This past month was a great month for new music. I often find myself finding a couple new songs here and there and then listening to those same three or four songs for days on end . But these last couple of weeks I’ve found a lot of really good songs: through friends, through family, through random radios on Spotify. So I’m really pleased with my Top 5 songs, based off Receiptify, from last month! Was it hard to pick only five? Yes. These were all just so good, they had to be in the top.

#1: Reckless and Arranged – Day 56 – Extended by Ethan French

Okay, this one is so cool. In October 2025, Ethan French (@ethanfrenchmusic) started posting videos of different musical ideas, turning them into daily installments. Several of his ideas went viral, gaining him a higher following, until he posted Day 56 on May 27th, 2026. This video blew up overnight, skyrocketing his views and followers, among whom became Jacob Collier, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer and T-Pain. I think what really drew an audience to this song were the chromaticism and the lyrics.

The overall vibe of the song is achieved by him really leaning into these funky chords (here’s a video where he talks about them, for all you music theory fans) and drums, paired with the descending, then ascending, bass line with that pedal tone. The layering of the vocal harmonies adds an airiness, a pleasing contrast to the grounded instrumentals. Another thing I find really fascinating is that the song is tuned down to 432 Hz, which is supposed to be more naturally integrated with human biology. Proponents of sound therapy frequently use 432 Hz to help reduce anxiety, lower heart rates, improve sleep quality, and enhance meditation. Just a fun fact!

I have an interpretation of the lyrics, but I’m not sure how accurate it is. His lyrics carry a lot of depth, suggesting a picture of who he has become due to his family, and how it now affects his relationships. I think that ultimately he recognizes he has been shaped by an unhealthy family dynamic, forcing him to “live on the borderline of reckless and arranged.” But at the end of the day, what he’s saying is that it’s up to us to save ourselves from what we have become, or are afraid of becoming, with the help of other positive relationships. This is my take on it, so I’m looking forward to seeing if he releases anything more on the background of this song.

#2: Love Ruins Everything by Tiny Habits

Tiny Habits has become one of my favorite groups. They give such a unique twist to the mainstream pop music of the day and I think the main reason for that lies in their harmonies, vocal and instrumental, and their lyrics. This one in particular stands out against their other songs because of its 70’s groove type feel. The music is a direct contrast of the lyrics, which talk about the universal yearning for reciprocated affection, even though you know how badly it ended before or how badly it might end again.

“When it’s over, it was all for nothing
When it’s happening, it’s that or nothing else
When you can’t have it, it’s all you want
Oh, love ruins everything”

However, you can’t help but dance and clap along, moving to the beat of the many layers of instruments. The brass are a huge highlight in this, along with the electric guitar. It’s a lot of fun and such a good vibe.

#3: If I Could I Would Try Again by Georgia Parker

This one is just really gorgeous. She’s got a lovely voice and it’s complimented by the soft piano, strings and flute in this song. She sings about a memory of wading into a creek, how it feels physically, and what that stirs up emotionally for her. The chorus says,

“I wish I could rewind
If you could, would you try again?”

I like to interpret this as a wish to redo the years of our life that we spend afraid of trying new things, forgetting to truly live in the moment. One line that stood out to me in particular was “I’m not brave like when I was a kid.” I was an intrepid child and I wish I had the same courage to face life as I did when I was younger. All of the dreams and aspirations we make as a six year old rarely make their way to the surface of adulthood. But don’t I owe “little Charlotte” the chance to live out at least some of these dreams? What might you owe “little you?”

#4: Belt Loop by Tiny Habits

Another Tiny Habits song… safe to say I’m obsessed. This one is, again, different from their folk-pop sound of past songs. It’s got a distinct soulful R&B vibe, as she sings about the feeling of being in a new relationship after a recent breakup. It covers the realization of “wishing it could feel the same” without the other person, when things will never be the same.

What really stands out to me in this one is the vocals. It’s such a good balance of weaving in between solo, two-part and three-part harmonies. When they harmonize, or even sing unison, their voices almost click into place and blend so well. It really scratches the itch!

#5: Anything He Was by Tiny Habits

I know what you’re thinking: Tiny Habits can’t be that good for her to have three of their songs on her Top 5? But yes, yes they are.

Truthfully, this one is a bit depressing. But it is so well written. It tells the story of being in a relationship with someone who is very much not over their ex, and that, at least for now, no one else will measure up. They were “happier doing anything we like to do when he was next to you.” And the person singing is so in love with them and is willing to give everything, but they know it’s just not reciprocated the same. These lines get me everytime:

“I’m just wrestling
Because I think in my mind you’re not number two
But it’s nice to be anything at all”

Oof.

But, as usual, Tiny Habits delivers an exceptional display of vocals and emotions in their music. If you haven’t already, go pull them up and listen to a few of their songs.

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That wraps it up for my August Top 5 – if you listened to any of those songs and liked them (or hated them!) let me know in the comments.

Stay tuned for more song recs, and don’t hesitate to recommend songs down below for me to listen to as well.


‘Till next time!