John Keek - Can't Make You Stay: My new favorite boy artist. Only two EPs out so far, but none of them have skips. His voice is unreal (trained through church choir), he's a talented artist (he's been in a NPR Tiny Desk as a saxophonist), and he's handsome too (hehehehehehehehehe). So excited for more.
Erika de Casier - Puppy Love: I was going through NewJeans producers and Erika's music struck a chord. The album feels a bit repetitive for me, so this is the highlight. If you're willing, I recommend staying until the chorus to see if you like. Feels like a warm hug.
Noname - With You: Noname is one of my favorite rappers since she nails what she does... somber rap(?). Doesn't hurt that her producer, Phoelix, makes backtracks that make me melt. This album came out back in 2018, but relistening reminded me how amazing it is (was a top album for most music news outlets that year). I think I may be sliding into another R&B and hip-hop era.
NMS9.23.23
Esperanza Spalding - Precious: Esperanza's music has always been on my radar, but I had never journeyed much further back in her discography, since I was under the impression it was pretty hardcore jazz. Lots of scatting and freestyle, which isn't my thing. Her second album, Esperanza, veers more towards pop, however! Or at least singer/songwriter. This song blew me away when I first heard it. The resolution in the chorus is awesome. Hope you enjoy.
Mitski - I'm Your Man: New Mitski album! Most of it wasn't my thing, since it's pretty emo-folk-y. This one was a winner, though. Feels like it came out of a Wes Anderson soundtrack, especially with the choir at the end.
yeule - cyber meat: When yeule does rock, she rocks it. The same goes here!
NMF9.1.23
Baths - Slut Hymn: Stressful days at work, so a Baths release is welcomed. His chill ambient electronic music usually hits for me, and this track is no exception. It's hard to come by artists that put lyrics/singing on top, too.
Nine Inch Nails - Into The Void: Took a taste of Nine Inch Nails last week. Delicious! Edgy, but in an upbeat and sleak way. Apparently they are "industrial rock", which I think I need to look more into.
CHAI - We The Female!: Been following CHAI for a while, since they're the new big indie rock group from Japan. The country is so focused on the image of their idols, but this group rejects that and has taken up the tagline "neo-kawaii". Awesome, but I couldn't get into their music (too dissonant). Now, their sound is refining and improving. Excited to hear more.
NMF9.8.23
No Rome - 180: NO ROME ONLY MAKES HITS!! Seriously though, this guy has major chops. This new EP "Blueboy Must Die" is so good, but he ends with this epic cathartic anthem which I always eat up. Feels strangely like Phil Collins Tarzan for some reason, but with No Rome's electronic flair.
Lorde - The Love Club: An oldie but a goodie. Still have so many visceral memories tied to listening to this album, since it must have been all I listened to in 2013/2014. I love the background vocals on this one in particular and how she's almost rapping in this song. It works, since her lyrics are so well-written.
Utada - Sanctuary: Found this song a long time ago because it's the opening for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. However, I still stand by how incredible it is. Feels like you're traveling through space and time to find your true love (which may or may not be the plot of Kingdom Hearts...). And Utada Hikaru has the perfect ethereal voice for something so mystical and epic.
NMF9.1.23
Baths - Slut Hymn: Stressful days at work, so a Baths release is welcomed. His chill ambient electronic music usually hits for me, and this track is no exception. It's hard to come by artists that put lyrics/singing on top, too.
Nine Inch Nails - Into The Void: Took a taste of Nine Inch Nails last week. Delicious! Edgy, but in an upbeat and sleak way. Apparently they are "industrial rock", which I think I need to look more into.
CHAI - We The Female!: Been following CHAI for a while, since they're the new big indie rock group from Japan. The country is so focused on the image of their idols, but this group rejects that and has taken up the tagline "neo-kawaii". Awesome, but I couldn't get into their music (too dissonant). Now, their sound is refining and improving. Excited to hear more.
NMF8.11.23
ROUND TABLE - Let Me Be With You ft. Nino: This is an oldie but a goodie. It was featured as the opening theme song for the 2002 anime "Chobits" by my favorite manga group, Clamp (Cardcaptor Sakura, xxxHolic, etc.). The show is a young romance about a robot girl and a boy, and this song perfectly captures its essence. The fluttery and upbeat tempo and instruments make me giddy!
Bliss Station - Autobahn: Great dance song! The singer is Ehiorobo, a longtime favorite of mine, and this collaboration feels like a win. His voice always pairs perfectly with this sort of dance-y electronic production.
Doja Cat - Paint The Town Red: Doja always kills the production and verses, but this one is enjoyed with some context. Doja Cat recently decided to head more rap-heavy with her songs, and her fans have been disappointed, saying how they miss the old Doja Cat. Additionally, she recently revealed she never says she loves her fans because she doesn't know them. Uproar ensued, saying Doja went off the deep end (her shaved head was torn apart, too). A week later, she releases this, and my jaw dropped. The verses are killer. And to boot, she recolored all of her video thumbnails to be red. tl;dr: great song, even greater PR move.
