New Music from Lael Neale, Snapped Ankles, and Future Utopia
Here are the latest additions to my weekly Top Ten. These astonishingly creative works represent a sonic mix of electronic, indie, and danceable rock/pop/funk. Headphones please!
Down on the Freeway – Lael Neale
Lael Neale is from rural Virginia but her indie rock sounds suggest she’s been in a big city her whole life. In Down on the Freeway, she sings about the busy roads and constant chatter that permeate a metropolitan area. “Get me out of the lines, out of the city,” she exclaims. The incessant drive of the song is filled with anticipation for some kind of new start, “I might be late but I’ll be there.” The video finds her somewhat out of place within a group of dancing models. Once she takes a drug she is taken to her happy place and the song fades out. Solitude and freedom at last! I look forward to what else she has in store on her upcoming album entitled Altogether Stranger.
Smart World – Snapped Ankles
These English guys are a “post-punk band” that pulls together its brash electronic music with performance art. They’ve been creating and staging their unique brand since 2011. Smart World is from their latest album Hard Times Furious Dancing. It’s got a strong hypnotic vibe and a style that clearly harkens back to Devo. Love the energy while the lyrics question how smart our technologically focused world has become: “Smart world let me be. It’s not that smart as I can see. Smart world gets me down. What happened to humanity?”
Don’t Try This At Home – Future Utopia
Future Utopia is the brainchild of Grammy-winning producer Fraser T. Smith. This cool tune combines electronic elements, pop, and funk. It’s sound outshines whatever the lyrics are suggesting. It’s got a great club vibe that never loses its fundamental drive. I’m adding this one to my latest workout playlist today!
Link to my 2025 playlist:
What do you think?! Do any of these songs do anything for you? Are you familiar with the artists?
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These are all new to me. Thanks for gettin 'em on my radar!
Happy to discover Lael Neale.