Welcome to our new feature, New Music Monday! Here we will give you a sample of some of the new music out now that you will want to add to your playlists. We hope to cover many different genres and styles. The Spotify playlist for the featured songs is at the end of the story.
Are you an artist or artist representation who would you like to have your music featured? Email lauren@focusmidtenn.com and put “New Music Monday Consideration” in the subject line.
Michael Love Michael – “JFC”
To honor Juneteenth and Pride month, empowered queer pop artist Michael Love Michael release their brand new single “JFC.” The anthemic track, which was produced by Michael and Rich DaSilva, uses catchy hooks, hypnotizing beats, and powerful vocals to share Michael’s experiences as a queer Black artist, and their support for collective Black liberation.
“This song is about claiming freedom that has been stolen, whether that is celebrating Juneteenth, Pride, or just acknowledging the ancestors who made it possible. I hope folks blast this as loud as possible and know they don’t need permission from anyone to be free. And give money to a Black trans woman today. She likely helped get you there,” said Michael about the song.
Flummox – “Trans Girls Need Guns”
“Our new single is finally here!” Flummox‘s new release, “Trans Girls Need Guns,” is now available digitally on Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, Youtube, and wherever music streamed.
This song is the first single from their new EP, “In HIndsight,” which will be released on vinyl, CD, and cassette this fall by Needlejuice Records. All of the proceeds from the single on their Bandcamp page will go straight to the Black Trans Femmes in the Arts Collective.
Fab The Duo – “Our Love Is Resistance”
Fab The Duo, a biracial glam pop-rock duo and real-life couple, has released their brand new EP, “Our Love Is Resistance.” The band has also released the new music video for the title track “Our Love Is Resistance.” The video follows the duo as they march down the streets of Manhattan towards The Stonewall Inn, the birthplace of the gay rights movement.
Of the title track and music video, Fab The Duo says: “We recorded this song and music video at the beginning of 2020 in a world that feels very different from the one we live in now. Yet this track and its message seem more relevant than ever. We must fight against the hate and injustices of the world at all costs and know that love will prevail.”
Ben Hazlewood – “Lying”
Ben Hazlewood has released the music video for “Lying” off of his recently released debut album “Bloodline.” “Lying” embodies the intention behind Ben’s debut album perfectly, full of raw, unfiltered emotion.
“’Lying’ is about putting on a brave face while hiding the fight of an internal pain and the fear of being vulnerable. Sometimes it’s easier to be lost in a lie than to face a truth that could expose and unravel you.” – Ben Hazlewood
Ben Hazlewood is the rare artist with a voice dynamic enough to captivate almost completely on its own. As an anthemic alt-pop artist, raised on artists like Jim Morrison, David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, and Janis Joplin, his music channels an outrageous vocal strength and an emotive soul-filled force. A force matched only by his magnetic stage presence and glam-rock-inspired fashion sensibilities.
St. Panther – “These Days”
Southern California artist, producer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper St. Panther introduces a new era to her artistry with stunningly candid visual for her latest single “These Days,” out now via Nice Life Recording Co. & How So Records.
The visual portrays a rising, yet vulnerable St. Panther in transition and on the honest road to healing. Even as doors began to open for her career and times were “exciting,” she found herself still grieving after the sudden loss of a friend. In the quarantine-style video, she records herself in her daily routine, doing all she can do to just keep it moving through hell and high water.
“‘These Days’ was written in memory of a friend lost suddenly to overdose on the night of his birthday September 24th, 2019. This song is my real-time experience with re-establishing a new relationship to life in the days following through the simple act of making it to the next day,” St. Panther explains. “The video is an ode to the week following the news as I found my way through it at home. I hope it serves as a reminder to those listening that each day is precious and that there are still so many chapters ahead that are worth living for.”
