The essential of the pieces of the month of August
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As we sink further into a locked abyss, I have fewer and fewer articulated thoughts on anything. Very inclusive music. It’s hard to reconcile with the fact that I feel so far removed from my passion; my passion to engage with music in a tangible way. I hate that it was taken away from me. If I think about it too much, I’ll cry.
I rarely get ~ in my feelings ~ on the internet. “I’m too old for this shit,” I think absurdly to myself. I liken my hesitation to applying heavy sunscreen to your face – you’re not sure it’s all rubbed off. You will look to the closest friend for reassurance, whether or not you are doing well. This is what I feel when I write in a vacuum – as if there is no one around to tell me if the sunscreen is being applied properly.
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When I articulate my misaligned thoughts in person, I can gauge an immediate reaction. If this sounds disinterested or burdensome, I’ll move on. That’s why I don’t really think in the first person anymore – I can’t see the landing.
When I write about music, however, I feel educated. I don’t care how well received it because eh, it’s subjective and I’m an informed (chaotic) genius. And yet, more than ever, I feel disengaged. COVID robbed me of my confidence. I care more than ever if anyone reads this. What do they think of it? Of me ?
I would hate the idea of ââcomplaining about something we all go through, as if my misfortunes were greater than someone else’s. But I have this opportunity that is mine, and I want to use it to feel closer to my passion. While this is a niche aspect of suffering, who are we without our passions? I hope I never know.
Mai-A – “Central station”
A few weeks ago, I borrowed my best friend’s car to buy a table on Facebook Marketplace. She had tuned the radio to Triple J, where I heard Bridget Hustwaithe create this new track by Sydney artist May-A. The song, titled “Central Station”, was played by chance while I was driving in Surry Hills and told the all-too-familiar story of falling in love with a stranger on public transport. The accompanying video was directed by Claudia Bailey and stars May-A herself, alongside Zoe Terakes.
“Central Station” was track number three on his debut album, Don’t kiss your friends. I might not agree with the title, but I totally agree with the topic. One of my favorite Australian projects of the year so far.
Bliss n Eso ft. Dizzee Rascal & Kings – ‘On One’
This one is for people who say I only recommend top tier music. The inclusion of this song proves that I also recommend some horrific and culturally significant songs. I have no idea who thought it was a good idea, but listening to it just makes me shiver. Put it in your ears if you want to feel something for the first time in months; even though that feeling is a specific form of garbage-induced retching.
Popcast NYT – ‘Billie Eilish’s New Pop Perspective’
I knew I wanted to say something about Billie Eilish’s new record, but I didn’t know how to adequately approach a project of this scope and context with a limited number of words. My favorite podcast did a good job. Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli are the pop critics’ dream team for The New York Times. A lot of my well-articulated thoughts on music were learned through the language of these two.
In this episode, they are joined by Lindsay Zoladz, equally intelligent and knowledgeable. These three have been writing about Billie’s career since the SoundCloud days and doing a great job dissecting her second album, Happier than ever. What they don’t mention is that I literally predicted the resurgence of bossa nova through this same musical column. An unrecognized injustice.
An obsession with the song TikTok
The fucking women kill him on TikTok – it’s that easy. The app would be nothing without them, especially the non-binary women / people of color who provide soundtracks for this whole bloody affair. I could devote an entire thesis to this subject, but this is not my place. Lots of smart WOCs have done the job, and the reading fees need to be paid accordingly. Discover some of them here, here and here.
What I’ll be using this platform to highlight, however, are TikTok songs from POC doing it for me right now. A resurgence of Meg Thee Stallion’s song ‘Queen of Cognac” left me nostalgic for his 2018 mixtape, Tina Snow. It just proves that Miss Meg was doing it to us years before she was picked up by the Normans. The second is Pink Panther, the 20-year-old British girl who twists old school samples of drum, jungle and funk with her own high-pitched voice. Jungle is back on the radio, I can feel it.
I also rinsed Azealia Banks ”Luxury‘thanks to the Nightcore version on TikTok. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was my most played song of 2021. Finally, ‘FVN!‘by Spanish non-binary artist LVL1 gets me wet, for lack of a better term. I’m gonna kiss a hot stranger at this post-containment song, just wait.
Teenage joans – Taste of me
The first time I heard of Teenage Joans was when I saw some of their stickers stuck on traffic signs from King St to Enmore. I like the marketing of old school music. I subsequently learned of their adoration for Triple J and realized that I was extremely late for the party.
Riding (and pioneering) the wave of pop-punk woman’s resurgence, the Teenage Joans are like an older, more practiced version of The Linda Lindas. It is a duo from Adelaide who found success with their first single, ‘Three Leaf Clover’. Taste of me is their first EP performance. He comes out in May and finds confidence in five new songs. ‘Wine’ is by far the best of my book. Enjoy.
Always Woozy – If it’s not nice, I don’t know what it is
I legitimately can’t stop listening to Still Woozy, but I don’t know why. I can’t really imagine it on mainstream radio, but I also can’t believe it’s not huge. Her voice is King Krule in its distinction but gives the angelic tones of Glass Animals. And although they don’t sound alike, the album reminds me of something of Rufus Du Soul – all the tracks merge into one.
This makes it difficult to tell them apart from each other, but also difficult to turn them off. ‘Window’ is the song I’ve been flushing for about a year now, and slipped between the others it stands out, yes, but not on its own. No real articulation to add, it’s just great music.
Emma-Jean Thackray – Yellow
British conductor, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Emma-Jean Thackray’s Yellow This is where contemporary jazz fans should congregate. Without naming names, it would be remiss not to recognize that this genre has long been kept by men. Often mediocre, often overplayed. Emma-Jean Thackray carries the flag of talented jazz instrumentalists who happen to be women. Traditional in its fanfare arrangements and contemporary in its spirituality and psychedelic approach, Yellow stands in its own way.
Lorde – Solar energy
I can’t really bother to say something unique about this project. I found it, for lack of a better word, boring. Having already mentioned so many amazing musicians who push the limits, I don’t really think it’s good to celebrate the mediocrity of someone who was one of them.
Complaining about fame is such a yawn – especially from someone whose famous debut single was about the juxtaposed pursuit of being “royal.” Maybe it’s because I love it Pure heroine (her first album) so much, or maybe I don’t really find her subtlety as “intimate” as others. Can we already dethrone Jack Antonoff? My boredom is palpable.
Skepta – All in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg14EVoxiuQ
Skepta’s 2020 project (a collaboration with Young Adz and Chip) tied for my favorite album of the year. In 2021, he released a five-track EP titled All in. I’m not sure if this outing was just a way to be flexible about the fact that he can collaborate with any heavyweight in the industry he chooses – J Balvin, Kid Cudi and Teezee are on the project. – but overall not bad. I’m glad this isn’t a solo album because it compares to his last whinny, but it’s a great way to hear some new Skeppy without committing to a full tracklist.
Honorable mentions:
“Money lines” – IAMDDB
“Nobody” – Nas ft. Ms. Lauryn Hill
‘Billie Bossa Nova’ – Billie Eilish
‘Claymore’ – Isiah Rashad ft. Smino
“Come and meet you” – L’empire des chats
“Fast Car” – Syd
âHelp Yourselfâ – Jitwam, TEYMORI, Atjazz
“Better” – Joy Orbison, Lea Sen
“Strong enough” – Accessible members of your local community
‘Bebey’ – Theophilus London
“We are all alone” – Dave
“Left to Write” – Juno Disco
‘Prada Bae’ – Young T & Bugsey ft. Nafe Smallz
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