All the best singles released in the last week

Which new music to add to your playlist.

Emily Coffey, Managing Editor • November 23, 2020

All the best singles released in the last week

Photo courtesy of Courtesy of Wikiemdia Commons

“MONSTER” BY SHAWN MENDES & JUSTIN BIEBER

The two most powerful male Candian popstars collaborated on the second single Mendes has released this year as part of his promo for the upcoming album, “Wonder.” Airy and dramatic, “Monster” is an honest appeal to the pressures of superstardom, especially faced at a young age. It is part of a larger, introspective approach to lyricism audiences are hoping to hear from Mendes on Dec. 4.

“PRISONER” BY MILEY CYRUS (FEAT. DUA LIPA)

Gritty, edgy and reminiscent of the ‘80s, Dua Lipa and Miley Cyrus’ sounds blend to form a bass-driven hit. It is about struggling to let go of an ex, which Dua Lipa seems to be an expert on.

“THEREFORE I AM” BY BILLIE EILISH

With popular songs like “bad guy” and “all the good girls go to hell,” Billie Eilish continues her trend of slightly shady and highly produced songs. “I’m not your friend or anything,” Eilish sings in the chorus. Hypnotic and demagogue, she calls out the press that exploits her stardom for their gain by dragging her name through the dirt.

“THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER” BY SAM SMITH

Though their most recent album received mixed reviews, toeing the line of transforming their sound entirely into club-ready pop, Smith released a gorgeous, orchestral ballad written and produced by Labrinth. Solemn, it seems a return to the days of “Stay With Me” and “I’m Not The Only One.”

“BLUE SKIES” BY BIRDY

It has been four years since the “Skinny Love” artist has released an album, and “Blue Skies” serves as a reminder that the talent still exists. Her haunting, euphoric sound pairs with hopeful lyrics serve as encouragement. Gentle and sweet, it deserves a listen.

“HURT” COVER BY MUMFORD AND SONS

Just dropped Friday, the London-born band released an EP of covers from their “Delta” tour. This cover of Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” follows the original sound respectfully, yet adds a new flavor at the swell of the bridge. Adding a horn, Mumford and Sons produce another iteration of a classic song.

“WHERE THE POISON IS” BY FINNEAS

Finneas targets the White House again in his most recent single. Its merit does not lie solely in the well-informed and sunless lyrics—the structure and harmony provide the song with a sense of progression.

“THE FIRST TIME I EVER SAW YOUR FACE” BY JAMES BLAKE

Initially popularized by Roberta Flack, Blake’s satin vocals display emotion and control, chaos and certainty, as he covers a gorgeous piano ballad. Though it lacks dimension, the overall control and sincerity of Blake’s approach preserve and renew the jazz-club slow dance song.

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About the Contributor

Emily Coffey, Managing Editor

Emily Coffey is a senior broadcast journalism major who loves John Mayer, Bernese Mountain Dogs and high fives. [email protected] I grew up in the beautiful state of Oregon, which provided a lot of opportunities for adventures like white water rafting, mountain biking, and hiking. During a three-month stint in Nepal with my family (I was homeschooled), I got to document the lives of 13 women who had undergone some form of human trafficking, medical neglect, or family abuse. From here, I found my passion for storytelling. Though I came to Biola as a music major, I started working at the Chimes my freshman year and quickly made the switch to broadcast journalism. My love of verbal and written communication, especially in storytelling, soon blossomed into a love of visual storytelling. Now, I work for the Chimes and am heavily involved in many other student media organizations. You can find me covering a story, interviewing students about their artwork, at the beach, or running.