Brent Faulkner
Slightly eccentric with interests that seem to know no ends, restless ‘Renaissance Man’ is the best way to characterize Brent Faulkner, a native of Kentucky. A certified music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for his incredibly sharp ear, he lives and breathes music of a variety of styles. In addition to passion for educating, performing, and writing music, he’s equally passionate blogging and writing about it, managing his own site, The Musical Hype. When he’s not intensely analyzing music, you can find him reading or watching a movie, reality television or some sporting event
Sofia – Clairo
7 August 2019
“Know that it isn’t right, but you could be my one and only.” What alt-pop artist Clairo (Claire Cottrill) is referencing is her attraction – her same-sex attraction. On her mature debut album, Immunity, she tackles a host of topics, including two songs that explore sexuality…
Now as Then – Tune-Yards
29 July 2019
“Oh, don’t trust me / That I won’t take all the money and run.” Reading into the lyrical excerpt from Tune-Yards’ “Now as Then,” vocalist Merrill Garbus seems to be referencing thievery. Without any context, one might analyze these lyrics as being pretty basic. That said, “Now as Then,” which appears on the alternative duo’s 2018 album I can feel you creep into my private thoughts, is much more intriguing and complex than the aforementioned lyrics might suggest…
Urban Mantra – Van Hope
22 July 2019
“Once you let fear go / You will be free again, flying.” Sebastian Hope, the frontman of Chilean rock band Van Hope, is speaking some serious truth. The aforementioned excerpted lyrics hail from “Urban Mantra,” the closing song from the band’s 2019 album, We Have Nothing, We Want it All.
God Control – Madonna
11 July 2019
“Every day they have a kind of victory / Blood of innocence, spread everywhere / They say that we need love / But we need more than this.” Madonna has had it with the failures of the United States on one key issue – gun control. Amen sister!..
Single Mother – Noble Gray
3 July 2019
“You dreamed of having a picture-perfect family / But the man, you chose for this, wasn’t for keeps…” Life is filled with a number of arduous, less than ideal situations that need to be fixed and totally atoned for. In many instances, musicians have penned songs able to assuage numerous unbearable or nearly-unbearable ails and various tribulations…
Satisfied – EMM
24 June 2019
You never look when I’m naked / Are you still loyal to me? /… You don’t appreciate me / Oh something has changed.” Clearly, the ‘unappreciation’ is real for the talented L.A. based singer-songwriter and producer EMM. In addition to wearing multiple musical hats, the classically trained musical prodigy is also a women’s advocate, something that she presents ‘loud and clear’ throughout the course of “Satisfied”…
American Skin (41 Shots) – Bruce Springsteen
18 June 2019
“41 shots / Cut through the night / Kneeling over his body in the vestibule / Praying for his life.” Man, what incredibly heavy, unsettling lyrics. They aren’t merely poetic but based upon an incredible American tragedy. 2019 marked 20 years since West African immigrant Amadou Diallo was fatally shot by the NYPD sparking outrage…
New Magic Wand – Tyler, The Creator
11 June 2019
“I need to get her out the picture / She’s really fuckin’ up my frame / She’s not developed like we are.” Hmm, those are some truly intriguing lyrics from Tyler, The Creator. Tyler has been the poster child of controversy many times throughout his career…
Sad Forever – Lauv
5 June 2019
“I just wish that I could wake up my mind…” Those are simple, yet powerful and relatable lyrics from pop musician Lauv (Ari Staprans Leff). The key word from the lyrical excerpt is ‘mind,’ as he addresses personal mental health issues on “Sad Forever.” Interestingly, Leff touched upon such issues on the preceding single, “Drugs & the Internet”, dealing with anxiety and depression…
Make America Great Again – Frank Turner
22 May 2019
“Let’s make American great again!” Sigh, ‘Make America Great Again’ was the campaign slogan touted by President Donald Trump. Philosophically, via MAGA, Trump painted the United States as a nation in danger – essentially ‘damned’ – yet entirely fixable thanks to his policies. Safe to say, MAGA fired-up supporters of the president, including members of the alt-right. Furthermore, it also strengthened the resistance movement opposing the policies of 45…
This Land – Gary Clark, Jr.
14 May 2019
“I see you looking out your window / Can’t wait to call the police on me.” Supremely talented, Grammy-winning blues, rock, and R&B singer and guitarist Gary Clark, Jr. has lots to say on “This Land,” the title track from his 2019 album. The things he addresses definitely aren’t sugarcoated or the least bit comfortable…
How Long? – Vampire Weekend
8 May 2019
“How long ‘til we sink to the bottom of the sea? / How long, how long?” After a six-year hiatus, Vampire Weekend returned with arguably the most ambitious album of their career, Father of the Bride…