Monday Mixtape, Vol. 107

There has been some GREAT music I've been blasting the past couple weeks from some highly anticipated albums like Drake's Scorpion and Jim James' Uniform Distortion as well as some newer (at least to me) artists, Teyana Taylor, Mt. Joy, The Academic, and The Undercover Dream Lovers, AND a surprise couple songs from Childish Gambino. 

So let's first talk about Drake. He made a ridiculously long album. Again. Sigh. This time it's a "double album" where side A is rap and Side B is his R&B/Pop thang. There's nothing I hate more than double albums. The results are ALWAYS the same. If you took the best 12 songs from the total fattened and bloated 24 songs, you usually would get one hell of an album. Calling Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium. How good would that album have been!??

SO ANYWAYS, Drake. He's a very easy target these days on social media and all the music blogospheres because it's pretty easy to make fun of him (he's a walking meme and the majority of his lyrics, particularly on this album), and he gets a ton of clicks for all the sites. Most people have been mainly hating on the album, which is somewhat fair, but I do think that Drake's albums  for one, are an acquired taste, and two, typically take me many listens to appreciate. This one is no different. I really enjoy Side B, and particularly the two tracks on this week's mixtape. "Peak" has a little sound on it that really reminded me of ***NERD GAMER ALERT*** a very specific sound effect from one of - IF NOT THE - greatest video games ever, Final Fantasy VII. Now maybe you'll just say, please stop, you're making too much of this, but GUESS WHAT? There is another song on the album called "FINAL FANTASY." Honestly, I have no idea if that's a coincidence, but I don't really believe in coincidences so it is not and they knew exactly what they were doing. Love it. Also, the hook on "Finesse" is just catchy and suave Drake at his best. So that ends, Drake.

I read a review recently that likened Jim James' new solo album to a My Morning Jacket album made 15 years ago. Pretty on point except certainly not the quality of MMJ at their peak. I know MMJ has an amazing following and is renowned as a phenomenal live band (I've seen them twice and also Jim James once), but I do believe they're underrated. These guys are one of the best five rock bands of the past 20 years. Who else is one there is up to you and yours, but THEY'RE THERE.

Listen to this Mt. Joy album more than once, it will grow on you. I thought they were a little too what's that band that chants and shouts all the time and is a bit folksy? Right, Of Monsters and Men, who I just never could get into. These guys reminded me of them a bit, but additional listens brought some nuance to their lyrics and musical talents. It's good stuff!

Teyana Taylor was the vixen from Kanye's very much watched by all men video, "Fade"

 Her album is pretty good, and I love this song. Hope you do too!

The Academic released an album that will be utterly forgettable in some years, but I utterly enjoy it now. They're like a mix of Two Door Cinema Club and New Found Glory. It's enjoyable and makes me feel good.

Finally, Childish Gambino continues his crazy run of brilliance with the summer jam, "Summertime Magic." Play this on repeat and you'll have a good week. 

Adios! 

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 106

This is a particularly good Monday as the middle of the week's bloated hump gets disregarded due to July 4th, and we can all celebrate while taking a short week! There are many things to rant and rave about with this country right now, and it's almost impossible to click on Google News or Twitter or The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal or (you get the point) without becoming thoroughly depressed, but I do try to remember how and why this whole experiment of a country started, and exhibit some sense of pride in our ideals and optimism and what we've accomplished as a country, and more importantly, as people. 

That all being said, I also just finished reading "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann, a true story about many, many Native Americans who were systematically murdered by white people and covered up by more powerful white people because AFTER the United States banished them from their profitable and farmable land, the United States jammed this tribe, the Osages, to what was believed to be a worthless area of Oklahoma, but it turned out the land was worth untold millions due to oil underneath the ground, turning the Osage nation into the richest people per capita in the world! Once the wealth of the Osage became apparent as the color of their skin, the racist belief that these individuals were worth less than the "regular" and God-fearin' folk, was really all anyone needed in that part of the country to kill them off for their inheritance.

Luckily, the FBI eventually came in to try to solve some of the problem, and some individuals with integrity and overall decency picked apart and found some of the murderers, yet so many remain unsolved to this day.

