Monday Mixtape, Vol. 165

So much great stuff for you on this Monday! We start it off with Pink Sweat$, a chubby black guy who physically (and I guess a bit musically too!) reminds me of PM Dawn (who gets a nostalgic nod on this mixtape too) while musically reminding me of an amalgamation of Frank Ocean, Bruno Mars, and Khalid. And let’s also give respect where respect is due: he’s got the best album cover of 2020 on wrap:

Another newcomer, Nick Grant, is one talented rapper. Loving “FEDS” and been listening to him a bunch recently. You’ll hear more of this guy.

As usual, Justin Vernon is in high demand. He was on a Taylor Swift track from her phenomenal new album, and he’s got an appearance on a song on The Japanese House’s recent LP.

For the David Byrne / Talking Heads fans out there: Whitney came out with a cover of “Strange Overtones,” and they put a tad of a spin on it while staying true to its roots, so I think it plays pretty well.

Speaking of Talking Heads’ covers, I recently got the 10th Anniversary vinyl edition of Local Natives "Gorilla Manor” (one of only 1,000 made!). Gorilla Manor is easily one of my favorite records of the past decade, and it always gives me nostalgic memories of where I living, what I was doing, who I was, and so much more. Albums that really bring you back to a time yet still resonate on listens today are truly special. And my goodness, does “Wide Eyes” sound amazing on vinyl! (Sorry, no Local Natives on today’s mixtape.)

Every track Arlo Parks has released in the past couple years, I’ve been totally digging. She always has good beats, and she reminds me a bit of Clairo (maybe it’s the voice?) but she’s got more rhythm. Check her out.

Finally, a favorite of mine, Sir Drake. I didn’t think the use of “baby” so often could actually turn into a catchy track. The video is also pretty funny as he’s just getting embarrassed by pro athletes on Nike’s campus (and yes, also a pretty huge marketing ploy though I don’t think Drake is on Nike but all the other people are).

Drake’s the best. I just love him. I love all the haters of Drake, and the people that don’t consider him a rapper, or think he’s weak or whatever, it’s comical to me because they get SO UPSET. It’s just like, dude, just go back to listening to Gucci Mane and leave me in peace. Not ironically, but this Drake track is all about all the dumbs rappers that talked shit to Drake and spoke of the huge life they lived, yet now they’re broke and fell off the map. The consistency of Drake’s quality is ridiculous. It’s still going. And I’m loving it.

That’s all, have a great week.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 162

My Morning Jacket just released a surprise album, The Waterfall II. It’s a release of other songs that MMJ recorded while making their last album, The Waterfall. Check out my album review from 2015 of the Waterfall here!

What I’m left guessing with this second installment is that the songs on this new album are b-sides. I’ve listened through the album a couple times, and it needs many more, but “Feel You” is the standout. It’s a great ballad with a killer guitar riff that will bring you back wanting to hear the song again. Love these guys.

There’s some new stuff from a couple bands that have made frequent appearances on the mixtape: Whitney and Foster the People. There’s also some brand new bands, like the unique teenage artist, boy pablo (hailing from Denmark!) and the spacey Mildlife.

Have a great week!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 143

Happy Monday all! Some jams to get your week started, and nothing bumps better than Friendly Fires! Their new album is great, a high dose of energy and electronic signals straight to the brain, and I added another one of my faves from the album on this week’s mixtape.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Post Malone ever since I posted “White Iverson” on Monday Mixtape, Vol. 19, back in 2015, many moons ago! His look and approach was always ridiculous, but the guy is as catchy as Bruno Mars and a sound all his own. I give kudos to the guy.

Malone now lives in Utah because “Hollywood’s Bleeding,” as his new album’s title states. Lots of bloodsuckers and friends who aren’t friends who become enemies, looking for a handout. I assume the Hollywood life for a guy like Posty is awesome for a period of time and then gets very weird when you realize your money and fame act like the world’s strongest magnet, attracting awful people looking for free drugs and god knows what else. So kudos to your move as well, good sir!

ANYWAYS, one of my favorite rappers ever, the one, the only, Ghostface Muthafuckin’ Killah, released a new album on Friday, and he’s got a killer track with Cappadonna and another original, Method Man. You shall be nodding your head shortly.

I’m seeing John Mayer tonight at the new Chase Center in San Francisco, and I haven’t seen him for six years when he was touring on his “Born and Raised” tour. Super pumped, particularly because he has no new album to play, so I’m hoping the setlist will be EPIC and have some mind-melting solos. Pumped!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 137

Starting the mixtape with a new troubadour by the name of Alfie Templeton. He’s giving me some vibes of a more pop oriented Mac Demarco. His track “Stop Thinking (About Me)” show his pop chops while “Tragic Love” has that total Mac Demarco chilled out vibe.

ALPINE. These guys & gals are VERY underrated. A Is For Alpine is a really great debut album (from 2013) and no one sounds like them. They just released a new track that is as catchy as their best stuff and a hint of what’s to come on their new album. Check them out, go deep!

Speaking of underrated, Spoon is one of those somewhat unsung heroes of rock n’ roll. They’ve kept the torch alive for all the new bands to take rock forward, and they’re one of the most consistent bands in all of music.

