Singles Round Up: March 21

Story posted March 21, 2022 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Department

The Arts and Entertainment Department takes a look at some of the recently released singles from the past week.

“HONEY” - Solar

After a brief hiatus, MAMAMOO’s Solar has returned with a new solo mini-album titled, ‘FACE.’

This marks her first comeback since she made her solo debut in 2020, and Solar is the third member of MAMAMOO to have made a comeback this year.

While her long-awaited mini-album was only released on Mar. 15, several tracks such as ‘HONEY’ have already soared on international music charts.

The fact that ‘HONEY’ has already captured the hearts of millions of listeners around the world should not come as a surprise, as Solar wastes no time in this fast-paced upbeat track.

Her vocals and instrumentals complement one another beautifully, and there is an unexpected amount of jazz-like flair that surprisingly pairs well with the bass in this track.

“I’ll come up to you as if to give you everything, but then I’ll take away everything that I gave again.

Everyone stares at me with honey in their gaze, so if you come up to me as if I’m already yours… you’ll get hurt badly,” Solar sings in the chorus of this single.

The lyrics add a reasonable amount of sass and cheek to the dance track makes it feel perfect for the upcoming summer.

While it is well-known that the members of MAMAMOO are all incredibly talented, Solar truly showcases her talent as a solo musician with the release of this track, as well as the rest of the tracks on her mini-album. - Rene Ahn

“The Lightning I, II” - Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire finds themselves returning to their earlier sounds on their newest singles, “The Lightning I, II.” They have completely ditched the disco-Esque rock sound that they attempted on their previous record, “Everything Now,” and have returned to the indie vibes from their debut, “Funeral.”

The first track is slower, yet very cinematic. It features an array of strings, an accordion, and a piano. The chorus is simple, yet very sweet. “We can make it if you don't quit on me | I won't quit on you | Don't quit on me,” Win Butler sings passionately.

The second part picks up the pace tremendously and sounds very grand. It reflects on the journey of life, and how people can take immense losses and wins, but that even when one is down, there is something good right around the corner.

Arcade fires are flourishing and stronger than they have been in almost a decade. However, this triumph came with a price.

Will Butler, the longtime instrumentalist of the group, announced on Saturday that he had left the band. He noted that he contributed to each song on the upcoming record, but regardless it is still sad to see him go.

“WE,” their sixth studio album is set to release on May 6th of this year, so fans should be excited to hear what they have in store. They have also teamed up with veteran producer Nigel Godrich for the record, so expect excellency. - Caelan Chevrier

“Eyes Don’t Lie” - Tones and I

“Eyes Don’t Lie” is the latest single from Australian pop star Tones and I. This is her first single following her critically panned debut studio album, “Welcome To the Madhouse.” Although there was no anticipation for Tones and I’s latest single, this song still fell short of all expectations.

This song is dreadful. Tones and I’s vocals sound worse than nails on a chalkboard, and the incoherent melodies and instrumentation create a confusing structure for the song.

Tones and I attempted to showcase a variety of vocal types, yet despite her efforts, she misses the mark badly. Her belting is reminiscent of a dying whale and her vocal layering in the bridge sounds like a bunch of jumbled sounds paired together.

Tones and I’s efforts to improve melodically and vocally completely fail, especially during the beat switch from chorus to the bridge. This is an embarrassing song that clearly shows that Tones and I have not improved from her atrocious first studio album. - Jack Freiser

“A Little Bit of Love” - Weezer

90s band Weezer released their single, “A Little Bit of Love,” on Thursday. It is slated to be on their EP, “SZNS: Spring,” which is set to drop on Sunday.

“SZNS: Spring” is the first EP out of four that will be released in the coming year by the band. Each EP will feature songs that appeal to the season they are titled as.

As a single, “A Little Bit of Love” is underwhelming when compared to other Weezer singles. It fits with the theme of spring, fueled by an uplifting beat and positive lyrics, however, the tone of lead singer Rivers Cuomo’s voice and the chorus line of, “a little bit of love goes a pretty long way,” makes the song extremely cheesy.

The inspirational guitar chords are joined by a drumbeat that imitates hand-clapping, adding to the already cliched single.

Although “A Little Bit of Love” is a weak song, its peppy vibe achieves the goal of the EP. Hopefully, the coming EPs will have a more developed sound than what has been displayed with “SZNS: Spring” so far. - Megan Kelby

Rene Ahn is a fourth-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email rba5236@psu.edu.

Caelan Chevrier is a second-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email cjc6789@psu.edu.   

Jack Freiser is a second-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email jef5614@psu.edu.

Megan Kelby is a second-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email mkk5701@psu.edu.

About the Contributors

Caelan Chevrier's photo

Caelan Chevrier

Third Year / Marketing & Journalism

Caelan Chevrier is a third-year student in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University studying marketing and broadcast journalism with the goal of graduating with a bachelor’s degree in four years. His career goal is to spread informative, meaningful, and entertaining content across various platforms and to be a positive impact on the community. He has also spent time working at WWE in the communications department and writing for The Westport Local Press in his hometown of Westport, CT. If you’d like to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Jack Freiser's photo

Jack Freiser

Third-Year / Telecommunications

Jack Freiser is a third-year student in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University studying telecommunications. He is very passionate about both music and film. He aspires to impact the music business as a successful A+R by signing artists who will be culturally relevant and will leave an impact on the world, and through keeping a strong relationship with the artist and their team. Email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Megan Kelby's photo

Megan Kelby

Fourth-Year / Journalism

Megan Kelby is a fourth-year from Newark, Delaware majoring in journalism and minoring in English and history at Penn State. She is a member of the arts & entertainment department for CommRadio. To contact her, email her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Rene Ahn's photo

Rene Ahn

Senior /

Rene Ahn is a fourth-year student from Tenafly, New Jersey. She is currently studying Broadcast Journalism and Sociology at Penn State.