Top 100 of 2018

Soooo...did I miss anything while I was gone? I've been putting this blog on the backburner the past few months as I acclimated to a new role and responsibilities in my day job. I'm trying to be better and keep this sucker up so in that spirit, let's wrap up 2018 the way I best know how. Here they are. The songs that provided me with inspiration and a soundtrack for another ride around the sun. 

My Spotify playlists:

Top 100 of 2018
Top 20 albums of 2018
Songs I listened to the most in 2018

1. All This Useless Energy – Jeff Rosenstock
   Punk and indie-rock polymath Jeff Rosenstock wasn't even on my radar when 2017 became 2018. That changed a few days later when I discovered Post-, Rosenstock's surprise New Year's Day release. This song, along with numbers 2-4, were all released in January and permanently lodged in my head through the summer. None more so than this cathartic rock blast that contains one of my favorite lyrics of the year, "I haven’t found the rhythm yet. To anchor down my life. I didn’t know I needed one. To hold me through the night." This song, and the rest of Post-, proved to be my anchor right out of the gate in 2018. I can only hope 2019 has an anchor this good waiting for me.
2. Baby I'm Bleeding – JPEGMAFIA "Peggy where you been at...?" Indeed. He's in my world now and if he keeps releasing glitch-rap bangers like this accessibly agro attack from his third album, "Veteran," he'll always have a spot on my Mixtape.
3. How to Socialise & Make Friends – Camp Cope
   There are lots of ways a song can hook you. Lyrics, voice, melody, chorus, the list goes on. According to my Last.FM scrobbles for 2018, this one did it all, getting 179 plays this year - over 20 more than its closest competitor, this list's number one, "All This Useless Energy."
4. Negative Space – Hookworms
   This was easily my dance jam for the year. Different than anything else I heard in 2018, it got over 100 plays (eighth most for me this year) which is pretty amazing for a dance track that is nearly seven minutes long. I spent a bunch of time with their album, Microshift, and was excited about future releases, but those aren't to be. Hookworms broke up this fall after their leader had some pretty gnarly allegations of abuse made against him. 
5. Heat Wave – Snail Mail
   Once in a while, a new voice emerges that completely captivates and dominates my headspace in an irreversible manner. Life-changing might be a bit strong, but Lindsay Jordan - aka Snail Mail - is such a voice and this song, obvious title and all, pulled down Summer Song of 2018 honors. It's been nice to see Snail Mail get some love on various critics' Best of 2018 lists. Lots of it was for "Pristine," but every now and then this song popped up on a list, which makes me smile to think that others who actually write about music for a living were as moved by "Heat Wave" as I was. And still am.
6. Scorpio Rising – Soccer Mommy
   Once in a while, two new voices emerge that completely...you get the point. In a music year dominated by women, Soccer Mommy captured my heart first with "Your Dog," then a month or two later with "Cool." Once I got around to discovering this gem of a 'love song,' I was already head over heels with Snail Mail's "Heat Wave" and couldn't imagine having two such similar, sun-kissed, sullen songs on repeat...these things usually cancel each other out and they both lose ear-time to something totally different or one of the two songs gives way to the other. This wasn't the case with "Scorpio Rising," a song that easily could have soundtracked a very emotional episode of Dawson's Creek 20 years ago. Scorpio demanded to be heard. With lyrics like, "With your love you want warmth and I'm somethin' colder. I'm putting your hands to her heart," it won't be forgotten anytime soon.
7. USA – Jeff Rosenstock
   Once in a great while, a new artist discovery ends up yielding two songs in my year-end top ten. Okay...that barely ever happens (except this year...see the Soccer Mommy songs above and below this entry), but somehow, the seven-and-a-half minutes of this song demanded to be played. And played...and played. It addresses the current political climate and the impact it has on how we look at friendships and pretty much everything. It's first three minutes or so, "USA" masquerades as a rock song, perhaps a minor 'rage' against the machine that is this country, before fading into repeated verses of "Now we're tired and bored, tired and bored, tired and bored..." That voice is temporarily silenced for the next few minutes, buried in dissonant noise until it returns, building momentum and erupting into a full-on protest mantra of "We're tired, we're bored, Et-tu USA..." A more perfectly parallel trajectory to the song's inspiration and source material couldn't have been conceived.
8. Your Dog – Soccer Mommy
   "I don't want to be your fucking dog." Those are the first eight words I heard from Soccer Mommy and they were more than enough to get my attention. As evidenced by the fact Soccer Mommy has three songs in my top 20 of the year, Sophie Allison is someone I look forward to hearing a lot more from in the years to come.
