Max's Weekly Music Roundup
MHM WE ARE BACK - i really missed these roundups :)
Holy MOLY been a minute since we’ve gotten one of these. And I missed ‘em! I hope you did too?? There’s a real comfort in knowing I have a place at the end of the week to yell about these beautiful, perfect, amazing, breathtaking, delightful, and every-other-positive-adjective-you-can-think-of-that-makes-this-feel-insincere-but-really-is-genuine songs.
The Maxies pt. 1 and 2 were a trip to write, but did make me crave this simple and consistent opportunity. So we got some catching up to do. I’ll do my best to keep it brief but don’t let that make you think these songs aren’t all magic. Give it a listen, give the playlist a follow, treat yourself for once!!!
Have a great weekend, see you with more new stuff on Monday :)
What I’ve Been Listening To This Week
playlist #2, that’s right, there’s another playlist. 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:
Shamir - Reproductive
Life gets tricky
when you’re breaking
curses from another life
in hopes the next one will be
a reward for all the strife I hold within me
Shamir continues to shape shift, the jump from single to single could lead us anywhere. Reproductive was a happy place to land this time. A one of a kind vocal, the way it flutters so earnestly (see ‘will be’ at 0:41) burrowing its way deep in my mind. The chorus on this thing is big and beautiful, rocking harder with each return. The songwriting, as seen above, is poetic. A great one I’ve loved getting lost in.
Temme Scott - SYF
A new release from Temme Scott is always a reason to celebrate. The production is incredible. That guitar starting strong, yelling out from the other room. Scott’s vocals always win me over - here, layered to perfection, the whole thing coming to life line by line. The writing always feel real and raw, Scott’s delivery full of visceral emotion. As it kicks into the chorus, I’m equally awestruck - “I said I needed change so I’m knocking everything out of its place / but the change got in my way, now I’m fucking doing anything to see your face”. A gorgeous line, a jarring visual, and maybe the perfect use of the dang f-word?? Positioned so beautifully in the melody, and grammatically - its only role to emphasize the exhaustion and grasping-at-strawsness of the ‘doing’. It rocks the whole way through.
Sega Bodega - I Need Nothing From You
Sega Bodega is coming for me, I can feel it. This release paired with the recent Donna Missal songs… someone has cracked the code to my brain. But I’m thrilled, and I would’ve given up the dang key if they asked!! This cold dark simple start, the stacked vocal perfectly imperfect. The lyrics agree - whatever. The vocals start to fan out, a vocoder taking over as the drums come and go, the song blossoming before our eyes (and ears). Moments of sparsity sucking me in further. Add the keys and whole thing swirls so beautifully repeating the message back. It continues to build on itself, so many layers big and small finding their home with every new pass. As it hits the three minute mark, we’re reminded of where we started, the climatic moment such a world away from the intro. A meditative smash.
Big Thief - Simulation Storm
Every single song is perfect, BT is on a hot streak and I don’t know what else to say. Get on board if you aren’t already :’)
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges - Chocolate Hills
Khruangbin and Leon Bridges are a combo too good to keep away from each other for too long. This one melting slowly under that signature golden sun sound both acts bring. Khruangbin delivering a simple arrangement, each piece of the band feeling bold and significant, yet blending together so well and leaving plenty of room for Leon Bridges to do his thing. His thing of course, being good at singing and oozing cool. A mellow, patient groove holding this together, the kind of song that could repeat 10 times over before you notice.
Lou Roy - Uppercut
What a song!! Cherishing those perfect little moments, praying that even in those inevitable worse times, there’ll still be love and fun and strength. Filled with such spring time warmth and brightness, feels like I’m being pulled out the door with every listen. I’m hearing birds chirping right now. Are they just outside my window? Are they in the song? Tough to say! But they make perfect sense either way. A stellar band, with each piece balancing each other’s size and textures. It’s an ever-changing shape, new sounds coming and going but always feeling just right. Lou Roy taking telling stories from the most vulnerable specifics to cosmic dust existentialism. But at the end of the day, it’s just some feel good rock to bask in.
The Less New Stuff:
Nala Sinephro - Space 1.8 (featuring Space 4)
Space 1.8 is a jaw dropping album. Nala Sinephro putting together a jazzy, experimental, deeply emotive instrumental album. I caught it on marg.mp3’s incredible Best Albums of 2021 list. She calls it “truly otherworldly while still accessible and calming” and I couldn’t agree more. The whole project flows so well, moments of massive crests and intimate recovery. The sax riff on Space 4 is a personal favorite, something I keep coming back to. But each track offers a rich world. I can’t recommend this one enough, even if it feels outside your wheelhouse, please give it a try.
dexter - Paper Cup
dexter is a gem, and Paper Cup is too. If this is your first taste, I think you’ll enjoy it. A special, undeniable groove rolling on under dexter’s vocals. A chance to come to terms with a broken heart. It’s a beautiful balance, this bright bounce and hurt but hopeful lyrics.
Oberhofer - What Does It Mean To Me?
These drums are knocking! This guitar/harp(?)/glockenspiel combo make for a dreamy intro. Big keys elevate the moment, Oberhofer’s vocals filling out the picture. As the chorus hits, the vocal layers come in every shape and size and it’s all beautiful. Verse two key change?!?! Now we are talking, the song evolving at the blink of an eye, this second chorus now feeling entirely new. All bubbling up into a wall of incredible sounding introspection.
Just some of the music that’s been keeping me company to start the year. There’s so much more but this feels like enough for now. Can’t wait to the rest more soon. I can feel the new music brewing out there, can’t you? Thrilled for it to land.
With a cherry on top,
Max