I went on that tangent because my first paragraph, and any other soliloquies we all will make this week about our country being the best country in the world (which I still believe to be true while being VERY sorely tested right now) should always come with a caveat to remember the many terrible things we have done as a nation and allowed to happen. This caveat should not solely be a means to shame or embarrass us, but a lesson to learn. To remember where all of our family lines (even the Osage and Native Americans!) came from at some point: different countries hoping for something better.

God knows I got it. I am one of the many "luckiest people living in the world" right now. I had truly amazing parents and role models. My family is one of a kind, and I know so many of them who would do anything to help me. My friends have always been there for me, many of them since I was a child. My wife, my one of a kind, my everything that I look at and love more every day, makes me sure of my luck. I've worked my ass out for a lot of things, but I've had a lot of opportunity to do it thanks to my parents that worked their ass off before me and their parents and their parents who boarded a boat...for something better. 

Enjoy the 4th, proclaim why you will always love this country despite our failures, and remind yourself how lucky you are to be an American. And as always, enjoy the music :)  

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 105

It's about that time for a Monday Mixtape focused on rap! If you hadn't heard, Beyonce and Jay-Z made an album as The Carters, a decent album that incessantly talks about their wealth, their reborn love, and how much better their life is that you while yammering on about their kids ("WHAT UP BLU!" "She can't hear you, Jay, she's at daycare at the MOMA"). So it's basically everyones Facebook post in one way or another. Few good songs though!

Jay Rock gets my vote for best rap album of the year (so far, at least). Others may say Pusha-T - ***TANGENT ALERT***Pusha's album is a 6/10 from me and he probably got more point by releasing the best rap song of the year and possibly greatest diss track of all time, The Story of Adidon -

which KILLED Drake (we'll see about commercially) not only with the cover of the single of Drake wearing blackface (which in CONTEXT Drake explained later:

but the damage was already done since the track circulated like a virus in hours as everyone had been awaiting Pusha's response) and Pusha exposed Drake had a boy from a pornstar (how had this not been uncovered?) that he was keeping hidden from the world until he could use (or maybe, in Drake's lame/terrible/child labor idea, "introduce") the kid to introduce an Adidas apparel line named Adidon!!!??? WHATT!??) ***TANGENT OVER***

- or J. Cole (No, sorry, I like J. Cole, but he's overrated). 

Which brings us back to Jay Rock - another member of TDE, the all powerful label with Kendrick, SZA, Schoolboy Q, and others - finally put it together as a rapper, combining his raw sound and street experiences into a powerful flow. There are some rappers that go on about the usual sex, drugs, and gangs, where it's hard to believe if their character is fiction or non-fiction. With Jay Rock, there's no guessing. This guy's rap alone makes me believe everything he's rapping. Please listen to "ES Tales" on blast because that bass ripples.

Freddie Gibbs is another one of those guys. From Gary, Indiana, he's one of the most underrated rappers alive some great previous albums like Shadow of a Doubt and the amazing Madlib produced Pinata. What a flow and vocals.

Anderson .Paak is still showing he can do no wrong. If you still haven't heard his album Malibu, do yourself a favor and get on it!

That's all I got. Happy listening. 

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 104

Apologies! I have been on hiatus for quite some time. I went on vacation, took an impromptu visit to DC to attend the Caps parade (!!) and am planning on moving shortly. ANYWAYS, I still have been listening to a ton of new music so I'd like to share some :)

I've listened to Lykke Li for years now, more as a bystander than an active listener. I have never loved her but always appreciate her music. I think she's an artist who veers into the pop world but has always been genuine and creative. The first track on her new album, "hard rain," has such a beautiful start to an album in pain from heartbreak:  

"If you like the feeling of a hard falling / I have a secret / I can give you an ocean"

 My favorite Natalie Prass has released her sophomore album, unfortunately one that just can't stand up to her phenomenal debut. My favorite song is likely the first track "Oh My" which gives me tinges of Rhythm Nation-era Janet Jackson with a little extra funk.

Arctic Monkeys took a HUGE departure in their sound from any other albums for their sixth. I absolutely love these guys (their first album and then their fifth AM are so so good) and respect anything they do because it's so damn different. If anything can explain their sound for this album, listen to this track on the mixtape. 

