Here’s a nice, blithesome ditty with a “Benny And The Jets” kind of groove.
[new] Victoria Monét – “Jaguar” (106bpm)
The video reminds me a little bit of the Jackson’s “Can You Feel It.” Kinda bizzaro-futuristic with WAY too many sound effects dubbed in. Anyway, it’s not a super-interesting song, but it’s good for a few listens. I’m blogging about it almost out of obligation; it has a great horn part! I think they’re like REAL HORNS! How great is it to hear that again?! I’d like the song better if there were a 12″ version with a nice long break. But I guess breaks have fallen out of fashion these days.
[new] Gashi – “Lies” (118bpm) & “Paranoid” (110bpm)
Gashi seems to be taking a page from The Weeknd’s playbook. Or perhaps it’s vice versa. I really like this track a lot. I’m a little more fond of the instrumental production on this record than I am the vocals. I know it may seem like a requirement to auto-tune these days, but I think this record would have been much more powerful without it.
Another enjoyable track from Gashi called “Paranoid.” Gashi… yes… we know you smoke. We’re very proud of you. 😂 The look and image he’s cultivated for himself is douchey, but I do like this track and video as well.
[new] Glass Animals – “It’s All So Incredibly Loud” (107bpm)
It’s so refreshing to hear something new, something creative. Glass Animals packs high intensity, high emotion, and broad dynamic range into records which transport the listener to another state of mind. I hope you have a good sub-woofer. Strap in. This one’s dark and powerful.
[new] Alfie Templeman – “Things I Thought Were Mine” (100bpm)
According to his bio, Alfie Templeman seems to know a thing or two about producing music. At only 17 years old, he’s managed to crank out an impressive, catchy ear-worm called “Things I Thought Were Mine.” It’s got a nice funky beat and a catchy melody. Promising product from this fella; looking forward to hearing more.
[new] Donna Missal – “Slow Motion” [66bpm]
There’s nothing terribly interesting about this song, but it is well performed and well produced. Donna Missal gives a solid, soulful vocal performance here. She has an understanding of articulation, phrasing, and enunciation that puts her well above the garden variety pop singer. 1 point deduction for vocal fry. 🤨
[new] Elderbrook – “My House” (121bpm)
Groovy pop song with a great melody and a syncopated beat you can get down to. This song demonstrates that strategically placed gaps and moments of brief silence are an effective tool to make a song interesting, dynamic, and less fatiguing. I generally don’t care too much about lyrics, but I find these a little dumb. Perhaps I’m misinterpreting them, but they seem to be criticizing people who want stuff and assume that it’s born out of a desire to belittle others. Uh, no. Most people want a nice house to live in because they want a nice house to live in. Whatever. I still enjoy the tune.
[new] HAIM – “Gasoline” (67bpm)
Three sisters make up the Los Angeles based band HAIM. I like the production on this track. Terrific multi-part harmony. And it’s nice to hear something that isn’t so quantized, auto-tuned, and polished to the point is has no organic life left in it. It sounds a bit you’re listening to them play it live in their living room. I’m digging it!
[fav] Little Daylight – “Mona Lisa” (128bpm)
This is a really good pop tune from a now defunct band from Brooklyn called Little Daylight. They split up and two of their members formed a new band call Me Not You. They’re worth checking out as well. I really like Nikki Taylor’s vocals. She has a pure tone and good articulation. And there’s never ever any vocal fry which is delightful.
[fav] Little Dragon – “Paris” (153bpm)
This is my favorite track from Little Dragon’s 2014 album “Nabuma Rubberband.” It has a soulful vocal perofrmance, touching lyrics, and excellent arrangement and production. Normally, an emotional song like this would be a down-tempo ballad. I like that they took it up-tempo and made it thump. They’re a good band. I recommend checking out their other stuff.