Return of the Mix Tape

May 17th – Tracks for a Tuesday

Tuesday – Malibu Ken, Aesop Rock, Malibu Ken

“My neighbor found a mushroom growing inside of my car” really helps put the quality of your life in perspective. Yeah, you might not have your shit together but at least you don’t have a case of automotive fungus. I’ve been an Aesop Rock fan for a while now. He has a substantial vocabulary that he exhibits throughout his songs with great lyricism. Mix that with TOBACCO’s production and you get a rad song. It feels like a funny reflection on the state of life. Everyone can identify with at least some part of it. Maybe not the mushrooms though. 

Happy Idiot – TV On The Radio, Seeds

I discovered TV On The Radio only a few years ago and Seeds was one of the albums I enjoyed the most when diving into their discography. This song is one of their more popular tracks and for good reason. It bops. 

Dare You to Move – Switchfoot, The Best Yet

I challenge you not to sing along to the chorus of this song. This brings me back to riding around in my Mom’s minivan during the early 2000s. I was always stoked when 100.3 The Peak would play this on their air waves. It brings out an angsty piece of my personality that I relish. Even today it makes me feel like I’m starring in my own teen drama in the lane of One Tree Hill or The O.C. I can almost hear Lucas Scott reciting a passage from a classic piece of literature with his eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly. 

Saviers Road – Anderson .Paak, Oxnard

When the intro ends and the drums come in it’s impossible not to nod your head. It’s a short and sweet song that knows not to draw things out after it has already left its mark. Anderson .Paak has curated a vast discography in such a short time. While this isn’t my personal favorite album, it does have a few songs that I really love. This is one of them. 

Dawn Chorus – Thom Yorke, ANIMA

This is a cool song from the solo efforts of the lead singer of Radiohead, Thom Yorke. The production on this song makes me feel like I’m floating. Yorke’s signature haunting vocals add a cool layer. It’s weird, in a good way. 

Do You Think We’ll Last Forever? – Caroline Rose,  Superstar

The ethereal intro gives way to a funky little baseline that paves the way for a song that makes you bob along. Caroline Rose has quickly become a part of my rotation. Her songs are so catchy and her voice does several styles very well. She knows her range and sticks to it, which I respect. It seems like this song has several songs built into it with drastically different musical styles in each. Songs like that can either crumple under the pressure or thrive. This one thrives.

UFOF – Big Thief, U.F.O.F.

Just another good song from Big Thief. 

A Pillow of Winds – Pink Floyd, Meddle

One of their more underrated albums in my opinion. Obviously, Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall get most of the hype but Pink Floyd have many other albums deserving of praise. Meddle is a cool album with a relaxed vibe. This song especially sounds like a lullaby trying to calm you down before bed. I’m not gonna bust it out for party time but it has its place. 

For Emma – Bon Iver,  For Emma, Forever Ago

This is peak Bon Iver. The whole album goes hard in the paint. Skinny Love is amazing but gets too much attention when there are other amazing tracks to consider. I like this song because it’s on the faster side for Bon Iver while still maintaining the serene melody and dynamics of the slower songs. 

Love Of My Life – Queen,  A Night At The Opera

The live version in Brazil where the crowd started singing along with Freddie will always bring a tear to my eye. Listening to Mercury on this track, you can tell he is envisioning a specific person while singing. It isn’t just some contrived love song. It’s a poetic plea to the most important person in his life. The harp strokes that lead into the first verse really set the stage. Plus the minimal piano, and growling guitar give another layer to Mercury’s message. The dynamics are exquisite with howling highs and luxurious lows. One of my favorite songs from Queen. 

May 8th – Sunday Scaries

Diddy Bop – Noname, Cam O’bi & Raury, Telefone

I have a special place in my heart for artists who make music that can capture multiple moods. Noname is one of these artists. Noname moves over the beat with such a graceful step. Is she singing? Is she rapping? Yes. Her fluidity continues to develop with each project. I highly encourage you to check out her second album, Room 25. 

Herside Story – GoldLink, Hare Squead, At What Cost

What a groove. The first “oooohh…” gets me so stoked. GoldLink bounces through his verses with ease. However, the hook takes the cake in my opinion. Often I find myself singing along, hitting each ad lib with intensity like I’m auditioning for The Voice. Hot damn it’s a hot jam. 

Got Me – Dreamville, Ari Lennox, Omen, Ty Dolla$ign, & Dreezy, 1-888-88-DREAM

Ari Lennox shows off her smooth vocal abilities alongside Dolla in a sensual duet about reciprocal love. So much good music is coming out of Atlanta. Dreamville is responsible for a lot of that with big artists like J. Cole ushering in waves of new talent. Lennox is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the modern R&B scene. Check her out.

Journal of Ardency – Class Actress, EP

I first heard this song on the HBO show, Barry and was immediately hooked. The cool groove of the base and the soaring hits from the synths mixed with the delicate but powerful vocals make for an amazing song to dance along to in your living room. 

Where The Streets Have No Name – U2, The Joshua Tree

I used to have the Project RED iPod that had the signatures of all the U2 band members inscribed on the back. Coolest thing I’ve ever owned. 

What can you say about one of the best songs on one of the best albums of all time that hasn’t been said already? The guitar drives the song forward with its reflective arpeggio. Bono flys over it on the wings of an eagle. This song makes me feel transported into a moment that’s important. Some moment where I’m looking at myself from the outside. It’s movie music, but you’re the star of the movie. 

Dance Yrself Clean – LCD Soundsystem, This is Happening

LCD Soundsystem puts on a master class in how to build a song up from nothing. The cool clap drumming at the start provides a backdrop for the vocals to meander with a purpose that is not entirely clear from the beginning but soon takes center stage. It builds little by little until eventually it drops into an infectious jam punctuated by staccato electric zaps. It feels like there’s a pinball game in your brain as the synths jump from note to note. Everyone gets a new high score on this one. 

Plastic Beach – Gorillaz, Mick Jones & Paul Simonon, Plastic Beach

The title track from a fantastic album from Gorillazstarts with a dramatic guitar intro reminiscent of Eminem’s iconic “Lose Yourself” that evolves into futuristic, swooping sparkles. Although it’s not my favorite song on this masterpiece of an album, it’s up there because of the seamless transitions between each distinct section. They blend into a cohesive composition that leaves you wanting more. 

Give It Away – Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blood Sugar Sex Magik

All the components of this song work together to produce an amazing final product. See you in the mosh pit .

Electric Relaxation – A Tribe Called Quest , The Anthology

ATCQ were my introduction to 90s boom bap hip hop. Since then it’s become one of my favorite genres. RIP Phife

EARFQUAKE – Tyler, The Creator , IGOR

A song sure to move the earth beneath your feet with its deep bellowing base coupled with delicate strings and piano. Tyler shows his creativity knows no bounds with this song (and album). It doesn’t sound anything like the deliciously dark and grimy tracks from his Odd Future days. Tyler continually adapts and changes his style with each project. He’s versatile. That’s what makes him so good.