Sound Bite: Daya, Charli XCX and Pale Waves

by Natasha Wolff | June 29, 2018 1:30 pm

One of the most exciting changes in the music industry lately is the disappearance of any sort of rules. Artists aren’t expected to follow a specific template to reach success anymore. There’s anti-label Chance the Rapper who has been winning Grammy awards by releasing music entirely on his own and there are artists like Charli XCX who has been teasing listeners by releasing single after single with no word on a full-length album. This week we received another banger from Charli, a full-length album from Florence + The Machine and the catchiest track from Pale Waves. In a world of no rules, it feels like everyone wins. Especially us, the listeners. See below for our top five new song releases from this week.

1. “Focus” by Charli XCX[1]

A unapologetic pop star, Charli XCX plays by her own rules. She’s announced that she’ll be releasing a ton of new music this summer and so far, with no album out, our ears are glowing. Following “5 in the Morning” comes “Focus,” a true dance track laced with Charli’s sensual vocals.

2. “If Walls Could Talk” by 5 Seconds of Summer

These Aussie cuties came onto the scene back in 2014 with their power punk attitude and catchy bop, “She Looks So Perfect.” Fast-forward to 2018 and the guys of 5 Seconds of Summer appear to have matured in a few ways. “If Walls Could Talk” has a cool edge while maintaining a romantic storyline. Maybe these aren’t the most poetic lyrics, but we’ll rock to it.

3. “Safe” by Daya

The 19-year-old “Hide Away” performer has released her first solo track of the year and it is giving us all the feels. Written after last year’s shooting at the Route 91 music festival in Las Vegas, the singer gets raw about what our country needs. Days told Teen Vogue, “ If [the song] impacts change in the slightest that’s amazing, and if it serves as some sort of a blanket for young people to wrap themselves in I’ll be just as satisfied.”

4. “Patricia” by Florence + The Machine

Everyone can exhale, Florence has finally released her fourth album, High As Hope. With her already released singles “Big God[2]” and “Sky Full of Song,” we all knew the album would be a passionate collection of music backed by haunting vocals. “Patricia” reads as private letter written to a special and inspiring person. Bellowing, “Patricia, you’ve always been my North Star,” Florence gives us hope–and goosebumps.

5. “Noises” by Pale Waves[3]

The Brits are back with another banger. Ahead of their highly anticipated debut album the quartet is showing us another side to them on “Noises.” Though the song maintains the signature catchy pop-infused hooks Pale Waves is celebrated for, the vocals from frontwoman Heather feel more mature. Plus, with an entire guitar interlude, it’s clear the band is ready to expand its musical repertoire.

Main image credit: Instagram[4]

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