Monday Mixtape, Vol. 220

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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. 161

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Party peoples, put on some headphones and enjoy an eclectic mix of R&B, pop, electro-pop, rock, rap, soul, rhythm, and flow! This mixtape has everything, so I hope you like at least a few of the songs.

And if you don’t, I hope that one of the things my Monday Mixtapes bring is music that you don’t like at first. Have you ever noticed that some of the most impactful music for you is not kind to the ears the first time you hear it?? It’s too new, you’re not use to the sound, and therefore, you don’t like it. But that’s just a first impression! Please give everything a chance.

So I hope you don’t just listen to this mixtape once. Listen to it many times and see if anything grows on you. The first time I heard Radiohead, Kings of Leon, Kanye West, and so many more, I didn’t like it. Time and patience made me realize.

Anyways, that’s my soapbox. I’ll see myself down and out.

RIP to Pop Smoke.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 121

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I don’t have a lot to say because I don’t have a lot of time!

The 1975 released their new album which I’m still digesting, Palace made an ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL SONG, Anderson .Paak dropped a disappointing album but it’s still got this jam, some new artists to check out for ya, and a lil’ Hippo Campus unplugged.

Enjoy. More to come next week, and my Top 100 Songs and Top 25 Albums of the Year SOON!

Monday Mixtape Vol. 109

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TONS of new music in the mix! I've been listening to some new bands that are really tickling my fancy. Sometimes you'll hear a new band where the sound immediately moves you, while other new bands are more mysterious and take some time and effort to fully appreciate. Harem is the former and Wet the latter. 

Harem sounds like a jammy, reggae-like indie band who has a bit of influence from the likes of Sublime. Meanwhile, Wet just has their own bedside sound, pillow talk as you drift asleep. I highly recommend both!

As for the other bands on this week's mixtape, they're repeat offenders. The 1975, the artist that won #1 Top Song of 2017 for my songs of the year, drops another fantastically catchy track. Despite the ridiculous opening line, The 1975 have patented their sound, and it hasn't gotten old.

As for The Kooks, a band whose debut album over a decade ago still moves me in the right way, they've been very hit or miss for many years, but I love this song. Who knows what it means for the future.

St. Lucia is the type of band that really doesn't make bad songs, but when they make a great song, it is catchy as hell! This one takes the cake.

Death Cab is back, and their new track actually sounds more like their old stuff, so it'll be interesting to hear their new album. I was pretty disappointed in their last album, so fingers crossed! 

That's all I got, have a great week!