New Good Song: "Brand New Moves," Hey Violet 8.20.16

Here's a new good song: "Brand New Moves" by Hey Violet. It's fun and sexy. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Fire Fallin," Polly A. 8.20.16

Here's a new good song: "Fire Fallin" by Polly A. As of this writing, it has fewer than 100 views, so you're getting on the ground floor. If people have taste, this will be a hit. They don't, though. The highlight here is an unusual, unexpected chord progression in the chorus. All around very nicely done, other than the too-sudden ending (a pet peeve of mine; fade-outs, unexpected denouements and interesting breakdowns are always better than cutting the song off at the end of a chorus ... it's jarring and lazy). Anyway, enjoy!

New Good Song: "Kids," OneRepublic 8.20.16

Here's a new good song: "Kids" by OneRepublic. This band's output has been a firehouse of material since they came onto the scene nearly 10 years ago with "Apologize," a sleeper hit (shamelessly credited to Timbaland, who remixed the track, "featuring" OneRepublic) that peaked at No. 2 and was No. 5 for the year on Billboard's 2008 year-end chart. (Here's the original.) They put lots of material out in the subsequent years and later exactly matched the success of their debut, when "Counting Stars" peaked at No. 2 and was No. 5 for the year on Billboard's 2014 year-end chart. It happens that those two hits also are their two best songs, although a few others have been OK. Now they're back with "Kids," their best effort at least since "Counting Stars" and possibly since "Apologize." Remains to be seen, of course, whether the public agrees. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Give Me Tonight," Dustin Tebbutt 8.14.16

Here's a new good song: "Give Me Tonight" by Dustin Tebbutt. Enjoy!

New Good Songs: "Bleeding Heart" and "Small Bill$," Regina Spektor, 8.14.16

Here're two new good songs: "Bleeding Heart" and "Small Bill$" by Regina Spektor. Spektor is the latest in the great line of "Look me, aren't I quirky?" female singers like Kate Bush andTori Amos. She had the third-best new good song of 2006, her breakthrough and best-known track, "Fidelity." More recently she had the 45th-best new good song of 2012, "All The Rowboats," which I just re-listened to and think may have been better than I gave it credit for. She's got something for sure. These new songs are pretty good, too. Enjoy!

"Bleeding Heart":


"Small Bill$":

New Good Song: "Cheap Thrills," Sia f/ Sean Paul 8.14.16

Here's a new good song: "Cheap Thrills" by Sia f/ Sean Paul. I'm being a bit facetious by including this one because it's neither new, nor obscure enough to need to be called out in this way. It's currently the No. 1 song in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100. But I did want to go on record as saying that this track, which I originally dismissed, has grown on me. Sia had the second-best new good song of 2015, "Elastic Heart," as well as the 16th-best new good song of 2012, "Titanium," credited to David Guetta with Sia as a featured vocalist. "Cheap Thrills" is perhaps the most positive thing Sia has released, about not needing money to have fun (although I'm not sure how she got into the club without cash; and what is she drinking, water?). Sean Paul, incidentally, does music that generally isn't very good, although he was featured on Beyonce's "Baby Boy," the 10th-best new good song of 2003. Guess he's better in small doses. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Cry Baby," Fickle Friends 8.14.16

Here's a new good song: "Cry Baby" by Fickle Friends. This English '80s throwback band was previously responsible for "Velvet," the 26th best new good song of 2015. "Cry Baby" is a bit faster with higher energy, but is in keeping with "Velvet" stylistically. Lead singer Natassja Shiner has tremendous capabilities on these tracks to be vulnerable while delivering performances as clear as glass. Enjoy!

New Good Songs: "Geeks," Hailey Knox 8.14.16

Here's a new good song: "Geeks" by Hailey Knox. It's a cute self-affirmation song, employing an appealing and slightly oddball chord progression and string arrangement, about outcasts getting their comeuppance. She's done a live video featuring people playing board games, but I prefer the studio version below. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Iron In The Fire," Tall Heights 7.22.16

Here's a new good song: "Iron In The Fire" by Tall Heights. Fantastic classic chord progression and a great bassline and use of drums. Also wonderful melody and rhythm. Very catchy. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Friends," Francis and the Lights f/ Bon Iver 7.22.16

Here's a new good song: "Friends" by Francis and the Lights f/ Bon Iver. It is electro magnificence buttressed by originality and an earworm hook. A great accomplishment. The video features Kanye West, but the song doesn't appear to give him credit. His contribution is nebulous, but whatever, it's great stuff. Bon Iver had a new good song back in 2012 with "Beth/Rest" but has, to me, been relatively low-lying in recent years. This is the best thing he's done of which I'm aware. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Catching On," Elephante f/ Nevve 7.16.16

Here's a new good song: "Catching On" by Elephante f/ Nevve. It has some Sia influences and a great build. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Gabriel," Bear's Den 7.16.16

Here's a new good song: "Gabriel" by Bear's Den. This is tremendously beautiful -- touching lyrics, wonderful arrangement, and a distinctive vocal delivery that brings it together. Great effort. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Body Say," Demi Lovato 7.9.16

Here's a new good song: "Body Say" by Demi Lovato. I really liked her 2012 song "Give Your Heart A Break," and 2013's "Heart Attack," but have been less enamored with her output since then, even though it's been pretty popular in the general public. But this one's an improvement. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Firechild," Coleman Hell 7.9.16

Here's a new good song: "Flowerchild" by Coleman Hell. This person has turned out to be one of my favorite acts of the past couple years. He's done some great music, like "Thumbalina," "Take Me Up" "2 Heads" and, most recently, "Fireproof." This one is good, too, and like many of his other songs, it has some welcome humor. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "If You Should See," Wye Oak 7.9.16

Here's a new good song: "If You Should See" by Wye Oak. I can't understand any of the lyrics, but I like the music. Reminds me a bit of Scenic. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Lazy Lover," Lonely Benson 7.9.16

Here's a new good song: "Lazy Lover" by Lonely Benson. This person was responsible for "Was Something Else There," which was my 32nd favorite song of 2015. "Lazy Lover" is much more upbeat, sort of Jason Mraz-ish. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Steal The Night," Kitten 7.9.16

Here's a new good song: "Steal The Night" by Kitten. Reminds me a bit of The Naked and Famous, or Deluka. Has a bit of an alternative '90s feels. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "I Will Love Again," Bat For Lashes 7.9.16

Here's a new good song: "I Will Love Again" by Bat For Lashes, the stage name for a singer named Natasha Khan. I'm a pretty big fan of this singer; she's put out lots of great songs, including but not limited to "Daniel," "Laura," "A Wall" and "In God's House." Her latest album is a concept piece called The Bride, with all the songs telling the story of someone left at the altar. Sad stuff, but "I Will Love Again" is a highlight, and it's gorgeous. Simple. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Leaving You," Maria Mena 7.9.16

Here's a new good song: "Leaving You" by Maria Mena. If her name sounds vaguely familiar, it may be because you remember her minor 2004 hit "You're The Only One," which was in semi-heavy rotation on MTV. She's had some continued success in her native Norway but has been relatively silent and unknown in the U.S. "Leaving You" is not nearly as upbeat but it has some nice instrumental touches. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Crash," Usher 7.9.16

Here's a new good song: "Crash" by Usher. This is similar to his hit from a few years back, "Climax." It won't be successful because it takes some patience and repeat listens to appreciate how lovely this track really is. It's one of his best ever, in my opinion. Give it a chance, and enjoy!