9. Little Dark Age – MGMT
   While MGMT says this is more in the vein of 80s synth-driven pop and the more accessible parts of their catalog, this still sounds pretty damn weird even for 2018. In the best possible way, of course. Another song inspired by these Trumpian times, "Little Dark Age" serves as social commentary without pummeling the listener over the head about the situation that influenced it. 
10. Ghost Town – Kanye West
    I've been a Ye fan since "Through The Wire." Sure he's evolved into the arrogant, shit-talking, narcissistic asshat we all know and loathe these days, but that doesn't diminish the fact he's still capable of greatness. The summer started with five weeks of releases featuring Kanye rapping, producing, or collaborating or all of the above. In that mess of publicity stunts, listening parties in the middle of nowhere, etc... came a few songs that rose above the hype and delivered the goods. None more so than this incredibly personal song featuring a mantra that's so 2018 it's painful...yes, literally. 
11. Full Control – Snail Mail
    Another standout from Snail Mail's excellent full-length debut, Lush. Have I mentioned I love Snail Mail?
12. Stir Fry – Migos
    Pharrell produced this jam-and-a-half from the threesome that's pretty much redefined popular rap in their own image the past couple of years. The result: your aunt half-twerking to a song about making crack cocaine. 
13. Seventeen – Tomberlin
14. When You Die – MGMT
15. How Simple – Hop Along
16. Alcohol – FIDLAR
17. Me & My Dog –  boygenius
    It's that thing where Wilson Phillips is reborn for 2018 as a female singer-songwriter Voltron. Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, and Phoebe Bridgers all shine on the six songs they've given us thus far as boygenius, this particular track being the initial standout on a stellar EP. 
18. Everybody Wants To Be Famous – Superorganism
    How this song didn't find its way to a bigger audience - the one it deserves - is beyond me. If an internet meme could become a song, I'm pretty sure it would sound like this. 
19. Dive – Beach House
20. Cool – Soccer Mommy
21. This Is America – Childish Gambino
    From watercooler chat to viral videos, and everything in between, popular culture dictates the moments that (if only for a fleeting moment) define us as a people. The song and video became part of the discussion the instant they were released and both still hold up as some of the most interesting and important pieces of media this year.
22. 4th Dimension – KIDS SEE GHOSTS
    Kanye + Kid Cudi + Louis Prima sample = perfection.
23. Nice For What – Drake
    Keeping with my time-honored tradition of liking every ninth or so song that Drake releases, I really liked this one for a quick minute. Maybe it's the New Orleans bounce in the track or the omnipresent Lauryn Hill sample that drives this track. Both did their trick in keeping "Nice For What" in heavy rotation this past spring.
24. Turn Out the Lights – Julien Baker
25. Picture of Health – Muncie Girls
26. High Horse – Kacey Musgraves
    Country-disco from my personal favorite Dancing Queen of the Rodeo. Kacey, being said queen, landed three songs in my year-end top 40 and her damn-near perfect Golden Hour album was my pick for #3 album of the year. 
27. Lemon – N.E.R.D, Rihanna
28. 65th & Ingleside – Chance the Rapper
29. Bleeding – THICK
30. Kids See Ghosts – KIDS SEE GHOSTS
31. Point Of Demarkation – At The Drive In
32. APESHIT – The Carters
    Remember that time Queen Bey out-rapped Jigga Man? Check this song's three-minute mark for a refresher. Beyonce was the star of her and hubby Jay-Z's THE CARTERS and when she says "Get off my dick," you best listen. 
33. Too Real – FIDLAR
34. Fuck Yo Club (Bonus) – 'Lgado, Valee
    Bonus tracks are typically throwaway songs that really have no point on an album. That's the norm and I'm not saying this track isn't throwaway, but it resonated way more than any other song on 'Lgado's Nino Season did. It's not rocket science by any stretch, but it seemed like it would be a good filler jam while I waited for Kanye's weekly June releases. Life is funny. Turns out that "Fuck Yo Club" got more listens from yours truly than any song from a Kanye release this year; ten more plays than Kanye's most played track, "Ghost Town." 
35. Every 1's a Winner – Ty Segall
    The only cover song to make the list, prolific Ty Segall electrifies this seminal disco hit, infusing his garage-punk spirit into its every nook and cranny, especially the monster hook of the central riff. 
36. Slow Burn – Kacey Musgraves
37. Far Away Truths – Albert Hammond, Jr.
    It's highly likely that the Strokes will never make an album that grabs us by the leather jacket like Is This It did when it arrived (gasp) 17 years ago. It's a testament to the talent in the band that its members are still churning out solo projects that capture some of that turn-of-the-century magic displayed on the Strokes' first couple albums. Guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr last logged substantial ear time with me in 2006 with his single, "101" and returned this year for his first album since 2015.
