New Music from Sarah McLachlan, Electric Guest, and Nate Owen
Do It Again – Nate Owen
Nate Owen originated from rural Idaho before relocating to Los Angeles. According to his Spotify bio, his “music seeks to reconcile his formative experiences with his current self through the lens of self-acceptance and introspection.” He’s released only a few singles including this latest song which focuses on leaving behind an abusive relationship with another man. It’s a very honest and revealing tune set to a satisfying pop arrangement. I could do without the spoken word sections but they do further open up the lyrics making them even more confessional and resonant. This is a young queer artist to watch.
Play Your Guitar – Electric Guest
I’ve been a fan of Electric Guest since their 2012 debut album Mondo. The band is led by Asa Taccone and Matthew Compton. Their influences include pop, hip/hop, and soul. Play Your Guitar is their first new release in several years and suggests a rebirth of sorts and a call out to pick up a guitar and just play. It’s got a great vibe from beginning to end.
Better Broken – Sarah McLachlan
McLachlan and her mellower approach to alternative music were everywhere in the late 90s, including the infamous and influential Lilith Fair tours. I was a major fan of her albums Fumbling Towards Ecstasy and Surfacing back then. While I seem to have let some of her subsequent releases pass me by I still think she’s a great songwriter and very distinctive vocal artist. Better Broken feels like a welcome return. Maybe I’m just in a renewed McLachlan state of mind or this song is just hitting the right chords. According to a quote on her Concords Records label, “Life is hard, and you get bashed around a bit, but I feel more wholly myself than I ever have, I think it’s true that we learn so much more about ourselves from our failures – what it takes to heal and find ways to stay open and curious is a theme for a lot of this record.” The complete album is scheduled to be released on September 19th.
Link to my 2025 Playlist is here!
What do you think of this week’s songs? What new are YOU listening to?
I had no idea Sarah McLachlan had albums after Fumbling Towards Ecstasy and Surfacing. But, from 2002-2015 are my blank years for anything aside from alternative rock and whatever popular music bled through.
This new song sounds great! I was a huge fan and loved Fumbling and Surfacing. I actually listened to them a TON when I was in my car by myself back in 2002-2004 while I was driving to different campuses to finish my MA (the main college was 2 hours away, but offered some classes closer to where I was living).
I need to check out Sarah’s latest record. I also lost track of her several years ago!