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. 101

It's time to enter into a new century of Monday Mixtapes, and we'll be doing it with beats and rhymes. Starting off is Tom Misch, an English multi-instrumenalist, who created a pretty cool album spanning and blending all sorts of genres. These first two tracks on the Mixtape are the first two tracks off his album, featuring a guest verse from DC's own, Goldlink. 

Pac Div hasn't released an album in a few years, so it was a great surprise to see their new album pop up on my Spotify feed. Extra bonus points if you can remember what the song the chorus pays homage to. A 90s classic. 

So Cardi B has taken over social media, and I listened to this track because SZA was on it, but Cardi B kills it too. She's a good rapper. 

I stumbled upon Kali Uchis because a guy I follow on Spotify (who is sort of my music doppleganger) listed this as one of his favorite albums this year. It's a pop-fused R&B/Rap album, and it's definitely an enjoyable listen. Don't think it'll be making my top list, but these tracks are a couple of the standouts. 

A.A.L. made a pretty cool instrumental album that I've been listening to as background music. Cool album. 

Happy Monday all!