38. Reverse (Ft. G-Eazy) – Vic Mensa, G-Eazy
39. Leave It In My Dreams – The Voidz
    The companion piece of sorts to Albert Hammond Jr.'s "Far Away Truths," The Voidz is Strokes singer Julian Casablancas' latest project, featuring a whole lot of WTF. Seriously, listen to 2018's Virtue with a very open mind. It also has the best Strokes song not recorded by the Strokes in "Leave It In My Dreams," 
40. Space Cowboy – Kacey Musgraves
    If you listen closely, you'll hear the sounds of hearts breaking as Kacey sings, "We had our day in the sun. When a horse wants to run, ain't no sense in closing the gate. So you can have your space, cowboy."
41. Charity – Courtney Barnett
42. Any Other Way – Tomberlin
43. Loading Zones – Kurt Vile
44. Only Acting – Kero Kero Bonito
    What pop music sounds like in  2018. The pop music that I listen to, at least. 
45. Wild Child – Shopping
46. Mo Bamba – Sheck Wes
47. Esther – The Hold Steady
    I love a good story. This song is one such example.
48. Hand It Over – MGMT
49. Chapel of Pines – Waxahatchee
50. December 24 – Earl Sweatshirt
    Four Decembers ago, D'Angelo returned out of nowhere with his surprise year-end release, Black Messiah. It was a Christmas gift from the music gods at the time and nothing released in the twelfth month of the year since has been on that level. Fast forward to now. Earl Sweatshirt has been in my orbit since Odd Future burst on to the scene nine years ago, but he's neverSome Rap Songs album, as 2018's expiration date drew near. Something tells me I'll be getting plenty of mileage out of both in the first weeks and months of 2019. 
51. Sleeve – Late Bloomer
52. Drunk In LA – Beach House
53. Death in Midsummer – Deerhunter
54. Feels Like Summer – Vince Staples
55. Can’t You See – FIDLAR
56. High (feat. Elton John) – Young Thug, Elton John
    Come for the iconic Elton John sample, stay for Young Thug's irresistible flow. 
57. I'll Make You Sorry – Screaming Females
58. No Going Back – Yuno
    Perfect. Pop. Song. Any questions?
59. Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All – Father John Misty
60. LOVEHAPPY – The Carters
61. Almost Had to Start a Fight/In and Out of Patience – Parquet Courts
62. Kong – Neneh Cherry
    Miss Buffalo Stance is still doing her thing. On this track, Neneh skews jazzy with mesmerizing results.
63. Shiggy – Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
64. Whatever Comes to Mind – MorMor
65. Boy of Summer – Bat Fangs
66. Blood in Gutters – The Distillers
    Brody Dalle and company returned this year with a couple of singles - their first output in 15 years. This sounds as gritty and urgent as anything on Coral Fang or Sing Sing Death House. Dear Distillers: Please bring us more punk anthems like this in 2019. 
67. (You're Better) Than Ever – Illuminati hotties
68. Yikes – Kanye West
69. Grow into a Ghost – Swearin'
70. In My View – Young Fathers
71. Nameless, Faceless – Courtney Barnett
72. Soft Stud – Black Belt Eagle Scout
73. Hot Pink – Let's Eat Grandma
74. Peach – Slothrust
75. Loveline – Magic Wands
76. I Might Need Security – Chance the Rapper
    Where our hero, Chance, returns to proclaim he's bought local paper, The Chicagoist and to calls for the resignation of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Welcome back, Chance. We missed you.
77. Middle America – Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
78. Four Out Of Five – Arctic Monkeys
    Yes, AM is one of my favorite bands of the last 15 years. Yes, AM made a high-concept album about a lounge on the moon. And yes, despite my love of the band and the respect I have for them going outside (way outside) of their lane, I could only digest "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" in small bites. This particular morsel happened to taste the best.
79. Cut Yr Teeth – Kississippi
80. Fists of Fury – Kamasi Washington
    Nearly ten minutes of sax-driven jazz, courtesy of one of the new guard's best and brightest. 
81. Runnin' Outta Luck – Alex Cameron
82. Meateater – ALASKALASKA
83. I Dreamt We Spoke Again – Death Cab for Cutie
84. Bike Lane – Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
85. Love Me Right – Amber Mark
    Unapologetic 90's R&B throwback track that simultaneously sounds retro and relevant. 
86. In My Dreams – Kali Uchis
87. Oreo – Rico Nasty
88. Bassackwards – Kurt Vile
89. We Appreciate Power – Grimes, HANA
    I only have two words for what I want out of 2019: More Grimes. 
90. Hot Summer – Gurr
91. T-Shirt – The Beaches
92. Natural – Tanukichan
93. Turn Around – Dungen, Woods
94. Elegance – Kilo Kish
95. Lucky 88 – Speedy Ortiz
96. My Contribution to This Scam – Jean Grae, Quelle Chris
97. SUPERDUPERKYLE (feat. MadeinTYO) – KYLE, MadeinTYO
98. Shirim – Melody's Echo Chamber
99. The Louder I Call, the Faster It Runs – Wye Oak
100. Duck Duck Goose – cupcakKe

