The Mixtape 6/19/18: Kanye, Snail Mail, Beach House (again)

While it's same as it ever was at the top of the 'tape, there's all kinds of new tunes, mostly of the hip-hop / rap variety, popping up just in time for summer. I'm legit stunned that a Jay Z and Beyonce joint release (let's be honest, it's Bey's album, Jigga is window dressing) came out and is somehow available on Spotify. EVERYTHING IS LOVE (remember when caps lock abuse was the equivalent of digital screaming; not just a titling trend that should've started and ended with Kendrick's DAMN. last year) was a left-field surprise in a month-long parade of release party wonkiness brought to you by the guy that used to produce the 'greatest rapper alive'.

Am I still bitter that the bulk of Jay Z's catalog is not available for streaming on Spotify? Entirely possible. It's just nice to hear Jigga man on something other than his Linkin Park MTV Mash Up thingy. I miss The Blueprint (just the first one, though). I'll take Hova's The Black Album over Metallica's any day. And seriously, I could use some Reasonable Doubt in my life right now. But for now, there is The Carters (it's a family affair). A victory lap of sorts after the raw revelations of Bey and Jay's Lemonade and 4:44. 

In other news, Nas failed to impress on his latest, Nasir, Kanye's latest release on his GOOD Records label. It was the fourth straight week of a live-streamed listening party followed up the next day eventually with a digital release. Hopefully Nasir's track list won't fluctuate like KIDS SEE GHOSTS has the past couple weeks. Seriously, Ye, stop shuffling your tracks and the songs behind their titles. It's confusing as hell and no one needs that kind of drama in their life.

About KIDS SEE GHOSTS...a couple tracks from that Kanye / Kid Cudi collabo have settled in nicely to my daily rotation and this week's top ten. But it's not just the 'Ye show up top. Courtney Barnett released her second full-length solo album, Tell Me How You Really Feel last month and "Charity" from that great sophomore release is proving to be a standout on an album packed with well-crafted songs.

As I mentioned, there are a bunch of new entries this week. The Carter's "EVERYTHING IS LOVE" bows, as do tracks from Vic Mensa and G-Easy, Rico Nasty, Ski Mask The Slump God, and miss Chaka Khan, amongst others. I had zero expectations for a new Chaka Khan release, her first release in over a decade, but color me pleasantly surprised. "Like Sugar" is an old-school funk fest that's keeping me dancing in my chair throughout the work day and quickly becoming an early dark horse contender for my 2018 Summer Song. The booty wants what the booty wants.

In addition to Chaka bringing the funk and the aforementioned glut of hip-hop / rap that entered my world this week, I'm also geeking out to Natalie Prass' slinky "Oh My" which sounds like it could've been released in the 80s. Speaking of the 80s, George Benson is back in action on Gorillaz' "Humility". He's not singing, but his signature guitar breathes life in to would probably otherwise be an unmemorable song. Also, it's really weird (and quite awesome) to say that George Benson, who was on my weekly list back in the 80s with hits like "Give Me The Night" and "Turn Your Love Around", has returned to it in 2018. Anything is possible. Cue the Rick Astley comeback. Oh god...please don't.