NMF7.28.23
Slayyyter - Out Of Time: Slayyyter has been off and on my radar with her heavy connection to hyperpop/slutpop and artists like Sophie, Ayesha Erotica, and Dorian Electra. I found out she released some singles last month, though, and they are HITS! Totally different from her past stuff, and just fantastic pop music. Great synth and bass.
Amit Trivedi - Naina Da Kya Kasoor (What's the Fault of the Eyes): Favorite song from my favorite Bollywood movie, Andhadhun. A pianist who fakes blindness to improve his skills ends up witnessing a murder, raising the stakes of his experiment and sending him on a crazy adventure. It's a comedy, and this is one of the first songs (before anything goes wrong), so it is dripping with joy and features some great piano.
Grimes - I Wanna Be Software: I love Grimes because her work is so unexpected, and rarely fails. In this case, she has joined the old school electronic train, and I'm here for it. It has a particular sound that I can't pinpoint, except that it is reminiscent of Portal 2 - Want You Gone.
NMF7.21.23
NewJeans - ETA: The new NewJeans EP dropped today! This is my favorite of the not-previously-released songs. That repeating, staccato horn adds a little bit of funk and fits the ETA/driving vibe. 4/6 songs here are pretty vibe-y and chill, but this and "Super Shy" just makes you want to get on your feet and BOP!
Troye Sivan - Rush: Debated putting this new single on the list. The majority of the song is pretty predictable and boring. However, the bass-heavy male choir in the chorus is surprising, fun, and makes me want to drink beer shirtless with a bunch of gay men. On the visual side, I also included it because the music video has garnered some controversy for only featuring super fit dancers (thus not very body-inclusive).
Passion Pit - Somewhere Up There: This is the second track on Passion Pit's most recent album, "Tremendous Sea of Love", which released in 2020. The album didn't receive much traction, and the majority of it is a bit too eclectic for my taste, with each song feeling closer to a compilation than a piece of music. BUT! The first two tracks (the intro, "Moonbeam", and this one) are fantastic and perfectly balance unfamiliar sounds that keep you hooked with beautiful melodies. Plus, I'm always a fan of that ethereal, atmospheric electronic sound (a genre called "Wave", to my understanding).
NMF7.14.23
Jazmin Bean - Piggie: Originally processed this as just a great pop punk song. Jazmin's ethereal voice over the hard drums and electric guitar lend itself to that (gotta love some contrast). But then the lyrics came together when I watched the MV. Both facets stand well on their own, and combine to make a great track.
STEFAN THEV - ghouls! zombies! skeletons!: Found this guy this week and I am very impressed! Not much traction, but he makes great alternative music. Big Two Door Cinema Club and Day Wave vibes (Walk the Moon adjacent). He does a very iconic sound very well. Plus all of his music has spooky themes, so it'll be great for my next Halloween party.
Clean Bandit - A&E ft. Kandaka Moore & Nikki Cislyn: More OG Clean Bandit. Last week I sent "Stronger", which is much more catchy and pop-y. But I think this might be the better song. A bit more experimental, a bit more of their instrumental/electronic fusion, and a bit more vibe-y (which is how I, personally, like my music these days).
NMS7.8.23
NewJeans - Super Shy: THIS is what is missing from pop music nowadays. The joyous dancing and the vibey summer sound. So many hard drops these days (especially in K-Pop), but NewJeans delivers all the quality without needing to reach for insane bass. Sorry, guys. The song of the summer has been released and I won't be accepting any arguments.
Clean Bandit - Stronger: NewJean's new song (and new sound in general) falls under the genre "UK Garage" (which I learned about recently). This reminded me of Clean Bandit, who nailed that sound and made it their own with their first album, "New Eyes" (and managed to incorporate classical instruments, their schtick). This is a fantastic, and again JOYFUL album that I regularly come back to for more than just "Rather Be", the single.
The Shins - The Rifle's Spiral: Been listening to a lot of Snow Patrol this week, and The Shins always gave me similar vibes with this song. Been loving that magical, mysterious sound that both bands have.
Peach PRC - God Is A Freak: Been seeing a lot of far-right propoganda and some pretty sad stuff on my news feeds. This song makes me feel better about it, in a funny and pop-y way.
Philip Glass and Anthony Ross Costanzo - Akhnaten: Hymn to the Sun: Listened to the recordings of this opera this week and none compare to Anthony Ross Costanzo's performance. I find the whole thing hypnotically transcendent, but for those less interested in Glass's repetitiveness, the good part starts at 2 minutes in.
NMF6.15.23
Fiona Apple - The First Taste: Fantastic song off her first album, Tidal. Total 90's vibes to me (sounds kind of like another song?).
Dom Whiting - Drum & Bass On The Bike: Not a song, but been watching these DJ sets while I work. He bikes around a city during the day with a bunch of speakers and a huge crowd of bikers follows him, usually screwing up traffic horribly. But the people stuck are always smiling and in awe. It looks like a blast, and I am WAITING for the opportunity to attend. Plus, I love his sets, as DnB is one of my new favorite genres (speedy rhythm section with slower melodies/chords on top).
