In My Queue: Week of 9/22/2025
Let’s Make Out by Does It Offend You, Yeah?
from You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into (2008)
Had a random memory of listening to one of this artist’s big hits in high school and wanted to give the album another spin. I had mostly forgotten the rest of the songs on here, but was pleasantly surprised by how they held up to my ears.
This dance punk band is overflowing with energy on this album. This track stood out to me for its relevance to some of the current scene. I think you can draw a direct line from Let’s Make Out to songs like You’re Invited or Girls by fellow dance punk artist The Dare. I think it’s especially apparent with the continual repeating of the title within the lyrics of all three songs. Even the album cover for You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into is plastered in a similar version of the now-famous brat green.
Le mur by GP Explorer
from Le mur (2025) - track also by Clara Luciani, Yamê, and Sofiane Pamart
This track came to me searching through new released singles. It is part of a future album celebrating the release of GP Explorer 3, a recurring Formula 4 racing event featuring French internet personalities. I thought it was a tight track, although I don’t speak French and can’t vouch for the lyrics. I liked how the piano in the background complemented the vocal melodies. Yamê’s falsetto range is eye-catching. I’d compare his vocal timbre to the likes of Moses Sumney or Gallant.
Ativan by Shallowater
from God’s Gonna Give You a Million Dollars (2025)
I was introduced to Shallowater by a feature on this album with Hayden Pedigo, who I’ve raved about since I saw his NPR Tiny Desk. Shallowater is a self-described dirtgaze band from Houston, Texas. Overall their songs are slower moving, resembling the second wave of the post-rock movement in the 2000s. Ativan takes a turn in the middle to a more energetic pace. I liken the break to something like Yasmin The Light by Explosions in the Sky. The whole record, EP in track length but a whopping 41 minutes duration, is worth a listen.
CURIOUS by Sam Gellaitry feat. Toro y Moi
from CURIOUS (2025)
Another banger of a track coming from Scotland’s Sam Gellaitry. You may recognize his music from a recent TikTok trending sound that uses his song Assumptions slowed down. On CURIOUS, he teams up with Toro y Moi for a vibey dance track. I really love the background sample here, which ends its loop on a punchy 1..2..3…. Finding this single alerted me to his new upcoming album on November 7, which I will be playing on repeat when it comes out.
the beginning of the end by hemlocke springs
from the beginning of the end (2025)
the beginning of the end is hemlock springs’ first track since her phenomenal debut album going…going…GONE! from 2023. hemlock is one of my favorite pop music makers of the 2020s. Her style is creative and spans styles and genres. One of the things I love most from her music is how she uses her voice so expressively. I would compare her most to Tarriona “Tank” Ball, the vocalist from Tank and the Bangas. the beginning of the end uses a darker sound than much of her last album, with synths sounding right out of CHVRCHES’ catalogue of the 2010s. The high synths build two-thirds into the song with hazy noise and feedback. I think the darker or overbearing tone of the synths point to the witch house movement of the early 2010s with artists like Ritualz. Towards the end of the track, it breaks into a energetic and cathartic rock and roll sound. This something that I love is getting more popular, with another great example coming from SZA’s F2F. I’m looking forward to any kind of music coming from hemlocke springs.