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Hunger (2019)

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(Audio Diamond)

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Laura - Wildhoney

Lovely and haunting, Baltimore’s own Wildhoney brings lush, dreamy vocals to the backdrop painted with lucid shoegaze guitars. Naturally, I have to support a somewhat local artist. From a forthcoming EP entitled Your Face Sideways, I think this specific track fits the hazy end of days as we let the last sands of summer slip through our fingers.

Suggested Use: Revel in warm weather to this while you still can.

TL;DR: Let’s get it, Baltimore!

-Genesis

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Music Video: Only Time - Enya

Although I actually like and listen to Enya, I’m really just posting this today because of the occasion. This song was almost universally the background music to every 9/11 video tribute known to man. Around the same time, there was also a popular remix of this song that got popularized on the radio. At this point, there’s about a million remixes out there so I don’t remember which one that was. For me, at least, I can rarely ever hear this song without re-imagining the footage of the Twin Towers collapsing. We all remember where we were that day. I think it’s only fitting to remember this day in the only fashion I really know how to.

Suggested Use: This same time every year. Observe and honor it.

TL;DR: This is the song behind basically every 9/11 remembrance video ever

-Genesis

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Music Video: Let The Beat Build - Nyle

Nyle, a rapper from NYU, performs his take on the Weezy Classic, but without samples using the original talents of his classmates. Also, might I add, the word is that it was all done in one take. Wayne’s will always be superior in my mind, but in no way does that mean this isn’t worth watching or listening to. The amount of talent that goes into this is incredible. Take a second to watch every person and every instrument and tell me that’s not cool. Also, Ilana Glazer follows him on twitter, so clearly he’s doing something right.

Suggested Use: Show this to your school’s music department. If you’re not in school anymore, just play it and let the beat build.

TL;DR: A recreation of an iconic beat from scratch

-Genesis

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Fell in the Sun - Big Grams

Big Grams, the collaboration between Phantogram and Big Boi, is coming forth with an album. With the influence of both artists being very apparent in this offering, it is a sign of great things to come. Personally, I would have called the collaboration Phantom Boi or something like that, but I’m not in control nor should I be. Go ahead and do your thing.

Suggested Use: Play this on a sunny day wiith the windows down

TL;DR: Phantogram and Big Boi are tough separately. Together, the expectations are just as high. 

-Genesis

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I Wish I Could Believe - k-os

K-Os, a Canadian emcee and fan favorite, released an Anchorman-themed mixtape. The tracks were separated often by snippets from the film. With that already being reason enough to like the mixtape, it also featured a track where Kevin raps over Phantogram’s “Mouthful of Diamonds”. It’s always a pleasant surprise to see that certain artists you like also like other artists that you like. It makes your world feel just that much smaller and more intimate.

Suggested Use: Rainy day music

TL;DR: Kevin wins a lot of respect for this mixtape

P.S.: He also just recently released Can’t Fly Without Gravity, so you’ll be hearing about that from me soon, I promise.

-Genesis

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Labor Day (It’s a Holiday) - Black Eyed Peas

Yes, I am well aware that I should have posted this a couple days ago. I was out of town and stripped of internet connectivity, so forgive me. This Black Eyed Peas classic is dedicated to a day that very few American’s actually understand, but appreciate for their day off.

Suggested Use: Play this on every Labor Day

TL;DR: It is, in fact, a holiday. Celebrate.

-Genesis

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Bad Intentions - Niykee Heaton

Before we discuss music, let’s just get this out of the way. Niykee Heaton is bad. Like not bad at making music, but like she’s hot. Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get down to what we all really came here for. I’m only gonna say this once, but in my mind, Niykee Heaton is the female version of the Weeknd. Not necessarily in terms of style, but as far as the same functional purpose her music serves. I can guarantee you, somebody’s bumping this in a bedroom somewhere at any given ten minutes during the day, It’s mood music, and frankly, I don’t doubt it’s ability to serve that purpose.

Suggested Use: Light some candles, throw some rose petals on the floor, put a sock or a hat on the door knob or something, dim the lights, and you know the rest.

TL;DR: Niykee Heaton is tough and so is her music

-Genesis

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Mashup: Say It Ain’t Forever - djDOYOU

There are a lot of awfully orchestrated mashups out there. Fortunately, this is not one of them. DJ DoYou, now known as SmithAgentSmith, was a mashup artisan. The entire mixtape Lil Weezer and Friends was conceived with the concept of combining alt rock jams with popular rap verses. Think Linkin Park and Jay-Z’s collision course, but lighter on the guitar riffs and more variety of artists. It’s handled well and it shows.

Suggested Use: Weezer’s guitars provide a relaxed atmosphere, play this when you’re just hanging out or something.

TL;DR: Opposites attract and make something better

-Genesis

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The Price Is Right - A-1

A-1, the California rapper, is an internet phenomenon who still may be living in the professional purgatory that is the stage between internet persona and exposed commercial rapper. Although he’s done plenty of work since After School Special, the samples and the overall feel of the mixtape is worth reveling in.

Suggested Use: Listen to this song (or this entire mixtape) on a Saturday morning.

