My RECEIPTIFY: August

August was a month of big changes and good music to accompany them. Let's chat about my top ten from last month.

one: Mary by The Happy Fits

Mary is the kind of song that hits you from the get go. As soon as the song starts, it's goosebumps all the way down. And then, woah, is that a cello I hear? The song is gorgeous all the way through, a song I blasted on repeat all the way through my drive from L.A. to Davis.

two: Were You There? by Peter McPoland

Were You There is the pivotal track of McPoland's new album, Piggy. It's a loud, loud, loud song with vocals muffled by static that make his words all the more powerful. This song is McPoland's attempt to call out to his listeners and remind them that none of us are innocent. More on this song and the album as a whole here.

three: Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo

It's only appropriate that I have an Olivia Rodrigo song on my top ten, especially a song as real and raw as Vampire. Rodrigo dropped this single as our first taste of her upcoming album Guts, and I'm not alone in saying I am incredibly excited for what's to come. This song is exactly what I love about Rodrigo's music, and more. Her vocals are gorgeous (and often butchered by me behind the wheel of my car) and the lyrics of the song are relatable to anyone and everyone who's been exploited and manipulated by a shitty ex.

four: Lavender Kiss by The Licks

How do I even begin to describe the beauty that is Lavender Kiss by The Licks? This song is gorgeous, stunning, amazing... there aren't enough adjectives to describe the way this song makes me feel. The Licks deserve all the hype in the world... and more.

five: Don't Blame Me by Taylor Swift

Enough said.

six: Lookaround by Edgehill

I love, love, love Edgehill. And, I love, love, love Lookaround. An ode to taking a moment to reminisce on memories, a moment to look around. This song starts slow, but it ramps up so quickly and suddenly you are surrounded by stunning vocals and sounds that really do feel like you're taking a moment and letting fond memories wash over you. Edgehill is definitely an up and coming band to watch out for, Lookaround is only a taste of their musical talents.

seven: Sara James by The Moss

The Moss is one of those bands that has a million songs and every single one of them is a hit. I have a new song by them on every single one of my playlists because they are such a multidimensional band. Sara James is short and sweet, but it is one of my favorite songs by The Moss; it gorgeously showcases their vocal skills and the raspy hallmark of The Moss' sound. It's the rasp that truly does it for me, the rasp.

eight: Krystal by Matt Maltese

Matt Maltese's voice is timeless. His music is like a hug and Krystal is truly no exception. His strong vocals are layered in a way that makes this song sound "wavy," which is my way of describing music like his as a person who is terrible about talking about music. Just, listen to it, you'll get what I'm talking about.

nine: Blink by The Moss

Another song by The Moss. See above.

ten: Olivia by The Backseat Lovers

It wouldn't be a top ten without The Backseat Lovers, my second favorite band of all time (the top spot is reserved for The Black Keys). Olivia is one of their more subdued songs, but still beautiful nonetheless. It is incredibly relatable to me, someone who is uprooting their entire life in a town I spent four years in and starting an entirely new chapter in my life, bleached hair and all.