🎶 Max's Music Mondays with Matilda Marigolds & Nkosi Bourne
Oh we're SO back (in the united states), two songs and a lot of subscribers!!
Welcome to Max’s Music Mondays. My ~music discovery newsletter~ where I get too excited about songs I love. I hope you love them too. Your subscriptions go such a long way. Free subscribers help these artists get the audience they deserve, paid subscriptions help keep this thing running and also PAY THE ARTISTS!!! 2/3 of every subscription goes right back to the artists I write about. Please consider supporting independent music and music journalism(?) here today <3
I’m back from vacation and I’m so happy to be sharing music with you again. And with a lot to celebrate. We just broke past 500 subscribers!!! What an achievement to return to. Y’all are seriously the best. Thank you so much for trusting my ear, for indulging my longwinded and ridiculous metaphors, and more than anything, for seeing the vision of a new way to support musicians.
For those of you who are new around here, you can become a paid subscriber of this newsletter!! Right now, all the money gets redistributed back to the artists. We send money to the artists I write about (like Matilda and Nkosi today), money to the artists who contribute to the compilations (Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and news on Vol. 3 coming soon hehehe), and money to artists who trust us with things like interviews or single premieres. It’s a labor of love, and your subscriptions make the love that much more impactful.
Obviously I gotta ask, would you wanna subscribe??
Use this link for a 25% discount on annual subscriptions! They’re the most helpful for me to plan/make offers to artists for future projects. It’d mean so much if you can afford to support MMM!
It’s crazy how hard it is for me to promote myself and my work, even here… in a place where you are literally signed up to see my work…… hmmm… something to think about. Regardless, that’s enough promo, let’s keep the celebration going by getting down to business.
I got two songs that you need to hear. Then after this week’s picks you’ll find that I went tf off with fresh releases from artists I adore. Spoiled with great music. Something for everyone, let me know what you loved <3
Matilda Marigolds - Hatchet
Oh boy. OH BOY.
After a little Summer vacation this is the exact kind of song I needed to get back into the flow. My god. I’m so excited even typing this little intro, I just hit play again and I’m smiling ear to ear. Ugh, bless.
This simple note hanging in the air, wobbling just right. Matilda Marigolds taking in its beauty before laying down these opening lines. Gentle and smooth with the drum machine sprinting around the track. An exciting bit of energy injected into the otherwise calm start. Some soft synths start to pulse in the background
Funny how it all crumbles down repeats, as the bass joins, more momentum pushing the song forward. But this lyric becomes a phrase that we’ll return to. And I get why. Not just in its meaning. That would be enough of course, a mantra to keep a lighthearted perspective in trying times, a real shaking ur dang head at Life vibe. But the shape of the words, the texture in saying them it’s so satisfying to sing, to say. It’s a fun phrase to feel. And in this song’s beyond-traditional structure, it’s powerful to have such a sticky, grounding phrase to keep coming back to.
Back to the song, around 35 seconds, more sounds and layers begin to pile up. Most notably the unbelievable guitar tone. Painting these heavy chords, that really guide the song. Its gravity, its core. As we near the minute mark, Marigolds offers the next change in lyrics, I do my best to bury the hatchet. Her delivery is so good, her voice just incredible. Repeating it immediately, giving each their own rhythm and place in the song, it’s so good. We return to the funny how line, drums beginning to pick up in the foreground, with so much more beyond.
Throughout the song there are sounds that blur between synths and vocals, here at 1:14, one picks up, the wave rising and breaking into laughter. The whole thing quiet and subtle, but makes the Why is that so funny (a simple aside that still feels beautiful??) feel natural.
Now moving at full force, pushing towards 1:30, Marigolds continues to shine. The production is amazing here, the layers and effects on the vocals giving them even more power. When you look at me I lie face down hits hard with that reverb, still delivered with poise but the impact is like screaming them from the top of the cliff. It’s enough to bring the drums back, and enough to bring me back too.
The vocals continue to stun here on out, Marigolds finally letting it rip. I’m obsessed. That moment, from 2:01’s little smirk as she starts to push, through the soaring riff in the seconds to come. It’s all beautiful and so so well done. We break things down from there. A signature “Mmm” that is so good. And like, yes, it’s very MMM to like the MMM lyric, but when something so small can make such a big impact, it’s the sign of someone doing their fucking thing. I love it. The production steps into the spotlight here, Marigolds hatchet whispers giving the percussion a new boost.
Then at 2:45… my god. The song blossoms even further, a masterful, cinematic, lost in space and time outro that blows the doors off this thing. It’s no surprise one of my favs, Laiko, is involved. It’s a sick moment to close a sick song and I love it.
Follow Matilda Marigolds on Instagram // on Spotify
Nkosi Bourne - Worthy
Nkosi Bourne is a force. A striking storyteller, an ear for the best beats, and such a perfect voice to tie it all together. I’ve been a fan for a while and so so stoked to share his latest here this week.
