Singles Round Up: Jan. 22

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

“Homesick” - Noah Kahan featuring Sam Fender

Noah Kahan continues the assembly of an all-star roster of collaborations on songs from the deluxe version of his breakthrough album, “Stick Season”.

Sam Fender joins the likes of Kacey Musgraves, Hozier, Gracie Abrams, Post Malone and Lizzy McAlpine as featured artists with Kahan.

“Homesick” is a play on the word, as Kahan (and now, Fender) yearn to escape their hometown, detailing how they are molded by their upbringing.

Fender’s verse recalls the aftermath of the Meadow Well riots of 1991, mentioning the “static cranes” that stood empty in his hometown of Newcastle.

A chorus that was already anthemic is only made stronger by Fender’s distinctly high vocal range, a great compliment to Kahan’s original track.

The outro features the saxophone alongside a guitar solo, an instrument used in other Fender songs such as “Seventeen Going Under.” - Matthew Zwiercan

“Home Less” - Owen Riegling

Each week, clicking onto genius.com, there are new songs. It’s fun to just scroll and click on a random release. This week it was “Home Less” by Owen Riegling.

Normally, there’s not much of a connection to the song. However, this week, this random single resonated much more. The lyrics, “I just can't be happy with where I'm at/My head's in the clouds, and my heart's in the past” sums up so many feelings.

Going to a college hours away from home, and moving on with life has been a huge struggle. Growing up sucks!

Riegling captures that exact feeling. “I love that I'm seein' more, but hate that I'm comin' home less”. Wow.

While the song is just a generic country ditty with three verses, a bridge, and a repeating chorus, power lies in the lyrics.

There is a nice melody similar to that of “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen. Overall, it’s a spiffing song. Go give it a listen! -Isabel Sweet

“Neon Pill”- Cage The Elephant

Cage The Elephant released their first new single in nearly five years in “Neon Pill” but the song fails to show any evolution from the half-decade away.

While the song shows off the quality the band consistently puts into their music, “Neon Pill” sounds like it could have been a bonus track off of “Social Cues.”

This stands in the way of the musical progress the band has been known for. After five years, a change in sound was expected from a comeback track.

The track is led by warped guitar and drum kits, playing like an alternative rock song mixed into an underground pop beat.

The lyrics are confusing, which fits into the group’s prior work where many of the songs sound nonsensical until they get explained by lead singer Matthew Schultz.

Cage The Elephant seems to be returning to recent vibey sound in their new music. -Evan Smith

Matthew Zwiercan is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mzz5317@psu.edu.

Isabel Sweet is a second-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email ips5219@psu.edu.

Evan Smith is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ers5828@psu.edu.