Welcome to Sound Station, where we’re highlighting the best new tracks that came out this week. Head into the weekend with songs from Poppy, WILLOW and more.
Paramore’s “This Is Why” Is a Trippy Return to Indie-Pop
After a five-year hiatus, Paramore’s return to music feels like a warm embrace after walking home on a rainy day. Still concurrent with Paramore’s signature duality of eccentric instrumental parts matched with self-reflective lyrics that delve into the pressures to live up to expectations, this psych-pop-leaning track still leaves room for surprise and enjoyment. The chorus loop is one that will undoubtedly get stuck in your head. –– Yasmine Summan
Slipknot channel the intensity of the Iowa era with “H377”
Slipknot‘s latest album The End, So Far is quite possibly the band’s heaviest material in recent years and harkens back to their 2001 nu-metal classic Iowa with its dark aesthetic and subject matter. Out of the wide range of heavy tracks on the new release, “H377” stands out due to its sheer brutality, frantic vocals and unsettling electronic soundscapes that feel straight out of a horror movie. Vocalist Corey Taylor repeatedly shouts, “One of us knows who hates me, one of us loves that,” over an anthemic chorus of apocalyptic proportions. –– Alessandro DeCaro
Polyphia throws an epic shred fest with Steve Vai on “Ego Death”
Instrumental progressive-rock quartet Polyphia have outdone themselves with their latest single “Ego Death,” a frenetic composition of intricate guitar scales, slap bass, funk rhythms, and tasteful electronics. With “Ego Death,” the band has kicked things up a notch by inviting the legendary guitar virtuoso Steve Vai to add his signature flair. The music video for “Ego Death” also does not disappoint, featuring stunning rooftop shots of the band performing in downtown Los Angeles and a glorious scene of Vai sitting on a makeshift throne and ripping a face-melting guitar solo. “Ego Death” will appear on the band’s forthcoming release Remember That You Will Die out Oct. 28 via Rise Records. –– Alessandro DeCaro
Meet Me @ The Altar’s “Say It (To My Face)” Is a Pop-Punk Power Statement
Of their growing discography, “Say It (To My Face)” is one we haven’t seen from the beloved three-piece Meet Me @ The Altar. Though the instrumental counterparts stay true to their pop-punk heritage, the much-needed messaging within the lyrics is (understandably) unforgiving. While “Hit Like A Girl” takes the high road of “don’t let anyone get you down,” “Say It (To My Face)” is a warning — they might look friendly but you do not want to mess with this trio. –– Yasmine Summan
DEVORA’s “God Is Dead” is the goth-country anthem for the end times
LA-based singer-songwriter DEVORA has always possessed an uncanny ability to fuse country, rock, goth, and industrial music to create an entirely distinct genre she dubs “outlaw-pop,” and her latest single “God Is Dead” might be the most fully realized song yet from the emerging artist. “God Is Dead” opens with tremolo guitars and badlands soundscapes, accompanied by DEVORA’s signature southern drawl. Soon enough, it explodes into a full-on goth-industrial onslaught of pulsating synths and booming 808s. DEVORA’s lyrics touch on themes such as nihilism, faith, and rapture, and “God Is Dead” is meant to embody the difficult times that society has faced in just the last two years alone. In addition to the new track, DEVORA has announced that she will release her new EP God Is Dead Oct. 21. –– Alessandro DeCaro
Julia Wolf’s “Get Off My” has her primed to be the next big thing in pop
Julia Wolf might just be the next breakout alt-pop star. On her new, synth-tinged single “Get Off My,” the newcomer puts her own signature spin on the kiss-off. Produced by Jackson Foote of Loote (Demi Lovato, Tate McCrae) and Ionut Madalin Rosioru, the song is the latest offering from her forthcoming debut album. Between her soft, quivering vocals and fiery choruses, she’s giving serious Olivia Rodrigo-meets-Dua Lipa vibes. –– Ilana Kaplan
HARDY’s “Jack” Is country-meets-hardcore chaos
If AC/DC and Cole Swindell had a musical love child, it would be HARDY. The Big Loud up-and-comer’s latest single “JACK” is his first tried-and-true rock offering. The hard-hitting new track tackles the worrying grip alcohol can have on people and its lingering effects and shows why the 2022 ACM Songwriter of the Year is definitely one to watch. –– Ilana Kaplan
