We’ve made it halfway through November, and to another roundup of new music. This week, girl group of the moment FLO dropped their highly anticipated debut album, “Access All Areas,” featuring the unapologetic anthem “Nocturnal.” Tate McRae clarified her love language on the pure pop track “2 Hands.” While some artists were expanding their lore, others looked backward: Olivia O’Brien’s wistful new EP “Everywhere I Go, there I Am” opened with the nostalgia-saturated track “Memory Lane,” while Bleachers gifted us with a reflective holiday-ish single, “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call.” Keep reading for the full scoop on the best new releases from this week.
“Nocturnal” - FLO
Dimensional, quotable, and dripping with FLO’s always addictive harmonies, “Nocturnal” is a treat from their no-skips debut album “Access All Areas.” The girl group reviving R&B (and girl groups) throws it back to the ‘90s—think SWV and Destiny’s Child—while modernizing the genre for a whole new generation. Each vibrant track on the record deserves its own listen, but “Nocturnal,” with its heady rhythm and boss-anthem lyrics, is a good place to start.
“2 hands” - Tate McRae
On Nov. 14, pop princess Tate McRae released what could be considered a response to rumored partner The Kid LAROI’s “APEROL SPRITZ.” Her flirty new single, “2 Hands,” sees the Canadian artist declaring that touch is her real love language—not designer bags or words of affirmation. As pop tracks go, “2 Hands” is a pure take on a let-me-tell-you love song without a hint of sappiness. Her breathy vocals lift the chorus to loop-worthy heights.
“Memory Lane” - Olivia O’Brien
While the experience of time slipping away is nothing novel, Olivia O’Brien’s “Memory Lane” uses its fast pace and danceable chorus to infuse the old story with new energy. As the “I Hate U, I Love U” singer reminisces on her past self, old friends, and former homes, the sense of nostalgia is palpable. Yet the uplifting chorus reminds listeners that you can always go down memory lane to revisit what’s passed. It’s a simple, heartfelt opener to her decidedly personal “Everywhere I go, there I am” EP.
“Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call” - Bleachers
As Mariah Carey declared in her annual eardrum-piercing Oct. 31 video, it’s time (!!!!) for the holiday season. Not quite Thanksgiving, indie-rock darling Bleachers is already doling out Christmas angst in not-so-holly-jolly single “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call.” The song starts slow but builds and crashes like a wave. Washed ashore is a doomed relationship and a plea not to retread it, delivered in a restrained, plaintive style that evokes early ‘90s The Cure. There are a few lyrical gems, but the most poignant comes at the top of the chorus: “But you should know that I died slow/ Running through the halls of your haunted home.” It won’t make it on the Christmas party playlist but would be a welcome addition to a wintertime blues rotation.
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