God damn I love Rosalía. She’s fun and weird and gorg and I just want to sit back and watch her thrive forever. This album is so fun and vibing to it all week is going to be nothing short of a delight and exactly what we need. The voice, the range, the references, the videos, I’m here for it alllllll.
This week, we all knew I had to catch my ass up on the culture of the moment, of the year, perhaps. Beyonce’s newest release (rumored to be part one of three albums in different genres) Renaissance is, as Pitchfork wrote, “an immaculate dance record”, among other high praises. It’s joyful and celebratory, it’s about liberation and reinvention, and it’s sampling and sampling and opening many people’s eyes (mine included) to music they’ve not previously explored. Very into it, very excited, we are Beyonce always.
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/muna-muna/
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/dehd-blue-skies/
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/mitski-laurel-hell/
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/harry-styles-harrys-house/
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/florence-and-the-machine-dance-fever/
Arcade Fire has done it again. This new album is joyful, painful, sincere, and very much of the times. Their performance of this song (primarily at Coachella) makes me weep. Honestly, just thinking about it makes me tear up. This album, upon first listen, felt too on the nose in it’s message. But soon, I found myself feeling seen, feeling heartbroken, and feeling hope in knowing not only that this art exists but that the artists themselves exist.
This week’s pick is courtesy of Mitch, and we couldn’t be more thankful to have this album come across our desks. It’s fun and weird and makes me feel like it’s the late 90s and Parker Posey started a weird dance-pop band that doesn’t give a flying fuck and wants you to wipe that face off your head, bitch! I’m obsessed, I’m delighted, I’m so mad I’m an angry girl, so what’s your problem?? It’s too good, it’s giving me life in this heinous world, in this endless winter, in this purgatorial time where I’m just waiting for our Portland life to end and we can just move back to Nebraska already. Love it, love you.
In preparation for seeing them live next week, I’m digging in and spreading out in the discography of, arguably, my favorite band, Together Pangea. They are too much fun to see live and I can’t waitttttt. This was our wedding song. This song goes on almost every playlist I make. This video makes me feel better about the world. This song (and video) honestly makes the link between my brain and my body make more sense.
Anyways, they’re the best, I can't wait to see them again AND (much later edit*) will by seeing them again in Lincoln in September!!!!
I love Kurt Vile. I love him, I love his music, I love the vibe. Forever and ever. I love when people hear things I love and then watch as they love them too. This happened this week with this album. On vacation with my fam, I played this album on repeat and my brother-in-law would ask, “Who is this?” every song. Suddenly, a fan was born. I love Kurt Vile. I love when other people love Kurt Vile. This album is very lovely.
This week I’m diving into the long-awaited debut album of a very cool girl band I’ve not stopped thinking about since seeing the video for “Chaise Lounge” last summer. Not a rave review from some, but still better than expected despite the doubts stemming from their oddly produced rise to indie fame. I’m obsessed, I’m not in the doubting camp, and I’m stoked to get into it!
This week I’m revisiting an album I only very briefly dabbled with when it came out. We are seeing Car Seat Headrest live in Portland in a few weeks, so I figured I’d take another whack at it to get myself in the Car Seat Headspace :P I love these guys and am so excited!
In honor of the recent passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins, I decided this week to listen to Foo Fighters. Specifically focusing on their first 1995 self-titled album, but also visiting other highlights throughout their long career. I’ve peripherally listened to them over the years, but never taken much time beyond the hits. Ready for a raucous week!
this week’s artist is in honor of the fact that for the first time in well over 2 years, I attended a live concert indoors in-person with friends! it was amazing, it was magic, it was Lala Lala and what a goddamn dream. Lillie West is the coolest person that exists, I think. I’ve listened to songs from this album since it came out in October, but hadn’t let myself just press play on the whole thing on repeat and after seeing them on Sunday, it needed to happen. it’s weird and moody and synthy and catchy and vibey and i’m in love.
taking a little break, listening to whatever i feel like, just trying to make it through.