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. 73

Oh man, oh man. Kendrick. Let's start off with the fact that he released one of my favorite songs of the year, The Heart Part 4:

A song with three different beats that Kendrick destroys with a confidence and abandon that no other rapper alive could think of doing. This man KNOWS he is the greatest rapper alive. "Don't tell a lie on me, I won't tell the truth bout you," he threatens to all the shit talking rappers with little to back up against Lamar. 

This track was released prior to Lamar's album, DAMN. released on Friday. Because of the quality of The Heart Part 4, I was amazed by its absence on his new album. I thought, "Ruhroh. Either's he gone mad to not include something this good or his new album is so great he doesn't even need this track." 

So yeah, it's the latter. 

DAMN. is the astonishment of everyone hearing this album for the first time. DAMN. is the thought when Lamar announces on the first real track, DNA, aside the bass rattling, "I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA. Cocaine quarter piece, War and Peace inside my DNA." DAMN. is the realization that Lamar is now one of the best rappers of all time. There are too many damns that you almost stop giving a damn. But, really, DAMN!

I'm going to try to do an album review sometime soon of DAMN. because it's an astonishing piece of art. It's already getting crazy love on the interwebs, and as I am typing this, I am counting down the minutes until Kendrick headlines Coachella which can be watched (and almost all of Coachella, for that matter) for free on YouTube (God Bless America)! 

There's so much other great stuff going on in music right now, some of it included on this mixtape. Little Dragon released a pretty great album, Spoon released a quality album (they just don't make bad records - I don't like this one as much as They Want My Soul - probably because it doesn't have a track like Inside Out, but it's still a damn good listed), John Mayer released his best album since Continuum (more on this next week though I've written a ton about most of the songs on the album already since they were released in EPs before the whole album - this is some new gimmick thanks to Spotify and all the other streaming companies), Joey Bada$$ released a damn good sophomore album, and Father John Misty released an album which starts great but quickly falls off a boring ass cliff of regurgitated songs from his last two (great) albums. 

So this is a good one. Enjoy! 

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 72

It's midnight, so I should probably get to sleep shortly. But first, be entranced by Leif Vollebekk, a singer/songwriter I just discovered that most clearly sounds like Ryan Adams, but "Elegy" gives him raspier vocals that hint of Angus Stone. This is a great album that I thoroughly recommend. 

Speaking of albums I thoroughly recommend, if you haven't listened to Drake's new album then what have you been doing? "Passionfruit" is one of my front-runners for song of the year, and "Portland" sounds like Drake got into the new Zelda game because there's some serious ocarinas blowing in that song. 

It's somewhat confounding that Local Natives have released two tracks in the aftermath of their mildly disappointing (or just not astounding or the album most huge fans were hoping for) third album that are better than most of the songs on the third album! This track brings an orchestra into the fry and Taylor's vocals actually sounding good again (instead of ridiculously whiny)

So the Gorillaz have a new album coming out. Their song with Vince Staples is sick and this song with D.R.A.M. is even better. Can't wait for this album in its entirety. 

Finally, Laura Marling's album is a great jaunt through the leafy woods. She's got that folksy Wes Anderson movie-like sound. I dig it.  

That's it. Past midnight, I'm spent!

Bon Iver on NPR Music Front Row

A few months ago, I wrote a tidbit about seeing Bon Iver live and said, "His reinterpretations of songs from albums are crazily complicated and stunning to hear live because some are such huge deviations from the originals. Others have slight changes that are memorable. He even reinterpreted his new songs!"

So if you haven't seen Bon Iver live, you now have probably the closest thing to it that you can possibly hear (because the sound quality of this live performance is phenomenal - BLAST it!):

I have been watching (and really, more just listening) this performance over and over and over again. I am so spellbound by the sounds and machinations of sounds that he manipulates and creates.

I hate throwing the word genius around, and I imagine Justin Vernon hates being called a genius more than anything, but this performance (which is VERY similar to what I go to see at The Fox) is something like a religious experience. Seeing something like this live invokes such passion and chills in me that I can only think of it as being genius.

Like I said, his interpretations of songs - like his country twanging "#29 Strafford APTS" or "Creature Fear" or one of my favorite Bon Iver songs EVER - "Beach Baby" (he didn't play Beach Baby at his show at The Fox, and I'm still devastated) - basically create new songs. 

I mean listen to #29 Strafford APTS from Bon Iver's recent album and then to this live version :

ALMOST nothing alike except for the lyrically gorgeous and irresistible hook:
A womb / An empty robe / Enough / You're rolling up / You're holding it / You're fabric now.

