Being stuck inside due to the frigid temperatures of January is always a tough way to start the year, luckily I’ve been able to keep myself distracted from the weather with a lot of music. I’ve certainly listened to a lot of music this past month and I wanted to recommend some of my favorite songs from this past month.
Five: “Til I Forget About You” by Big Time Rush
I rediscovered “Til I Forget About You” after hearing someone use it in the background of their TikTok video and countless memories flooded my brain. Whenever I listen to this song I picture my five-year-old self singing along to the Big Time Rush television show in my living room. I love the energetic instrumental and passionate lyrics from the band about a fairly relatable topic. Something about this song and Big Time Rush’s music brings me so much, and I’m thankful I rediscovered this song.
Four: “Good Intentions” by 24kGoldn
Similar to the previous song, I discovered “Good Intentions” by 24kGoldn through his own TikTok promotion of this song, which was released on Jan. 5. “Good Intentions” discusses 24kGoldn’s lifestyle changes and struggles since his rise to fame in 2021. His strong delivery paired with his vulnerable lyrics makes this song an interestingly unique listen compared to his previous songs. This song reflects a newly developed sense of maturity for 24kGoldn and myself in a way as I used to be a big fan of his music years prior.
Three: “Slipping Through My Fingers” by Declan McKenna
Before listening to Declan McKenna’s version of ABBA’s “Slipping Through My Fingers”, I had only heard of and listened to his song “Brazil” which is seemingly featured in every beach or summer-related TikTok. I had always enjoyed ABBA’s original version of the song and I was intrigued to listen to McKenna’s version, and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought his melancholic and calming vocal delivery works perfectly with the guitar instrumental. I hope that McKenna continues to create acoustic songs, similar to his version of “Slipping Through My Fingers”, in the future.
Two: “Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage the Elephant
Once again, another song that I listened to a lot this month was ingrained into my brain for weeks by TikTok. I love the guitar and drums within the instrumental, and they heavily elevate the vocal delivery from the band’s lead singer, Matt Shultz. As I listened to this song more, I began to pick up on lyrics that resonated with and the subject matter of looking for change and trying to move on from a period of one’s life hit home.
One: “4Me 4Me” by Malcolm Todd
Since the summer of 2023, I’ve been in a huge Malcolm Todd phase, the man simply cannot make a bad song. Every song he releases maintains the groovy instrumentals and upbeat lyrics, I can’t help but dance along every time I hear one of his songs. “4Me 4Me” certainly meets and even exceeds my standards for a good song from Todd, after about two months of the song’s promotion on TikTok, Todd finally released “4Me 4Me” on Jan. 26. The song features once again another groovy instrumental and upbeat lyrics about a love interest. “4Me 4Me” is the lead single to his upcoming EP titled “Sweet Boy Part 1”.
I hope my selections can help expand and diversify your music taste, and I’m looking forward to listening to more music as the year progresses.
