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. 117

Shame on you! As in: Listen to Shame. These guys fucking rock. The youngsters from England scream and punish their instruments with no apologies. Raw bands have such a refreshing sound. I love this album. It took a little time to come around to the screaming, but this is punk at its best. While “One Rizla” and “Angie” are certainly there two most melodic tracks on the album with the least screaming, it shows their range and talents. I constantly picture Dave Grohl hearing this and just being like, “These guys fuckin’ ROCK!” as he headbangs away.

Speaking of Dave Grohl, if you don’t hear Nirvana’s sound in The Pollies track “You Want It” with Grohl’s thundering snare drum and lightning quick drum rolls, you aren’t hearing the right song.

Is it fair to compare Anderson .Paak to this generation’s Nate Dogg? He’s more talented than Nate Dogg because his albums are better, but it seems like every song with .Paak on it bumps. Anderson .Paak continues to release some good ass vibes, and I can’t wait for his new album which will will feature the head-bopping’ “Tints” with Kendrick.

Speaking of bands that have some awesome vibes, Holy Ghost! is back! Such an underrated band these dudes continually churn out great electro-pop while all sorts of worse wannabes win popularity contests.

SOAK is a young songwriter from Ireland who I’ve written about for a couple years, and this is one of her more accessible yet sad songs. Check her out!

BTW I’m seeing Lord Huron and Tame Impala tonight (it’s Sunday afternoon now not Monday, silly!) at Treasure Island Music Festival (Shame is actually playing here, but my wife is feeling under the weather, but she’s still a trooper and wants to see Tame Impala so we’re going late :) SO PUMPED!