New Music: JACOTENE, Night Moves, & Garbage

Three new songs have hit me in the past week or so:

Stronger – JACOTENE

JACOTENE is a singer/songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. She made a name for herself with a song called I Need Therapy in 2022 (which I’ve only just heard for the first time.) Some have compared her voice to that of Adele and Amy Winehouse. With her track, Stronger, it’s clear she can be subtle while also letting her voice build and soar. The recording also boasts a beautiful melody and arrangement. For a quiet, reflective moment, check out Stronger.

Ring My Bell – Night Moves

Seeing this title, you might think that this American band has curiously decided to cover Anita Ward’s classic disco smash from 1979. In fact, while the sentiment is basically the same (“You can ring my bell, honey, anything you need…”) and the undeniably catchy chorus is repeated several times over, this is a very different track lyrically and sonically: more solid pop with drums, piano and a synthesizer to accompany and add a bit of 80s flair. I’ve been fan of these guys for several years and they always come up with something hook-laden (including Hold On to Tonight, which I highlighted earlier this year) and satisfying.

R U Happy Now – Garbage

Back in the 90s, Garbage scored two successful solid and adventurous alternative/synth albums: their self-titled debut in 1995 and their Grammy-nominated Version 2.0 in 1998. Tracks from those albums (Stupid Girl, Push It, and I Think I’m Paranoid) landed comfortably in my annual Top Ten lists. Since then they’ve produced little that has hit me on the same level. However, they’ve just released their new album, “Let All That We Imagine Be the Light,” which I’ve yet to explore in full, but I’ve welcomed back their sound on the songs There’s No Future in Optimism and the track R U Happy Now. The latter features a combination of all that I’ve enjoyed from the band: an enticing and danceable synthesized sound, Shirley Manson’s cool vocals, catchy lyrics, and a gritty production. Glad to have them back in my universe!

Link to my 2025 playlist is here!

What do you think? Which of these songs grabs you?