Happy freaking October, everyone. Congratulations, weve made it ten months through 2020 seven months essentially through a once in a lifetime pandemic. Good for you no seriously, good for you. It has been a hell of a challenging year, but eventually it has to end and get better.

There have been hundreds of think pieces on 2020, but this isnt going to turn into one of them. Just know that youre doing amazing, ok?

Now, onto the more lighthearted stuff I fucked up. I missed last weeks Take 5. It is what it is, Ive got no excuse. So, dear reader, forgive my mistake? I promise to make it up to you with these five songs below.

Maybe promise is too heavy handed, but you know, whatever. Onwards my noble steed.

Julia Michaels Lie Like This

This is a classic case of artist who doesnt need our attention but we cant stop listening so youre gonna read about it in Substreams Take 5. What a song. Try not to listen once and start tapping your foot. Its easily catchy, and not overly-complicated. Some people think simple pop music isnt good not in this house, baby. Were already dying for more, and you should be, too.

glimmers For Me Its You (feat. Jack Wachtel)

The Atlanta-based pop-rock glimmer is a lot of fun. Vocalist Maggie Schneider has been kicking it in the music industry for a very long time; theres a few people that come to mind who truly deserve to reap the rewards of the grind, and Schneider is one o them. For Me Its You isnt necessarily a new song, as it first appeared acoustically on her debut EP, Insomniac, but it got re-imagined and re-released under glimmers. But, its a refreshing take on the acoustic track and the end result is pop-rock gem. Trust us.

Wallows Virtual Aerobics

When will I ever stop talking about Wallows and including them in these? Probably never. As long as theyre making music, Im in. Virtual Aerobics continues Wallows dominate run on the indie genre, and while it doesnt stray too much from their developed sound, why would it? Sometimes forced change is worse than just doing that you love. That sentence wasnt meant to be as deep as it turned out, but here we are. Virtual Aerobics is a nice, consistently beating indie/alt song, and if youve liked Wallows before, youll love it. If you havent liked their stuff so far, you might not, but couldnt we all use an excuse to watch Dylan Minnette and co. do aerobics?

The Snuts Always

Banger. After. Banger. Its just what Scotlands The Snuts do best. I first heard of the band last year with their single Maybe California, and knew that they were gonna be a fun band to keep an eye on. While Always is a bit of a different sound for the band, The Snuts pull it off well. What is it in the water that makes bands from the U.K. so consistently good at making alternative/indie/rock? Theres gotta be something that we simply are missing. Maybe its the haggis in Scotland. Someone find out for us.

Hotel Etiquette Sex Questions

At least a few times a week I go outside and stare at the sky and yell, God, why did you take Pentimento away from us? Its a bold strategy for me as a non-believer, but I mean, anything is worth a shot, right? I would forgive 2020 for all its done and potentially convert into a believer for a Pentimento reunion. We may not get that save for the one-off show and a new song last year but luckily weve got the next best thing: a new project! Hotel Etiquette is Pentimentos Mike Hansens newest project, and its probably the best thing were gonna get. They dropped an EP, Sex Questions, earlier this year which includes the title-track making a lyrical reference to Pentimento and this past Friday dropped a split EP with Fake Space. If you like more aggressive alt-rock, then Hotel Etiquette will be for you. Then promptly work your way back through Pentimentos catalogue as 2015s I, No Longer is the best Jimmy Eat World record not written by Jimmy Eat World. An endless amount of thank yous to Substream veteran Joel Funk for making me aware of this project.

Go here to read the rest:

Take 5: The songs you need to know this week: (October 5th, 2020) - Substream Magazine