Singles RoundUp 3/18
ScHoolboy Q - Numb Numb Juice
After three long years of little more than a feature here and there, ScHoolboy Q thrusts himself back into the conversation with his newest single “Numb Numb Juice” to the delight of fans. In just two short minutes, ScHoolboy Q shows fans that the wait was worthwhile. ScHoolboy Q gives his signature menacing delivery accompanied by an instrumental that is equally as powerful. Both melodic and hard hitting, the instrumental for “Numb Numb Juice” perfectly matches ScHoolboy Q’s demeanor. While not the most unique beat amongst Q’s discography, it allows him to experiment with his flow and delivery in ways other beats could not. ScHoolboy, who has made a mark in the hip-hop community by his consistent flow and delivery, decides to switch things up this time around. ScHoolboy Q’s delivery on “Numb Numb Juice” switches from menacing to care-free, then moving on to unhinged and eclectic, rounding it all back to menacing in a brilliant display of lyrical versatility. New music from ScHoolboy Q has been a long time coming, and “Numb Numb Juice” announces that time has finally arrived. It is clear that during his time out of the spotlight, ScHoolboy Q has been working on how to make a grand entrance. The longer the wait the more time spent with the music, a fact that ScHoolboy Q has taken to heart leading up to the release of “Numb Numb Juice.” If this newest single is any indication, ScHoolboy Q’s newest project will showcase his growth as an artist and will certainly be worth the wait.
– Zach Hall
Anderson Paak. – King James
Anderson has always been one to let you know where he stands, but on the artists latest, he really lets you hear it. It is easily his most political works to date with lines such as “If they build a wall / Let’s jump the fence / I’m over it,” to “We couldn’t stand to see our children shot dead in the streets / But when I took a knee / Them c******* took me out the league.”
Following up his award-winning Oxnard in 2018, Anderson has already announced his upcoming project Ventura. Set to feature André 3000 and the late Nate Dogg alike, there is speculation that this might be a record the artist slows down a bit on. The infectious groove-filled rhythms of The Free Nationals certainly do not disappoint on this latest release, but after such heavy bangers like “Bubblin” and “Who R U?”, Paak might just be taking a minute himself to reflect and speak on the world around us.
– Matthew Dunn
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Fishing for Fishies
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's newest single, "Fishing for Fishies," takes the listener's familiar idea of the band and turns it on its head. The song is a very guitar-heavy, fun and pop-sounding track, with hints of the original psychedelic style the group is known for. However, the trippy style takes a backseat to this new sound, and it proves to work in its favor. There appears to be a good balance between the old and new, almost as if this new sound was just subtle packaging of the old. The guitar blends the styles seamlessly, in a way that exemplifies the vocals and usual reverb alongside this new, fun direction. Unlike the previous release "Cyboogie," the title track of their new album shows us that King Gizzard is not afraid to attempt new styles of music, while also maintaining their familiar and iconic sounds of their previous works.
– Jack Grossman
Fountaines D.C. – Roy’s Tune
The Dublin Based rock band returns with their third single leading up to their debut LP Dogrel due out on April 12 via Partisan Records. The song, accompanied by a music video, deep down deals with Ireland’s recent 14 billion dollar back tax compensation from Apple Headquarters that the country is “afraid” to spend out of fear of Apple leaving (via The Fader). This potential loss of status versus the actual caring of their own people.
The music video follows a more accessible storyline of a man who leaves his young wife and child at home for the night to go out drinking with his friends, afraid of losing his “status” in his friend’s circle, when really all he wants is to be home with his family. The hook “I like the way they treat me, but I hate the way they use her,” befalls over the main character’s head over and over as he tries to come to terms with his actions.
The track shows an interesting “soft” side to the bands more homegrown punk roots, without losing their sound at the core of it. Fountaines continue to be one of the more exciting acts to come out of rock in recent years. While drawing similarities to legendary artists The Fall and Joy Division, the bands itself wants the world to know that they’re “more than just a post-punk” band.
– Matthew Dunn
Zach Hall is a senior majoring in Broadcast journalism. To contact him, email zth5043@psu.edu.
Matthew Dunn is a junior majoring in print journalism. To contact him, email mzd5424@psu.edu.
Jack Grossman is a junior majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email jackdgrossman@gmail.com.
