#mae bailey

[completeandrandomshit]

Wind at My Back: Season 3 Episode 1:

Mae: I never dance with the Devil.

Me: That's because you are the Devil.

[alxandergoth]

graduation may not have been what charlie originally envisioned but he still had a good time ❤️

[nenan]

Justine Mae Biticon photographed by ELEONORE for Bailey Prado, hair by Jocglams

[stuff-diary]

Wicked

Movies watched in 2025

Wicked (2024, USA)

Director: Jon M. Chu

Writers: Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox (based on the musical by Stephen Schwartz & Winnie Holzman and the novel by Gregory Maguire)

Mini-review:

Few things give me the high of a super hyped-up movie that actually delivers: Wicked is just as great as everyone keeps saying. Tbh, I went in knowing next to nothing, cause this particular musical never made it to my country, afaik. I'm obviously acquainted with The Wizard of Oz, but that's about it. And what I found here was almost three hours of pure magic and unforgettable songs. The entire cast smashes it out of the park in every way: acting, singing and dancing. The sets are absolutely stunning, too; it's arguably the best production design I've seen recently. However, I do think the cinematography and lighting leave much to be desired; at points it looks like a run-of-the-mill Marvel movie. But still, everything else is exceptional enough for that detail not to bring the film down at all. I'll definitely be looking forward to part two!

[chiistarri]

opposite by sabrina carpenter is so me bc my exgf is now in love with a DUMB BLONDE instead of me her cute asian qpp 🙄

[ironicscavenger]

“The fourth episode of

SIM’S NEXT TOP MODEL

is out. You didn’t get to watch? No worries. You can watch it in full right now. Enjoy and thanks for watching!”

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[marshymallo]

guess who finally fucking watched wicked

[movies4uz]

Wicked: Defying Expectations

Absolutely amazing. They nailed (almost) every song with the utmost respect for staying true to the Broadway versions I’ve heard. If you’re worried it might be ruined because you’ve seen it live, I’m here to reassure you: it does great justice to the source material. However, there are some issues.First, the most obvious one: the length. The movie is too long. It didn’t need to be over two…

[cozysip]

i moved all my gifs to a new blog, and i've lost these gif hunts: FAOUZIA OUIHYA, MADISON BAILEY and MAE MARTIN. if anyone has these gifs downloaded pls lmk

[fuckyeahthatsart]

Carrie Mae Weems

(Pearl Bailey)

2010

From the series Slow Fade to Black

[colorcodedlyrics]

Boys World - Boy Bye (A.I.)

[abwwia]

Love her or hate her, almost everyone has a Barbie story. Even if they don't have a story, there's a story as to why they don't have a story. In this film, we tell the story behind the first Black Barbie, because yes, she has a story too. It started with the filmmaker's 83-year old aunt, Beulah Mae Mitchell and a seemingly simple question, "Why not make a Barbie that looks like me?"

Director: Lagueria Davis

Writer: Lagueria Davis

Stars: Monica L. Bailey, Kitty Black Perkins, Raj Brown

#Barbie #blackbarbie #barbiestory #documentary #BeulahMaeMitchell #LagueriaDavis #filmsbywomen #whattowatch #blackherstory #MonicaLBailey #KittyBlackPerkins #RajBrown

[newmusickarl]

5-9’s Album of the Month Podcast – Episode 8 Out Now, Episode 9 coming soon!

The September review episode of the 5-9 Album of the Month Podcast is fast approaching and as ever I will take a seat alongside 5-9 Editor Andrew Belt and Check This Out’s Kiley Larsen to review five high profile album releases from the past month in music, and ultimately name one as our Album of the Month at the end of the discussion.

For the next blockbuster episode, the five albums we will be discussing are:

Eat The Worm by Jonathan Wilson

The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We by Mitski

Strange Disciple by Nation of Language (poll winner, thanks for voting!)

This New Noise (Live) by Public Service Broadcasting

Everything Is Alive by Slowdive

If you want to listen to the August episode or any previous episodes on Spotify simply click the link below, but also be sure to follow 5-9 Blog on Instagram and Twitter for more news and polls relating to the podcast, along with other great content like film reviews, sports articles and more.

