Singles Round Up - PVRIS, D.R.U.G.S, grandson, Porter Robinson, Beck Pete

Here's my thoughts on a variety of singles from artists that have released over the past month and a half:

"Dead Weight" - PVRIS

• The first official single for the band's third LP Use Me, "Dead Weight" continues the same vein as songs like "Hallucinations" and "Death of Me". It's less hard rock and more pop and electronic elements than their previous material, but still feels like it's got the rawness and grit that drew me to the band in the first place. There's guitars with distortion, 808 drums, and synths all blended to make a sound that has got groove to it. It's hard not to move to it (as I sway back and forth at my desk while I write). It definitely feels like a reinvention of the band, a shedding of skin and renewal by fire in the ashes. They sound like they genuinely enjoy this music, that they had fun recording and writing it - that's evident in the song. It's a band who feels ready to reveal their true nature, to be vulnerable about who they are and not hide behind any persona or shield.

"King I Am" - D.R.U.G.S

• The idea that I would be reviewing new music from Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (D.R.U.G.S) is one of the bigger music surprises of 2020. I had to revisit their one and only album for a refresher on their sound. As I was still in high school and not even college bound when the album released (early 2011), it has been quite some time since the group had been a blip on my radar. I tried some internet research about the reunion of the group, and finally found a bit of news about the reunion. It seems Craig Owens, who founded the group as a side project, has resurrected the band again, although without any of the other original members. An album is in the works, but we'll see what becomes of that in the current atmosphere. The song itself is...alright. It's got a catchy hook/breakdown that I like a lot (part of why I keep listening to the song), but it's not very inventive or groundbreaking. Obviously not all music needs to do that, and even the band's original music wasn't that. But (at least some of) the album was unique at the time - I remember listening to "Graveyard Dancing" a lot in high school and even college. "King I Am" feels like pretty standard radio rock, unfortunately, falling in a similar vein as Fever 333 and Palisades.

"Peaches" & "Whole Lotta" - grandson

• Both of these songs are from a series of singles that grandson is doing that consist of acoustic collaborations with different artists. So far, we've seen the artist K. Flay and the band Dreamers be the featured collaborators, respectively. It's a very different sound from the artist known for his politically enraged music, but one that suits him quite well. "Peaches" sees grandson and K. Flay focusing on making something good of the pain of life. "Whole Lotta" sees grandson and Dreamers dwelling on a failed relationship and the parts that linger after you stop seeing someone. The composition for both is fairly simple - just vocals and guitars, primarily acoustic. The lyrics and melodies take the spotlight, more so than grandson's usual music. That's not to say his other songs don't lean heavily on the lyrical content - it's one of his defining features as an artist. But these songs rely more heavily on the vocals and lyrics than before due to the stripped down nature of the songs. One of my favorite lines from "Peaches" comes in the bridge "Every good somethin' started from dust". Such a great idea, especially in the present climate, that the good things in our life start from the bottom, from being at a low point and coming back from it. A line I really like from "Whole Lotta" is repeated in the chorus; "Don't you think a piece of me is still a piece of you?". This is an idea that really resonates with me, that the people that leave your life never truly are gone - we leave pieces of ourselves in all those who we grow close to. Whether it's former lovers or ex-best friends, people will come and go, but they will leave an imprint, and impression on you. While neither of the concepts of these songs are new or entirely original, I loved the way that grandson & friends approached and explored these subject matters that are relatable to many, if not all people. I'm excited to see the rest of the songs in this series, as well as the other collaborators (fingers crossed for Mike Shinoda).

"Get Your Wish" & "Something Comforting" - Porter Robinson

• I was heavily into Porter Robinson between 2015-2017, during the Worlds era (specifically the remix album and his remix of Nero's "The Thrill"). With the original version of Worlds coming out in 2014, a new album has been long overdue. As he explains online, however, Robinson needed this time to make something he could stand behind with confidence. The resulting music feels worth the weight and worth the time and obstacles Robinson had to overcome to reach this point. Both songs are more gentle, more emotionally driven than any of his previous material. It reveals his growth as a musician and as a person. "Get Your Wish" is my favorite of the two, striking a balance of soft and intense moments. The contrast between the verses and chorus are dazzling, going from these moments of intimate vulnerability accentuated by piano and strings to synths and crashing drums. "Something Comforting" follows in a similar vein, switching between more stripped down verses and well layered choruses. This one has a bit of a faster tempo, which gives it a more upbeat feeling as well. Both songs show a lot of promise for the forthcoming album, aptly titled "Nurture".

"Me, Denial, & Space" - Beck Pete

• Beck Pete is a coworker of my wife, Kellyn, and I've had the privilege of being able to see her perform a few times at shows here in Los Angeles. After getting to hear this song performed live, it's incredible to be able to hear it recorded and appreciate it on a different level. Live performances tend to (hopefully) be more emotional and vulnerable, and recordings can lose some of those qualities in the process. This song, did not lose any of the rawness that made it a remarkable spectacle live, and I am so thankful for that. Written shortly after her father's death, Pete sings to her father, pondering on his perspective after life. The chorus, is what is most remarkable, lyrically;

"We're all taught to, run away,

when there's talk of, expiration dates,

I knew one day you would exit with grace,

now I'm stuck here, saving your place,

it's just me, denial and space

• It's an extremely vulnerable song about a very personal and trying time in one's life, and Pete handles it with an incredible amount of authenticity and grace. It's so well written, and reveals a talent that I know will continue to grow and shine with more time and exposure. If you haven't heard any of her music, I highly recommend also checking out the EP "Muse" - all of the songs on that record are of the same high quality and craftsmanship, and will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate all that life has to offer.