Monday Mixtape 01
A roundup of the best new songs to get you through your week, by Cassidy Sollazzo
Hi! I’m Cassidy and welcome to Monday Mixtape! Every Monday, I’ll be taking you through the best new songs of the week that I think should be added to your rotation. You can expect all kinds of genres and all kinds of artists—nothing is too niche, nothing is too mainstream. You can also find all songs mentioned in a handy dandy playlist so you can follow along at home! Without further ado, the first edition of Monday Mixtape:
PinkPantheress - “Tonight”
Her first solo release of the year, PinkPantheress’s “Tonight” leans into the trip-hop tendencies of 2023’s Heaven knows and adds a house-adjacent flair. “Tonight” has a sonic depth I felt was lacking on Heaven knows. It’s full of warbling synths and thick club beats. Her smooth vocals add an entrancing melody that skates over the incessant backing. This song is honestly addicting. It’s the kind of song you’d hear playing in your head as you stick your head out the window of the uber home. The kind of song you’d hear your roommate blasting as she got ready for a night out. It’s one of my favorite PinkPantheress tracks to date, and I’m now sat for whatever she has planned for May 9th.
The Dare - “LCA”
I'm unfortunately occasionally charmed by The Dare. My favorite moments from his debut LP, What’s Wrong With New York?, are the ultra-gritty, mega-sleazy, blown-out tracks like “I Destroyed Disco” or “All Night.” In advance of his deluxe album, Afters, The Dare dropped “LCA,” one of the three new songs on the extended edition. Something about his thick, distorted vocals really just makes me wanna slam my head into a wall in a great way. I really feel like all I can say about this song is that it goes unbelievably hard, and if I showed this to my 20-year-old EDM-obsessed self her head would surely explode.
RÜFÜS DÜ SOL, Adriatique - “In the Moment - Adriatique Remix”
Speaking of my 20-year-old EDM-obsessed self, she would sure be happy about the latest RÜFÜS DÜ SOL drop. Swiss DJ/producer duo Adriatique remixed “In the Moment” off the Australian trio’s 2024 LP Inhale / Exhale. As far as RÜFÜS DÜ SOL albums go, Inhale / Exhale wasn’t my favorite (though I doubt anything will ever top 2016’s Bloom), but this remix has tickled me. It keeps the quintessentially arresting melody center, but offers up more expansive instrumentals making it even more hypnotic. It tonally reminds me of everything good about Bloom and SOLACE, and is truly all-consuming, especially in headphones.
Rachel Chinouriri - “23:42”
Coming off of a run opening for Sabrina Carpenter across Europe, Rachel Chinouriri dropped a new EP, Little House, on Friday. “23:42” is a bouncy, Olivia Rodrigo-meets-The Fratellis kind of song, with a catchy hook and electric guitar riff. She’s really etching out a niche for herself in the pop-rock space, and it makes me excited to see how she’ll top What A Devastating Turn of Events.
HAIM - “Everybody’s trying to figure me out”
They’re baaaaaack! Sister trio HAIM dropped “Everybody’s trying to figure me out,” their second single from their upcoming album. This time reimagining a Kate Moss paparazzi picture, “Everybody’s trying to figure me out” is a folky rock counterpart to the jazziness of “Relationship.” It gives Liz Phair-meets-4 Non Blondes-meets-Jojo and I’m 1000% here for it. AND IS THAT A FLUTE I HEAR? More likely it’s a synth or some sort of pedal steel, but it gets points for even sounding like a flute.
Miley Cyrus - “End Of The World”
“End Of The World” is Miley’s third single off her upcoming album, Something Beautiful. After the less-than-substantial Endless Summer Vacation, I was anxious to see what direction she’d take for her follow up. After listening to this song, I'm hopeful. It’s cute and fun! It leans a little more dance pop/disco than expected, but I may just feel that way because I really want her to do a full classic rock 180. Like so many other Zillennials, I have a deep inner child connection to Cyrus. No matter what she puts out I feel I will find a way to support it, or be happy for her regardless. Hearing her voice makes me feel like I’m eight-years-old sitting on my living room carpet entranced by Hannah Montana.
TV Girl, George Clanton, Magdalena Bay - “Messy Hair”
Off the deluxe version of TV Girl and George Clanton’s 2024 LP Fauxllenium, “Messy Hair” features breakout synth pop duo Magdalena Bay. The track is quick and fun, with an almost-trap backbeat and acid jazz at its core. Big year for Mag Bay! And I personally love to see it.
AURORA - “The Flood”
From Norwegian artist/producer AURORA, “The Flood” is an anthemic track featuring layered vocals, hypnotic orchestrals, and ripping electric guitar. It feels like the perfect marriage of the bombastic tendencies of Florence & the Machine with the sonic world-building of Lorde. Something that can truly be shouted from the rooftops.
As a first column treat, here are some of my other favorite tunes from March:
Raven Artson - “(window shopper)”
For Fans Of (FFO): George Daniel, Kelly Lee Owens, True Blue
Kali Uchis - “Sunshine & Rain…”
FFO: The Marías, TYLA, Ari Lennox
Blondshell - “23’s A Baby”
FFO: Liz Phair, Bully, Japanese Breakfast
Samia - “Lizard”
FFO: Lucy Dacus, Adrienne Lenker, Katie Gavin
This Is Lorelei, MJ Lenderman - “Dancing in the Club - MJ Lenderman Version”
FFO: Horsegirl, Waxahatchee, Wednesday
Whirr - “Speeding”
FFO: My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Deftones