Did you ever wonder what that long-haired guy on campus listens to in his free time?
What kind of music he likes or what music suggestions he would offer?
Well…here is your chance!
I will include some of my personal favorites as well as some recent releases.
Why should you care? Because I’m the music director for 96.1 The Wit, and you can tune in either through our app, livestream or a good old fashioned radio to hear for yourself.
These are my top 10 picks for January 2019!
Emarosa – Don’t Cry
To my close friends and family, you should not be surprised that my favorite band is on this list.
With close to a decade of music, line-up changes, and genre hopping, Emarosa has really covered a lot of bases.
Their new album Peach Club will drop Feb. 8, and “Don’t Cry” is the second single off of the record.
From previous genres such as post hardcore and alternative rock, Emarosa embraces their newest genre, pop, with open arms.
It Looks Sad – Creature
It Looks Sad is a lesser-known band from Charlotte, N.C.
They are signed with Tiny Engines and have two EPs. The latter of the two, Kaiju, being released in 2015, holds the song “Creature.”
Blending rock with melancholic lyrics, Creature will be sure to put you in your feelings.
Gds, Juice WRLD – Cigarettes
Gds and Juice WRLD collaborate on the album Let Go, released Dec. 12, 2018.
The song “Cigarettes” talks about the comparison of addiction (such as cigarettes) and the love Juice WRLD holds for a girl.
Although this song is labeled Hip-Hop/Rap, it uses a guitar background to add to the depressing subject matter.
Definitely a sad listen, but a good one.
Car Seat Headrest – Bodys
Car Seat Headrest is an indie/rock originating from Leesburg, Va., currently belonging to the label Matador Records.
The song “Bodys” comes from their eleventh album Twin Fantasy.
“Bodys” is a very different song, as it has five verses, four choruses, two pre-choruses, a break, a refrain, a bridge and an outro.
Forewarning, there are a few curse words in this song. However, the song uses its language and negative tone to get its point across.
The 1975 – Robbers
One of my personal favorites, The 1975 recently dropped their third studio album A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships on Nov. 30, 2018.
However, the song “Robbers” comes off of their self-titled debut album The 1975 from September 2013.
“Robbers” talks about the relationship between two people and the constant cycle of second chances.
The ending line of the song “You look so cool” shows their love for each other, no matter what happens.
Greta Van Fleet – You’re The One
Greta Van Fleet has had an immense amount of success within the past two years, playing sold out shows and having multiple Grammy nominations.
Their sophomore album Anthem of the Peaceful Army peaked at number three on the Billboard Top 200.
The song “You’re The One” currently sits at number 15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart.
“You’re The One” is a power ballad which is reminiscent of a late 70’s love story.
Mixing expert guitar playing skills with beautiful lyrics, “You’re The One” is a rock masterpiece.
Being As An Ocean – L’exquisite douleur
Being As An Ocean is a post-hardcore/melodic-hardcore/rock band (also there is a lot of screaming).
The song “L’exquisite douleur” comes off the the album How We Both Wondrously Perish.
The song title translates to “the exquisite pain.”
This is a band that I have actually seen live, and I loved every second of it!
All Time Low – Dear Maria Count Me In
Formed in 2003, All Time Low is an emo/pop-punk band from the Baltimore area.
Quite possibly one of the greatest love ballads of my emo phase in high school, “Dear Maria Count Me In” is from ATL’s second studio album So Wrong, It’s Right.
In 2015, the song was certified platinum after it reached 1,000,000 copies sold.
You will be sure to appreciate this song while driving, as drivers of other vehicles will stare at you while you pour your heart out!
Mac Miller – Come Back to Earth
The 2018 album Swimming was one of Mac Miller’s greatest achievements, as it reached number three on the US Billboard 200, and is currently nominated for Best Rap Album in the 61st Grammy Awards.
There were a lot of songs off of this album I love, but I chose “Come Back to Earth” for it’s beautiful melody and expert lyric writing.
Unfortunately, in 2018, Mac Miller tragically passed away.
As an artist whom I listened to a lot growing up, Mac Miller is truly missed.
Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers – Peach Scone
I was debating between Peach Scone, Creve Coeur 1, Demarcus Cousins & Ashley, and Romeo and Juliet.
Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers produce a very different style of music.
The actual music itself seems to bend around the poetic lyrics of Frank Lopes Jr. (frontman) as each individual song takes you on an incredible journey.
“Peach Scone” is off of the album The Rise of Hobo Johnson.
The version I like the most is the 2018 NPR Tiny Desk Contest rendition, as the lyrics are slightly changed from its original version.
This song does have curse words, so forewarning.
And these are my top ten for January 2019!
Make sure to check out these songs, as well as the upcoming list for the month of February to make sure you’re keeping up with all of the cool new music.
