Monday Mixtape, Vol. 220

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. 188

My apologies, it’s been over month since I’ve posted! Eons in the world of the blogosphere, so I am glad you’ve come back to take a peek into some new music to whet your whistle.

Before we start with the new, let’s prance in the past with a really fantastic ballad by Post Malone from his sophomore album. Despite his overall ridculousness from the face tattoos to the album names, Malone is a seriously talented pop star. “Stay” is a beautiful track, and that’s not something you’d expect to hear about a Post Malone track from an album called beerbongs and bentleys.

This topic of beautiful songs seems to be the theme on this week’s mixtape. Cautious Clay, a solo act with pipes and soul, showcases his depth, and new artist, Joy Oladukun, has to give some of you older folk Tracy Chapman vibes.

Billie Eiiish brings her brand of beauty, a slowly haunting, whisper of a track that builds and builds until it falls off a cliff, as we fall back to the start.

Faye Webster is a gem. She’s a mix between Natalie Prass and Kacey Musgraves with the rhythms of hip-hop.

And then there’s Sault. I’m not sure what to say of Sault other than they are very different and making some great music that the world is starting to wake up to. Keep your eyes on this band.