Max's Music Mondays with Ray Laurél and Chanel Loren
From Laurél to Loren, bangers abound this week, plus Benjamin Carter, Lou Roy, and so much more
Welcome to Max’s Music Mondays. My ~music discovery newsletter~ where I get too excited about songs I love. I hope you love them too. If you do, follow along on spotify and please be sure to absolute smash that dang subscribe button! tysm :)
Can you believe it’s already May? Max’s Music MondMay?? Sorry. When there’s something that dumb and easy laying right in front of me, I simply must type it!!!
But as spring arrives and summer starts to butt its head into frame, I find myself full of contradicting feelings. On the one hand, there’s the freshness blossoming, the new energy roaring in as the sun starts shine a little bit longer, a little bit brighter. It’s enchanting and exciting - spring cleaning, new beginnings, anticipation and dreams of what this summer could hold.
But simultaneously there’s a humbling nature too. That four months of this year have already passed. Those grand plans for the year? Their timeline already 1/3rd complete. things that were going to get done still left to do, ambitions and ideas still floating and unrealized.
It can be easy to be swept away by either side of the equation. From moment to moment, even as I write this, I find myself dwelling on the incomplete and then forgetting those thoughts entirely, lost in a daydream about what’s to come. I’m challenging myself to hold both and equal and let them fuel each other. To stay accountable for things that I wanted to do - new things to write, new creative projects to take on - but to give myself grace and know that all these timelines are frivolous and these things will happen if/when they’re meant to. And that there’s so much more to come that I could never even imagine.
I think these songs both teach me that’s true. The first, a song that appeared out of thin air to me the moment I sat down to write. The second, an artist that I’ve been drooling over but just hadn’t found the words - and then voila, they arrived, an old plan finally come to roost. (roost? is that right? i don’t think i’ve ever typed it but my brain says it’s right, idk).
I hope you enjoy both of these songs, and hold both that humility and ambition on equal level as we move.
This Week’s Songs
Please please follow along here ^^ for this week’s and every week’s songs. They’re all really good I swear!!! <3 Please like and enjoy and send to someone you like and enjoy!!
Ray Laurél - Hunter Schafer
Few better feelings than getting ten seconds into a song and knowing I have to immediately run substack and start typing. With the ambience and texture of a Bon Iver song, this one opens with expanding chords and some gnarly vocal samples. A booming bass/kick lands an explosion but one off in the distance, its impact to us big yet subtle. All to say, even thought you can capital F Feel it, it doesn’t crowd the lane as Ray Laurél steps to the mic. His voice tender and emotional - I can’t see where I’m going but baby I don’t mind / If this is what it feels like / I’m blind in love with you. These first few lines delivered with such power. The gentle delivery giving that if this is what it feels like so much more strength, with this newfound urgency and edge. Then settling back immediately - in complete control. There’s also some instrument far out to the right there - do you hear it? Just a couple notes up and a couple back down. Metallic and poignant but hidden all the same. As the drums come crashing forward, with a wavy phased-to-heaven-and-back guitar, the song loses some of that tenderness opting for a more bravado-filled romance. The way those harmonies seem to rewind into place is so special, liked they were sucked out of one reality, piped into ours for this one brief moment. One I’m grateful we got. The wave of harmonies introducing the start of another line, a timeless move executed in stunning fashion. The song offering this wild blend of so many influences (all of which I love), this last moment a gospel infusion that feels wonderfully eighties to me plus this Dijon/boylife feeling vocal delivery, the Bon Iver vocal sample still swirling beneath it all. That’s all musically, and the lyrics are hitting so hard too - visions of road trips were meant to be sang over these sounds. The layering is masterful, every piece of this puzzle getting exactly the right mix. Then as we cross the 2min mark, we get the blues-iest damn solo, that guitar loaded with as much emotion as the vocals have been bringing throughout. Another sting from the choir, this chorus hitting with a little extra punch as the guitar solo refuses to end *cut to me cheering it on, hoping, praying it never ends ever, checking the runtime of the song and sadly realizing it’s not infinity long*, Laurél seeming to agree with that perfect little yell at the tail end of 2:44. But the song has to end somewhere, and the band wraps everything up clean and quick, one final moment to savor this stunning stunning song. I’m genuinely obsessed and cannot wait to hear what comes next from a promising artist. This and their only other release INTRO [mum, i think i’m free] leave the possibilities endless and enthralling.