Listen to the August 2023 episode here

Album & EP Recommendations

Laugh Track by The National

Anticipation can be a funny thing. When asked on the January episode of our podcast earlier this year what were some of my most anticipated records for the upcoming 12 months, a new album from The National was one of my picks. As one of my favourite bands, I couldn’t wait for the next instalment in their catalogue and by the time April and The First Two Pages of Frankenstein came around, my hype-o-meter had hit fever pitch. Sadly what I found, left me massively disappointed.

Whilst some fans took to the record immediately, for me Frankenstein was (and still is after numerous plays) the sound of a band seemingly out of ideas and just going through the motions. What’s more, frontman Matt Berninger’s lyrics sound forced, clunky and even clichéd at times. The rich, multi-layered instrumentation we’ve come to know and love with The National seems non-existent too, as the Dessner brothers fail to deliver much of note. Bryan Devendorf is also given a backseat in place of an uninspired drum machine, whilst Phoebe Bridgers’ advertised guest spots are nothing more than backing vocals. Of course, there are still moments like Once Upon A Poolside, Eucalyptus and Alien that show glimmers of The National at their best, but overall these moments are too few and far between.

So when it was announced last week that The National were releasing their second album of 2023 titled Laugh Track, my expectations were hopeful but a bit more modest. The good news was the singles from this tenth studio album were a bit more promising, with Bon Iver collaboration Weird Goodbyes (one of my favourite songs of 2022) and the mini-epic Space Invader clear of anything we had been given on Frankenstein. It turned out to be a good indicator for the rest of the record as Laugh Track has turned out to be The National album I was hoping for at the start of 2023.

For me the contrasting contents is evident from the front covers of the two albums alone. Where Frankenstein is dull pink and monochromatic, Laugh Track is vivid and full of colour - which for me represents the huge difference in sound between the two. Bryan Devendorf has more of a presence whilst the Dessner brothers are stringing together interesting musical arrangements again. Matt’s lyrics suit the flow of the tracks better too, with some lines punching you in the gut like we know he can. But above everything else, a few of the songs here can stand shoulder to shoulder with The National’s very best.

Weird Goodbyes and Space Invader I already mentioned but outside of those two this album is littered with stellar moments. Alphabet City I wasn’t sure about initially, but it seems at home here as the album’s opener. Recent single Deep End (Paul’s In Pieces) has a great driving riff whilst Turn Off the House wouldn’t sound out of place on Trouble Will Find Me. Phoebe Bridgers also has more to do on the brilliant title track, with the line “So turn on the laugh track, everyone knows you’re a wreck” showcasing Matt Berninger at his self-deprecating best. The piano-led Hornets is another stand-out in the back half before Crumble, the country-inspired collaboration with American singer-songwriter Roseanne Cash, also hits home.

The album is fantastic up until that point, but it is the colossal closing track Smoke Detector that sends the record into another stratosphere for me. Clocking in at just shy of eight minutes, it is like Sleep Well Beast cut The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness cranked up to 11. It sees Matt Berninger poetically rant over the top of an ominous riff as it begins to surge, the volume of his vocals steadily escalating along with it. Anchored around a heartfelt refrain of “You don’t know how much I love you, do you?”, it eventually explodes into a thrilling final couple of minutes led by the Dessner brothers’ climatic duelling guitars.

Whilst I appreciate some will still prefer Frankenstein and others may even be left lukewarm by this album as well, for me this is The National I know and love. Several songs here I immediately put alongside my favourites in their catalogue and overall it is just a beautifully arranged record from beginning to end. Whilst it certainly won’t trouble the likes of Boxer, High Violet or Trouble Will Find Me in any album ranking, it is great to know that The National haven’t lost their touch just yet.

Listen here

Lost In Love by Zivi

Another highlight of the last few weeks, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Zivi recently released his hypnotically hazy and guitar-driven debut album - Lost In Love. Released on the seemingly infallible Mama Mañana Records, Zivi’s debut transports you to the desert-dusted sights and sounds of Southwestern America, where mesmerising laidback grooves meet tales of romance and life on the road.

