10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of Feb. 19, 2021
With new releases this week from Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Maggie Lindemann and so many more, we can hardly keep up.
Yes, another week gone means another week of fabulous new music from our favorite artists. This time around, they've all outdone themselves. From country to rap to indie rock and pop, there's a little something here for everyone. Can't wait? Keep reading for 10 big things that happened in music the week of Feb. 19, 2021.
1. Moon Taxi Drops Inspiring Video for 'Say'
Since the track first dropped in January, "Say" by Nashville-based indie band Moon Taxi has been one of our go-tos when we've needed a dash of inspiration. We have to say that now that its new music video has dropped, we're loving it even more. The music video gives us major Wes Anderson vibes, and shows a number of outcasts coming together and realizing that they're enough. The track is an anthem for anyone who's scared, empowering them to find their courage and speak the truth in their hearts. We think you'll love it as much as we do.
2. NOTD and Catello Join Forces for Powerful New Beat 'Nobody'
Swedish DJ duo NOTD have been our favorites for a long time, and their new collaboration with anonymous newcomer Catello is the romantic, danceable track you need to kick off the greatest weekend ever. The music video is also dreamy and serene, detailing a love story by shifting between idyllic wilderness and moody interiors bathed in red light. "We're so excited that this video is finally out," NOTD explained in a press release. "We sought [director] Brooke James out because we're huge fans of her work and we're so happy that she took up the project with us. The physical setting she chose and the emotions brought out by the cast placed the song in just the world we imagined."
3. Julia Gargano Releases Debut Track 'You Don't Get To'
American Idol alum Julia Gargano just released her debut track, and it's everything we could have asked for from the soulful singer. The beautiful single is a soaring and painfully relatable true story about the end of a relationship that we think is going to be finding its way onto a lot of heartache playlists. "I wasn't ready to stand up for myself back when I was going through this breakup, but now a couple of years later, it feels like another chance to tell him how I really feel," Julia explained of the track in a press release. "This is my first single release post-American Idol, so this one really means a lot to me. It's a special milestone and represents the beginning of an awesome chapter in my life."
4. Collab Queen Amy Shark Teams Up With Keith Urban for 'Love Songs Ain't For Us'
The last time we were gushing about Australian indie darling Amy Shark, it was for her stunning collaboration "C'mon" with Travis Barker. This time, she's back yet again with a teamup of a different genre entirely. "Love Songs Ain't For Us" shows off a different side of Amy's voice and songwriting ability, and Keith Urban's vocals really bring out its country romanticism. And did we mention that Amy co-wrote the song with legend Ed Sheeran? "Ed asked me if I wrote songs about my man, I told him I do, but love songs aren't really for us," Amy explained in a press release. "He then smiled and said, 'Okay that's what we'll do then.' This song is as loved up as you'll get from me and I love it."
5. Tom Odell Makes a Triumphant Return With 'Numb'
English singer-songwriter Tom Odell has pretty much been off the musical grid since spring of 2019, so we're very excited to see that he's back making music, and if anything, we think he's better than ever. The powerful song is about feeling like you're barely part of the world, and feels especially relevant in our socially distanced world. The music video, in which Tom shaves his head, is the perfect image to go along with it. "I would say there was this period where I was just disconnected," Tom explained in a press release. "I felt bogged down, like I was beginning to lose that sense of lightness." We're glad that time is over for him, and the song is everything.
6. Maggie Lindemann Releases Music Video for Her Dreamy 'Love Songs'
While indie singer-songwriter Maggie Lindemann is best known for her edgier, harder hits, she also has a gentle side that's explored beautifully in "Love Songs," off her recent EP Paranoia. The lyrics and vocals are delicate and romantic, brought together by incredible home movie footage captured by Maggie's boyfriend Brandon Arreaga. "I was so so so in love when I wrote this song, I just wanted to write something for my boyfriend and then we ended up deciding to actually put it out," Maggie told Sweety High of the track.
7. Isaac Dunbar Unleashes His Evil Twin EP
We've been eagerly awaiting the release of Isaac Dunbar's Evil Twin EP ever since we were introduced to the talented 17-year-old last year, and it's everything we could have asked for. It's an incredible accomplishment, and despite shifting tones and styles throughout, the result is one cohesively potent set of songs. "Evil Twin is a display of my current state of mind in regards to my artistry and ego," Isaac explained in a press release. "A part of me wants to make the experimental music I love to listen to, and the other half of me loves the pop music; so I had my evil twin sing the experimental records and I sang the pop records." Check out the new track "Fan Behavior" below to see what he means.
8. Alan Walker and Salem Ilese Collaborate on the Epic 'Fake a Smile'
English-Norwegian DJ and producer Alan Walker truly has the Midas touch—everything he puts his hands on is instant gold. His latest track, "Fake a Smile" featuring singer Salem Ilese, is proof of of that. The track is moody and emotional, with a cinematic sci-fi music video that somehow makes it feel even more epic. "'Fake A Smile' is a song that I've been working on for a while," Alan explained in a press release for the track. "I really like the meaning behind it, and Salem Ilese did an amazing job of performing the vocals. She's an exciting artist that I think people should definitely pay attention to in the time to come."
9. Sam Fischer and Demi Lovato Share the Music Video for 'What Other People Say'
We adored the lyric video that came out when Sam Fischer and Demi Lovato's profound collab "What Other People Say" first released—but this new music video for the song is even better. The subway setting really drives home the sense of loneliness and isolation inherent in the song, but when Demi and Sam's voices join forces, it shows us that we're not alone in feeling swayed by people's expectations. "'What Other People Say' is a confession, realizing how far away you can get from who you are in an effort to be liked," Sam said of the song in a press release. "It's about the pressures of society and how getting caught up with the wrong things can change you."
10. Ariana Grande Releases 5 New Tracks With Positions (Deluxe)
If you didn't think it was possible for Ariana Grande's Positions album to get any better, you certainly weren't alone. However, the deluxe edition featuring five new tracks might prove you wrong. This updated album dropped today with all of the songs of the original, plus "Someone Like U," "Test Drive," "34 +35 Remix" featuring Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, "Worst Behavior" and "Main Thing." They're all incredible, but we have to say that "Test Drive" is our new fave.
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