Songs of the Week: Clementine Was Right, Lotta Wenglén, & Bad Flamingo
The new roundup features strong songwriting work.
Welcome to Songs of the Week, a running series with new selections.
Clementine was Right – “River Boys”
Summer officially ends today, but that doesn’t mean you have to relinquish it altogether. Grasp as tightly as you can and spin Clementine Was Right‘s splashy “River Boys.” Described as being about “boys who jumped in the river forever” and “blackjack scammers and post office fires,” the tune jangles with a fuzzy-headed static, as though shot through grainy, busted speakers before settling right on the eardrums. It will surely scratch that musical itch. Oh, and it’s super queer! Bonus!
Lotta Wenglén – “Trust Issues”
Lotta Wenglén has trust issues. That’s at least what she admits with the lead single to a new EP. “Trust Issues,” an English adaptation of her own song “Tillitsproblematik” from 2020, chugs along with a steady rhythm and Wenglén’s subtle, expressive, and contemplative vocal performance. “Some things are just too hard to forget / You wanted me to tell you everything in detail / But memories of pain won’t let us go,” sings Wenglén over dusty locomotion. Guitar glues the entire production together, but it’s the bluesy percussion that does the driving. It’s a quiet moment, yet still commands attention.
Bad Flamingo – “Oh My My”
Not a day goes by that I’m not thinking about Bad Flamingo. They’re simply one of the most ambitious and striking duos to hit the scene. They’re blues. They’re rock. They’re Americana. They mix genres so well that it’s hard to define or even understand who they are. But that’s their magic. They’re everything. With “Oh My My,” the duo continues to flex their musical muscles in impressive ways. “I danced with the devil underneath the neon,” they sing, the production prickly and intense. It’s a trippy performance that’ll leave you gasping for breath.
Check out our handy-dandy playlist:
Follow B-Sides & Badlands on our socials: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