As always, any track with Frank Ocean will inevitably make it to the mixtape somehow! This, sadly, is the best track on A$AP Rocky's new album. I say sadly because it's pretty much all Frank Ocean. Wish the album was better.

Snail Mail has been getting a ton of love from the music critics for her new album Lush. If you like this track, I'd check it out. 

Speaking of albums getting love from critics, it may come as no surprise that Beach House is getting a ton of love for their new album, including being named the best album (so far!) of 2018 by Stereogum. So check it out! 

Alright, I'm out and will try to be better at posting. Adios!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 103

The message of this band's first track on their first album of a decades long career of classic albums, legacies, inhibitors and other drugs, is as clear as moonshine: we're gonna rock and fucking roll. Ladies and gentlemen, allow them to introduce themselves: The Allman Brothers Band. 

Now that both Allmans have passed, I've dug more into their albums, and I had forgotten how IN YOUR FACE this first track is. There's so much swagger there while also teasing the listener that THIS IS JUST THE FIRST TRACK. These guys are legends. And if you think it's all swashbuckling rock, please see Exhibit B, the beautiful acoustic ballad, "Little Martha."

I thought we'd just continue to rock this whole mixtape. I went for a run other day and had Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever's "Write Back" blasting through the headphones, and the pounding guitar solos deliver some serious punch. What a song.

Jank is my newest discovery, a band that harkens a bit to the grungy, distorted sound of the 90s. I get hints of The Used, a bit of The Deftones, and some great melodies. Their new album has been spinning on repeat all week. 

Lord Huron's new album is pretty darn good and listenable, though I can't say it's great. Something about the rock songs sounds just a smidgen of forced, but I still put my favorite songs from the album with a rock hint on here for you to judge on your own. Again, I think it's pretty good, I'm just not in love with it. 

Anyways, have a good week!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 102

Happy Monday all! And apologies to all, I haven't posted for at least three weeks, so I'm sorry for my absence because there has been a TON OF MUSIC released in the past month or so. There's been so much music to camp to that I have musical ammo for many weeks :)

Let's start with Shakey Graves. I can't get his new album out of my head, one I keep coming back to. It's atmospheric, it's raw, it's rock, it's its own animal. But it's not for everyone. I'll post a few of my other favorite tracks in the next couple weeks. 

Childish Gambino's "This Is America" is the topic du jour, a piece that's generated a ton of publicity and analysis and misinterpreted by god knows how many people already. The video is one of the best music videos I can remember (cue the Grammy music for Single of the Year and Video of the Year), an intentionally uncomfortable and symbolic video of the representation of Gambino's  America.    

Speaking of lyrically poignant rappers, Wale released his second EP this year, both of which I've thoroughly enjoyed. This recent one's got a more political lean, particularly "Salary Kaep," but Wale's flow has improved dramatically over his (now) long career as evidenced best by "Negotiations."

LOVE the new Leon Bridges album. It's a bit more pop and dancey than his debut album which was too much exactly like the Sam Cooke / Marvin Gaye sound. "Shy" is easily my favorite song on the album.

A few other notes: Janelle Monae has made her best album, Young Fathers continue to get the award for weirdest yet interesting band, and DJ Koze with the feature from one of the dudes from Arrested Development (the band - not the show)!

Enjoy the week. 

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 101

It's time to enter into a new century of Monday Mixtapes, and we'll be doing it with beats and rhymes. Starting off is Tom Misch, an English multi-instrumenalist, who created a pretty cool album spanning and blending all sorts of genres. These first two tracks on the Mixtape are the first two tracks off his album, featuring a guest verse from DC's own, Goldlink. 

Pac Div hasn't released an album in a few years, so it was a great surprise to see their new album pop up on my Spotify feed. Extra bonus points if you can remember what the song the chorus pays homage to. A 90s classic. 

So Cardi B has taken over social media, and I listened to this track because SZA was on it, but Cardi B kills it too. She's a good rapper. 

I stumbled upon Kali Uchis because a guy I follow on Spotify (who is sort of my music doppleganger) listed this as one of his favorite albums this year. It's a pop-fused R&B/Rap album, and it's definitely an enjoyable listen. Don't think it'll be making my top list, but these tracks are a couple of the standouts. 

A.A.L. made a pretty cool instrumental album that I've been listening to as background music. Cool album. 

