Autumn has always been known as an emotionally-stirring time of year. As the warm summer sun fades and the seasons change, we assess the journey as we come to the year’s home stretch. We learn what to keep near, as well as which layers to shed.
These three songs deal with the latter part of that equation — and the ways we often struggle to do so, in search of brighter days.
Hear What You Should
Do you feel that chill in the air? Better put on some FIRE to keep us warm.
This month was full of fire, and we’re here to let it burn. These 20 tracks are a glorious snapshot of what September had to offer, weaving through genres and moods to create one true eclectic, yet unified masterpiece.
Let’s not delay. Get to it!
Hear the Best of September
We have new tunes blowing in, like the gentle early-autumn breeze currently sweeping through Nashville.
This week’s Songs You Should Hear lineup features three emotionally-gripping new tracks from female artists. We start by whisking you away to the scenic Pacific Northwest, before transporting back in time to the 1980s — with a twist! Then, we close with a frantic pop anthem about the difficulties of finding love, when we find it hard to love ourselves.
Hear What You Should
We’ve tried to hang on to the summer of 2022 for as long as possible. And, if you’re in Nashville this week, it certainly seems like Mother Nature is thinking along the same lines.
But… it’s over. We’re officially heading into fall this week, but not before a last hurrah of high-powered summer bops. The first half of UMC20 is loaded with those, before gradually giving way to more mellow sounds befitting the cooler months.
OK… there are some Americana-tinged scorchers at the end, too. We couldn’t help ourselves!
Listen to UMC20
Hip hop and pop rule the day in this week’s edition of Songs You Should Hear. From the ambient and dreamy, to the unabashedly direct, we’ve got the goods that will keep your brain and body moving.
By the way, we do this every Friday, and are always down to receive new submissions. So, if there’s something you think we should hear, let us know!
Hear What You Should
In just three tracks, Foundation Mecca showcases his versatility on the new EP, Feels Good 2 Be Alive.
Listen to the EP
There is no shortage of exciting new sounds to be heard on this week’s edition of UMC20.
From high-powered pop punk bangers, to cool hip hop and R&B vibes, to the storytelling spirit of Americana, this one has it all. We’ve even snuck in tunes from artists on our next couple NashLive! lineups, just for fun.
All told, this week’s playlist is designed to give you something you’ll love. What are you waiting for? Get in there!
Listen to UMC20
Musically, these three songs are quite different from one another. However, with music being the universal language and all, that doesn’t mean that they don’t share common themes.
This week’s Songs You Should Hear are about breaking free: from the rigors of everyday life. From the throes of addiction and pain. From relationships that do not reflect our best selves or our best interests.
If any of that resonates with you, please step inside.
Hear What You Should
Summer is unofficially over, and that means it’s time to get down to brass tacks by delivering you some fresh, recently-submitted HEAT.
OK, so maybe one of these songs wasn’t submitted, and is included here simply because I’m vibing on it, post-sabbatical. Which one? Well, here’s a hint: it’s from Dirty Heads’ new album, Midnight Control, which released on August 26 and, personally speaking, is already one of my favorite albums of all time. Sometimes, a new record just hits the spot.
After that, though? You’ll enjoy a multitude of multi-genre flavors straight from our submission form. Hope you’re ready!
Listen to UMC20
We’ve had a multitude of adventures this month on the way to landing on the UMC20 Best of August. We even had a guest curator step in one week (thanks, Jenna!).
The end result? 20 different perspectives, informed by genre, life experience, and the tastes of multiple curators, mixed up into a musical gumbo pot and best served hot.
Hear the Best of August