Monday Mixtape, Vol. 131

So…everyone’s dead on Game of Thrones. Well, not everyone, but mostly. I suppose that’s what was to be expected. Just let Sansa rule with Arya as hand to the Queen, and we’ll all be happy.

This week’s mixtape starts off reeeeall chill, I can’t get enough of Billie Marten’s voice. One of a kind. It’z crazy to think she’s only 19, that’s a lot of talent!

I’m been constantly listening to the Vampire Weekend album, and it’s one of those albums that’s just too long. 18 tracks?? Really?? If they had cut the 6 weak-ish tracks out of the album, it would be a really, really, good album. It’s still good, and when it’s great (Unbearably White, Bambina, This Life, How Long?, 2021), it’s really great. It just can’t keep the momentum up.

Holy Ghost! continues to kick ass, and “Escape from Los Angeles” is a seven minute opus!

If you haven’t listened to TOKiMONSTA, she’s a pretty great producer of, usually, laid back jams. Good to just throw her stuff on when you’re looking to relax a bit yet be productive.

Have a good week all!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 129

Happy belated Easter and Passover and any other holiday (…420) you may have celebrated over the weekend!

There’s so much great new music to digest this week, including new stuff from Vampire Weekend, Idlewild, Bibio, and Band of Skulls.

Many years ago, 19 to be exact, Idlewild released 100 Broken Windows, a phenomenal indie rock album that drew me into the Scottish band. A couple years after that, they released the somewhat more mature but still amazingly raucous, The Remote Part. I’m listening to it right now, and it stands the test of time. I actually have to listen to these albums all week. Please dig into these guys if you’ve never explored.

I've actually never listened to The Brian Jonestown Massacre before, but I’ve constantly read their name. Their new album kicks ass. Speaking of kicking ass, Band of Skulls is keeping rock alive, and “Love Is All You Love” is a testament to that.

If you liked Bibio’s old stuff, a la Ambivalence Avenue, this album goes back to his roots. Super chill, great background music. “Before” is one of my faves on the new album.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 22

Good morning, afternoon, and evening! There's some good music in store:

I stumbled upon Cousin Stizz recently. His debut album, Suffolk County, is chill rap at its rawest. Hailing from the Boston area, Stizz is one of those artists that sounds real, nothing contrived or forced. Rarely does he speed up his strolling delivery, but when he does, it's powerful (see: "Bonds" and "I Got It").

I spoke about Rome Fortune back in my 5 Faves of him, and at the time I hadn't heard anyone like him. But Stizz has similar beats and cadences. They're both in their own world, a galaxy of soma and sedatives. His vocals also remind me of Kid Cudi too (who should also be releasing an album sometime soon). If you like the spaced-out "No Bells" and "No Explanation," definitely check out this album. It's one of my favorite rap debuts this year.

Listen to the beginning of "Narrows." Does it remind you of another song? Or maybe a band? The guitar at 0:29 sounds exactly like the clean guitar sound on a number of their albums (in fact I would venture to say the guitars are the same make - Gibson - and possibly a similar model). Anything? The song: "Arizona," the band: Kings of Leon.

I can't stop listening to Widowpeak's album which "Narrows" is on. It's super chill and is paced really well without one bad track. Put it on in the background and enjoy. It's definitely made it's way into my Top 25 Albums this year.

I included AM & Shawn Lee on last week's Mixtape, but these guys write catchy electro-popish tracks, so I thought everyone would enjoy my other favorite track on their album.

Another pop quiz: Do you think "Sister of Pearl" by Baio sounds like any other band you know? If you guessed Vampire Weekend, then you are on your game. Or maybe you were even smarter and knew the name of Vampire Weekend's bassist was Chris Baio and put two and two together. (If you thought this was Scott Baio's band, you can see yourself out) Either way, I'm excited for Baio's album which is release THIS FRIDAY. 

"Disintegrate" by Painted Palms has a lot of influences. You got Cut Copy for sure. LCD Soundsystem, no question. Holy Ghost! as well. I'm actually surprised they're not on the DFA record label. I need to give their album another go round because the first time wasn't too impressive. However, this track keeps growing on me, so maybe the album will too. To be continued...

If you've been reading my stuff for a bit, you know I love the last song on albums (I already referenced "Arizona" on this post!), and Dan Auerbach's (of The Black Keys) The Arcs' last track, "Searching the Blue," is subtly sweet and a great closer for their album and this mixtape. If you haven't read up on my review of The Arcs' great album, please do!

Have a good week.