“Hypocritical Kiss” by Jack White
Why is he going to be amazing at Forecastle this year? It’s Jack White… you already know. My current favorite of his remains “Hypocritical Kiss.” In typical Jack White style, he’s aggressively questioning something. The song is almost a rant; listening gives way to a certain rebellious emotion that is almost always so satisfyingly conveyed when listening to his work.
“Now I See” by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Sharon Jones is a perfectly beautiful example of a strong, soulful woman. She and the Dap-Kings do indeed “give the people what they want,” conveying meaningful messages to listeners across the board. You can’t help but get your groove on listening to Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings; they promise to give us a great performance at Forecastle. “Now I See” conveys that “I should have known” feeling that we have all experienced at some point (or many points!) in life. The song, like many of her songs, has attitude—but in the classiest way.
“Wild Child” by Brett Dennen
I started listening to Brett Dennen when his album “Loverboy” was up for listening at a music store near my house growing up in Indianapolis. Dennen’s light-sounding but deep and genuine lyrics drew me in, often conveying our everyday relationship struggles—love, loss, friendship—with an upbeat, innocent tone. “Wild Child” is a nostalgic song of living the free lifestyle, with a feel-good beat but a recurring reflection back to “momma,” perhaps in reference to the fact that despite his desire for freedom and spontaneity, he would always appreciate home.
