Maggie Rogers’ first single off of her long-awaited sophomore album Surrender is finally here and it is exquisite. “That’s Where I am” is Rogers’ first release since beginning graduate school and it fulfills every bit of expectation built by her beautiful first album. Sonically, it feels gorgeously joyous, but its lyrics paint a picture of the toll that waiting to be with the one she loved took on her. “You never touched me but I felt you everywhere,” she sings on the second verse when reminiscing of her lover’s relationship with another girl that she had to sit and watch when they were merely friends. This song will hit home for anyone who has ever felt a certain way for a friend, but it’s Maggie Rogers’ voice and storytelling that will leave you coming back for more every single time. Her second studio album Surrender will be released on July 29th.
“Offering” by burningforestboy is a sexy, brutally chill track from his new album STARSCREAM. The South African artist’s voice is almost hypnotic as he pours out his feelings to his lover in lines like “I won’t give you anything more than what you need Baby, you tell me what you want and you’ll receive“. The 2 minute and 19-second-long song is definitely way too short, but it begs to be endlessly repeated. The track’s success has been monumental for burningforestboy, as he’s become the first South African musician to be featured as the Cover artist for major Spotify playlists like Fresh Finds. If he continues making music like this, there’s sure to be many more milestones ahead.
Gracie Abrams’ newest release “Block Me Out” is another stunningly raw collaboration between the singer and The National’s Aaron Dessner. The two previously worked on Abrams’ beautiful EP This Is What It Feels Like, which was met with critical acclaim in November 2021. “Block Me Out” is Gracie at her best- an open wound spilling out her truth with a voice that will haunt you for the rest of your days. “I think I’m burning alive, but nobody sees the fire, ’cause when I open my mouth, I seem to be stuck in silence,” she sings on the second verse of how her mind plays games with her and holds her back from the ones she loves. As always, Gracie portrays a self-awareness unlike any of her peers and somehow puts into words the feelings that we all struggle with, when the voices in our heads get too loud and we wish we could shut them down. The fact that she brings attention to it so beautifully is perhaps the first step in getting better and she’s gifting her listeners with taking that step in the right direction as well.
Check out the rest of the songs featured on Fresh Brewed #10 below!
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