Singles Round Up: March 18

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

“I Guess” - Lizzy McAlpine

Lizzy McAlpine is a Pennsylvania native who hit peak popularity in 2023 with her song, “ceilings.” While her genre is considered pop, it’s very ataraxic pop.

Most of McAlpine’s other melodies are slow, but this one might take the cake. In addition to having a long pause between each line, each line has its own pause. A slower tempo isn’t unusual, but on this track it’s amplified.

The only other bothersome feature is the last minute and a half is just the word “Oh” over and over again. There’s a melodic rhythm, but over a minute is a little much.

“I Guess” has a lovely arrangement of a jazzy instrumental element combined with McAlpine’s soft voice. The lyrics, “I guess it's all about timing/I guess it's all about the things you want but never get” are both so true and so torturous.

Lyrically and musically, this single is heavenly. Its somber nature only adds to the song.

“I Guess” will additionally be a part of McAlpine’s album, “Older” which releases in April 2024. If you can’t get enough of Lizzy, she will be touring after the release of “Older” with venues across America and in select European countries.

So, go give it a listen! -Isabel Sweet

“What Am I” - Zayn Malik

There has been a long Zayn Malik drought, but today there was rain in the sky. Malik released his single “What Am I.”

The single is from his upcoming studio album “Room Under The Stairs,” which is set to be released on May 17, 2024.

“What Am I” is raw and personal, and really clues listeners into who Malik is as a man but also what he has been going through in his period of silence. Malik in the past years has moved to a farm in Bucks Country, PA, and has been spending time in solidarity with his garden.

The single includes vulnerable lyrics, and Malik paints a vivid picture of his emotions in the chorus by singing “Don’t take me for what I’m sayin’/just take me for what I am.”

It’s been such a long time since Malik’s voice has been heard fresh and new through music, and his accent seems to have gotten stronger in that time. It’s recommended to listen to the song with the lyrics open, there's basically a language barrier.

If “What Am I” paints an accurate picture of the vulnerability of Malik’s fourth album, then all ER staff should be on call for May 17, 2024. -Grace Bowman

“Plucked” - Destroy Boys

Wednesday saw the release of rock group Destroy Boys newest single, “Plucked,” from their upcoming fourth album.

A performance at Coachella and opening for bands like Pierce the Veil and Blink-182, Destroy Boys have seen a steady increase in their popularity for their high-energy vibe and youthful attitude.

“Plucked” is a metaphor for wasted potential in an unfit environment, with the title coming from the idea of a bird with plucked wings that is unable to fly. Similar lines like, “My voice, taken. My choice, not mine in the first place. My fears, unseen. My troubles, faking,” further the feeling of falling short Destroy Boys is capturing.

In regular rock fashion, “Plucked” is filled with bass and electric guitars, a driving drumbeat and passion-fueled vocals. The intensity of the instrumentals gives the lyrics a more frustrated connotation than a depressive one.

Destroy Boys shows no signs of stopping or changing their discography anytime soon and the release of “Plucked” is proof of them riding their rock wave for as long as they can. -Megan Kelby

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

Grace Bowman is a third-year majoring in biology. To contact her, email gab5585@psu.edu.

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