Half-Year Music Picks
checking in to ask, "what's on rotation?"
This is the time of year when I do a mid-year review and see what music has been moving me through the year. Thought I’d share. Let’s review, shall we?
King Krule - “Space Heavy” (stream)
It’s been a little while since I had any of his albums on replay, so it was a nice surprise to discover that I could leave his discography alone for some years, to come back and be enraptured in the familiar cloak of comfort that comes from immersing oneself in his world. He’s always improving upon his sound; this has all the moods I want out of a King Krule album.
Everything But the Girl - “Fuse” (stream)
My exposure to them is solely the “Missing” video on cable music networks, most likely MTV’s Amp. Amp was not just a compilation series, but an actual show dedicated to electronic/rave-y music. The late-90’s era included lots of The Chemical Brothers, The Crystal Method, Aphex Twin, and Fatboy Slim. Still, Everything But the Girl was leftfield of any types of neighboring peers across electronic genres. On their latest album, the still mysterious (to me) duo have built on their contemplative, evocative, foggy, late-night vibe with lots of breathing room.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again - “Big Truck” off Don’t Try This at Home (stream)
YB is still on house arrest, yet it’s barely prevented him from releasing new albums or videos. It feels like it’s never been more difficult to keep up. He’s made 37 videos and counting. Since last year I’ve been absolutely taken by every single video, watching them like they’re visual “acoustic versions” of his material, often featuring only him. The contrast of his attitude and style to the great outdoors of Utah. The content of his lyrics compared to his surroundings. His shiny wealth on display in the garage of the giant, hollow mansion that seems to swallow him. His more recent videos prove his arrest rules have loosened, with a few friends featured beside him. I’ll never stop being immensely fascinated with these visuals and YB’s entire persona. This is why they say “YB better.”
Kara Jackson - “Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?” (stream)
Such a smart poet and songwriter. An entire artist. “Dickhead Blues” is funny, real, and full of quotable lines. “I am not as worthless as I once thought / I am pretty top notch.” I love how open and emotional she is. “Therapy” starts with the best line: “Every man thinks I’m his fuckin’ mother / Good for milk and good for supper.” From there, the song unfolds with only a few more perfectly worded lyrics. It’s a relief to know I’m not the only one who feels the emotional toll of men dumping their problems on them.
Free Thugger!!
Young Thug - “Oh U Went” ft Drake off Business is Business (stream)
The Drake-featuring track off Thug’s first album release from jail almost made me forget he was locked up. Almost. Free Thugger.
What songs, artists and albums can’t you get enough of right now? Is that Kylie Minogue song really the song of the summer?