Follow Ray Laurél on IG / Spotify
Chanel Loren - Disappear
Wasting no time, opening with a heart on their sleeve lyric, one that’s won me over immediately. That vocal, with a kiss of grit, is so endearing and just irresistible. The production makes the most of it too, this big moody swaying groove from the drums and bass, that sampled chord rippling across the song holding us from beat to beat, a little guitar around the edges for some flair. Chanel Loren with layers above and below, and an ad-lib take that shimmers in the margins. Loren taking every moment she can to shine. It all feels so full and so whole, without being overdone. I love the admission about the texts - writing three paragraphs but never sending them. Admitting some more hard truths during this snap-driven pre-chorus. Filling my heart and launching us into the chorus. And what a chorus!!! Loren taking this incredibly adventurous and relentless cadence as a delightful synth dances in the spaces left between bass hits. Delivering a direct and powerful message - Loren revealing her feelings, her desire for this love, well aware that it is unrequited and may never be. That this other person won’t realize until it’s too late, and Loren disappears. The band cuts out and we kick off the second verse. A really thoughtful format, a line to describe the scene, a second that feels like their emotional response - getting a sense for this tough internal monologue and desires, just trying to stay strong. The pre-chorus drops right in, this time with that guitar bending, the emotion dripping out. It’s a terrific texture and great way to revamp the already stellar moment. Then we get to the Moment Of The Song. 1:46 - these just decadently stacked harmonies standing front and center as the band takes a breathe. The vocals are just sensational and these harmonies are so juicy, Loren willing to break the mold just a little more, finding these unique chords to deliver us on to the final moments. It’s only a few seconds, but I can’t stop playing them over and over. Just so so good. The song slowly reeling me in, this the final blow to knock my dang socks off. The harmonies continue on through the chorus, and that wet synth back again and really taking my breath even further away. The guitarist steps back in, filling these final moments with a solo to remember (wow two guitar solos this week, ya love to see it!!) and the band vanishes off into the ether. The song over before you know it. Just like Ray before this, somehow only the second release from Chanel Loren. Naturally someone else I am watching like a hawk, ready to love whatever comes next. Their first single, Playlist, is another hit that I’ve been devouring since it dropped. Lush and bright R&B with unbelievable percussion. It’s a delight.
Follow Chanel Loren on IG / Spotify
Here’s what else I’ve been listening to.
(click this ^^ for the full playlist lol)
WHAT A WEEK!!!!! I love music and week’s like this? Feels like the music loves me too.
Benjamin Carter - Lost Control
A damn rockstar. Benjamin Carter is really coming into his own. More and more with every song. Strewn out chords melt over that breakbeat. The whole thing threatening to come alive. And making good on that threat pretty quickly. SO much energy in this intro, just begging you to run around a giant field. Carter hops in, vulnerable and honest, aware and apologetic about his insecurities. That apology launches us into an out-of-this-world chorus, just huge as hell with an addictive energy. Feeling like Carter is singing, shouting, talking to you from every angle all at once. I’m moving but I’m always stuck rattling off as we sprint through another great verse. Which is good because I’m so impatient, I NEED to get back that chorus. And what a release when we do. Carter has such a great voice, all its stunning forms and styles on display in this one. The chorus crumbles into a slow motion moment, synths oozing out as that high hat pans. Only opening the door even wider for a raucous chorus to close the song. Love this one.
A.O. Gerber - Looking for the Right Things
An eerie start, that synth radiating like an alarm in ex machina, quickly balanced by the warm chords that follow. When A.O. Gerber arrives, it’s a perfect storm. These layered vocals slotting in naturally. A gorgeous wandering melody. When the bass hits for this chorus, the vocals split - two mirrored layers becoming undone, yet still connected as harmonies. It’s beautiful and elegant. The second verse picks up some percussion as the vocals continue to shape shift and play alongside each other. I can’t explain all the tears I shed / but my body feels violent. Gerber landing devastating lines, each so clearly meant for their moment, for this song. More drums and more momentum, the song keeps rolling. I’m missing someone I knew once / now she doesn’t exist. Another gem. The song bends over itself, the vocals swirling and growing, the whole thing mesmerizing. It’s a really beautiful return, expected nothing less from an incredible artist like A.O. Gerber.
