Monday Mixtape, Vol. 229

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I’m not sure where Washed Out (aka Ernest Greene) ranks in the pantheon of artists since 2000, but I have him in the Top 50, not as good as MGMT but in the same ballpark.

Washed Out has consistently released good albums for 15 years now, which is REALLY HARD TO DO. I’d give a similar compliment to MGMT although they’ve had more highs and lows. The highest compliment I can pay Washed Out is there is no one else out there who sounds like him because no one can perfect the rhythm and vibe of his chill shoegazey music.

AND GUESS WHAT? Washed Out just released a new album. I’m still digesting it, but I like it a lot, and while his sound generally stays in the same lane, there are enjoyable departures, like “The Hardest Part.”

I had to include my favorite Washed Out song, one of my favorite songs written in the past 15 years (maaaaybe Top 10??).

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 191

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Happy Labor Day all and apologies for my weeks of absence. Fortunately, there’s been no lull in music! All sorts of new albums to dig into like Chvrches, Drake, Jungle, Kanye (27 tracks??? 1 hr 48 min?? Sigh.), and a bunch of others. I’ll get to Drake and Kanye next week.

Chvrches new album, Screen Violence, their fourth, is right up there with their phenomenal debut, The Bones of What You Believe. Lauren Mayberry knows how to sing a hook and her melodies are on point, exemplified by two tracks on this week’s mixtape.

Then we have Jungle. I don’t even know how to categorize this band, but they’re a great band to throw on for background music at a party. Upbeat, rhythmic, and all sorts of soul and beats to keep your head bopping.

Nas has a new track with Lauryn Hill on it?? A reminder amidst all her craziness (I remember seeing her years ago, she was an hour and a half late to her show - the opener went off at 8:30pm, she didn’t get on until 11:00pm! I can’t believe I waited, but yes, it was worth it, because she’s that much of a talent.) that she’s one of kind.

How serene and beautiful is “Sidney’s Lullaby” by Washed Out? It reminds me a bit of “Kid A” by Radiohead but more subdued and restrained. I’m always a sucker for songs like this (“Postcards from Far Away” by Coldplay also comes to mind).

Finally, Gorillaz released an EP with a few songs on it, and I was blown away by the first track featuring an unknown Jelani Blackman rapping and an awesome beat and production behind him. Another beautiful track.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 79

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I recently published a poem I wrote, it's called Fixture. It's a poem on life, and I'm proud of it. I don't often feel proud of my writing because the majority of it is terrible, but sometimes, it feels good to write. This was one of those times.

It didn't take quite as long to get another Monday Mixtape out as it took to write another poem, but there's been a ton of music! All sorts of great albums have been released in the past couple weeks which I'll get to on this mixtape and the next one, but it includes Vince Staples, Haim, SZA, Washed Out, Poolside, Miami Horror, Dan Auerbach, and even Jeff Tweedy released a solo acoustic album of Wilco songs. Wow. Breathe. Listen. And enjoy!