Max's Weekly Music Roundup
yes i talk about my wrapped, but yes there's also more new music too :)
It’s my final day in NY! Just walking over to the Statue of Liberty and saying, “see ya later, pal!” Contrary to the rumors I did not move here, but the Knicks have been trying really hard to sign me, so I might have to. Apparently having a music newsletter is a valuable tool for an NBA team and I might get some real minutes off the bench later this season.
Now usually, Friday recaps are full of the music I’ve Been Listening To This Week. But obviously Spotify Wrapped is begging me to write about I’ve Been Listening To This Year. So let’s get into it, some quick words of praise for the new stuff and then into the year that was.
What I’ve Been Listening To This Week
playlist #2, every song is so good, this really is what i’m listening to most hours of most days. If you like what you hear (very likely) or read (less likely, but hopefully still likely?!) please share it all with your nearest and dearest.
The New Stuff:
MORE ROSTAM REMIXES!!! Ugh, so happy.
Rostam… thank you. These remixes are so wonderful. ROTH BART BARON elevates the most tender moments of Kinney, and adds the perfect splash of kooky with those vocals singing in harmony and alongside the sax. Ben Böhmer putting some gentle train chugging along energy beneath FTBOAC, giving it an entirely new shape. Bravely holding out that perfect chorus for a sweet release to close it out.
Confidence Man Remix CHAI
My favorite dance group remixes one of my favorite dance groups. How fun!? Conman turns up the brightness and adds a mesmerizing second half to get the whole club moving. It’s so nice :)
Spill Tab and Gus Dapperton come together for a gem
A dream of an indie collab. The first chorus is a stunner, part vulnerable and part powerful. Gus fits the scene so well too. Catchy and a joy, I have a feeling this one is sticking around the playlist for a while.
Nick Dorian dropped Rooster, and I am excited.
I added Nick’s “Yawn” to MMM on April 30th, 2018… a song I still love. And the music keeps getting better and better (and to be clear it was already wonderful). The new album is here, and the care and thoughtfulness put into every corner of this thing has me in awe. This cut is a great way in - the piano, the voice, the writing, the general mood. Good!!!
Baby Rose is back and wow
Baby Rose… my god this voice!!! A holiday banger, those whistles are you kidding!!! What else is there to say. Treat yourself to some early December holiday spirit, a whole holiday album <3
The Spotify Wrapped Recap
Ok now we’re getting into the juicy stuff. Christmas is done, Spotify Wrapped day is the new winter holiday. I mean, obviously any chance to get on my soap box and scream about music I love, I’m on board with. But there’s something so fun about seeing everyone else’s wrapped. I genuinely enjoy the glimpse into each of ur brains. But in like a cool normal way, not a weird creepy way.
Anyways, there’s a million ways to slice this thing, but the thing that feels most natural this year is a rundown of my top ten songs and some of the other things in the wrapped that are funny/good.
My Top 10 Songs
The thing is, I love all of these so much and could write hundreds and hundreds of words about each one with no hesitation, but that would be hard work and not even that fun for you because the summation of each essay would be “this song rocks” and like yeah, no shit, it’s one of my top ten most listened to songs, we all know I think it’s good.
So instead I’m listening to each song one time and share my favorite part & “one” thought. These rules are entirely made up and entirely for me.
Bunny is a Rider - Caroline Polacheck.
favorite moment: 0:36 - “riiiiiIIiIiiIiiIiider” - one of a kind voice.
one thought: this is an absolutely incredible song that only Polacheck could pull off. The mystery, the playfulness. Entirely unique and yet entirely of her world.
Multiply - Dora Jar
favorite moment: come on… 1:14 to 1:40 is a masterful moment, Dora Jar’s voice so damn pure and then the song decides to go !!!! and my socks have been knocked tf off ever since.
one thought: this is song that really carried me into the new year, both tender and explosive, it was everything I needed in that moment. Genuinely tearing up just thinking about it.
4th of July - Hand Habits
favorite moment: when the tambourine comes in at 2:11, like the clouds parting
one thought: the earthquake on the 4th of july was my first big LA earthquake and it was a part of a moment that shook me (the earthquake yes, and also just life at that point), and this song has given me such perspective. To be so reflective on a moment that has felt so recent, it’s allowed the space for me to appreciate all that’s changed.
Cheers - Faye Webster
favorite moment: “I like your songs even though / they’re not about me / sometimes i’m afraid to show my dad / ‘cause you’re always cussing”
one thought: that lyric is just so fucking good. I also love everything about the way this chorus feels, so dark but so warm. This song made me a Faye diehard and I’ve never looked back.
Always - Soft Streak
favorite moment: those first 20 seconds. production? perfect. vocals? perfect. lyrics? fucking beautiful. It soothes my soul every time.
one thought: I also adore this music video, a great encapsulation of the song and band - genuinely beautiful, inspiring in its creativity, and not afraid to be a little silly.
Pretty Boy - The Neighborhood
favorite moment: 1:45 - 1:53. That modest ‘mmm’ so quickly building steam until that “as long as I got yyYYOUUuuu” a surprise break from the calm melody and one that has me awestruck.
one thought: Another end of 2020 song that I couldn’t shake for months into this year, it’s just so damn sweet, a level of love to aspire to.
Rodeo Clown - Dijon
favorite moment: “Claps for you *clap clap clap*”
one thought: hahahaha FUCK this song is good. Like nothing I’ve ever heard and I’m so grateful. How do you even describe it? It’s overwhelming. The first time I heard it… the clarinet, the tears, the claps. ty dijon.
My Ways (Buscabulla Remix) - Sycco
favorite moment: 1:54 is the funkiest little run I’ve ever heard.
one thought: The way I use to BLAST this shit driving to Trader Joe’s with the windows down, sun blasting, wheewwwww I love dancing in the car. In a time where there weren’t many activities to do, this soundtracked one of my favorites. Buscabulla has a sound and it is unmatched.
Haircut - Petey & Mia Folick
favorite moment: ~1:15 as Miya Folick’s builds to a gorgeous, “FUCKING LOST”
one thought: relentless energy from the first song, I love how they both squeeze more words than seem possible into each line, this manic energy pouring out. I will never forget the days I spent playing this one over and over and over just trying to keep up as I walked around my neighborhood.
Many Times - Dijon
favorite moment: when the drums come in at 0:04 I think I was changed forever. It makes me wanna scream.
one thought: This song does things to me that no song has ever done before. It makes me feel with a capital F. My heart races, my heart hurts, my heart wants to explode out of my body (in a like, big emotions kind of way). This was my most listened to song of the year and it came out on September 17th… If my math is right, I listened to it nearly four times a day every day since it came out and honestly, I’m surprised that’s it. This music video (and subsequent live version) has inspired the darn crud out of me and I can’t wait to write way more about it for the Maxies.
Best of the Rest of Wrapped (A Gallery)
Whew, a jam packed Friday. I hope you enjoyed. And also please send me ur wrapped I get so excited to hear the music that means most to someone else.
Cheers to the freaking weekend,
Max