🎧 Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 20 Recap: Eurovision Envy, Lounge AC/DC, and a Lovejoy Groove You’ll Be Glad You Found
🎉 Milestone Alert: We’ve hit 20 episodes!
And Mark is still digging through mountains of musical meh to bring you five gems each week. This week’s episode comes post-Vegas, mid-Eurovision FOMO, and right on time with some real-deal new music.
Let’s break it down 👇
🇸🇪 Eurovision 2023: Still Not Watching, Still Intrigued
Mark admits he always misses Eurovision—and he’s not about to pay for a new streaming service just to watch it.
“I guess I’m just going to feel cheated.”
But curiosity got the better of him, and a Spotify dive unearthed the 2023 winner:
🎤 Loreen – “Tattoo”
“Sounds like a modern ABBA. Not bad at all.”
Mark dropped the playlist in the show notes, so give it a whirl if you’re Eurovision-curious like he is.
🎙️ Brain-Bending Cover: Scary Pockets – “Back in Black” (AC/DC)
Imagine you’re half-asleep on a flight home from Las Vegas. Now imagine a soulful lounge version of “Back in Black” jolting you awake like a double espresso to the soul. That’s what happened to Mark.
“Such a cool vocal. Such a cool arrangement.”
Scary Pockets bring funk to everything they touch—and this cover is no exception. 🎷
🎧 This Week’s 5 Songs That Don’t Suck
1. Noah Kahan – “If We Were Vampires” (Jason Isbell Cover)
- 🧛♂️ Acoustic, emotional, slightly brighter than the original
- 🧠 For Fans Of: Hozier, Gregory Alan Isakov, The Lumineers
Recommended by past guest Samantha Monroe (Ep. 9)—and a smart pick. Mark prefers Noah’s version for its mandolin-laced uplift and cleaner vocal tone.
“Brightens the song up… I just prefer Noah’s voice.”
Thanks again, Samantha 🙌
2. The Warning – “More”
- 🇲🇽 Power trio of sisters from Monterrey, Mexico
- 🎸 Vibe: Aggressive, confident, tight
- 🧠 For Fans Of: Halestorm, Evanescence, Royal Blood
These sisters have been rocking since 2015 and are long overdue for wider U.S. recognition.
“They are definitely ones to check out a little more in depth.”
Don’t sleep on their catalog—or their YouTube presence.
3. Des Rocs – “Never Ending Moment”
- 🗽 NYC-based (and possibly solo)
- 🎶 Vibe: Cult meets Heart, with alt-rock swagger
- 🧠 For Fans Of: The Cult, Heart, Muse
This track feels like a mashup made in Mark’s high school stereo dreams.
“Felt really good in the ear.”
Des, if you’re out there, Mark’s begging: please list your influences. 🧐
4. Kuinka – “Dream House”
- 🌲 From Seattle
- 🎨 Vibe: Folky, poppy, rich with layers
- 🧠 For Fans Of: Of Monsters and Men, Lucius, Bitch Seat (shoutout, Cleveland!)
Mark couldn’t find a sonic comp right away—which is usually a good thing.
“Very folky, very poppy… definitely checking out more.”
5. Lovejoy – “Portrait of a Blank Slate”
- 🇬🇧 British indie rock
- 🧠 For Fans Of: Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats
Lovejoy bills themselves as a “zero-hit wonder,” and Mark is here for it.
“Too good for mass appeal based on the garbage I listen to every week.”
Their self-deprecating charm and groove-heavy sound make them this week’s Feature Track 🎯
🧼 Housekeeping, Vegas Style 🎲
Mark spent his Vegas trip talking up the podcast to fellow music lovers. You can help too:
🗣️ Share it one-on-one — just like supporting your favorite local band.
👍 Like, follow, and review on your favorite podcast platform.
Until next week…
If you’re tired of the same 10 songs on repeat—
keep searching for and listening to songs that don’t suck. 🎧🔥