Working with an exceptional array of talented musicians, Zivi brings together an eclectic mix of guitar textures that evoke different feelings and memories at every turn, jumping from the upbeat, timeless rhythms of Move Along to the bluesier riffs of Disappear and Midnight Train. The album then reaches it’s peak around the midway point, with the melancholic strums and enchanting electric koto chimes of Come On bringing the wow factor, before the strutting chords of single Faded take over. On masterful centrepiece Need U Tonight, Zivi then sings of “letting down our guards”, with his passionate vocals taking centre stage amidst a spellbinding arrangement of toe-tapping drums, melodic guitars and some beautiful harmonies with female vocalist, Phoebe Wilson.

That song feels like the emotional heart of the record and after that Zivi steers the listener into the realms of 70s-inspired soft rock for the final stretch. Way Out vividly captures the feeling of breaking free being described in the lyrics, with those words resonating through a sonic eruption of whirring organs and spiralling guitars. The riffs are similarly bold on Solidarity and Passenger, before White Ocean offers up an enthrallingly soulful finale, with the wave crashes wonderfully painted through sounds of church organs and echoey saxophones.

With an excellent team of musicians by his side, an unshakeable trust in his own songwriting and the time, care and effort taken to perfect these songs, Zivi has crafted a truly memorable debut that ranks amongst the year’s best first-time outings. So, if you need some warm, comforting sounds to counteract the incoming colder weather - look no further.

Listen here

Watch Zivi's brilliant live performance at Meow Wolf here

Black Rainbows by Corinne Bailey Rae

I’ll admit, beyond her overplayed and overly twee breakout hit Put Your Records On, before this month I couldn’t name you another Corinne Bailey Rae track. With that being the case, I went into this fourth album from the British singer-songwriter with little expectation, other than a recommendation and some extremely positive reviews. As a result, I was blown away by the absolute tour de force with which I was presented.

Across the album’s ten tracks, Corinne effortlessly jumps from genre to genre whilst sharing her thoughts on subjects such as slavery, spirituality, freedom, hope and survival. Whilst these radical style switches can be jarring at times, it also makes for an absolute thrill ride with not a single dull moment to be found. In just the opening three songs alone, Corinne flies between the rip-roaring A Spell, A Prayer, the experimental jazz of the title track before landing at the stomping rock riffs of Erasure.

It’s then in the middle section where the best songs can be found, with Corinne’s soulful cries of “I wanted to know you” gracefully gliding across the stirring arrangement on album highlight, Red Horse. She then immediately does a complete 180, firing into the full throttle garage rock of New York Transit Queen, a song that wouldn’t sound out of place on the recent Hives record. Near 9-minute epic Put It Down is then the entire album in a nutshell, starting out as a magical slice of smooth R&B before transitioning into a pulsating buzz of electronica.

Black Rainbows is an album that on the surface sounds like it should be a hot mess, an “everything including the kitchen sink” collection of sounds and styles that would’ve quickly misfired in anyone else’s hands. Full credit to Corinne Bailey Rae though, as she keeps the project anchored and makes the dramatic transitions seem like the most natural thing in the world. An incredible record that you simply must hear.

Listen here

Softscars by yeule

If after Corinne you want more genre-hopping brilliance, then look no further than the third studio album from Singaporean musician, Yeule. A concept album which sees each track represent an old wound from Yeule’s past, it’s an exhilarating, near flawless ride through the cross-section where dream-pop, shoegaze and alt-rock all collide. Brilliant from start to finish, it’s particularly worth your time for the likes of x w x, sulky baby, ghosts, inferno and aphex twin flame.

Listen here

Lost In A Rush Of Emptiness by Bleach Lab

If you’re after something a bit more traditional in sound however, then I recommend the utterly stunning debut from London-based quartet Bleach Lab. Bringing together elements of shoegaze and melodic indie rock, gorgeous flourishes of strings and the softly spoken vocals of frontwoman Jenna Kyle, it’s an album that will leave you completely entranced from the get-go. Particularly worth diving into the majestic opening trio of All Night, Indigo and Counting Empties, along with the astonishing 7-minute closer, Life Gets Better.

