Weekly Track Roundup 10/3/22: Mini Songs
And now for something relatively different - every song on this roundup batch is 90 seconds or less in runtime. We did a similar theme before, but everyone on that list has probably graduated by now so we’re doing it again haha get annihilated
Jeff Rosenstock - “NO TIME”
This song sets the energy for the entire album. In just under a minute you know EVERYTHING that No Dream is about. Plus, it's just a fun song to listen to. Jeff's energy is infectious.
-Elijah Davis
Chloe x Halle - “Overwhelmed”
I picked this song because it's one of the few sub-90 second songs I know that isn't an "intro" to an album. I feel like a lot of artists begin their albums with short intro songs which definitely serve a purpose but often aren't that enjoyable or special on their own. "Overwhelmed," on the other hand, is a short song that can stand on its own in the middle of an album. Additionally, I feel like it really showcases Chloe x Halle's incredible vocals and harmonies because of how simple it is. I also really love that this song was something they did entirely on their own, in that they sang, wrote, and produced it themselves.
-Maisie Wrubel
Tierra Whack - “Sore Loser”
Tierra Whack is the QUEEN of under 90-second songs. In fact, the entirety of her album Whack World consists of tracks no longer than one minute. Despite this, she's still able to deliver her eccentric and captivating rap prowess on "Sore Loser". And naturally, due to its short nature, we're left wanting more! Genius.
-Nolan Lewis
Orchid - “Anais Nin By Numbers”
Orchid is one of the best bands ever. All of their albums are under 25 minutes and their songs are very short, but they’re all so intense. Beautiful very loud emo. I picked this song now because the first part is incredible. The repetition of “I SWEAT EVERYTIME YOU SMOKE” is so well done, this song is amazing and if you like it check out the album, it’s an intense but jaw-dropping experience.
-Lily Lazar
Mild High Club - “Trash Heap”
It’s simultaneously a calming and disturbing song: psychedelic, experimental, and jazz all at once. The song packs a punch in it’s 77-second runtime. The song leaves you wanting more while also not knowing exactly what you just heard.
-Alexandra Taylor
Bobbing - “Threat Level Midnight”
Quite a quirky and funky little interlude from an artist I don’t know how I learned about. Quite punchy, well-produced, and tickles the right parts of my brain.
-Terry Brannigan
Clinic - “D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E”
A hilariously snotty - and extremely British - dunk on the monotony of the workweek. Always remember: Wednesday was a shit day
-Max Levin
Saba - “an interlude called ‘Circus’” (feat. Eryn Allen Kane)
Chicago native Saba is one of my favorite rappers of this generation, and his 2022 album "Few Good Things" brought along one of my favorite songs of this year. Saba wastes no time getting to the point on "an Interlude called 'Circus'", deftly jumping from bar to bar with a straight-ahead flow that makes it sound like he's breathlessly trying to tell you a wild story. Pitching his voice up to rap as his younger self, he evocatively recounts his bittersweet upbringing in Chicago in a series of loose vignettes: having an out-of-service cell phone, getting into a car crash, needing to say "be safe" instead of "see you later" to his friends. The 62-second runtime is a statement about the ephemerality of youth, reminding the listener that good things don't last, and that you shouldn't take the small stuff about your childhood for granted. The brevity of "Circus" doesn't hurt its replay value, either - along with the thoughtfully simplistic beat and Eryn Allen Kane's subtly infectious background harmonies, it's the catchiest track I've heard in recent memory.
-Nathan Hausspiegel
Tyler, the Creator & Lil Wayne - “Droppin’ Seeds”
An incredibly silky and sweet beat paired with a short, but smooth verse from Lil Wayne. A very laid back song with only a few lines from Tyler at the end of the track. A very solid song that is only a minute long
-Lukas Shvetsov
k0a - “breathe” (feat. vaeo)
"breathe" is a multiphased hyperpop-influenced track that stops and starts so quickly it's hard to catch everything the track is doing on first pass, as it seems to try something completely new every 4 bars. k0a and vaeo constantly alternate between a borderline screaming vocal delivery and a quiet, almost whispering one that will give most listeners a sort of whiplash that is strangely addicting. I've come back to this track many times over the last couple of months for the immense amount of ground it covers in its short runtime and I recommend it to anyone interested in pop music that moves at a million miles an hour.
-Cassandra Weigle
Wings - “Venus and Mars”
This song is actually the first part of a medley on the Venus and Mars album but I listen to it alone on repeat. Being pulled out of the ethereal atmosphere after just 78 seconds hurts every time.
-Kennady Cox
Smino - “MLK Dr”
This song is a fast-paced, funky song by St. Louis artist Smino. Smino is known for his strong accent, intricate flows, and versatile singing style; all of which are on display on this track. The animated video shows Smino cruising at top speed with a friend, which is exactly how you’ll feel when listening to this short but sweet song.
-Emmett Favreau