The Mixtape - 8/28/18: The Summer Song of 2018 is...

 

Miss Lindsey Jordan, aka Snail Mail, has been around since I relaunched my whole 'Mixtape' thing at the end of May. "Heat Wave" was #4 then and, after a brief wait for Kanye to rotate through the top spot in June with his own "Ghost Town" and KIDS SEE GHOSTS' "4th Dimension," it found its way to the top where it's spent the past 10 weeks. If ever a song owned (my) summer, it's this one.

As far as summer songs 2018 go, the rest of the world can have Cardi B's "I Like It" or Drake's "In My Feeling." My summer song wasn't meant to be a jam this go around. I mean, Reverse (Ft. G-Eazy) – Vic Mensa, G-Eazy, APESHIT – The Carters, and Fuck Yo Club (Bonus) – 'Lgado, Valee all outlasted any Kanye West production cut this summer, but none of them ear-wormed their way in to my heart the way "Heat Wave" did.

So the summer is nearly over and I spent it mostly listening to somber tales of love lost or, perhaps, love not even worth attempting. Sure, I rocked out a bit (thanks, THICK, Swearin', and Late Bloomer), but while I'd like to think the forecast will call for sunnier tunes, I'm presently knee-deep in Tomberlin's powerfully hushed debut, At Weddings. It's been a mainstay in my headphones these past few weeks (aka Mixtape cycles) that I've been away. Oh yeah, sorry 'bout that, by the way...life, ya know?

Tomberlin's ascension toward the top aside, it's been mostly business as usual, musically speaking. Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy have remained 1-2 the past month with the aforementioned summer song of 2018 and "Scorpio Rising" respectively. During my blogging downtime, I found great new music from Black Belt Eagle Scout (13), Kurt Vile (34), YBN Cordae (38), and Ultra Beauty (39). And as much as my 1999 self LOVED Slim Shady, his surprise Kamikaze release last week didn't get catch me buying what Mr. Mathers is selling in 2018.

The past month, Muncie Girls and Death Cab For Cutie releases aside, didn't offer me much reason to anticipate New Music Friday. That drought ends this week with a handful of new albums I'm eager to spend some time with. I'm gonna party like it's 1979 with new releases from all the Pauls - McCartney, Simon, and Carrack - and dig in to some albums I'll might still be listening to in 2019 from Waxahatchee and Mothers. I might even wax nostalgic for the 90s and check out the latest offerings from Everlast, Macy Gray, and Lenny Kravitz. Stranger things have happened; have you heard the new Eminem album?

The Mixtape 8/14/18: Lucky 7 weeks on top for "Heat Wave" by Snail Mail

Can't. Stop. Listening. Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy are 1 and 2 again this week. A combined 10 minutes or so of two distinct tales of love lost, each cutting through the noise of the real world with their own tension and release. I'm cutting this short so I can go listen to them both. Again. See you soon.