Listen here

With All Due Disrespect EP by Bellah Mae

And then on the EPs front, rising popstar Bellah Mae landed on my radar earlier this year through her charismatic performance at Nottingham’s Splendour festival. An absolute pro at post-breakup takedowns, her debut pulls together all her catchy, often hilarious singles to date into one fun blast of a shortplayer. Whether it’s the sarcastic brush-off of Boyfriend of the Year, the sweeping balladry of On Purpose (For My Future Daughter) or the meme-tastic roast of her ex found on Date Your Dad, Bellah’s charm and unique way with words will have you smiling in no time.

Listen here

Also worth checking out: Magic 3 by Nas, End by Explosions In The Sky, STONE by Baroness, Cellophane by Holy Holy, Heaven and Gold by Cleo Sol

Tracks of the Week

ONE MORE TIME by Blink-182

Get the tissues ready, pop-punk legends Blink-182 are back.

Whilst it may not be a big deal to everyone, for 90s kids like me who grew up with Blink-182’s music, seeing the original line-up of Tom, Mark and Travis reconcile and get back together for a new album brings nothing but joy. Well, maybe not nothing but joy - I’d be lying if I said this song didn’t leave me deeply moved. As memories and callbacks to their heyday are made during the song’s music video, the comeback single itself is an honest love letter from the trio to one another and a touching ode to their brotherly bond.

Watch the music video here

Another Life by Spector

Continuing the build to the release of their fourth album in late November, titled Here Come The Early Nights, indie heroes Spector have served up the second taste of their forthcoming project. Sonically it is the type of upbeat anthem we have come to expect from Spector but lyrically it is slightly different to the norm, as typically witty and guarded frontman Fred Macpherson shows a rare glimpse of vulnerability as he ponders on a lost love.

Listen here

Looking For Loving by Nimmo & Satellite

Summer may sadly be coming to an end, but there’s always time for one last dance banger – especially from the ever-brilliant Nimmo. Still yet to deliver a bad song throughout their career, this energetic collaboration with Satellite features plenty of heart and an instantly catchy chorus.

Listen here

Gemini by Bathe Alone

A shoutout to Twitter friend Joe for putting this new single from Atlanta-based multi-instrumentalist Bailey Crone, AKA Bathe Alone, onto my radar. Filled with lush, dreamy sonics and Crone’s own whispery vocals, it’s an intoxicating song in which to fully lose yourself.

Listen here

Love My Way by Share

And finally this week, New Music Weekly favourite Nile Marr has recently teamed up with musician Kaylen Alan Krebsbach to form new band - Share. It’s an instantly intriguing combination of talents and their first single, a blissful cover of the Psychedelic Furs’ classic Love My Way, is now out in the world. An excellent, faithful cover that leaves me waiting to hear more from the duo.

Listen here

Also worth checking out: Black Heaven by Creeper, Into Your Room by Holly Humberstone, Big Pharma by Sleaford Mods, When The Rain Comes by Sugababes, All the Time In The World by Sunship Balloon

REMINDER: If you use Apple Music, you can also keep up-to-date with all my favourite 2023 tracks through my Best of 2023 playlist. Constantly updated throughout the year with songs I enjoy, it is then finalised into a Top 100 Songs of the Year in December.

Add the playlist to your library here

[womantoday]

Black Performers In Country, Bluegrass, & Folk Music

Books:

Hidden in the Mix: The African American Presence in Country Music by Diane Pecknold {2013}

Country Soul: Making Music And Making Race In The American South by Charles L. Hughes {2015}

The Banjo: America’s African Instrument by Laurent Dubois {2016} x

Pride: The Charley Pride Story by Charley Pride &‎ Jim Henderson {1994}

Deford Bailey: A Black Star in Early Country Music by David C. Morton & Charles K. Wolfe {1991}

My Country: The African Diaspora’s Country Music Heritage by Pamela E. Foster {1998}

My Country, Too: The Other Black Music by Pamela E. Foster {2000}

Say It One More Time For The Brokenhearted by Barney Hoskyns {1987}

African Banjo Echoes In Appalachia: A Study of Folk Traditions by Cecelia Conway {1995}

Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music by Clinton Walker {2015}

Hoedowns, Reels, And Frolics: Roots And Branches Of Southern Appalachian Dance - Phil Jamison {2015}

Black Country Music: Listening For Revolutions by Francesca T. Royster {2022}

Well Of Souls: Uncovering The Banjo's Hidden History by Kristina R. Gaddy {2022}

Documentary:

Rhythm, Country & Blues {1994}

Waiting In The Wings: African Americans In Country Music 1, 2, 3 {2004}

The Banjo Project {2011}

Les Blank: Always For Pleasure

American Epic {2017}

Charley Pride: I’m Just Me {2019}

CDs:

American Epic: The Collection {5 CD box set - 2017}

From Where I Stand: The Black Experience In Country Music {3 CD box - 1998 / 4 CD Box - 2024}

Articles:

Linda Martell {March 1970 / Ebony} Ruby Falls Nisha Jackson {June 14, 1987 / Chicago Tribune} Color Them Country: The Black Women Of Country Music {2019} Rufus “Tee Tot” Payne - x Lesley Riddle {2017} Henry Glover - 1, 2, 3, 4 Sun, Sea and Stetsons: Why St. Lucia loves country and western music {2014} Country Music Is Hugely Popular In Africa. But It’s Nearly All Imported {2017} That Ain't My Song On The Jukebox {1997} Black Hillbilly {2015} Rural Black String Band Music {1980} McDonald Craig {1982} African Bluegrass

Youtube

Shemekia Copeland - Drivin’ Out Of Nashville {2015} Shirley Caesar - No Charge {1983} McDonald Craig - Pistol Packing Papa / Saddie Brown {2010} Donna Summer & Eddie Rabbitt - Medley {1983} Minnie Riperton - It’s So Nice (To See Old Friends) {1974} Nisha Jackson - Alive And Well {1987} A Taste Of Honey - Leavin’ Tomorrow {1982} Miko Marks & The Resurrectors - Whiskey River {2021} The Pointer Sisters - Fairytale / Live Your Life Before You Die {1974 / 1975} Chapel Hart - Country Paradise {2020} Margie Joseph - Touch Your Woman {1975} Rufus & Chaka Khan - I Finally Found You {1973} Patti LaBelle - Country Christmas {1990} Etta Baker & Cora Phillips - Jaybird March {2005} Beyoncé & Dixie Chicks - Daddy Lessons {2016} Sunny Daye - I’m Already There / Sin Wagon {2007 / 2011} Cynthia Mae Talley - Change Of Heart {2010} Frankie Staton - Rhinestone Cowgirl {1999} Toshi Reagon - Mountain Top {2002} Linda Martell - Bad Case Of The Blues {1970} Nell Carter - So Long Dude {1972} Smokey Robinson & Dolly Parton - I Know You By Heart {1987} B. B. King - Alexis’ Boogie {1971} Uncle John Scruggs - Little Log Cabin In The Lane {1928} Sananda Maitreya (Terence Trent D'Arby) - I Still Love You {1993} George W. Johnson - The Laughing Song {1897} Johnnie Taylor - Party Life {1970} Sir Mix-A-Lot - Square Dance Rap / Buttermilk Biscuits {1985 / 1988} Parliament - Little Ole Country Boy {1970} Commodores - Sail On {1979} Michael Jackson - For The Good Times {1984} Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) {2007} Joe Tex - Grandma Mary {1969} Richie Havens - The Key {2008} Seckond Chaynce - Write This Down {2017} Bad Bascomb - Black Grass {1972} O. B. McClinton - albums / Talk To My Children’s Mama {1977} Big Al Downing - I Ain’t No Fool / Beer Drinkin’ People {1979} Otis Williams And The Midnight Cowboys - Mule Skinner Blues {1971} Whistler’s Jug Band - Foldin’ Bed {1930} Virginia Kirby - Faded Rose {1977} The Nairobi Wranglers - The Legend Of The Black Cowboy & His Music {1980}

[chiistarri]

GUYS i hate it here by taylor swift is actually alex bailey

[ironicscavenger]

AUGUST 2024

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