Strange recently announced a new album produced in part by Jack Antonoff (who has worked with Taylor Swift, Lorde, St. Vincent, and Fordham grad Lana Del Rey, among others). Due out in February, Horror is inspired by his experiences growing up Black and queer in Oklahoma.

“Sober,” the incredible new single from the album, is Strange at his best: honest, raw, and vulnerable. In his own words, “This song is about falling short in a relationship, over and over, and drinking because of it. Being in love but not being the best at showing it or feeling successful within it.” Falling musically somewhere between Fleetwood Mac and the War on Drugs, the song is a culmination of the immense talent Bartees Strange has shown in such a short period of time. I, for one, cannot wait to see where the new music takes this amazing musician and songwriter.

WFUV Discovery is a new music recommendation from Russ Borris, music director at WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org), Fordham’s public media station.

Fast forward to April of this year, when the band announced a massive tour to go along with a new record deal with XL and a brand-new song called “Starburster.” The band’s rise in such a short time has been incredible to witness, and the latest single—from the forthcoming album Romance—takes the group to an entirely new plane. Singer Grian Chatten took inspiration from a real-life panic attack and included gasps in the song’s chorus, creating a most unexpected hook for the track. Chatten displays a confident swagger, and his phrasing is nothing short of hypnotic as he weaves his way through the song like a frontman 20 years his senior.

It’s an exhilarating direction for a band poised to make good on the promise to become the “next big thing.”

WFUV Discovery is a new music recommendation from Russ Borris, music director at WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org), Fordham’s public media station.

While there is a “Gold Soundz”–era Pavement vibe to this song, elements of Sonic Youth, the Breeders, Veruca Salt, and Smashing Pumpkins all shine through in Momma’s music. And while there’s an obvious nod to the past, Momma is clearly focused on the here and now.

WFUV Discovery is a new music recommendation from Russ Borris, host of the podcast 8Track and music director at WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org), Fordham’s public media station.

The album’s first single, “Jeff Goldblum,” is a play on the real-life crush that Brown has had on the actor. In the song, Brown meets a Goldblum look-alike and the song and story evolve from there, with a series of clever lines over some tasty synths reminiscent of the early work of the Cars. It’s fun and hooky and easily should turn more music fans on to the band. And who knows, maybe Jeff Goldblum himself could be one of them?

WFUV Discovery is a new music recommendation from Russ Borris, host of the podcast 8Track and music director at WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org), Fordham’s public media station.

“Motorbike”
by Leon Bridges
From the album Gold-Diggers Sound

Over the past few years, Leon Bridges has established himself as one of the more important new voices in music. Coming off his throwback 2015 debut album, Coming Home, Leon released Good Thing, a sonic exploration of all styles of R&B, three years later. Now, he’s back and furthering his evolution with the new album Gold-Diggers Sound, released in July. Lead track “Motorbike” is all vibe, and just breezes by like a summer wind.

As Leon sings “we don’t stop, but the time do,” it puts you in total relaxation mode, ready to just let go and kick back.

A new music recommendation from Russ Borris, music director at WFUV, 90.7 FM, wfuv.org.

“Impossible Weight”
by Deep Sea Diver
From the album Impossible Weight
Jessica Dobson is a wildly talented guitarist who has spent much of her career playing on the road with Beck and recording with the Shins while putting out several releases with her band Deep Sea Diver. Her latest, Impossible Weight, is her strongest and most impressive work to date. The title track instantly hooks you in as she urgently sings the refrain: “But that was then, and this is now.” Her guitar work in the song is edgy and intricate, conjuring comparisons to that of St. Vincent. Throw in the welcome addition of guest Sharon Van Etten, who takes the lead on one verse, and you’ve got depth and dimension, making this one of the best songs of 2020, hands down.

A new music recommendation from Russ Borris, music director at WFUV, 90.7 FM, wfuv.org.

“Hollywood”
by Car Seat Headrest
From the album Making a Door Less Open
Car Seat Headrest began as a solo project for Will Toledo about a decade ago. In the beginning, Toledo’s brand of indie rock was searing and guitar-driven, but “Hollywood” bears more resemblance to Beck’s Odelay (1996) than to Toledo’s previous work. It’s clear that 1 Trait Danger, Toledo’s more electro-sounding side project with drummer Andrew Katz, had an influence on the new album.

With the refrain “Hollywood makes me want to puke!” this track may not be your traditional song of the summer, but then again, this summer is shaping up to be anything but traditional. “Hollywood” is hooky and catchy and a completely fun listen that is likely to turn a whole new audience on to the music of Car Seat Headrest.