New this week:

31) Locked Up – Muncie Girls
32) Bruce Banner – Mick Jenkins
35) I Can Treat You Better – Part Time, Ariel Pink
36) Levitate – Twenty One Pilots
38) Sober Motel – DILLY DALLY
39) Soft Stud – Black Belt Eagle Scout
40) Any Other Way – Tomberlin

The Mixtape 8/7/18: Six weeks at #1 for "Heat Wave" by Snail Mail

By the thinnest of margins, Snail Mail keeps the top spot after a solid week of "Scorpio Rising" more-or-less owning my headphones. Soccer Mommy made the jump from 6 to 2, but couldn't quite dislodge the juggernaut that is Lindsey Jordan and Snail Mail, who again has two songs in the top five. Those two beautiful female voices are what's defining summer 2018 for me, but they're far from the only ladies in my ears.

This summer has given me everything from Beyonce (EVERYTHING IS LOVE by The Carters is the gift that keeps on giving), Beach House, and Courtney Barnett - each a completely different genre and vibe - to a glut of straight up ass-kicking rock: Camp Cope, THICK, Gurr, illuminati hotties, Blushh, Hop Along, electric citizen, Screaming Females, Muncie Girls...the list goes on. So many different and interesting vocal shades and styles, each rocking in their uniquely awesome way. Unfortunately, I'd bet against most of them ever tasting mainstream stardom and, for that, I question the mainstream's taste. I usually do, Beyonce excepted. Cuz Beyonce.

All good things must come to an.

This is the week where the trio of songs that first appeared on The Mixtape back in January finally take their bow, never to be seen again...until I reveal my top 100 of 2018 sometime in December. Given their longevity on the 'tape, as well as how many times I've listened to each, it's safe to say we will see those three January jams (How Simple – Hop Along, All This Useless Energy – Jeff Rosenstock, and Baby I'm Bleeding – Jpegmafia) sitting high come year's end.

Goodbye

Hasta la vista to a bunch of songs that had been regulars on the list for the last several months:

Alcohol – FIDLAR
How Simple – Hop Along
All This Useless Energy – Jeff Rosenstock
Baby I'm Bleeding – Jpegmafia

Four Out Of Five – Arctic Monkeys

and a few that weren't:

Best Hugs – DRAM
Hide It in the Night – electric citizen
Meteorological – Guerilla Toss

Hello

It's a 'spring cleaning' kind of weeks where new replaces the familiar, but this week we get a couple of returns with the new in the form of new Robyn and Neneh Cherry (where you been hiding out in your Buffalo Stance?!?) tracks. Also, Death Cab for Cutie keep serving up pretty dang good lead singles while a couple of collabos enter at the bottom, but bring with them much intrigue.

28) Grow into a Ghost – Swearin'
30) Autumn Love – Death Cab for Cutie
34) Missing U – Robyn
35) Hope You're Happy – Baked
37) Kong – Neneh Cherry
38) What's the Use? – Mac Miller
39) #NeverUseTheInternetAgain – Homeboy Sandman, Edan
40) Hoodrich Disco – Rome Fortune, Toro y Moi

Will all this 'new' hang around long, or will it make way for newer new in the form of these four songs that have been creepin' on my radar the past couple days:

Bruce Banner – Mick Jenkins
Rank & File – Moses Sumney
Complicated – Mura Masa, Nao
Soft Stud – Black Belt Eagle Scout

The Mixtape 7/31/18: Five weeks at #1 for "Heat Wave" by Snail Mail

If anything, July has been consistent. For each of the five Mixtape Tuesdays that occured during the first month of 2018's backside, the top two have been #1) Heat Wave / Snail Mail and #2) How to Socialise & Make Friends / Camp Cope. The # 3 slot was held down either by one of two different KIDS SEE GHOST songs or, for the past three weeks, Vic Mensa and G-Eazy's "Reverse."

The Mixtape 7/24/18: Snail Mail, Camp Cope, Vic Mensa (again)

It's the same top three as last week, but there's plenty of action elsewhere on this week's Mixtape.

Snail Mail sits comfortably on top for a fourth week with Heat Wave while another track from their album-of-the-year contender Hush, Full Control, climbs from 16 to 8.

