Singles Roundup: Blank Era, Jasmine Cain, Xtasy, & Cuddle Death

We just celebrated International Women's Day, so in honor of that, let's use it as the focus of this week's look at new songs.

Blank Era - Apology!

Described as a song for when you're "out of fucks to give", Blank Era is again feeding upon the demons that inhabit our minds. This time, Jaycee is belting her way through a song that gives the finger to the sort of person who balks when they aren't allowed to dictate the terms of any kind of relationship. Whether friends or lovers, we have all encountered one of those people, the ones who only reach out to you when they need you or have no other option, and who brush off anything that doesn't fit the way they want to interact. Jaycee's voice is gritty as she tells this person off, apologizing for putting herself above the harmful treatment, telling them "sorry, not sorry" if they don't like it.

Screaming those words must be cathartic. I wouldn't know, as the people I feel that anger for either have dropped out of my life entirely so I can't confront them, or still have enough power over me I can't bring myself to tell them what I actually feel. That makes a song like this one powerful and relatable, and the reason bands like Blank Era are important. Jaycee is giving voice to something we don't hear enough of in the mainstream, and what a voice it is. This a band on the rise, for sure.

Jasmine Cain - Hurt

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Jasmine Cain's album "White Noise", which was one of those records I thought was going to be a sign of things to come. I still love it, and play it with some regularity, but I haven't felt the same connection to the music Jasmine has made since. Her newest song strips back the modern edge, going back to the sound of that album, or even "Highway Prophet" before. Shimmering guitars and twinkling piano notes are a subtle backdrop for her smokey voice, which emotes and resonates the story about the effects of being hurt on the people we turn out to be. I like Jasmine best when she is being honest and authentic, and pulls back on the volume to allow the arrangements to highlight her voice. This is very much what I heard when I first discovered her, and it's a very welcome return to the familiar.

Xtasy - If I Fall

The second single from the band's upcoming album is another example of their brand of uplifting melodic rock. They take the sound established by Erik Martensson in Eclipse, but give it a warmer tone that is far more inviting. Rather than sounding like they are trying desperately to be heavy and edgy, Xtasy feel more comfortable being themselves. What could have been a cheesy gang chorus instead becomes more of a rallying cry, where the band joining in comes across as genuine camaraderie. The key to this remains Silvia's voice, which is able to project melody while retaining a sharp tone that cuts through the mix. There's just enough grit when she pushes to make her performance sound passionate, without going so far we lose the authenticity. Xtasy's last album was great, and it's good to hear the wait seems to have been worth it.

Cuddle Death - Sorry/Smush

This is one of those groups whose name might make you do a double take, but look past your initial impression. It's hard to take a band seriously with the name Cuddle Death, but they play with a punk fury, and feature the screaming voice of Renee Phoenix, who you might know from Fit For Rivals. This group pounds ahead with volume and energy, wanting to dig into our heads through sheer power. They manage to do that, with thick guitars and rough vocals still able to hit the hooks in a way that reminds me of the old days of pop-punk, if those were pressed on vinyl that has collected dust to get between the record and the needle. This is rough and gritty, and the sort of music that makes you reconsider the value of anger. When it sounds like this, it's a far healthier emotion.