Max's Music Mondays with Bantug and JJ Adrian
Personally (not biased) I'd recommend listening to these two songs
Welcome to Max’s Music Mondays - a ~music discovery newsletter~ where I (the aforementioned Max) just kinda stumble my way through songs I love. I hope you love them too. If you do, follow along on spotify and smash the dang subscribe button. It really does mean a lot to me!!!
Well, it’s happened. I’ve bought my ticket to Outside Lands. Is that financially prudent?! Nope! Unless you tell me that prudent actually means bad in which case YEP! Either way, I gotta say, it does not feel real to me in any tangible way whatsoever. I’ve kind of forgotten what it will feel like? But in concept alone, it has brought me so much joy already. The literal idea that there is a world (seven months away even), where I could see Buscabulla (a band I’ve only known about since the pandemic) play live, followed by a Kaytranada set? The thought has me tearing up or beaming ear to ear (depending on the moment, but the emotion is consistent - overwhelming happiness). Of course, with that much time between then and now, who knows what the world will look like. But until then, the knowledge that there could be a weekend this year where I get to see Remi Wolf and Caroline Polachek live (might melt if they’re on the same day) is something to cling to. If you’ve got other (more imminent maybe) things to cling to, please text me, I’ll take as many as I can get.
In Case You Missed It
First off, the big one was right here. Did you catch the Satya performance???
Right off the bat - three great releases from Saba, Soft Streak, and Caroline Kingsbury. Instant adds!!!
Nasty Cherry with a nice return too! And an interesting convo between Gabi Bechtel (lead singer) and Dana Boulos (directed the music vid) in Paper
Zilo immediately rewarding me with another single
Also really digging the Isaia Huron single, so easy and beautiful
A delightful marinelli video to pair with their new single, OH GOD
The Part Where I Pick Songs & Write About Them
High Worry - Bantug
Sometimes all it takes is one listen to know a song is going to be a favorite. I’d say this is one of those times, but the reality is by 0:15 seconds it was over. The bouncy synth, the drum entrance, and the first lyric “get scared when you don’t call back / I assume you got in a car crash” that’s enough. I’ve got a feeling it could be enough for you too, but I’m begging you to keep listening. Bantug’s anxieties shared fully, an appreciation/feel for how irrational they might be feels present too. It’s holding her back, and she knows it. An airy background vocal, just a mere ghost of a harmony helps add texture in the pre-chorus, Bantug’s own voice still intoxicating in its honesty. That feeling drags us into the chorus, a sparkling moment like she’s left the high dive platform but time has stopped - perfectly held in mid-air. After we finally splash into the pool, the band kicks it in gear, the drummer making up for lost time with a genuinely beautiful groove. The moment is brief but the vocal layers, the synths, every one makes each beat count. It all feels big and significant, almost a relief to acknowledge and exclaim. Of course the delivery of “I-high worry too much” that gives the song its title, is creative and brilliant and something that feels both off the wall and like it was the only ever option. The synth starts roll again, the canvas wiped clean and Bantug powering through more old fears. It can be a dark and heavy mission, revisiting these old memories and feelings, which is all to say, it can feel silly to say that drum fill at 1:05 makes me so happy - out of my seat, dancing through “all these morbid thoughts”. The levity in tone, a perfect compliment to the heaviness. The rhythm of the chorus feels like a lasso and I really don’t know how else to explain it but I’m almost sure it’s right. This time around, some extra drums start poking through, giving the song even more life. An instrumental break slides into frame, rather than some ultimate climactic chorus (UCC), testing our patience sure, but rewarding us with killer work out of the whole band. Growing and soaring. The last pre-chorus is fucked up in the best way, the synth wobbling (seemingly near falling apart), that vocal effect haunting me and also bringing me so much joy. And our patience pays off yet again, the UCC hitting harder than it could have pre-instrumental break, and I’m smiling as big as I can. I’m sad to say, that’s it. But what an it that was. Stunning tune top to bottom.
Balcony - JJ Adrian
If you were thinking, hm what I really need this Monday is something beautiful and smooth and almost frustratingly good, then 1) we’re similar and 2) have I got some good news for you. JJ Adrian has delivered just that with Balcony. The guitar is already enough, a sultry little riff shimmering as it moves. We scratch that “almost frustratingly good” when the bass joins. Such a warm tone and so massive. It’s all-encompassing without being too much. Adrian’s vocals just warming up here, and it’s already a great song. The fuzz fades at 40 seconds and we all take a deep breath, knowing the song is only getting better from here. Just strap in and enjoy. The drums add plenty of movement but the song still feels easy. It’s a sexy verse, only made more so by that ridiculous falsetto at the end there, Adrian just toying with us. We’re in the palm of his hand and I’m a-ok with that. A climbing melody to start the chorus, sounding like skipping up a stair case, each step graceful and eager for love. The release into the groove is just what the body craves, that vocal sample echoing out with the same relief I feel. The whole scene is just a hot as hell, Adrian’s performance and the bands’ contributions really make it work. The bass player generously pulls us forward, the mood darkens a bit as those starry synths sparkle. The curtain rises and Adrian is still here, thank goodness, as intimate and caring as ever. The synth bubbling and chords singing feel like welcomed contrasts to the guitar the bass. It creates such an energy, a nighttime scene by the fireplace that feels so romantic I can barely stand it. Floating on by, it’s engrossing, this little switch up feels instantly familiar and welcoming, and it’s almost a shock when it ends. Luckily where it leaves us is somewhere beautiful too. Standing out on Adrian’s balcony, full of passion, it is absolutely a vibe. Since I haven’t mentioned it enough yet, the vocals on this song are sensational. Adrian’s performance doing so much work to make this song feel honest. Effortlessly reaching for such a brave and bold range of notes, his tone staying true and silky no matter if it’s reaching high or low. Then when he breaks to the “she really gonna fuck me like that” moments, it somehow feels even cooler and more comfortable in its coolness. Really taken by this one and can’t stop playing it.
I’m sorry to toot my own horn, but ARE YOU KIDDING ME with these two songs?? Of course, it’s Bantug and JJ Adrian’s horns that deserve tooting, but I’m absolutely stoked to share them both today. If they bring you as much joy as they’ve brought me (a lot), please pass it along to someone else who might enjoy!
Happy Monday, hope you have a great week, thanks for starting it here,
Max