My Five Favorite Things This Past Week

A Chance Return

Chance dropped four new songs this past Thursday and they're all really different, but all really good. The aptly named I Might Need Security is my standout. Chicago's prodigal son is back with a bang, announcing his purchase of city culture catch-all blog, The Chicagoist and calling out the Windy City's Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, all with a sped-up, pitch-shifted Jamie Foxx hook that I dare you to unhear.  Chance is an advocate for Chicago and for its people and it's great to see him back with a fire in his belly.

The Mixtape 7/17/18: Snail Mail, Camp Cope, Vic Mensa

The Heat Wave continues at the top as Lindsey Jordan aka Snail Mail continues her dominance. The top 10 looks a bit different with all things Kanye finally falling out to make room for a few big movers, namely:

Movin' On Up

Bleeding / Thick (10-6)
Fuck Yo Club / 'Lgado, Valee (13-7)
Hot Pink / Let's Eat Grandma (14-8)

The Mixtape 7/3/18: Snail Mail, Camp Cope, Kids See Ghosts

Slow and steady wins the race

After five weeks of being denied the Mixtape's top spot by Childish Gambino, Kanye West, and Kids See Ghosts, Snail Mail has reached the pole position. I had a suspicion that would be the case as the rush from the June-long fix of new Kanye-centric tunes wears off. Snail Mail's "Heat Wave" has been around a couple months, while Camp Cope's "How to Socialise and Make Friends" has been tattooed on my grey matter since the end of January. Those tunes have legs and I can easily see both songs ending up in my top 10 of 2018. It's actually not that hard to imagine both being near the top of the Mixtape for several more weeks.

The Mixtape 6/26/18: KSG, Kanye, Snail Mail

Happy Holidays 

This past month has been like Christmas for the rap fan in me. A glut of albums (KIDS SEE GHOSTS, Kanye West, The Carters, Pusha T, Rico Nasty) and tracks from Vic Mensa, 'Lgado, Ski Mask The Slump God, and Valee have been keeping the House Party in my head going while a generation behind me, unfortunately, deals with the loss of 20-year-old XXXTENTACION and potential next-big-thing PA rapper, 21-year-old Jimmy Wopo, both shot to death. I'm not going in to the societal elephant-in-the-rooms that are guns and mental illness here, but suffice it to say that my heart breaks at the suicides, homicides, and other unnecessary exits that so many have taken the last several years. Okay...back to the music.

The rap fest resulting from the above artists (and others) makes up around a third of this week's list, but it's not the only genre at the table. I love me a little bit of everything and am happiest when The Mixtape is reppin' most of the genres that I enjoy. To that point, this week has everything from the indie-pop perfection of Snail Mail, Camp Cope, and Hop Along to angsty snot-rock courtesy of FIDLAR, Jeff Rosenstock, and THICK. 

Want to dance? Hookworms, Drake, and the new Chic (💖), Chaka Khan, and Ariana Grande jams  should keep your feet moving. 

If you're in search of a lazy summer day vibe, may I suggest chilling out to the slinky (Natalie Prass), the soulful (MorMor) and the sublimely droning (Beach House). 

Sadly, we're without jazz as Kamasi Washington's nearly 10-minute odyssey, "Fists of Fury," fell off the 40 this week after a couple of months in its lower register. His full-length Heaven and Earth was released this past Friday. Once I commit to diving into it completely, you might see some more of his insanely good creations make their way on the 'tape in the near future.

On the horizon

New albums from Drake and Gorillaz come out this Friday, but I can't say I'm that excited for either. I tend to really like every tenth Drake song I hear and Gorillaz, while a mainstay of my auditory diet during the 00's, are a 'take it song-by-song' kind of act for me these days. 

What I am excited for (as both a music fan and a dorky grammar-loving English major) is the second full-length release from Let's Eat Grandma. Sure, no comma may result in some geriatric drama, but  LEG's transformative tunes are more than worth that risk.

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.

The Mixtape 6/12/18: Kanye / Snail Mail / Beach House

I've been dunking my head and bobbing for good Kanye jams the last couple weeks. Came up with a few that remind me why I'm still able to compartmentalize Kanye the artist and Kanye the douchebag in my head. I've never been so conflicted with a singular musician, but that's fodder for a different post. My point is I'm down with some new Kanye tracks, one so much that it bumped "This is America" right out of the top five. 070 Shake has been a talking point in the media for being the highest high point on Ye. Rightfully so. But it's Yeezy's verse that actually wrung the most emotion out of me. And I find myself caring about Kid Cudi as much as I did in 2009.