It was also great to hear him play "Heavenly Father," one of his one-off singles he wrote for the soundtrack to Wish I Was Here. He rocked it, but I have to say the acapella performance alongside (amazingly talented) The Staves takes the cake. Just a jaw dropping performance: 

The most memorable moment of the concert at The Fox - something that still gives me goosebumps thinking about - was "715 - Creeks." The band left the stage and Vernon stood alone with one bright light shining behind him, completely enveloping himself in darkness, a shadow of his own voice.

He manipulated and coaxed his vocals AND ONLY HIS VOCALS as the entire crowd stood completely silent, rapt in attention. You could barely hear a breath. No joke, I almost cried. it was that powerful.

A lot of people say that they don't get all the auto-tuning and particularly with a man like Justin Vernon's beautiful falsetto. But there's something fragile in the way he does it, hiding that beautiful voice behind something manufactured. You can hear his real voice bleeding through, trying to be heard. But it's mixed in a cacophony of tunes leaving the listener to wonder what emotions are behind it all. 

Let's also not forget to give Vernon's amazing band its fuckin' due. These guys rock. The horns, the drummers, the guitarists, and the backup vocals all play a huge role in this performance. 

Speaking of backup vocals, please give it up for Vernon's bandmate and friend of many years, Sean Carey who must be a brother to Vernon because Carey's voice is as angelic as Vernon's. Need proof? Check out another reinterpretation of theirs in this stunning live performance:

Whenever anyone doesn't seem to get all the fuss of live performances, please just point them to one of these videos.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 71

We all have nostalgic albums that make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, prompting slideshows in our minds of those times.

I still think of Band of Horse's Infinite Arms playing as I moved to Florida. I remember Third Eye Blind's debut album in the background of my sixth-grade life, playing Goldeneye on 64 and paintball in the woods of Leesburg, VA. Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers played on repeat as I visited one of my best friends who had moved to Switzerland. New Found Glory's self-titled album, Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory, and Incubus' Make Yourself and Morning View all curated my high school days. Paul Simon's Graceland and Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation were two of the first albums I ever remember hearing as my mom played them constantly in the background of my childhood. I could write a book about the albums of my life as each one had such an impact on me and a memory instilled.  

Then there's Acceptance. Who only had one album - the always and forever amazing Phantoms released in 2005. This album reminds me of my college days and very specific days and nights spent listening to this album, a girl I had a crush on, road trips jamming along to the tracks (I still know all the lyrics!), and just provides an overall warm feeling when I hear them. 

Acceptance had one of those wild cult followings which you may not have ever known about if you didn't know them. But people LOVE these guys. And out of nowhere, in 2017, twelve years after their debut, they decided to release their sophomore effort.

The new album reminds me of the heyday of my (and their) past, and they still make some great upbeat alternative rock (think The Juliana Theory-ish rock - SPEAKING OF, another amazing indie band from my high school days. Both Understand This Is A Dream and Emotion Is Dead are still amazing!) tracks that get you in a sing-songy rocking kind of way. My two favorite tracks from their new album are on this mixtape along with my favorites from their first album.  

If you have never heard of these guys, please do yourself a favor and dive in. It won't be nostalgic for you, and it may even sound a little dated (I actually think it has stood the test of time really well! I can't really say that for New Found Glory and Linkin Park though). 

But maybe, just maybe, you'll listen to them and get into them just like I did twelve years ago. And twelve years later, maybe you'll sit back and remember the time you read some dude's blog and were at a certain point of life, a mark in the map of life.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 70

It's been quite the weekend - I just got back from the Oregon vs. Rhode Island NCAA March Madness game in Sacramento. What an unbelievable game. Oregon had absolutely no reason winning. They were outplayed in pretty much every facet of the game, but they continued to hang in there as the 11th seeded Rhode Island team smacked them around - at one point during the game RI went 17 of 21 in shots. ON FIRE!

Rhode Island was playing with nothing to lose and Oregon had all the pressure on them and were clearly faltering under it. It is remarkable to witness the psychological warfare that goes on at a live event like that. Oregon fans were losing their minds and SO negative the entire game. These are just KIDS that these people are screaming at. The players had to have felt the negative energy.

Meanwhile, the Rhode Island fans were going nuts and the players were playing with utter abandon and joy to be in the tourney with the opportunity to knockout such a huge team like Oregon.

Once the game got really tight in the last two minutes, it was Rhode Island's turn to feel the pressure. What once felt like walking on water, they now had saw the possibility of letting the game slip away. The pressure was too much for them to handle. In the end, Oregon pulled off the win with a ridiculously clutch three from G Tyler Dorsey. And the crowd went crazy.