Lou Roy - Scroll & Dream
The Lou Roy album is here!! Pure Chaos is alive and amazing. Really enjoying it. My quick thoughts on early new favs:
Scroll - The guitar tuning up and up, reaching its home at the perfect time to catch Lou’s gnarly opening lyric. I stare at my phone all day / what a nasty way to engage with the world. ARE YOU KIDDING. Fuck that rules. And Lou’s pitched voice giving it that much more character and power. This one twists and turns, delivering one heck of a tune. Weird and unique and cool as hell.
Dream - The album’s closing track, it’s so fucking beautiful. A simple arrangement, that bouncy nylon guitar, the warm plucked bass, all so lovely. Cowboy vibes draped all over this thing, and when the harmonies explode at 0:40 I near about fell out of my chair. The Chicks WISH they could!!!! (And I like them!! I think they’re great!! Lou’s just THAT good!!!!) As we hit that peak again around 1:20, the strings swell and give this one so much heft and character. Cinematic. And then the whistles. THE WHISTLES. ugh, this one is too much for me!
Esabalu - Be Okay
Talk about beautiful… Esabalu’s stunningly smooth voice pouring out with honesty as the piano rolls through. Powerful and controlled, just as powerful in the quiet moments as it is strong in the biggest. 0:35 hits and the strings arrive. WHAT THE HECK this is so good. The strings giving an entirely new shape to the now familiar piano. Esabalu continues to shine, effortlessly moving through this melody - showing off the range with such elegance and ease. What could you possibly say rings out, fluttering as the strings and keys help us reset. The next scene is another powerful one - just begging to know she’ll be ok. The vocals performance is incredible top to bottom, but this verse starting around 2:18 is a special moment to catch, all the while the orchestra showing off their touch too. As we step across the 4min mark, song contracts, just Esabalu and a couple instruments, gentle and tender. Making the orchestra’s return that much more powerful, and you can feel Esabalu come alive once again, riding this energy and really making for a remarkable end to a remarkable song. <3
MUNA - Kind of Girl
The MUNA takeover continues - each single more incredible than the last. The latest, a country western tune full of heartbreaking confession and acceptance. It’s a stunning song, full of their gorgeous songwriting and undeniable melodies. I really love the first verse, the way they pull definitive and derivative into new moments. The whole structure feeling novel and impactful. The song swells as it goes, the last lines of the chorus a true gut punch the second time around. Folks, I’ve got chills every time!!! And the music video…. yee haw yee haw yee haw.
Flume - ESCAPE (feat. KUCKA) w/ Damon Albarn
New Flume!! New Flume!! The master of doing some fucked up shit and making a song out of it, I’m always curious what weird noises he’s able to somehow make beautiful. This displays that skill yet again - bold, breathtaking, and boundary breaking, yet unmistakably Flume. A gorgeous intro, the vocals soaring out, a piercing melody of their own over the drumline. At 0:52 the show begins, that squishy synth triggered in a rhythm that feels broken and yet perfect. Feels like it’s all held together by a thread, but this thread is more than enough. It drops at 1:15, the drums massive and right on time. As it goes, some twisted horns coming blaring through, before some sparkles rain down over a filtered track, bringing us into the next verse. As the energy builds for another drop, it feels like I’m ascending to heaven. Then Flume lets loose with some Kid Pix-esque bloops and bubbles, releasing sound after sound, a barrage of weird, all of it falling together in perfect harmony. The guy is a wizard.
Ok now get to sleep!!!
Yours,
Max
Wow loved the Ray Laurél song! You had my attention with “With the ambience and texture of a Bon Iver song”, and it really delivered! I’m seeing Bon Iver live for the first time next month and I can’t remember the last time I was looking forward this much to go to a concert! Also... these Flume singles have been SO good! I have to keep holding myself from listening on repeat and spoiling the album experience when it comes out.