So yeah, I drank the water and Kanye sits up top this week. Snail Mail is right behind and, truthfully, I see myself still listening to "Heat Wave" long after "Ghost Town" has dropped off my conscience.

Beach House's "Dive" is the musical equivalent of waves crashing on a beach; fitting that it just continues to rise as summer gets closer.


    

The Mixtape 6/5/18 - A month on top for "This is America"

♪♫♪

Gooooooood day

Muuuuuusic Tuesday

I will wait

All week

For you

♪♫♪

Last week I pondered what impact new releases from Father John Misty and Kanye West would have on this week's Mixtape. The good Father manages one new song on the 'tape (#40's Hangout at the Gallows) and Mr. West (despite Ye not getting the critical acclaim he's historically been accustomed to) finds his way on at numbers 13 and 21 with what I consider the two strongest tracks on an album that I keep going back to. Ye doesn't innovate; it doesn't have truly wow moments (production, lyrically, or sampling) like each release he's put out since donning a backpack. It could lose its bookends and I wouldn't mind, but I can't say I hate any songs on it. I could do an entire piece on Ye (I won't). I could do an entire piece on my ride through Kanye's discography (I might). I can certainly nail down my 'tenultimate' tracks of his for a future 10FTW (it's coming). But there are other songs to talk about.

The Kanye-produced (damnit...this guy's everywhere. It's true, he'll be releasing a collabo with Kid Cudi this Friday as Kids See Ghosts) Pusha T album came out a couple weeks back and it's lead track, "If You Know You Know" is one of eight new songs on the list this week (including the aforementioned, but not yet mentioned by name, Kanye tracks, a surprise Gorillaz track featuring George Benson, and The Roots' BlackThought with his first proper solo effort). A lot of songs that have been in my ears the last five or six months finally fell off to make room for all the new tunes this week; songs that'll pop up on my year-end list for sure.

Okay. The highest new entry this week is "Ghost Town" at #13 by...you already know. I'll make this quick. Let me just say that the first time I listened to it, I got excited for this Friday. I mean, I instantly loved Kid Cudi's drunken, warbly vocals and was mesmerized by the 808s and Heartbreak-esque guitar appearing and disappearing throughout the track. I hope Kids See Ghosts continues on this path. While I always like Kanye's honestly raw lyrics like what he brings to the table here, the magic happens when the song hits around the two-and-a-half minute mark and 070 Shake steps up. I gotta say, I kind of had a moment when she let out her "Whoa". It was smaller scale than when Nicki Minaj took her turn on Kanye's "Monster" eight years ago and straight up owned that track. But 070 Shake makes the most of her time here, drippin' swag like Rihanna on N.E.R.D.'s "Lemon" last year and coming off larger than the songs (she also sings on "Violent Crimes") she's featured on. 070 Shake released Glitter a couple months ago and, who knows, maybe she'll have a Minaj-sized career at some point. She stole the show away from Ye. That much is hard to deny.

I swear, there are other artists to talk about. Childish Gambino sits on top of Mt. Mixtape for a 4th straight week while others slowly begin to threaten its reign. Snail Mail inches up to #3 while Beach House and Malkmus each climb a bit to numbers 5 and 6, respectively.

Elsewhere, if you're looking for a dance party (my kind of dance party at least), check out Hookworms (#8), Drake (#15), and Sink Ya Teeth (#25). 

Feel like rockin' out instead of getting down? Crank your music player of choice to 11 and jam the latest from FIDLAR (#7), Thick (#28), and Blushh (#39). 

Do you just need a hug? Let MorMor (#18) wrap his arms around you and slow dance your worries away. 

On the horizon:

New releases I'm excited for this Friday include Snail Mail's debut full-length, Lush, and that Cudi/Kanye Kids See Ghosts thing. I expect that a song or two from one or the other (or both) will grab my attention, and maybe a spot on next week's 'tape.

Mixtape 5/29/18 - This is still This is America

Three weeks on top for the man they call Troy Barnes, Lando Calrissian, and Childish Gambino. If you didn't realize that Donald Glover is the man behind the Community student, the rebooted Star Wars character, and the musical entity that recently passed 200 million (yes, a fifth of a 'billy') YouTube views for one of the most impactful videos I've ever witnessed, don't worry. You've got pretty good company in Cardi B.

