{"id":1974474,"date":"2026-06-05T17:53:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1974474"},"modified":"2026-06-05T17:53:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:53:39","slug":"malcolm-todd-is-backsliding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1974474","title":{"rendered":"Malcolm Todd Is Backsliding"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Aidan Cullen<\/span><\/div>\n

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Soundcheck<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Malcolm Todd Is Backsliding<\/h1>\n
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At least he\u2019s prepared for another heartbreak.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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by Jillian Giandurco<\/a><\/address>\n
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Every week, we bring you SOUNDCHECK \u2014 your destination for the best new music<\/a> that just hit the web. Because you should always be prepared when someone passes you that AUX cord. This week’s roundup features 12 of our favorite emerging and established artists.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u201cHigh Hopes 3000\u201d by Role Model<\/p>\n

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Just as country music is peaking on the Billboard charts, Role Model<\/a> (or should we say, Chuck Timely) is pivoting to \u201860s-style rock and roll. The first single off his forthcoming album, the singer-songwriter is kicking off the new era with an anthemic declaration of singledom that, despite the song\u2019s hopeful name, is oozing with sadness and loneliness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe Feeling\u201d by Steve Lacy<\/p>\n

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Another meditation on single-ness, only this time, the song lives on the complete opposite end of the emotional spectrum. Instead of searching for someone to fill the void, Steve Lacy<\/a> is yearning for commitment from one person in particular. He could let go, but he\u2019s not a quitter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cDifficult Love\u201d by Malcolm Todd<\/p>\n

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The tension of having Steve Lacy and Malcolm Todd on the same roundup. In all seriousness, Lacy has clearly moved on from the hazy, DIY&B that he helped popularize, and we need someone to fill that gap. From his carefully chosen guitar chords to his affecting vocal affectation, we should be so lucky to have a studied successor like Todd.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cToo Easy\u201d by Tinashe<\/p>\n

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Fans will moan and gripe about how this song isn\u2019t long enough, but Tinashe<\/a> knows to always leave them wanting more. To make her grand return with a track this short (and this great), we can only assume that the best is yet to come.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cPoint Blank\u201d by Kelela<\/p>\n

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Laced with the shoegaze sound of her previous two singles while still honoring her clubby dance DNA, Kelela<\/a> is three for three on singles for this era.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cDon\u2019t Break Her Heart\u201d by FLO<\/p>\n

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Every generation has the obligatory song about female friendship it deserves: The \u201890s had \u201cWannabe,\u201d the 2000s had \u201cGirl,\u201d the 2010s had \u201cBest Friend,\u201d and the 2020s have \u201cDon\u2019t Break Her Heart.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSnake The Drain\u201d by Devon Again<\/p>\n

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A very surprising country turn for an alt-pop artist, but Devon Again wears the genre like a pair of well worn cowboy boots. The last 30 seconds are pure sonic bliss.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWax Paper\u201d by Tierra Whack<\/p>\n

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A dirty, disgusting beat with an even nastier flow. 10\/10.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cCandyland!\u201d by Natanya<\/p>\n

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Natanya<\/a> is not of this planet; while your fave is at home writing songs about the same three topics, the 23-year-old Brit has just passed \u201cGo\u201d in Candyland. Saccharine and syrupy, this track really does go down like candy, and leaves an insatiable aftertaste that can only be cured with more Natanya.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cUgly and Rotten\u201d by Mckenna Grace<\/p>\n

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Probably the biggest shock of the week comes from Mckenna Grace<\/a> \u2014 a no-nonsense track that genuinely rocks, and pairs Grace\u2019s sweet, innocent vocals with punchy guitars and driving drums. It just goes to show: You never know what\u2019s going on in actors\u2019 heads.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cDove Grey\u201d by Ella Hunt<\/p>\n

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A heartbreakingly honest depiction of end-of-life care and the pain that comes with it. If grief had a color, it would definitely be dove grey.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s My Beach\u201d by horsegiirL<\/p>\n

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Happy summer, y\u2019all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n