Whitney’s debut album was really good. I can see how they’re divisive since the lead singer’s voice, is, um, a bit high, a bit weird, a bit whiny, and maybe VERY annoying to some, but it works for me, and they’ve developed a pretty big following. I compare them a bit - at least via the relaxed vibe - to Real Estate, though I’ll take Real Estate over them any day of the week.

Omar Apollo sounds like a mix between Gary Clark Jr. and Leon Bridges. Need I say more?

Faye Webster. If you didn’t read my earlier stuff, her album this year is easily one of my favorites, it might still be sitting at #1 today. SO LISTEN.

AND HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 74

My love of Cousin Stizz dates back to 2015 when he released his debut album, Suffolk County, a pure and sincere rap album with no gimmicks, features, or pop songs, just raw as hell Stizz. He's been getting some buzz recently which would explain how he got Offset (from Migos) to feature on this week's opener. What a beat and a catch hook. 

I'm not exactly sure who Ron Gallo is, but if this song - the first track on 2017's HEAVY META - is any indication, the guy is a throwback. "Young Lady, You're Scaring Me" sounds like a song destined for a scene in a Scorcese movie when someone has done entirely too many drugs - as always happens in his movies - and is on a hotel balcony, teetering on the balcony, their life in the balance.  

Whitney just makes great background music. I put them in the same genre as Real Estate but with a bit more pep and soul. Love these guys. 

Spoon has once again released another really good album. I spoke about this a bit last week, but they are one of the few bands that adapt their sound a bit here and there and continue to make quality music while staying relevant over a timespan that any musician would strive for. 

If you forgot who Taleb Kweli was well shame on you! How could you forget one of the best rap albums of all time, Mos Def and Taleb Kweli Are Black Star, and one of my favorite rap songs:  

Kweli released an album with Styles P and this is my favorite track. Glad to hear he's still after it.

Don't know who Soulwax is, but this is one funky electro song. As for John Mayer making his way back on to the mixtape, I just thought "In the Blood" was a great song on what we have instilled in us from our parents and everything we've been through: Will it wash out in the water or is it always in the blood? 

Finally, Slowdive hasn't made an album since 1996, so we'll say they were due for some new music. If you can't hear their influcene on DIIV, well listen to DIIV again!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 55

From the stunningly gorgeous cuts from Billie Marten (who AND I'M NOT TOTALLY GOING THERE JUST SAYIN') reminds of Jeff Buckley, particularly "As Long As") to the trippy tracks by the appropriately named Drugdealer and Post Animal to the breezy Whitney and then the Nirvana-esque Madeline Kenney, this is one kick ass mixtape for all you weirdos out there. 

Rock on and have a great week.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 47

Sorry that I have disappeared for two weeks, but I was just on a two-week long binge trip of work. 13 straight days to be exact. I would love to tell you about how wild it was and how many different qualities come out of human beings that are stressed and sleep deprived beyond reason, but I will only do that in person!

Anyhoo, a TON has been going on in the wide world of music, including Radiohead putting their new album and "In Rainbows" on Spotify!! Years back, I was trying to make a Best of Radiohead playlist on Spotify but just couldn't because I thought "Nude" and most certainly "All I Need" needed to be included. But good news, now that all of their albums are on Spotify, I can do it. See you in a year. 

Radiohead’s new album, A Moon Shaped Pool, is the calmest album they’ve made, a slow pace around the orchestra pit. I’m not sure how many instruments were involved in the making of this album, but the simplicity of the piano and strings in “Glass Eyes” was the most effective of all and delicately gorgeous. Radiohead also gave their loyal fans who know every B-side they’ve ever made a true treat at the end of the album, a studio version of “True Love Waits.”  

Nobody liked Band of Horses last album. Because it was really bad. Fortunately, their new album is pretty good, none better than the opener that starts with their patented chill-reverb guitar and Ben Bridewell’s vocals. Speaking of these guys, if you haven't listened to my Best of Band of Horses, here's the mix!  

After the first 30 seconds, if you had to guess whose song “Wow” was, what are the odds you would have said Beck? One percent? Five? The point is the man adapts and creates like no other artist I can think of. 

If you actually listen to Whitney (a spin off of two dudes from bigger bands, one from Unknown Mortal Orchestra and the other Smith Westerns) instead of just the instrumental from them that I included, you may think the lead singer sounds like the greased-up deaf guy from Family Guy:

and you will probably be right. Nonetheless, I still like the album as it’s the sound of summer. And we all need more summer. 

If you haven’t listened to the Car Seat Headrest album, get on it. 

Wild Beasts have been a band I’ve followed for many albums, and they’ve never really caught on, mainly because their lead singer refuses to sing any way other than a man reading an erotic novel like an opera singer. He tones it down a but with “Get My Bang,” the catchiest song they’ve ever written. It’s still no “The Fun Powder Plot,” my favorite song they’ve done from back in 2009.

Have a great week, I am flying to Croatia as we speak and will be navigating down the coast over a two week span in a rental car with a manual transmission (that I somewhat forget how to use). Pictures will be posted upon my return. You can't go to Lake Plitvices and not return without pictures.