Music Worth Loving
A new name, a new Simple Minds song, seven discoveries, and a little tugboat under a very big New York sky.
When we started the newsletter four years ago, it was a bit like, “There is this Substack thing everybody is talking about; why don’t we give it a try1?” The idea was to send out a summary of our week, including our seven Song Pick of the Day features, plus some thoughts, videos, and whatever else was on our minds. The newsletter changed over the years, but we never revised the original working title, “glamglare newsletter,” which is — admittedly — incredibly dull.
The other day, while watching this mesmerizing sunset from the Williamsburg waterfront, we discussed glamglare, and a phrase popped into our minds: “Music Worth Loving.” That’s it! Three words that capture the essence of glamglare.
That does not mean you will love it. Not even we love every Song Pick of the Day. While we spend time with every song and believe you should, too, some songs grow on us and some shrink over time. There’s nothing wrong with that.
But “Music Worth Loving” is about more than the music. It is also about the artists who make it. Very few can count on unconditional love from listeners, regardless of what they release.
Most of the artists we feature on glamglare don’t have that benefit of the doubt. Every song they put out is an invitation to an audience to connect with them.
Very few people who start making music today expect to get rich2, but they have something to say and hope someone is listening. Their idealism and perseverance deserve admiration, along with the creativity and artistry they put into their work.
“Music Worth Loving” is the new title of the glamglare newsletter.
Discovery of the Week: New Simple Minds Single
Leaving my usual channels of new-music discovery, I turned to Apple Music, where I tend to listen to albums and artists that have truly captured my interest and affection. Spotify, by contrast, is where I listen to the music sent to glamglare, explore playlists, or quickly check something out.
While browsing Apple Music’s “New” category, “Beginner Boys” immediately caught my attention. Like so many others of my generation, Simple Minds have long been part of my musical landscape. I have always loved Jim Kerr’s vocals and have followed the Scottish band—admittedly somewhat loosely—ever since. Had I subscribed to the Simple Minds newsletter, I would have known about this brand-new release!
“Beginner Boys” is the first taste of their upcoming album, Sacrosanct, due January 29, 2027, and if the single is any indication, we have something fabulous to look forward to. Its sound is fresh, contemporary indie rock. Rather than simply copying themselves, Simple Minds take what worked so beautifully back then — and still does today — and move it forward through strong songwriting and excellent musicianship.
Listen to “Beginner Boys,” our Discovery of the Week.
Cover Song of the Week: Faith No More - Easy
Faith No More’s 1992 version of “Easy” was ubiquitous in the early 1990s, so it immediately registered when we heard it at a neighborhood bar the other day. I remembered that it was a cover. So here we go.
Faith No More is known for hard-hitting rock, so covering the 1977 chill breakup song that Lionel Richie wrote for the Commodores was out of character. And that was the point: the band had fun confusing the audience at their shows. They didn’t “metalize” the song, but kept its mood very close to the original. A parody? Maybe, but if so, the joke was on them: “Easy” became a huge international success and, for many casual listeners, may be the only Faith No More song they know.
This Week in glamglare history
1 Year Ago: Charlie Kogen - Not Wastin’ Time
The L.A. musician calls this song “Yacht rock for Gen Z,” and that’s all you need to know for three and a half minutes of pure indulgence.
5 Years Ago: Wild Heart Club - Glitter on the Drum
We premiered this song from Wild Heart Club’s debut album five years ago (premieres were still a thing back then). Since then, Kristen Castro’s Nashville project has not released any new music, and the website has expired, so we may not see a follow-up.
10 Years Ago: San Blas - Zaid
The London band San Blas played high-energy indie rock featuring a ukulele. They released their first and only EP in late 2017.
Song Pick of the Day
Listen to all seven songs on YouTube, or follow our daily updated Song Pick playlists on YouTube, Apple Music, or Spotify.
- Vicky Farewell - Sunburn
- Gohar - Green Red
- mokina - fool
- Lily De Taeye - ALL THE WAY DOWN
- Everyone Says Hi - Life Isn’t Perfect
- D’Lourdes - NEW AGE ROCKSTAR
- Reuben Medlin - Thinking About Love
We publish one Song Pick of the Day every day. You can subscribe to receive them by email.
A Little Tugboat, a Very Big Sky
Sunday brought a very special New York adventure: a 75-minute ride aboard the W.O. Decker, the historic tugboat operated by the South Street Seaport Museum. With room for only twelve guests, it felt wonderfully intimate as we made our way through the harbor, taking in the familiar skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and our beloved Brooklyn Bridge from the water. The sky, however, was the afternoon’s true drama queen, constantly changing between dark, theatrical clouds and brilliant bursts of blue. Afterward, we met up with our friends from Brazil—the perfect ending to a beautiful Sunday in New York.
Photos: Elke Nominikat - #1 Chris, #9 Marcelo