TL;DR: Rap music for 90s kids

-Genesis

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Album Spotlight: Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz - Miley Cyrus

I really don’t know where to start with this. Also, I have to add that I don’t give a single shit about the production help from the Flaming Lips. It really doesn’t add any credence or add any indie cred. Half of this album is enjoyable, and half of it is just assjuice. Let me start by admitting there are some solid songs on this album. If this album wasn’t free, I’m sure critics would have ripped the still-beating heart from this collection of songs. Most of the subject matter on this album is greeted with an eye-roll and a deadpan “WE GET IT MILEY, YOU’RE A MILLENNIAL, YOU DO DRUGS, YOU HAVE SEX, AND YOU HAVEN’T MOVED ON FROM YOUR REBELLIOUS PHASE”. Once you view the album through that scope, only then can you even hope to enjoy any of it. There are some songs with musical merit (SPOILER: they’re my top picks), but a lot of them I swear are just for shock value. Sarah Barthel’s (Phantogram) involvement on “Slab of Butter (Scorpion)” is a plus for the album, but the feature from Big Sean on ”Tangerine” was surprisingly weak. Even with his subject matter, it sounded like he was on the verge of suicide or that he just found out that the album was going to be released for free before he dropped the verse. He went from popular commercial rapper to soundcloud struggle rapper real quick. Outside of that, a lot of these songs just didn’t stand out or hold attention for any reason. “Pablow the Blowfish” is a gamechanger though. I genuinely like this song. It depressingly adheres to it’s own absurd lyrics, but it’s still clearly an emotional romp. Even with the death of a pet, there’s sadness to be reveled in. Overall, this album is rough, but there are diamonds to be found within it.

Author’s Top Three Picks:

Slab of Butter (Scorpion)

Pablow the Blowfish

BB Talk

TL;DR: This album was free for a reason.

-Genesis

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Album Spotlight: The Shape of Bratpop to Come - HOLYCHILD

With raw attitude and darling harmonies, HOLYCHILD is a party that’s just getting started. It’s been a while since I’ve been genuinely obsessed with an artist (most recently Das Racist and Purity Ring), so as the total non-biased party that I am, I’m seeing a lot of upward potential here. I previously described them as sounding like Icona Pop’s little sister, and I still stand by that. I think there are more elements of style at play here, though. I guess we’ll have to keep watching and see where this road goes. The album is noticeably pop, but it still manages to seem cool and fresh–and ultimately, that’s the beauty of it. Many of these songs seem like the backdrop to many middle and upper-class teenage parties that go down when the parents have left town. The remainder of the album has some sweet melodies and words. It’s all coherent in both sound and material. Overall, I’d say it’s not for everyone, but I’d also say you’re doing yourself a large disservice by not listening.

Author’s Top Three Picks:

Money All Around

Plastered Smile

Diamonds on the Rebound

TL;DR: I’ve had this album on repeat for several days now.

-Genesis

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Music Video: Bet - Tinashe

Just in case you’ve been wandering through music with your eyes closed, Tinashe is just as tough as her music. In this video she’s breakin it down in some underground car spaces. On the surface it sounds kinda random, but with the music in the background it all kinda makes sense. Tinashe’s been making bangers for a while, so I’m glad this song got a music video.

Suggested Use: Every bedroom playlist could use a touch of Tinashe. Yes, I’m serious.

TL;DR: Tinashe delivers. As usual.

-Genesis

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Music Video: I Want U - Alison Wonderland

With her debut album, Run, released in 2015, the thunder-from-down-under DJ from Sydney, Alison Wonderland, is on the come-up in the EDM scene. To be honest, I’m not too heavily versed in the world of electronic music. All I know is that I better hear her if I wind up at Echostage.

Suggested Use: Turn it up and let the beat build.

TL;DR: This song goes.

-Genesis  

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Music Video: 7:30 AM - SLOTHRUST

Despite being a good standalone song, many of you may recognize this song as the intro theme for the television show “You’re the Worst”, which is returning this Wednesday. I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about Slothrust, but they’re on my radar now, so I’ll be scouting for more.

Suggested Use: Heard frequently on You’re the Worst, so keep both your eyes and ears open.

TL;DR: I’m gonna leave you anyway.

-Genesis

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Album Spotlight: Out of Frequency - Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Out of Frequency is one of my favorite Asteroids Galaxy Tour albums not because of any particular tracks, but how the album functions as a whole. An important aspect of what makes an album good is the cohesion between its parts. There should be a synergy that makes you think “this album is good” as opposed to “this collection of songs is good”. There’s a certain mood set with the album, and somewhere along the way, you fall prey to the horns and bass lines. Mette Lindberg is and has always been a storyteller and she’s a proper narrator across this psychedelic expedition. I’d say the only song that doesn’t really sound like the others is “Heart Attack”. It’s irreverently poppy, but still with the same fun and fervor that you’d expect. Every other song seems to be more jazz inspired and works toward a greater ensemble.

Suggested Use: If you do drugs, play this album in the background. If you don’t, play this with your eyes closed in a dark room and imagine. If you’re not up for all that, just play it in a car ride.

Author’s Top Three Picks:

Heart Attack

Mafia

Ghost in My Head

TL;DR: There are two songs on this album. “Heart Attack” and everything else that isn’t Heart Attack.

-Genesis