Monday Mixtape, Vol. 219

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.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 123

It’s a Monday, but this one will be filled with upbeat jams to keep your spirits high. None exemplify an optimistic take than this first track, a remix of ODESZA’s “Falls” by The Knocks, one where the remix destroys the original.

Toro y Moi released a new album (his 7th!) a couple weeks ago, and this is his best album since 2013’s phenomenal Anything In Return. In keeping with this week’s mixtape, this album is a club banger, I highly recommend it.

Maggie Rogers, the musician who achieved overnight success because of Pharrell’s face, finally released her debut (didn’t that Pharrell thing happen 3 years ago?? NO GOOGLE, I will not ask you to verify.) Anyways, the album is good, I might have to listen through again, but these two tracks jumped out to me.

SOAK is an Irishsongwriter who I’ve posted a number of times and has some incredible talent and originality. She could be someone special, or just a continued indie ingenue.

Have a good week all!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 120

We’re getting close to the end of the year, and per usual, I am super excited to make my Top 25 Albums of the Year and Top 100 Song of the Year lists. It’s a musical timestamp, and these playlists are not only a blast to curate, but I love looking back the many years (I’ve been doing these lists since 2012!).

ANYWAYS, this week’s mixtape has some new contenders to make the Top 100 list, and features one band I’ve really started digging recently, Maribou State. I saw that their 2018 album was on a list of Best of the Year (So Far), and the review mentioned their “masterpiece” of an album from 2015. so I started there. These guys are awesome and GREAT background music for studying, writing, etc. Their new album is pretty good too but definitely start with their 2015 release.

Speaking of great background music and new bands recently discovered, Bayonne released a new bouncy track from what I hope is on an upcoming album. Their 2017 Fallss was such a great album.

Oh, Robyn. Maybe the best pop artist out there. She released a new album, and my favorite track is the sultry lullaby, “Baby Forgive Me,” a track I have been playing on repeat.

A couple other tunes for you to discover and love on your own. Enjoy the week!