Fresh Music Fridays #4: 27/04/18

In the fourth instalment of Fresh Music Fridays, we’re spinning new tunes by Yodel Kid, Parcels (remember these guys from the Daft Punk-produced “Overnight”?) and the Tumblr-core as ever Clairo. See what staff writers Joe Paller, Patrick McKenzie, and Rhea Thomas thought below:

“Famous” — Mason Ramsey

Joe: A young boy with an old soul, Mason Ramsey is the child prodigy we all deserve. Famous has got a poppy country vibe rich with twangy banjos and guitars, as well as heartwarming message, but it lacks the yodelling we all know and love from Mason’s Walmart performance.
Patrick: Early-career Taylor Swift sound meets Jacob Sartorius tween love/cringe-fest lyrics. Unfortunate absence of yodelling but yes the kid can sing.
Rhea: What would’ve happened if Justin Bieber was discovered by Billy Ray Cyrus and not Usher.

“Tieduprightnow” — Parcels

Joe: A tight drum beat and funky baseline cannot save Tieduprightnow from feeling like it was produced by a computer program. Groovy, yes, but also uninspired and monotonous.
Patrick: Funky at the outset with a lyrical style reminiscent of Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’. Drums and bass keep the rhythm tight — danceable in the best of ways.
Rhea: A groovin’ bassline and sharp percussion that doesn’t give in at all during the smoothest falsetto choruses, where the words matter less than the pronunciation — doesn’t really go anywhere though…

“4ever” — Clairo

Joe: 4EVER is a charming example of Clairo’s chill, yet not super interesting, bedroom pop. Catchy chorus though! And niiiiiiiice synths.
Patrick: Fun disco vibes, deep synth in the background adds much-appreciated ‘spice’. Smooth vocals keep the overall feeling laidback and anchored to an attractive sound.
Rhea: Wish there was something delicate about it, maybe lyrically even, but an effective use of organ synth, with some really funky and subtle solos. A thicker and slightly underdeveloped version of James Vincent McMorrow, but still good fun.

Tune in next week for our next Fresh Music Friday!