Don’t have a lot to say on this Monday, but this is a great playlist to smoothly transition into the start of the week. Let’s work on stopping the fear mongering that the media and politics and WHAT FEELS LIKE EVERYTHING AROUND US is spewing. People can’t take away your positivity or hopefulness.
Ton of great fresh tracks for you thirsty listeners this week! From some recently found wunderkinds like Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster (uhh…maybe just J.P.K. bro?), the rockin’ Gender Roles, and the 90s-era hideous music child of Weezer and Dashboard Confessional, Oso Oso, to some more established bands like Bombay Bicycle Club and Circa Waves, this is a Monday for the indieheads.
Enjoy!
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!
"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!
Because it's Friday and we all need a great start to the weekend!