Fresh Music Friday: The 1975, Something For Kate, Nick Nakim

For this week’s Fresh Music Friday, Adrian Talarico, Miya Sywak, and Rhea Thomas deliver their deeply-considered verdicts on a stripped-back single from The 1975, a lush tribute from Nick Hakim, and Something For Kate’s first song in nearly a decade.

“Situation Room” – Something for Kate

Adrian: Very palpable, passionate performances, especially the lead vocals. Songwriting was on point and the production really got the best out of the performances, especially in the outro. Thought the bass was mixed way too high and that acoustic passage before the outro was a bit out of place, but thats just minor…

Miya: For some reason I get big country vibes…might be the terrible excuse of a beard on the lead singer. It seems like a song from people past their prime and I felt that it’d be an anthem for middle aged ladies who think they’re hip. Boring.

Rhea: There’s ol’ school charm to it that makes me love it (P.S. Paul Dempsey is a 90s stud).

“Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America” – The 1975

Adrian: I thought it was a Sufjan stevens song. Liked the production, some aspects of the instruments were a bit bland and the song writing wasnt very inspired to make up for the simple instrumentation. It was fine, not my cup of tea. 5 vibe points/10

Miya: Sounds like something edgy white girls listen to calm down to after getting hyper on too much cordial or cocaine. Glad I’ve never been in such a position. Big meh.

Rhea: Hillsong??? Well-produced but a bit whatever…a b o n e l e s s song. Bring back Dempsey.

“QADIR” – Nick Hakim

Adrian: Really lush production, inspired songwriting and very dreamy vibe. Loved the really driving rhythm and the way the instruments were layered as the song progressed. 8 vibe points/10

Miya: Oh damn, this beats lofi for sure, it really felt like a dream and I will be bragging that I know ‘underground’ music like that. Big vibe check and this song passed.

Rhea: Helllll, the production on this track is slick. Dreamy but definitely not overdone.