With September 1 marking the unofficial start of fall, I’ll be curious to see how the team at Staged Haze’s music preferences start to change along with the new season. But for now, here’s our last monthly round-up post of summer 2024!
Noteworthy album & EP releases:
The Phantom Five, AWOLNATION
This Is How Tomorrow Moves, Beabadoobee
Forever, Charly Bliss
Girl, Coco & Clair Clair
The Dichotomy, David Kushner
Private Blizzard, Dhruv
STAMINA, EVAN GIIA
Romance, Fontaines D.C.
Paradise State of Mind, Foster The People
Same Time Tomorrow, Georgia Parker
POWER, Illuminati Hotties
Garden State Vampire, Joe P
tiny but scary, Juliet Ivy
Sincere, Khalid
When A Thought Grows Wings, Luna Li
IMAGINAL DISK, Magdalena Bay
Pomegranate, Matilda Cole
Sugar Water, Maude Latour
Curve 1, Mura Masa
Rhinestoned, Maggie Antone
ROCKWOOD, Mark Ambor
Wild Spirit, The National Parks
Buzz, NIKI
Couldn’t Save Us From My Gut, ok cowgirl
Stampede, Orville Peck
life till bones, oso oso
Cacophony, Paris Paloma
Bird’s Eye, Ravyn Lenae
Quantum Baby, Tinashe
Short n’ Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter
BREAD, Sofi Tukker
ZORB, Sycco
Telos, ZEDD
Infinite Health, Tycho
Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden, Valley
Isotope, Wasia Project
Triple Seven, Wishy
In chronological order:
“Guess ft. Billie Eilish” – Charli xcx, Billie Eilish
Release date – August 1
The remix of “Guess” by Charli XCX and Billie Eilish has taken the music world by storm. Originally featured on the extended version of Brat, produced by The Dare, “Guess” was already a standout, but this remix takes it to a whole new level. Fans first caught wind of the collaboration through a black-and-white teaser photo, with eagle-eyed followers immediately recognizing Billie Eilish’s silhouette. The anticipation built up, and the final product doesn’t disappoint.
The music video is as wild and creative as you’d expect from these two pop powerhouses. It kicks off with a dance party full of people in underwear before Billie Eilish makes an unforgettable entrance by crashing through the scene on a tractor. From there, Billie and Charli strut through town, eventually climbing atop a massive pile of underwear. Fun fact: all the unworn underwear from the shoot was donated to charity, adding a meaningful twist to the playful visuals.
Musically, the remix has outshone the original, with Billie’s verse being especially catchy. Her contribution adds an extra layer of depth and energy, making this version of *Guess* an instant favorite and a must-listen. – Jesse
“I Lied, I’m Sorry” – Chloe Qisha
Release date – August 7
British up and coming popstar Chloe Qisha only has two songs released on streaming platforms and has already managed to hit 400,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify. While you can likely quantify that number from the help of these songs performing well on playlists and TikTok, you can’t deny that these two songs, with “I Lied, I’m Sorry” in particular, are incredibly catchy bodies of work.
If I could describe “I Lied, I’m Sorry,” an instant favorite of the year for me the moment I heard it, in just one sentence, I’d say it’s like an Olivia Rodrigo track made by her cooler, less anxiety-ridden older sister (this is not a dig by any means).
Co-written and produced by heavy hitter Rob Milton (The 1975, Holly Humberstone) “I Lied, I’m Sorry” exudes confidence from the moment it starts: it’s shameless, theatric, and fun. At such an early point in her career, it’s astonishing to see how self-actualized her artist persona is (well, seems to be), and I’m excited to see what she does next. – Kristin
“New Woman” – LISA, ROSALÍA
Release date – August 15
Lisa from Blackpink and Rosalía have finally unleashed their highly anticipated collaboration, “New Woman,” and it’s everything fans have been waiting for and more. The two global superstars, known for their bold and innovative approaches to music, have crafted a track that’s as fierce as it is empowering. With a catchy chorus that hooks you from the first listen and a bridge/breakdown featuring Rosalía’s signature style, “New Woman” seamlessly blends pop, Latin rhythms, and K-pop flair into a genre-defying anthem of strength and independence.
