Max's Music Mondays ft. Afonso & GOLDSPACE
Both of these songs are so good I swear
Good morning and happy Monday,
Wow that subject reads way better, don’t you think? Another week of Substack, another week of tiny improvements. And isn’t that life at the end of the day?? Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate, I’m spinning the dreidel over here, just going tf off. It’s an interesting holiday, as we’re taught it. One about perseverance and dedication, both of which are rewarded with a miracle. But, it’s also about community and family, which sit at the center for many of the traditions. I kind of get the same feeling about music sometimes. That, yes, they are miracles in themselves - to sit and see, wow, this beautiful thing just fell out of someone’s brain?? A reward for the artist’s creative perseverance. But as time goes on, these songs forge new meanings, often at the center of communal bonding. Maybe it’s just the winter loneliness settling in and I’m getting a little loopy, or maybe this thought has merit, but either way it’s true to me, and I’m grateful to feel that here. To feel that these songs aren’t just momentary ephemera but instead offer a place where we can all meet and connect and dance and feel. Ok ok ok and now I make a dumb and silly transition so we remember this is all one big goof and ok lets dive in.
Bloom - Afonso.
Just those first fifteen seconds. Sometimes you hit play and just know you’re in for a treat. The warmth just oozing off this groove. The simplicity of the percussion, the keys swirling, it’s sensual as hell!! It sounds like wearing a sweater near a fireplace, a glass of red wine in hand. Afonso sets out with this first verse, offering such a smoothness, reinforcing that image in my head. So cool (sunglasses cool, not temp related), so hot (fireplace hot). Let that guitar cook underneath as Afonso reaches for that falsetto. “I’ll try and find, now / My way to your thoughts, now”, you can feel that “now”, a sultry little wink. Sheesh! No choice but to swoon, come on. Back to Falsettoland for the chorus, complete with waves of harmonies and added drumming that creates a genuinely stunning moment. We break free with a little guitar noodling. A second to recover, some ooo’s floating in the distance. This time there’s something holding Afonso’s vocals, some slight effect that really sets it apart from the production. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about it has a touch of outer space almost. Breaking free, growing into the spotlight. I love this second verse though, just a performance and a half, it feels timeless and vintage almost. As the band fills out again for this chorus, we get that drum fill, a taste of what’s still out there for us, just wait. Post-chorus we are VIBING. Ethereal vocals floating behind you back and forth. That synth rising, out of place but perfectly attention-grabbing for the moment. And then it’s time folks, let’s boogie. One minute of delight. Everyone feeling themselves a little, nice flair from the drummer, the piano, all just eager to let loose. And as the guitar urges us on at 3:38, it is officially letting loose time. Just an undeniable scene, the passion of this blooming love finally opening to the world, a heartwarming finale.
Butter - GOLDSPACE.
If Afonso was welcoming us in with open arms, GOLDSPACE is kicking us straight in the chest, 300-style, with nothing to catch us. An abrasive start, it’s emptiness a vacuum for my damn ears!! And we’re talking Dyson-level, I am sucked all the way in. But no time to waste here, too much to hear. To start we get a skeleton chorus, bare bones and a bit spooky too. Generously, the soft chords ease offer some needed mellowness as these vocals use a little autotune to spice things up. Not sitting back comfortably with any melody or rhythm the verse is a whirlwind and so intoxicating. The way that ‘spiraling, spiraling’ falls feels so perfect, repeating again as it drags the chorus back. This time, held up with some keys and maybe some synth brass(?) it feels way more alive, GOLDSPACE slowly filling their deepening void within. The contrast of those horns riffing off into the distance against the filtered synth and vocal sample stands out, another moment of creativity executed so well. Those bends in the vocals on the final word of these lines (money, hobby, calling, something) all get accentuated with that autotune, such a subtle touch. Using that tool with ease, it’s stunning, yet sewn in so perfectly you could miss it. The brushstrokes of a painting. We get to the titular lyric, beautiful background vocals popping up over a trumpet fluttering. A final chorus, full as ever, with this additional vocal layer. Vocals that get more and more twisted as it goes, utilized almost like another lead synth, Chromeo levels of funk closing it out. It clocks in at under three minutes, but feels so much longer (in a good way). The lyrics - exploring this emptiness, how it got there and how to fill it - pack a punch too, the production almost hiding the pain within them. Fighting fire with fire. And this one is worth a lot of flame emojis, I’ll tell ya what.
In case you missed it - holy moly this week rules. Troye ft. Kacey Musgraves is enough for a week honestly. Channel Tres ft. Tyler, The Creator could loop for hours. Caroline Polachek releasing more diverse and thrilling remixes. ESTA remixing St. Panther is a HUGE delight for me as a 2010’s soundcloud nut. I guess it’s covers week on my release radar w/ James Blake, Rostam, and BENEE all coming through. And also Taylor Swift x HAIM x Olive Garden, god bless.
The Maxies are starting to take shape I can’t wait to share them with you.
Cheers,
Max
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