Music Roundup December 2023 

• Wayne Young
• Imag!nary Friendz

As the year comes to an end, it's enjoyable to reflect on the fun that's been had in the local scene, but there's a few days left of 2023, so let's highlight some great releases before we head into the new year.

Imag!nary Friendz, Stuck: The energy of Ogden trio Imag!nary Friendz is incredibly addicting; after one show, you'll already be planning on when you can get your next fix. In between shows, you can listen to their latest EP, Stuck. While this was a summer release, I wanted to highlight the EP, as several of the songs were featured on a live performance at Ogden's Van Sessions in November, serving as a fantastic display of what the Friendz are all about. While it was a little more scaled back compared to their other shows, songs like "Nicci" and "Stuck" from the EP were some of the highlights of their performance. This latest EP is some of their best work yet, and hopefully there's more like it coming in 2024. Stuck is streaming everywhere now, and you can find their full Van Sessions performance on YouTube.
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Sad Cowboy, We Should Have Seen This Coming: This indie rock band is a must-have in your music library. It's got everything you'd want from an artist in this genre: mellow and sometimes echoey vocals with guitar that doesn't have too much distortion, but a bit of reverb and relatable subject matter. We Should Have Seen This Coming is a short three-song EP, but it doesn't feel too short. It does leave you wanting to hear more of what the band can do, though, so hopefully there's more to come soon from the Cowboys. "We're Not Talking" is a standout from the trio, because of its cheerful sound while dealing with a bummer of a subject that many of us can unfortunately relate to. Who hasn't had a fight with their significant other and taken a break from talking? Maybe you're one of the chosen few who haven't, but for the majority of us, this song is easy to connect with. We Should Have Seen This Coming is streaming everywhere now.
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Micah Dean, Am I Asking Too Much?: Speaking of songs that deal with tough relationships, Micah Dean's new EP Am I Asking Too Much? is a story about all of the struggles that come with being in a partnership, but to the tune of soft pop sounds rather than indie rock. Dean's smooth, calm vocals are a good listen, especially if you're in your feelings and needing something to match the mood. With lyrics like "Ain't easy opening up the way you see me / In the same bed but we're still lonely / We start to feel it then we fall to pieces," it's easy to get sucked into everything Dean is singing about. Over the course of these five songs, you'll easily become a fan of the pop singer, even if you haven't heard anything from him before. Am I Asking Too Much? is a perfect EP for those moody days, and it's streaming wherever you listen to music.
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Citizen Soldier, ICU: SLC is home to many different artists who play many different genres, but it seems to have a soft spot for some good ol'-fashioned rock 'n' roll. Citizen Soldier is one of those favorites that has built up a dedicated fanbase in the nearly-10-year career of the band. Since the band was formed after frontman Jake Segura penned their debut single "Let It Burn" in a psychiatric hospital, mental health is a huge part of who Citizen Soldier is. Segura is now a practicing clinical therapist, and the band continues to focus on themes of intense emotion and mental health. "The band presents an accessible message that combats stigmatization and provides a group therapy dynamic," the band's website states. These themes have come through in their work for many years, but they shine particularly bright in ICU. Those who have struggled greatly with mental health will relate to even just the titles of songs which include "Broken Like Me," "Reason to Live," "Therapy," "Talk Me Down" and "You Are Enough." Sometimes knowing you're not alone can mean the world—especially when it's paired with a genre you enjoy. Citizen Soldier's classic hard-rock sound comes complete with strong, gravely vocals, chugging guitar and ripping solos. If you're a fan of bands like Pop Evil, Adelitas Way, Theory of a Deadman or even SLC's own Royal Bliss, you'll find comfort in the music library of Citizen Soldier. Along with ICU, the band also released one more single for 2023, "Wish I Could Cry," featuring fellow rockers Halocene. Both ICU and "Wish I Could Cry" are streaming everywhere.
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That's it for 2023, folks. Special thanks to everyone who joined the City Weekly music section to share their journeys and awesome music. Here's to talking with even more local artists in 2024.