Worthy kicks off with a beat that feels like this late summer/early fall nostalgia. It’s a little cool, but still sunny, the piano sparkling underneath these undeniable funk chords. Maybe it’s just ‘back to school season’ doing this but it really reminds me of the kinds of beats that won my heart in high school. That rewarded deep crate digging and creative reimaginings, bringing different eras together. Just has me feeling nostalgic already. So when I tune back into what Bourne is saying, and hear lyrics that resonate so much, I knew I was toast… whew, how good!!!!
This intro/chorus is heartwarming. Writing lyrics as reminders, as mottos. Things he needs to teach himself, things we all (certainly I) need to hear and repeat back as many times as we can. Harnessing self-worth and leading the lives we all want to be leading. Worthy of what I want, not just what I need. Ok drag me!!!
The beat gets filtered out for a brief second as the moment closes, the sample seeming to explode back into frame with Bourne offering an entirely new delivery. His newfound energy feeling direct, confident, and clear. And he opens with a gorgeous lyric - Fuck a compliment, fuck accomplishments. Wait but those are two of my favorite things?? Don’t worry Max, just keep listening. Finishing the thought with I want accomplices and all my peoples’ astonishment. It’s so fun and so smart and really (like so much of Bourne’s writing) cuts to the true deep core emotions and desires, not settling for “success” based on more surface level markers. I know the worth I just had to acknowledge it. As Bourne charts the journey, recognizes it hasn’t always been this clear, I can’t help but smile and appreciate someone who really is figuring shit out.
We fall back into the groove of the chorus, his singing smooth and easy. A second time around I can really appreciate the instruments - the guitar with some gorgeous moments, the bass unafraid to pop off, the drums punchy even if they’re subtle.
Straight into another verse, and again I love it. Bigger and bolder could easily be another title for this, it certainly feels like the thesis. Someone who is moving closer and closer to the truest version of themselves. Dedicated to the work, I ain’t asking for nothing / I’m just keeping it coming. I’m so into this. Again, his tone is amazing, I love how it cuts through the beat on the verses but blends so nicely in the chorus. Versatile!!!
Graciously, he lets the beat ride out for a bit longer. Soaking it all in one last time. I’ve found it true here and true of a few of his previous singles too, his music is thoughtful and beautiful. I can’t wait to see what’s to come for Nkosi Bourne.
Follow Nkosi Bourne on Instagram // on Spotify
Last Week on All The Other Days:
Oh my GOD. What a week for new releases…. My release radar was absolutely stacked and I need to tell you about a few of my favorites. All of them are right here ^^ so feel free to listen along :)
Of course there’s the obvious (but still grateful for the) Talk talk remix with Troye Sivan. So hot, so fun, dangerous even.
The new Dora Jar album is so exciting. One of the most creative and daring indie artists, crazy team of collaborators, brilliant and unique writing, it’s all here. Excited to dive in more.
Big Green by jerod - this is out of this world. Carving out such a special sound, no one is doing it quite like this. Love his voice so much, love the contrasting heavy/intimate sections. Idk that I could dream up more “for me” music. Wow.
Crow by Merce Lemon - oh me oh my this album is going to be so wonderful. I cannot wait to hear it all. Grateful for one more single to tide me over, what a build and what a finish.
Giddy Up from Ginger Root - I can’t help myself, his songs are so funky and fun and delightful. So glad this record is here too, another album I need to spend more time with. Put it on and dance!
Running Cold by Mia Lorelei - What? You thought I wouldn’t write about the new Mia Lorelei song??? A thrill to hear another cut, another evolution from Mia. Every song gets better and better and we’re lucky for it. Massive chorus, it’s a beauty. Got my face all scrunched up nodding along.
La Da Da from Miya Folick - I am forever obsessed with Folick’s voice, so tender and so strong. Got a woman on my mind now, and a man waiting at home. A figuring it out song and still it’s nostalgic? A magician.
Evidence by Temme Scott - New Temme Album!!!! SEE YOU ALL AT EL CID TONIGHT. We’re just spoiled with great albums this week! One of my favorite writers, one of my favorite voices, so thrilled to have this one. Incredible voice note bridge I am dead.
READ U from Spit/Kiss - Oh come onnnnnn. So breezy and sweet, I love this band. And the music video is actually WILD. Obsessed with the drums throughout.
Skin by Benjamin Carter - Always stoked to hear a new one from Ben. Does anyone else in the world have a voice this rich?? A really thoughtful songwriter with a penchant for big catchy heartfelt choruses. Another hit.
AND SO MANY MORE. What a week.
Glad to be back, hope there’s something you love here :)
Max
🙌🙌🙌🫶🫶🫶