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.