Written by Cassidy Byrnes
Every Friday, a staff member at the ugly hug curates a list of their five favorite new(ish) releases to share with us all. This week, our writer Cassidy put together a list of indie-folk heartthrobs, twangy love songs and bedroom pop spinners.
“Right Back to It” by Waxahatchee (feat. MJ Lenderman)
Ugh, I just love achy country twang songs. Waxahatchee, the project of Katie Crutchfield, has become one of my favorite artists over the past couple of years. Listening to her album Saint Cloud took my life in a new direction, and that direction was my return to loving country or country-adjacent music. She recently released her sixth solo, full-length project, Tigers Blood, which is where “Right Back to It” resides. This track features MJ Lenderman of the band Wednesday, whom we love here at The Ugly Hug. In the way of production, the bass line offers a swing-and-sway and allows for a haunting little banjo melody to peak its way through. As the title implies, this song is all about falling back into the arms of a past flame. The comfort that appears when you’re around someone who knows you so well, while also knowing all the reasons it never worked out. A vicious cycle.
“Leave” by Phoebe Go
Phoebe Go popped up on my radar back in October with her release “Something You Were Trying,” and then, serendipitously, she ended up opening for Briston Maroney on the first half of his U.S. tour at the end of 2023/early 2024, which I was in attendance for in Milwaukee, WI.
Building up to her first album release, Marmalade, on May 17th she has been releasing absolutely stinger singles. I would say banger but everyone has given me some extreme heartburn while listening. “Leave” is the third single released in this circuit and holy smokes. The guitar work along with the easy-going drums make a perfect canvas for a devastating self-analysis of relationship insecurities. Asking the question, “Are you gonna leave me? / Tell me what’s it gonna be?” There is a little “huh” that adds an extra pang during the chorus, and I just love production treasures like that.
“Heart Shaped Locket” by Shallow Alcove
If this song came out in 2019/2020, I genuinely think it would have ruined my life. “Heart Shaped Locket,” offers a devastating narrative about growing up and leaving the comfort of home. The gorgeous harmonies created by the band of friends make the deep ache of letting go grow exponentially. I highly recommend listening to this one horizontally with a box of tissues nearby. Check out Shallow Alcove’s most recent release Keepsakes.
“Chariot” by Babehoven
Babehoven has easily become a staple in my rotation after seeing them open for Slow Pulp back in November. “Chariot” is a part of their new project Water’s Here In You released last Friday. This song feels like a hug after a long day of doing something you didn’t enjoy. I often listen to it on my walk home from work and it just puts me at ease. The mellow guitars and laid-back bass lines offer a warm tenderness which is also reflected in the soothing lyrics, “This time, you’re moving through it, you’ve found a way out / And you’re gonna keep it close / This time you’re clean, between and you’ll be / Sparkling even through the chaos.” It’s like a hype song without the hype.
“Sadness As A Gift” by Adrianne Lenker
This one was hard to put words to. Adrianne Lenker has a pure talent for writing the most gut-wrenching songs while leaving enough space for the listener to apply their own experiences to them. “Sadness As A Gift” was the second single released in preparation for her new album Bright Future, which dropped back in March. Lenker takes us through a break-up in the span of this 4-minute and 19-second track, and while not going into too much detail, allows the listener inside of the relationship with her intense lyrics. Starting with, “You and I both know / There is nothing more to say,” in order to take us on this journey of acceptance and understanding. Rather than leaving in anger, she leaves with an appreciation for everything the relationship was.