instruments, and striking melodies. When it comes to taking things back to the basics, Ceremony has it down to a science, flourishing from their simplicity.
That’s not to underestimate “Death Destruction Mayhem.” If anything, the fact that they can remain disciplined with their controlled chaos speaks to their longevity and what they have in store.
See Ceremony in LA at The Novo on Nov. 20. Their new album Tell Me Your Dreams is out August 7 via Relapse Records.
Visit Ceremony on their website to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Listen to “Death Destruction Mayhem” the new single from Ceremony.
Widowspeak “Actor”
An opening line like “Everyone’s an actor” is sure to conjure up memories of complex relationships and painful insights, something that Widowspeak sustains through their smooth glide that is “Actor,” out via Captured Tracks.
As the dreamy guitars help those softly sung lyrics find their landing pad in a warm embrace of instrumentation, the Brooklyn band shows the strength of their new album Roses, through one song. At the same time, “Actor” makes full use of its movie metaphor to explain the lack of authenticity in day-to-day life and in connections.
It’s the sort of framing device that allows the duo’s cross between indie rock and dream pop – with hints of Americana, evident with that sweet guitar solo – to stand out emotionally before letting the already talented musicians’ instruments literally speak for themselves.
See Widowspeak in LA at Lodge Room on August 7.
Visit Widowspeak on their website to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Listen to “Actor” the new single from Widowspeak.
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