Singles Roundup: Soen, Greta Van Fleet, Dream State, & Make Believe Friends

 The year is winding down, but that doesn't mean music is stopping just yet. We've got a few new one-off songs to talk about, as well as one signal to the future. Let's see what's on the docket this week.

Soen - Antagonist

The last two Soen albums both won Album Of The Year from me, and they just announced their newest will arrive in January. Obviously, that means my expectations are massive. This first single... nails it. Soen has been on a roll where they have found their sound, and are using it to write great song after great song. This song balances their aggressive and groove-heavy riffing with moments of calm, with another subtle but memorable melody. No one else balances interesting rhythms with strong melodies the way Soen does, and even with a dirtier production, this song is pointing toward a third straight album as good as modern metal can be.

Greta Van Fleet – My Way, Soon

All the whining about Greta Van Fleet sounding like Led Zeppelin miss out on something; they're good at it. The world is full of bands that sound like other bands, most of whom are awful, and yet these guys are the ones who get dumped on for it. I don't know. They were hinting at their next album taking a different turn, with different influences, but this song is more of the same. That's not a bad thing, but it doesn't live up to what they were promising. I like it, but it's disappointing because of the framing they put up. They'd might as well lean into being a modern Zeppelin.

Dream State – Monsters

I loved "Primrose Path" last year, and was not expecting a new song anytime soon, so it was a nice surprise to hear Dream State had something in store for us. The song carries on from where that album left off, once again blending energy, shouted hooks, and plenty of attitude. They do a great job of making a post-hardcore sound more mainstream and appealing. It isn't pop, but there's a similar addictive quality to their music that belies the heaviness and grit they put forward. They continue to intrigue me.

Make Believe Friends – Scream

This song comes from Laura, the songwriter and guitarist from Lunden Reign. Unlike that band's two albums, this song is darker, and sounding less optimistic about our future. The guitar intro is slinky like a snake coiling before it strikes, which is what happens when the chorus hits. The layers of Mindy's voice jump out of the speakers, giving the hook power and grace. You can hear bits of modern pop bleeding into the sound, and that makes it an interesting turn.