Happy Monday all! 

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 100!

We did it!! 100 Monday Mixtapes! All I can say is I'm happy I got Layers & Sounds to this point. I initially started this blog in the hopes that I could share my musical tastes and potentially become somewhat of a quasi popular music blogger whose range of musical tastes brought all sorts of different people to the fray. I knew that was always a stretch, but I did get a press pass to a My Morning Jacket show and almost got Michael Rapaport to tweet links to my playlists of my Best of Jay-Z and Best of Nas to see which playlist was better. Rapaport couldn’t figure Spotify out at that point so it all fell through :( We’ll always have the laughs  

But I started this blog as Spotify and all the other streaming giants began to really gain steam, and it seemed like humble blogs became irrelevant because Spotify and others would recommend music to listen to (and TBH Discover is a pretty cool playlist!).

Nonetheless, I kept writing and sharing stuff because it helped me keep my creative mind alive while I slaved away at a job that was very stressful and not exactly creative. A few blog posts got a lot of views for some weird reason: An Intervention for...The Weeknd maybe the most so because I wrote about "I Can't Feel My Face" before it became a huge hit so my SEO came up on a lot of people's searches (or something like that.)

Of the hundreds and hundreds of poems I've written, I've shared about five of them since those are the only ones I think are worth a damn. I'm proud of them and glad I was able to find an outlet to say those things.

I wish I wrote more stream of conscious musings on books I’ve read since I ultimately forget so much of what I liked in books. I only have two books on my blog but better than none, I suppose.

I shared photographs and other things, it's all been an adventure and great to look back on as I hit this numerical milestone since Layers & Sounds started three years ago.

(We won’t talk about the fashion blog. A bit misguided but still glad I tried).

Anyways, here's some more music, my 100th Mixtape, god knows if I'll be able to do another 100 of these, but I can promise you the music will always be playing. 

Cheers!  

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 99

I'm blown away. Kacey Musgraves just released her fourth album (if you count her Christmas album), Golden Hour, and it's a stunning album from the sultry, smokey soul. This will end up as one of my favorite albums this year, a must listen for all because it's so damn universal. 

I was trying to find a comparison for this album because it's easy listening in the best possible way. You turn it on and do whatever you gotta do - run, walk, drive, party, have a drink or a smoke, talk, you name it.

In an album review by Rob Harvilla from The Ringer, he noted it was an album to smoke a joint to (as Musgraves notoriously loves to do - amongst some other psychedelics that clearly influenced the album), as you float away in the slow burn of Musgraves' music.

Back to the best comparison: Some might think of this as a dig AND OF COURSE IT'S NOT IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME, but the album reminds me (though a bit more country and twangy) of John Mayer during his Room For Squares days. Every song is beautiful, listenable, different, and buoyed by a flow that never gets too fast or lulls you to sleep. Songs have different tempos and keys and instruments, nothing is boring. There’s highs and lows and in betweens, Musgraves gets all my emotions, just as Mayer could do but Musgraves comes more authentic to me. Though Mayer obviously wins the guitar battle.

John Mayer even gave his own post two cents on the album on Facebook:

Her voice goes straight to the soul. You stick to her siren in "Golden Hour," or her melodies in "Butterflies," or her balladry in "Rainbows," or her sexiness in "Slow Burn."

And you might think her voice sounds too perfect (or produced, as they say, like all the no talent ass clown pop stars who can’t sing but fourtunately have computers that fix their inability to sing and writers that fix their inability to pen a song). Well, I give you Exhibit A from her performance on Colbert, where she crushed it:

This album should be ingested whole and given a lot of time to sink in. It only gets better. 

Enjoy :)

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 98

This week's writeup is all about the band I just discovered, Khruangbin. I'm not exactly sure how to pronounce their name, I'm not exactly sure that you can pigeonhole their sound, but I do know it's one of my favorite instrumental albums I've heard in years and years. 

They're almost like what I'd dream of if I could imagine a modern day version of my favorite jazz records. There's a rhythm to their sound that is immediately infectious, and I can't get enough of that bluesy guitar! 

I hope you can dig into these guys from Texas as much as I have - this is their second album, and I've only listened to their debut a handful of times, so let's listen together.

Have a good week!