Monday Mixtape, Vol. 223

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Over the many years since I met my wife, I have slowly warmed up to country music. It’s the genre du jour at her family’s house. I got introduced to legends like Waylon Jennings and Garth Brooks and newcomers like Midland. Not to mention Kacey Musgraves, who I was following by the time the classic, Golden Hour, came out and was my #1 Album of 2018.

Welp, I there’s another classic album to add to the repertoire: Morgan Wallen’s One Thing At A Time.

My first few thoughts when I heard this album:

  • There are like 8-12 legit hit songs on this album.

  • I’ve never heard an album that’s 36 tracks long I can play all the way through.

  • He’s very clever with words and melodies.

  • He’s a musical shapeshifter, fitting into different molds of music like rap (“Sunrise” and “180 (Lifestyle)”), John Mayer pop rock (“One Thing At A Time” and “Me + All Your Reasons”), Kings of Leon (“Hope That’s True” and the general tone of a specific reverb-y electric guitar you’ll hear throughout), and of course, country, but in so many sub-genres.

  • This will have to be one of my top albums, if not my #1 album of the year.

I don’t care if you don’t like country, this album’s worth a try. And it’s really lame if you were like me and have ever said, “I like everything but country.” No, you don’t. You just haven’t found your country.

I added some other great tracks to round out Mr. Wallen, including the powerful “Never Learned To Dance” by Medium Build, a new artist I just discovered. There’s something so emotionally bare about this song, and it’s chrous. Some great lines in the song, none more powerful, “The things that I don’t know could build a million fucking houses.” I feel ya, man.

Have a good week!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 222

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Turnstile is one of my favorite bands of the past few years, and their older albums prior to GLOW ON are more hardcore, more screaming, and a ton of head banging. They’re not as good as GLOW ON, but damn do they ic rock. Example numero uno: “Real Thing.”

I’ve really been digging Blondshell’s new album, and “Kiss City” is another track to enjoy.

I’m still digesting The National’s new album. I didn’t like it at first, I think I like it more now, and “Tropical Morning News” is my favorite thus far.

Few more tracks from a few more artists that play on these playgrounds.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 220

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Maybe once a year, a new artist captivates me, swallows me whole in sirens.

Over a decade ago, I heard U.S. Royalty’s first album, mouth agape. I remember hearing Kendrick Lamar featured on “Say Wassup” or Joey Bada$$ blowing through the gates with “Righteous Minds.” There was Quiet Hounds’ first track on their debut, “Calling All Gamma Rays.” I heard “Somebody Else” by The 1975 and gasped at my stupidity discounting them as a pop boy band.

In 2023, Jo Hill has me captivated. If her first track, “Honeymoon” doesn’t stick with you then I give up, let’s part ways, we can’t keep listening together. It’s infectious and bubbly, and Jo’s voice is killer. I love her call and response, and her cadences are so unique.

She follows “Honeymoon” up with “Other Girl,” another helluva-catchy track, her beautiful voice smoothly riding the beat before lifting above with a crushing the chorus.

I can’t wait for her album. She’s got huge things ahead of her.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 219

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Hello! I’m still running through a backlog of songs I’ve liked in the past couple months to add to the mixtape. Ton of great stuff this week, and starting the good vibes is Leland with an assist from pop trio, Muna, in a catchy, St. Lucia / Penguin Prison -like jam.

If you haven’t heard of Royel Otis yet, you will. These guys will be big.

Etta Marcus’ “Crown” reminds me a ton of Radiohead’s“Jigsaw Falling Into Place.” She’s got some mystique and rebelliousness in her voice, I’m intrigued to hear more of her stuff.

Bayonne is coming out with a new album, and I’m stoked. No one sounds like these guys, and their music blends in with the atmosphere. Maybe I’d say they have an earthy sound.

Arlo Parks is following up her fantastic debut with this single, “Weightless,” and it’s more layered and electronic yet keeping a head bopping beat. Look forward to a new album.

Young Fathers, those weirdos from the UK, made a new, maybe less weird, album that is worth a listen to get outside of your comfort zone. “Rice” is the most accessible track so see what you think.

Turnover is a cool band I just fell upon, and I love the rhythm to their tracks.

Kota the Friend has been putting out great rap music for a while now.

Finally, Blondshell with the 90s grunge sound. Looking forward to her new album.