Max's Music Mondays with Chinese American Bear and Amaka Queenette
what do these songs have in common? they are both very good!!!
Welcome to Max’s Music Mondays - a ~music discovery newsletter~ where I get too excited about songs I love. I hope you love them too. If you do, follow along on spotify and please respectfully smash that subscribe button. Let me know if you do, I’ll send you my favorite bus and train lines (stops included) or send you a thank you note or something.
I rode the bus for the first time in over 14 months last week, and man oh man did it feel good. Public transit in LA is… not a priority for the city? To put it lightly. Even though the number of daily transit riders in LA is barely less than the entire population of Milwaukee. Could I get on my transit soap box rn? Of course, I would be happy to do that anytime (you know where to find me, and would genuinely love to talk about it). But, I bring it up today because riding the bus is a true and simple joy of mine. One I haven’t been able to experience in so long. And just that short trip on the #4 (transferring to the Dash B at 1st and Hill if you must know) was more grounding and restorative than I could’ve ever imagined. Just grinning ear to ear as we roll down Sunset. I’ll try to hold that feeling every time I ride transit again, even when the bus is late or we’re stuck in traffic (bus lanes everywhere please!!), because I didn’t realize how much I missed it, because it’s hard to channel those feelings the further you get from them, so might as well appreciate while you can.
This week’s songs just happen to do the same for me. Whether in subject or ~vibe~, both drive at specific and simple pleasures. The routine or even unremarkable, that can bring a lot of joy if you let them. And, let me tell ya, these songs are bringing me plenty. Hope you dig them too.
This Week’s Songs
Follow along here ^ for this week’s and every week’s songs, each song is perfect and that is a objective fact and in no way my biased opinion i promise.
饺子 (Dumpling) - Chinese American Bear
It’s really a pleasure to hear a song once and know it’s headed for the MMM pile. I know that’s a very niche feeling that only I can really know, but I trust you get the gist. And when you hear this one, you’ll really understand. A lovely little bass line, equal parts psychedelic and western, in other word(s) - timeless. The guitar, the tambourine radiating warmth and welcoming that naturally cozy groove. Folks, it’s just a good place to be. The first verse reads like the instructions of a recipe - the simple prep process to make our dumplings followed by a few options to cook them. The effects on the vocals are working for me. A bit of Caroline Rose in there, but the instructional cadence makes it almost feel like an omnipotent guide through the process. Its repetition snuggling right into that cozy groove with ease. The chorus is so lush and loving, those vocals pouring through, expanding into that melody, and bringing the band to life. I love the songwriting, and the chorus is a major moment to shine. When you can successfully make me seriously pause and say, “Is this from the dumpling’s perspective?” you’ve written a delightful, special, chorus. Even if you trust that it’s a message between two people, it still holds some mystery and magic. To paraphrase from Nike Running Global Head Coach - this is about making dumplings, and it’s also not about making dumplings (This is an incredibly niche (& corny) reference, one you’ll get only if you regularly do Nike Run Club guided runs. But if anyone does… I hope this made you smile). Anyways… So whether the struggle is with dumpling making or with love, it is a generous to recognize that it’s hard, and to offer to push through together. Approaching life full of trust and love (and maybe dumplings too). We repeat the verse and chorus, giving us a chance to consider all the above just a little longer. The quick repetition making quick work of the getting-stuck-in-my-head of it all. On the other side of this chorus, the drummer lets loose, that synth warbling up and down, as we all make direct eye contact promising “da jia yi qi lai (we’ll do it together)”. Affirming the belief in each other and optimism for the future. The song heats up, exploding back into the chorus, this time certainly feeling more life/love focused than dumplings, but I hope we can still get some because it’s almost lunch time as I write this and that sounds so good. A wonderful tune from the Brooklyn duo - and comes complete with a retro music video to match.
Follow CHINESE AMERICAN BEAR on IG / Spotify
want you more - Amaka Queenette
Oh BABY the palpable relief this song gives me... That first sip of coffee on a slow morning. Kicking the shoes off after a long day. A sigh of relief in music form. This intro made up of moving parts perfectly in sync. The kick drum welcoming chords, the snare pressing pause to launch the band. The give and take, swell and contrast, pulling me into this world instantly. And just when you think it couldn’t get better, Amaka Queenette joins the fun and it is jaw-dropping. A snap of the snare wipes the stage clean, more room for Queenette to open up, her heart on full display. It’s all very tender and loving and I am smiling!! Her voice feels so close, so direct. Now we’ve reached the 0:56 mark and we are stepping into what I’d like to call an Important Moment. This next stretch is just so perfect it’s almost overwhelming, you’ve been warned. Those waves of harmonies, soft and warm like angels in the clouds. With the angels at our back, Queenette offers the unbearably generous “I’ll remind you how you helped me find my way” this line is so touching to me, I’m very moved! We sit with that statement as a flurry of guitars saunter their way in and out of frame. Different tones and different directions but all cohesive and comforting. The Important Moment continues, Queenette at the center of this beautiful bubbling moment - guitars holding us steady, background vocals stepping more and more forward. All of it releasing to gritty, intimate announcement from her lips to your ear. For no one else to hear. And at this point, there’s not much more words can do, so she lets the band do the talking (playing?). And now at 1:52 we conclude this Important Moment, and wow I am in awe. But don’t you dare turn this song off.. no no no you’d miss out on so much more!!! We ease our way through another verse and chorus before things open up. This time Queenette ceding the stage to the trumpet. A solo so smooth and sensual. It continues on as these vocals swirl and swell all around us - hammering home the titular statement. It’s just so lovely, and this outro sends the love out to the stars. Ugh just a heart warmer <3
Follow Amaka Queenette on IG / Spotify
We’ve reached the end of this week’s Max’s Music Mondays. If you’ve made it down here, honestly, bless u. I am deeply appreciative!!! Business time: Please follow the playlist and please please pass it along to anyone you know who might be in need of new music!! The more people here, the more people hear-ing these incredible songs.
Have a great week, your friend,
Max