A&L Tunesday: Oct. 23

Illustration courtesy of Olivia Havre

By Emma Weidmann | Arts and Life Editor

There’s no in-between with the new music this week. These fresh releases swing between mellow and downright depressing to high-energy and stomping. There’s a decent amount of new tunes to listen to this week, so let’s get into the best from hyper-pop princesses and classic rock legends.

“In The City” by Charli XCX, Sam Smith (Oct. 19)


We’re starting energetically with this week’s list. Trust me, these songs get sad fast, but not “In The City.” This one is a classic dance tune, with a catchy pulse and an upbeat vibe. I’m honestly shocked that this is the first song with Charli XCX and Sam Smith since it’s such a natural pairing, both in genre and vocals.

“Suburban House” by Lana Del Rey, Holly Macve (Oct. 20)


Lana Del Rey and Holly Macve decided now was the time to drop a soul-crushing piano ballad — just in time for a rainy fall season. “Suburban House” is vocally beautiful and emotionally very heavy, but it’s well worth a listen.

“A Night To Remember” by beabadoobee, Laufey (Oct. 20)


The drama and mystery is there with “A Night To Remember” — you almost imagine yourself walking down a rainy street in 1940s New York City. You pass a handsome stranger, and the music starts to play.

This is a cute, bossa nova-inspired tune by two singers with some of the most wispy, graceful voices out there. Laufey and beabadoobee are a combo made in heaven. Jazzy, charming and sweet, this duo teamed up to create a song with nothing lacking.

“Mess It Up” by The Rolling Stones (Oct. 20)


To close out this week’s list, we have the return of some much-needed energy. “Mess It Up” is a single from “Hackney Diamonds,” The Stones’ first studio album in nearly two decades. It’s true to the band’s gritty, rock-‘n’-roll roots, but it has a modern feel to it that saves it from coming across as “hackneyed” or overdone.