New Good Song: "Ocean," Lauren Aquilina 10.17.15

Here's a new good song: "Ocean" by Lauren Aquilina. Lauren is a young English composer, singer and pianist who specializes in melancholy ballads. She has released an EP each year since 2012, each with a one-word title -- "Fools," "Sinners," "Liars" and, now, "Ocean." Also, each has a water theme in the cover art, a choice that for a while I assumed had something to do with her last name, which I guessed incorrectly was some derivation of "aqua," but actually means "little eagle." Point being there is a steady sameness to her output in mood, theme and marketing.

On the weekly chart I keep for myself as a log of my song preferences, she's had three appearances: "Sinners," which came in at No. 46 for the year in 2013; "Irrelevant," which was No. 70 for the year in 2014, and "Broke," No. 78 for the year in 2014. Her new song, "Ocean," keeps pace with those previous releases, although it builds to a louder, more percussion-heavy climax than her other songs. Lauren is obviously very talented, so I'm hoping and expecting she'll achieve more mainstream success in the future. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Take Heart," The Sam Willows 9.18.15

Here's a new good song: "Take Heart" by The Sam Willows. This comes courtesy of my musical kindred spirit, LuisMa, whose videos, including a weekly countdown of his personal favorite songs as well as various compilations and montages through Billboard chart history, you can watch here. This is fantastic and moves in unexpected directions that almost defy description -- it's light acoustic rock with a a bluegrass influence that climaxes into a dance song. Very nice and fresh. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Lick My Lips," Katharine McPhee 9.18.15

Here's a new good song: "Lick My Lips" by Katharine McPhee. She is now relatively famous, and was responsible for a tremendously underrated song in 2009 called "Over It," This new one is peppier and has a '70s vibe. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "One Love," Marianas Trench 9.18.15

Here's a new good song: "One Love" by Marianas Trench. This band was responsible for the 18th-best new good song of 2013, "Desperate Measures." This new tune has a more Ryan Tedder feel and is more radio-friendly than "Desperate Measures." Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Arrow," Levv 9.13.15

Here's a new good song: "Arrow" by Levv. Holy crap, this is gorgeous, front to back. Brilliant melody-writing, inspired production, exceptional vocals, and great build to the climax. It all works to create a rich and cool electro-inspired atmosphere. Enjoy.
 

New Good Song: "I Will Wait," Aaron Krause 9.13.15

Here's a new good song: "I Will Wait" by Aaron Krause. Reminiscent of Lany, who's put out some outstanding modernized '80s-inspired synth pop over the past couple years. Aaron's effort here is very nice. Enjoy.

New Good Song: "Yellow Boxes," Tyler Ward 9.13.15

Here's a new good song: "Yellow Boxes" by Tyler Ward. This would be merely mediocre if it weren't for a couple exceptional touches: some nice and unexpected melody treatments in the verses, and the relatively original lyrical content. I think this song may resonate with Millennials (of which I am not one, but I can relate). Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Electric Indigo," The Paper Kites 9.1.15

Here's a new good song: "Electric Indigo" by The Paper Kites. Great energy, melody and production. My favorite song of the past few weeks. Clever video too, as it turns out. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Downtown," Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz 9.1.15

Here's a new good song: "Downtown" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz. I featured "Thrift Shop" on this blog on Sept. 7, 2012, and it was my 64th best new good song of 2012. At the time, I thought it was a novel song, and I described it thusly: "It's delivered with a nice light touch, over a pretty catchy and whimsical instrumental track, and the whole thing works together with a nice hooky chorus, delivered with humor." It, of course, went on to be a huge hit, which was a total surprise to me. In February 2013, it went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it ended up being that magazine's No. 1 song of 2013.

Now that Macklemore is famous, we can look forward to getting tired of "Downtown" after it blows up and becomes inescapable. For now, enjoy.

New Good Song: "Hands All Over Me," Tamaryn 9.1.15

Here's a new good song: "Hands All Over Me" by Tamaryn. Reminds me of an edgier version of Molly Beanland, Sky Ferreira or fellow New Zealander Kimbra. Tamaryn has another new good song called "Cranekiss," which I initially preferred, but upon repeated listens I'm digging "Hands" more. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Surrender," Gavin Turek & Tokimonsta 9.1.15

Here's a new good song: "Surrender" by Gavin Turek & Tokimonsta. The former is the vocalist and the latter is the producer. This is a pretty special '90s throwback, with hints of Crystal Waters or Groove Theory, but with a contemporary twist. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Shadowplay," The Saint Johns 9.1.15

