Don’t know if you noticed but…
A lot of music comes out, all the time!
Hard to keep track of, let alone digest it all. Most new releases (even the pretty good ones) earn a Friday needledrop and that’s about it. A handful manage to charm their way into a follow-up spin, and an even smaller subset become Full Length Repeat Listens — which brings us to today’s missive.
Never been a “year end list” guy (unless I’m asked, ahem) but I do have a compulsion to share things I enjoy, so may as well do it now. Some of my favs have already been shouted out with dedicated posts, but why not drop a couple more?
Keepers only!
Polo Perks, Ayoolii, Fear Dorian, A Dog’s Chance — teen rap ADHD over immersion blended indie rock samples. Here’s a profile for more, but all you really need to know is “McCarren Park Pool Party 2K24.”
Speed, Only One Mode — I’ve linked these guys before, their positivity is infectious and it’s awesome to watched ripped Australians do E-Town Concrete. Twenty-three minutes of mosh to liven up your next Whole Foods run.
Clairo, Charm — was prepared for a sleepytime listen, but there’s a folk funk pulse here (thx El Michels) that’s exceedingly pleasant while the sun’s out too. Nilsson x Margo Guryan inspo is unambiguous but not slavish, if that makes sense… she’s got her own thing going and I fw it heavy. The Stereolab-y one might be my fav.
Girl Ultra, blush — Y2K breakbeat pop, back like it never left.
Denzel Curry, King Of The Mischievous South Vol 2 — b-boy bouillabaisse from one of the most consistent, constantly elevating forebears of the turn-up generation (and everyone on his group chat). TiaCorine for prez!
Gum & Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Ill Times — come smoke with the “other dude” from Tame Impala and a King Gizzard Lizard Wizard. Stoner electronics and dad rock riffs, twist my arm. (Their influences playlist is great too.)
Rema, HEIS — my gripe with a lot of afrobeat releases is… they’re too chill. I came for dancehall with extra passport stamps and got lullabies instead? Rema’s megahit with Selena Gomez is in the latter camp; not mad, was just looking for more energy. So you can imagine my pleasant surprise at the futuristic textures, hyper tempos and robo bangers on his new one.
JPEGMAFIA, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU — only been a week but I’ve been running this one a lot. All the inventive production and trollish bars you expect from Peggy, with enough of a twist (rap rock back, not kidding at all) to keep things spicy. Crazy songs for crazy times!
Fashion Tips, I Wish You Every Success — while we’re in an aggro zone, how about trashy, thrashy grrrl bangers (per their bio: “North East England noise rock/sasscore”) sounding like Le Tigre produced by Mclusky? Sidebar: this still rips.
Bilmuri, American Motor Sports — do you ever ask yourself, “what if… Andrew WK country album?” Of course not, you aren’t afflicted with a mental illness. But if you do fall somewhere on the palm-muting spectrum, this goes unexpectedly hard. Don’t love the video (a little SNL / “hat on a hat” when it comes to the gag) but pitch perfect Nashville earworms and crunched out pop-punk production make for a powerful combo. Plus: this is the “crabcore” guy?!? Feels like a good factoid to go out on (and yes, I am doing the dance).
Happy listening! Regular ol’ playlists updated too.