Powerful vid aside, this track is on top because it's everything I need to hear right now. Elements of pop, hip-hop, mumble-rap, and choirrific gospel soul seamlessly melt in to each other to create the sweet syrup masking the medicine of its message, rendering me at once elated and deflated. Motivated and decimated. It evokes and provokes, which is what art should do.  



Jeff Rosenstock is number two, also for three weeks straight, after being on top pretty much since he surprise-released POST- on the second day of this year. Who the hell is Jeff Rosenstock? I wasn't aware of him before, so I absolutely had this question. I came to the conclusion that he's just some slightly unhinged indie guy that's not thrilled about our President, channelled his frustrations through music, and may lose his shit at any minute. Plus he rocks, which just ain't the case with a lot of 'rock' music these days. I discovered "All This Useless Energy" a few days after it came out and realized Jeff has been around for a couple albums. I haven't gone backward in to his catalog much because I've been obsessed with the entirety of POST-, but it's on my to-do list. POST-  It was one of those discovery moments I've previously mentioned living for. POST- may very well end up my album of 2018...time will tell. I still listen to it straight through a few times a week and "All This Useless Energy" consistently gets a few plays a day. Best line: "I haven't found the rhythm yet to anchor down my life."

Camp Cope also hit my ears for the first time ever back in January with "How to Socialise & Make Friends." There is no shortage of female solo artists (Snail Mail, Soccer Mommy) or female-led bands (Beach House, Middle Kids, Speedy Ortiz) on the Mixtape, but I do believe that Camp Cope is the only all-female power trio currently calling the Mixtape home. "How to Socialise..." showed up on my radar at the end of January and steadily increased its presence month over month until now, where I make a point to hear it a couple times a day. 




Notable activity this week includes me finally getting my shit together and realizing how good Beach House is. Critically acclaimed, sure. Indie darlings? Maybe at one time...they're kind of a BIG deal now. Worthy of the praise that's routinely heaped on them by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and others? Yup. "Dive" and "Drunk in LA" have been getting repeat listens from me the past couple weeks and this week sees both of those songs moving toward the top. "Dive" is in at #6 and "Drunk in LA" isn't too far behind at #14. 

I also haven't been able to stop listening to Sparkle Hard, the fourth Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks album. "Shiggy" (#5) and Bike Lane (#20) are my initial standouts on what's rapidly becoming my favorite Malkmus yet (Pavement aside, of course). 

We're five months deep in to 2018 and I'm still actively listening to the oldest song on the Mixtape - MGMT's lead single and title track of their latest album, Little Dark Age. I get excited about anything MGMT does usually. I've been on board that roller coaster since their 2005 Time To Pretend EP came out ahead of their full-length debut (and still my favorite MGMT album) Oracular Spectacular. This is one of their strongest, most accessible songs in years and, while other tracks from LDA have come and gone on the Mixtape the last several months, "Little Dark Age" debuted back in October 2017 and still feels like it has another month to go before it gets bumped off. 

What could cause it to leave sooner? Maybe new Kanye West and/or Father John Misty songs? Both Mr. Kardashian and the artist formerly known as Josh Tillman have albums coming out this Friday, meaning they will get lots of plays throughout next weekend and could cause a ruckus in the Mixtape's current pecking order next week. Stay tuned, music fans...

Tuesdays aren't just for Tacos anymore

If I'm going to relaunch this blog, then the 40 songs that are dominating my headspace at any given time - what I lovingly refer to as this blog's titular list - should be routinely provided to my readership at a consistent interval. Weekly. On the same day. 

Historically, New Music Tuesday (which was a weekly holiday in my world for what seemed like an eternity) was that magical day when new music releases came out. I'd find myself at a local music shop or Tower Records to grab the new offerings that were on my radar like it was my job. Fast forward to a few years ago when New Music Tuesday became New Music Friday and (I'm almost certain of this) the ensuing shift ripped open a hole in the time-space continuum. 

Well, I'm back. The Mixtape is back. And Tuesday will now be the day of The Mixtape. Or Tunesday (or maybe not). Just know that if it's Tuesday, the latest version of my "The*Mixtape" Spotify list (yes, in order from #1 - most loved - down to #40) will be published here. Sometimes with rambling descriptions of songs, why I love them, notable new releases, etc... Sometimes, like today's post, I'll make like Aerosmith and let the music do the talking.