Monday Mixtape, Vol. 77
For a very short period of time, my only job will be blogging for Layers & Sounds! Not sure if that will result in more output (most likely not) as I just resigned from my job and am taking a month off before starting my own business :)
Enough about me, let's talk music:
I know that in many years, when I'm an old man listening to vinyls of yesteryear, Mac Demarco's classic album Salad Days (read my writeup on the album - my #1 album of 2014!) will be on rotation. It's almost impossible to follow an album like that, so it's not a huge surprise that the jokester Demarco was not up to the task. Nonetheless, his new album is an enjoyable, laid-back album to put on in the background during the late night of a party. There are a couple standout tracks, including this one, "This Old Dog" (and yes, he's mainly up to the same tricks).
Kembe X is one of the newer members on the TDE label (the infamous label with Kendrick, Isaiah Rashad, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock), and TDE continues to find gold. I really dig this guy and am interested to hear his major label debut. "Intro" is all you need to hear to know whether you're into him as well. There's nothing particularly unique about him, but it's just good music man!
It's killing me that the last thee songs Local Natives have released as singles - The Only Heirs, Tusk, and I Saw You Close Your Eyes - are so much better than half the songs on their recently released third album. These songs would have made that third album SO much more consistent and deep. Oh well.
I was very disappointed in Feist's recent album, only a song or two stuck out, and nothing really stayed with me for a prolonged time. This track is one of my favorites, a stripped down acoustic ballad that showcases one of the best and most original voices around. I think I was so disappointed in her album because her last, Metals, was also somewhat disappointing (though def better than this one) which was after her classic - another album I will absolutely be listening to when I'm wrinkly and gray! - 1, 2, 3, 4. That album alone is enough for me, but I always hoped for another great one from her.
Ok, let's be honest here, no one really wants to hear an entire song of rappers rap about a high fashion label, in this case Raf (Simmons I believe). If I had my druthers, no one would EVER talk about Mason Margiela (if that's how you spell it - and no, I will not Google that to double check) or any of these other really expensive "it" designers who are helping us all blow money that we probably should be saving or spending on something a bit more worthwhile. (Rant over). But you know what we do want to listen to? A song with ASAP Rocky, Quavo, and Frank Ocean! So despite the terrible lyrics, this is still a pretty great song that's wrapped up by my fave, Frank Ocean, who lets us know that he charges $2.5 million per show. Not bad, Frank. Also kind of amazing that he never performs which is probably which that price tag can be so damn high.
Finally, I'm excited for Foster the People's third album. That's all I gotta say on that.
Have a good week, peoples!