Music Update: College Edition

Thought this was going to be a monthly series, but that didn't happen. Nevertheless! I'm back, and I'm bringing some bangers along with me.

Artist Spotlight: The Nude Party

Weird name, good band. Hailing from Boone, NC, The Nude Party is like a more freeform, less established version of the Rolling Stones. Their newest, self-titled album is definitely my favorite; nearly every song has appeal, and they feature a ton of variation between tracks. Here's a few I especially like:

Water On Mars

The opening track on the album sets the tone exceptionally, bringing in a classic-sounding synth tone for the melody that flashes you back forty years immediately. Even the lead singer's voice sounds classic, backed by vocals from nearly every other band member. The chorus is catchy and fun, supported by simple verses and a consistent bassline.

Should I sell? (don't sell it, no, don't sell it)

My mind's a spigot and I'm starting to dig it

The Nude Party takes many layers and melds them into one piece of music, buoyed by excellent musicianship that doesn't come off as overcomplicated; rather, they rely on the simplicity of the track to resonate with the listener and create a fun groove.

Astral Man

They get a bit more complex with this one, again relying on synth for the melody, but this time with a slower build and a much sharper tone backed by guitar. Astral Man has a slow, swaying feel that maintains some power because of the synth-guitar combo for the melody.

The second verse:

Did you see it? There, through the door

Under million-mile space

See your face

Staring back into the ship

This is it, walk through the loop

Now, space cadet, you've flown the coop

Man, going rogue

Mmhmm

The lyrics convey a spacey tale of a man searching for the stars, presumably. The story is unclear, but the lyrics are fun, and the vibe is immaculate. After an escalating countdown from five, the band picks up the pace with a quicker guitar solo. The guitarist plays a Spanish-sounding solo with some nice sliding and an established melody that leads nicely into the end of the sped-up section. The synth remains a key component throughout. They get slow again with a powerful build, and the echoes of the synth bring the track to a close. Definitely my favorite track on the album, and one my favorites of any artist that I've listened to all year.

Records

Another simple one. Records utilizes slide guitar and simple acoustic guitar and percussion; not much else on this track. Records is about someone moving on from a relationship they never truly enjoyed, or perhaps it's simply the narrator convincing himself that he only needs music to make himself happy in the absence of a partner.

I'm jiving in my own groove now

I'm driving, free to move now

Cause I don't need your affection

All I need is my bootleg collection

I think this song resonates with me because music is the constant in my life, as it is in so many others' lives. It's not a brilliant track packed with musicianship or anything, but it's a simple declaration about the power of music to get you through the hard times, and sometimes that's all you really need.

The Nude Party is a relatively unknown band, but I'd definitely give them a listen. They're a breath of fresh air in today's music scene.

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Song Spotlights

Bang and Blame - R.E.M.

I Took Your Name - R.E.M.

Look, it's not my fault that I keep discovering R.E.M. songs to enjoy. These are both on Monster, which features a bold, vibrato-heavy guitar sound featured on most songs on the album. I Took Your Name is dripping with desperation, told from the POV of a narrator who is willing to do literally anything for the subject of the track. Michael Stipe takes a different approach with his voice in this one, staying in the low register for the entire time and leaning into his southern twang.

Bang and Blame is a bit more lowkey until the chorus, when the guitar comes in as it does on the rest of the album. Conversely to I Took Your Name, Stipe sings the entirety of Bang and Blame in a higher octave, perhaps conveying his pleading more than his frustration on the former track.

Both tracks are amazing. Highly recommend.

Human - The Killers

This is an unlocked memory for me, although I have yet to remember exactly how I know this track. Less rock and more disco, The Killers ask an essential question: are we human, or are we dancer? What does that mean? No idea, but the song is really fun to listen to.

Cut the cord

Are we human

Or are we dancer?

My sign is vital

My hands are cold

And I'm on my knees, looking for the answer

Are we human

Or are we dancer?

The synth and bass drive this track forward, elevated by drum machine percussion and some fun double kickdrum action. The Killers are steadily moving up in my music hierarchy.

Tropics (Erase Traces) - My Morning Jacket

Obligatory MMJ song. This track, on The Waterfall, was higher on my list of all-time most listened to songs than I expected, but I certainly wasn't mad about it. Tropics is the perfect encapsulation of the MMJ music model, focusing on steady growth over time escalating to its peak as close to the end as possible.

Tropics

Off the map

Through the glass ceiling

On the right path

Out of body for the first time, in a long time

The right time

Window to another world

Jim James utilizes an odd cadence in this track that follows the flow of the song well. The guitar repeats the same little lick in different keys, building up and down throughout the track. With about two minutes remaining, the song begins the final build, escalating in a strong electric guitar entrance/solo and a closing verse. Give it a listen!

I'm at UVA now! I don't know how often I'll post here now, but hopefully it'll stay somewhat consistent. See y'all next time.

Emory