Kudos to both teams. That was probably the best college basketball game I've ever attended, and the first March Madness game of my life. I recommend it to all. You can only hope for a crazy game like that. 

Now listen to some music!

Monday Mixtape Vol. 69

"Slide," the new track from Calvin Harris, Frank Ocean, and Migos has to be an early contender for song of the year. I assume this is going to be a huge hit everywhere (if it isn't already) because HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE THIS SONG?? 

Hippo Campus was a band I wrote about one whole year ago when they released a super catchy EP and compared them to Vampire Weekend and Local Natives. With the release of their debut album a week ago, the comparisons to Vampire Weekend will surely continue while the songs continue to keep me bopping my head. These guys just make you feel good listening to them. Their music puts a smile on your face and also plays as great background music with its balance of upbeat but chill vibes. Def start digging into this album if you like the two tracks from this week's mixtape!

John Mayer released part 2 of his EP, and I definitely enjoy it more than the first one. "Helpless" sounds like a b-side from his "Heavier Things" and "Continuum" era albums. This has that catchiness of a "Vultures" a similar little guitar lick. When he's on, Mayer makes some great pop music with a touch of blues.

I told you I would have another Future song on this mixtape! He released his second album in two weeks (and was rumored to be dropping in three albums in three weeks - but that didn't happen)   and I've been listening to it non-stop. I can't particularly describe why I like Future. I remember not liking his music when I first started listening to him, but as I began to accept his auto-tuned voice, I started to hear his different rhythms and flows and ability to ride with a song. "Incredible" is Future with a little reggae beat and a hook that keeps you coming back for more.

Circa Waves' 2015 album was a really fun uplifting album that always makes you feel like you're soaking in sun at the beach. See: T-Shirt Weather:

Their music is not particularly original or transformative, but it just feels good to listen to. They have a ton of energy, and this single from their upcoming album gives them a bit more grit and rock n' roll. Excited for the album. 

Have a good week! 

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 68

Hello, hello! Currently watching the Oscars where JT as usual put on quite the performance. Jimmy Kimmel sounds very tired, however, and most of his jokes have been pretty lame. So let's get on to the music!

I had to add more songs to this week's mixtape from the new albums from both Ryan Adams and Future. As Ryan Adams was once know to be a prolific young songwriter releasing many albums over a short span of time, Future has now taken that reign and released a new album ONE WEEK later after the release of his self-titled album. I have yet to even digest the new one, but I will probably add some new stuff in the coming weeks. And if you don't like Future, I understand, but I would also say give the guy a chance and embrace some different music.

I haven't ever listened to Laura Marling, but I have read some stuff on her new album and was intrigued. "Wild Fire" is a track off that new album, and she sounds like an artist I may have to dive into. 

Had to add a little dance music so I included an AlunaGeorge remix to get those hips moving. 

Have a good week all!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 67

I gotta start this mixtape with Lupe. The first track off his new album, "Dopamine Lit (Intro)" is a banger. Lupe attacks the track "Mural" style with wordplay and words stacking on each other like a Jenga tower. He also gives a shout out to Frank Ocean with a line. "Jump" is another banger like an old school Lil' Wayne track with storytelling.

Lupe's new album, however, is a total mess. There is absolutely no continuity when a song like "Jump" is accompanied by poppy rap-r&B slow jams that sound like a duet with Ed Sheeran and Milli Vanilli. Half the album is awesome and half sounds like a record label required Lupe to have eight shitty pop-rap songs. If this album only included the great rap, it would have been quite the follow-up to his amazing last album, Tetsuo & Youth. Alas, that did not happen. 

Ryan Adams just release this new album! And it's great, I have really been enjoying it and still need to listen to it much more. I think the first track from the album, "Do You Still Love Me?" is the best song on the album. That's why it is on the mixtape. But it's worth some listens. 

Future decided to drop a surprise album, and I gotta say, the album sounds different than his other stuff. He's moved to some different beats and quicker flows, sounding a little less codeine-influenced and more of some sort of upper drugs that he may enjoy. "Draco" is my favorite song, an upbeat thumper. 

Real Estate has a new album coming out. They lost guitarist Matt Mondanile to his great solo project Ducktails, but it's still sounding like they haven't missed a beat. Their last two albums have been really fantastic and complete, the total opposite to Lupe, their albums flow like packed rivers. 

This song from London Grammar sounds a bit like Temper Trap and a bit like them. Her vocal chops are legit.

To end the mixtape, I'm leaving you with Charlotte Day Wilson, a sultry singer I first heard on Badbadnotgood's album then heard on a Local Native's remix of my favorite song from their new album, "Dark Days." This song is sexy.