Welcome to the latest instalment of What’s Going On, Biff Bam Pop’s weekly new music roundup. It can be hard to keep up with all the deluge of tunes that are constantly being released, so that’s what we’re here for! Whether you’re an alt-pop devotee, a diehard emo superfan, or prefer smoother R&B sounds, there’s something here for everyone. As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to stream and follow the artists.
K.Flay – Alt-pop sensation K.Flay just dropped her new studio album MONO, via Giant Music. Her first album for Giant Music, the 14-track MONO was executive produced by heavy hitter Paul Meany (Twenty One Pilots, Shania Twain.) Over the span of its 14 songs, K.Flay explores the ins and outs of loss and transformation. Along with the new album, there’s also a new animated video for the standout track “Punisher.” What’s the story behind the album’s title? K.Flay explains: “The title is partly a nod to the idea of mono versus stereo and that shift in my auditory experience, but mostly it’s speaking to the fact that your entire experience of this world is within you,” she says. “You can view that as alienating, or you can view it as the natural circumstances of existence—something we all share. So when people hear the album, I’d love for them to come away with a feeling of strength in their aloneness.”
Listen to K.Flay’s new single “Punisher” below.
charlieonnafriday – 20-year-old singer/songwriter charlieonnafriday just dropped what is sure to be an arena rock staple. “Undefeated” is an undeniable pump-up anthem that features production from Tyler Dopps. With its adrenaline-inducing horns and charlieonnafriday spitting about not taking Ls, you can practically imagine a sports team listening to the track as they get ready to step on the field. What did charlieonnafriday have in mind for his new single? The rising star says: “Growing up playing football, I’ve discovered there’s no better feeling than finding a song that can lock you into that fired up mindset and make you feel like you’re on top of the world. My new song ‘Undefeated’ is an anthem made for moments like these and is the perfect hype song for any situation.”
Listen to charlieonnafriday’s new single “undefeated” below.
Youth Fountain – Vancouver, BC pop-punk project Youth Fountain has got a new album on the way. The project of guitarist/vocalist Tyler Zanon, Youth Fountain’s highly anticipated third studio album Together In Lonesome is due out November 3 via Pure Noise Records. Giving us a taste of what to expect from Together In Lonesome is the emo banger “Fallen Short.” What’s “Fallen Short” all about? According to Tyler Zanon: “‘Fallen Short’ is written about the struggles of trying to find my forever person and the challenges of changing relationships. This was a track that Anton DeLost had written instrumentally and I threw my lyrics and vocal melodies over the song and it came together pretty fast. It’s a very different vibe from regular Youth Fountain. Some different influences for sure you can hear through this one, sometimes a change is needed to keep things fresh and this song definitely shows it.” If you liked what you heard, you can catch Youth Fountain opening for Story Of The Year on the road this fall.
Listen to Youth Fountain’s new single “Fallen Short” below.
Preston Pablo – JUNO Award-winner Preston Pablo is back with his new single “Believe”, out now via 31 East / Republic Records / Universal Music Canada. After becoming one of the preeminent young stars on the pop market, the Canadian crooner is returning to his R&B roots with a smooth new track. On “Believe”, Preston teams up with Grammy Award-winning producer Rico Love (Usher, Beyonce, Wiz Khalifa, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Rowland). Talking about his new direction, Preston Pablo says: “I’m super excited to be putting out music like this. Especially after playing in the pop space for the last while, putting out R&B music feels right. Some of my earliest music leans very R&B so getting to tap back into that space is refreshing. I think ‘Believe’ is a great transitional record for the newer fans who haven’t heard my R&B side of my music. The blend of pop mixed in with early 2000s R&B melodies make it feel like the perfect song to initiate this new journey.”
Listen to Preston Pablo’s “Believe” below.
Wild Nothing – There’s a new Wild Nothing (the project of Jack Tatum) album on the way. Hold is due out on October 27 via Captured Tracks. The latest taste of what to expect from that project is the new single “Suburban Solutions.” Backed by his wife Dana and Molly Burch as a faux choir and featuring big bright synths, the single has a decidedly ‘80s vibe. In line with the track’s throwback feel, “Suburban Solutions” has a retro-soaked Tatum and Josh Burgess-directed video that takes aim at the rampant jingles, commercials, and advertising that Tatum remembers experiencing as a child growing up. You won’t have to wait too long to hear how the song sounds live, as Wild Nothing is heading out on tour this November.
Listen to the new Wild Nothing single “Suburban Solutions” below.
Dessa – Singer, songwriter, rapper, and all-around entertainer Dessa is out now with her new single “Decoy,” via Doomtree Records. The song serves as the latest release from Dessa’s forthcoming album Bury The Lede, due out September 29. “Decoy” allows Dessa to put her rapping front and center, flexing her skills over the vibey track produced by Lazerbeak (Doomtree, Lizzo) and Andy Thompson (Taylor Swift, Dan Wilson). The song also has an equally creative video thanks to director/VFX animator Adam Dunn. Speaking on how the “Decoy” video was shot, Dessa states: “The video for ‘Decoy’ was filmed on a single camera in the basement of director Adam Dunn’s house. He set up a treadmill in front of a green screen; I brought a dinner plate and my hair dryer for props. Adam is a master of video effects and I–if I may boast for a moment–did not fall down even once during filming.”