The collaboration had been teased for weeks, building excitement across social media, and the final product does not disappoint. With lyrics co-written by pop sensation Tove Lo, “New Woman” delivers a message of self-love and empowerment, resonating deeply with listeners around the world. The song is further elevated by a visually stunning music video directed by the renowned Dave Meyers, whose cinematic touch brings the track’s themes to life. The video’s striking visuals, powerful imagery, and meticulously crafted details—from choreography to fashion—create a memorable and immersive experience. – Jesse
“Buzz” – Niki
Release date – August 9
Finally, we have someone describing the feeling of anticipation other than by saying “I have butterflies!” “Buzz,” the titular track from singer-songwriter NIKI’s highly anticipated third album, is one of my favorite opening tracks from an album this year, and probably the best song on the album as well.
“Buzz” paints a beautifully detailed picture of what it feels like to be excited about something: seeing your favorite band live, realizing you really like someone, starting a book that’s critically-acclaimed. These are all things that can be universally understood emotionally, but are all very different feelings that scratch a different itch. – Kristin
“In Your Bed” – Charly Bliss
Release date – August 16
After a handful of amazingly catchy and fun singles leading up to Chicago-based band Charly Bliss were released, I knew that I was headed for an amazing full-legnth album: and the band definitely didn’t disappoint!
Forever, which dropped on August 16, is only 36 minutes long, but jam-packed with colorful alt. pop moments that simultaneously feel contemporary while also reminding me of the early 2000s. I can certainly Charly Bliss fitting in right at home with artists like Avril Lavigne, Cartel, and Paramore during those (simpler) times. “In Your Bed” is a simple and sweet ode to romanticizing the mundane moments in life and making them fun: a concept that is often trite, but works effortlessly for Charly Bliss.
Side note: “In Your Bed” and the rest of Forever were co-produced by Jake Luppen and Caleb Hendricks from Hippo Campus. – Kristin
“Die With a Smile” – Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars
Release date – August 16
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, two of the most iconic and versatile vocalists in contemporary music, have joined forces for their electrifying new single “Die with a Smile.” This collaboration is nothing short of a masterclass in vocal artistry, with Gaga’s powerhouse voice and Mars’ smooth, soulful tones weaving together in perfect harmony. The track itself is an anthem of passion and resilience, with both artists delivering performances that are as emotionally charged as they are technically flawless.
Adding to the song’s impact is the stunning music video, released on Thursday, which takes fans on a time-traveling journey. Set in a retro-inspired TV studio adorned with mannequins, the video channels the spirit of the 1970s, with both singers donning Western fashion looks that pay homage to the legendary Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner. This nostalgic tribute is not just a visual feast but also a historical moment in pop culture, blending the modern with the past. With “Die with a Smile,” Gaga and Mars have crafted a piece that transcends time, reaffirming their status as pop royalty and showcasing their ability to push the boundaries of music and visual storytelling. – Jesse
“Casual Drug Use” – Katie Gavin
Release date – August 20
I know what you’re thinking: “Kristin, you just wrote about Katie Gavin’s new song “Aftertaste” last month! But I can’t help myself: I think I actually love this single more than that one. Gavin, whose debut solo album (she’s the lead singer of MUNA), is set to drop this fall, seems so comfortable as a solo artist: an observation that I find intriguing without wishing for the demise of MUNA in the slightest.
Like I mentioned in last month’s post, the vocals and lyrical choices in Gavin’s solo stuff doesn’t stray too far from what she releases with MUNA, but the production choices are much more tame: more acoustic, more folksy, and less electro pop influences. It really allows for Gavin to show off her vocal prowess: which I think deserves the spotlight for a bit. – Kristin
“Taste” – Sabrina Carpenter
Release date – August 23
I already wrote an entire review about how incredibly amazing Sabrina Carpenter’s new album Short n’ Sweet is, but I still believe it necessary for me to write about this song in particular. “Taste” is probably the best song off of the album, and that’s saying a lot considering both “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” are undoubtedly contenders for song of the year. All three of these songs are different enough from each other to have their own pizzazz, exploring different styles, lyricisms and overall sound, all while also being cohesive enough with each other to make a sort of perfect trifecta.
“Taste” stands out to me for so many reasons, starting off with Sabrina’s vocals. It opens up immediately with her voice, letting it be the protagonist of the song, and allowing Sabrina to highlight the strength and charisma she possesses. It is also still a pop song, but it relies a lot more on electric guitars and drums than the other two singles and most of the album do–synths have been a big part of Short n’ Sweet but they stay away for this one! And lastly, the idea of her leaving her mark on her ex is definitely not super new but Sabrina makes it sound so much more evil and fun than usual. “Yeah, I know I’ve been known to share.”
I am so excited for where this record is going to take Sabrina and the reception this song has already gotten it’s only making me even more hopeful for her success <3 She’s been here for a long time and it’s finally time the world recognizes and fully explores her potential. – Javi
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