Here's a new good song: "Shadowplay" by The Saint Johns. This duo was responsible for the 49th best new good song of 2013, "Your Head And Your Heart." "Shadowplay" is similarly light, acoustic and melancholy. Many songs in the singer/songwriter genre are these things, but The Saint Johns have superior melodies, harmonies and vocal abilities. They should be much more famous by now than they are. All it will take is having a big song on a soundtrack. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Never Gonna Take You Back," Satchmode 9.1.15

Here's a new good song: "Never Gonna Take You Back" by Satchmode. Worth a listen, but note that the intro is over a minute. What makes this '80s-inspired song particularly special is the transcendental chord change right before the fourth measure of the verses and the chorus. Like a cool breeze. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Suicide," Midnight To Monaco 8.14.15

Here's a new good song: "Suicide" by Midnight To Monaco. I absolutely adore this. It's on my playlist and I listen to it on repeat. It's innovative while also feeling familiar -- it's unusual, clever and glorious. The title is a downer, but the song is anything but ("Suicide is not for me. Doesn't suit my style" ... Brilliant). Jump to 1:40 if you need convincing. I suspect I will end up slotting this high on my year-end list. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Back Together," Robin Thicke f/ Nicki Minaj 8.14.15

Here's a new good song: "Back Together" by Robin Thicke f/ Nicki Minaj. I'm still not sure how I feel about Robin Thicke generally speaking, but I will always acknowledge good songs regardless of the delivery method. "Blurred Lines" was the 30th best new good song of 2013, based on a formula calculated from weekly charts I created for myself that year. The song did well on my personal charts several months before it gained mainstream popularity, and had that horrendously offensive video, all of which -- combined with over-exposure -- left me a bit regretful that it ended up at No. 30. He also had the 67th best new good song of 2012, "Pretty Lil' Heart," a great song that may have ranked higher had it not featured Lil Wayne, who's awful. Nicki Minaj had the No. 1 best new good song of 2011, "Super Bass," and the 57th best new good song of 2014, "Anaconda." I get what she's doing and I think she's brilliant. Anyway, "Back Together" is a good song. Hope it doesn't get overplayed. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Pray For Rain," Pure Bathing Culture 8.14.15

Here's a new good song: "Pray For Rain" by Pure Bathing Culture. I first discovered this Portland, Oregon, duo while being staffed on a work project in Portland, Oregon, and I'm so glad I did. They had 10th best new good song of 2013, "Dream The Dare" (which also has a lovely music video), as well as the 66th best new good song of 2014, "Ever Greener."  Now they're back with something still distinctively in that eletro-pop adult contemporary category, but a bit livelier and poppier. My one criticism of "Pray For Rain" is that the repetition of the final minute and a half is a bit tiresome. Feels like they ran out of ideas or something. But, still, an appreciated effort. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Do What You Like," Taio Cruz 8.14.15

Here's a new good song: "Do What You Like" by Taio Cruz. This is just great. Reminds me a bit of "The Other Side" by Jason Derulo, the fifth-best new good song of 2013. "Do What You Like" is not quite as housey/clubby, but the two songs share the common thread of great songwriting and very nice vocal delivery, in a tight pop structure. Also worth mentioning that both these artists are clearly inspired by Michael Jackson, which is nice to hear. I particularly like the bass line in "Do What You Like," and the way the instrumentals scale back during the last line of the chorus -- a subtle but wonderful touch. Actually I have to say this whole track is just fantastically produced overall ... There's real creativity here. And, finally, this video nearly makes me heterosexual. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Miradors," Solomon Grey 8.14.15

Here's a new good song: "Miradors" by Solomon Grey. Well, it's sort of new. Apparently it was released late last year, but it's new to me. Solomon Grey was responsible for the 49th best new good song of 2014, "Firechild." This one is slower and more haunting, and very catchy at the same time. There's clearly real talent here. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "You Change," Lindsey Webster 8.14.15

Here's a new good song: "You Change" by Lindsey Webster. It has a slow, jazzy throwback song very reminiscent of "Inside That I Cried" by CeCe Peniston, and "All Woman" by Lisa Stansfield, both wonderful R&B songs from the '90s. This is music you listen to relax to by a roaring fire, or get freaky to on a summer night. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "White Light," Shura 8.14.15

Here's a new good song: "White Light" by Shura. I liked this song originally for its '80s production, but wasn't particularly overwhelmed beyond that. However it's really grown on me over the past few weeks. Sexy vocals, sweet melody, wet bass line, funky atmosphere, and creative lyrical content ("You're different, I like it. You're from another planet, ah. I'd like you to take me there. You can fly your alien spaceship.") Enjoy!