Max's Weekly Music Roundup
Ayoni, Little Simz, Priya Ragu and SO MUCH MORE *grateful hands emoji*
I know you didn’t think it’d happen but my haters are my motivators so here I am.
Another Friday, another dump truck full of hit clips with every new song pulling up in front of my house at midnight and filling my room with wonderful music. Listened to every single one and picked out all my favorites. Enjoy them below and on my Max’s Music All The Other Days playlist!!
This little community keeps growing and with every new subscription my heart gets filled and my day gets made. LOOK AT THE POWER YOU HAVE!!! So if you know anyone that might dig these songs/words, please please please share the dang playlist and share the dang substack!!
music time.
What’s New This Week:
wahoo! that’s right it’s my other playlist!! my little baby, I love this one so much, it’s really good and I’m genuinely always listening to it myself. I cannot stop adding to this one, please enjoy today tomorrow and always!!
New additions to MMATOD:
If You Leave - Ayoni
Ok, Ayoni is doing this crazy thing and I hope everyone is seeing it too. Basically, she’s bravely decided to make really fucking good music in any/every genre. Last year’s Unmoved was one of my favorites, a powerful folk driven song that builds and builds to Bon-Iver-Is-Jealous levels. Then we got some features including Disco Dancing. So now, naturally, we start here with an expansive cinematic intro. The atmosphere dissolves, leaving Ayoni there in the spotlight, her voice undeniable even with (read: especially with) nothing else around. Something is bubbling under the surface as the vocal layers return. Rolling hi hats offer a jumping off point, the bubbling under the surface showing itself as a ridiculously catchy beat. It’s just a great pop song. The second melody weaving in and out of the original, it’s so impressive and a joy to listen to. And that stays true for the rest of the song too, with Ayoni’s power building stronger with every moment.
I Love You, I Hate You - Little Simz
Little Simz is on an ABSOLUTE tear this year (and a while before this year too…) and ILY, IHY is no different. The sample is ridiculous, its gravity just off-kilter enough to pull the whole groove to it. The rest of the beat rocks too, that kick drum rolling with so much pace. The strings bloom with Bond-meets-Kanye levels of sophistication, Little Simz right at home over every sound. An incredibly vulnerable song, the lyrics powerful in their blunt honesty. The second verse is a standout immediately, not just letting out her anger with her dad, but seeming to really grapple with these intense feelings, processing them from bar to bar. Heavy stuff and yet, each line is thoughtful and worthwhile. What a tune.
dumb dumb - mazie
Hahahahaha this rules. mazie delivering once of the catchiest, most nostalgic feeling songs in recent memory. So darn playful, it’s all bright yellows and blues, truly a cartoon. The simple power in the dumb dumb dumb dumb / la la la la chorus!!! The verse is covered in delightful surprises: harmonies, ad-libs, random sounds, that ‘weeeeee’. It’s a bit of chaos, but bright, animated fireworks of chaos. The kind that’s just fun. A blast to be along for the ride. Don’t let the goofiness distract you, around that 1:11 mark, mazie clears some room to remind us just how talented of a singer she really is. And then we’re back to the chorus, all of singing along!!! This shit is twisted in the best possible way.
Kamali - Priya Ragu
We love Priya Ragu don’t we folks.“Oh my god, here’s another one for you baby” the perfect opening lyric, and feels like it’s her handing the song over to us. To which I say, thank you. That xylophone echoing out underneath an already bouncy first verse, ya gotta love it. Ragu’s voice is so smooth, leaning into that indie R&B space, but with her Tamil influence it takes on completely new shapes. The chorus is infinitely danceable and I’m taking advantage. The second verse lets loose a little bit more, the song exploring and pushing past the boundaries of gender roles. The bridge!!!! Obviously the percussion is at the forefront, a beautiful foundation for Ragu to keep shining. The whole house party showing up here, chants and layers from around the room. Makes the moment feel so big, and the transition to the childhood recording that much more striking.
Move It To The Side (Alice Longyu Gao’s Softboy Dancing In The Klurb Flip) - John-Robert
Just adding this one as the most unlikely collab of the year?? John-Robert, this gentle and charming singer/songwriter. Sometimes a little sappy, but he pulls it off so well, the songs are all so catchy and his voice is something special. And in the other corner we’ve got Alice Longyu Gao. Saying she isn’t afraid to experiment is an aggressive understatement. The electronic artist pushes to and beyond the limits with every song - both in her production/remixes and in her lyrics. Pushing the listeners and the other artists she works with beyond any semblance of a comfort zone. So naturally this one is a gem. It’s a delight to hear John-Robert in a completely new light, making way for a an ALG verse that is so now(?), demanding “no double texts or paragraphs”. All of this building to a wild breakdown, it’s Friday, let loose!!!!
nwts - Amindi
An easy breezy winner here. “Buzz so big, I could sell a blank disc / Bumping Nothing Was the Same, always on some Drake shit”, how could you not love this. Barely breaking two minutes, it’s over before you know it, such a pleasure to listen to the whole way, good luck not smashing play again. That synth bass is a subtle standout, added to the aggressive drum loop they make for great compliments alongside Amindi’s performance. Sick tone throughout no matter the rhythm, I just love it.
Romeo (ft. Bas) - Jungle
Did you hear that first note? What else could be said. It’s thrilling how groovy it is, and Bas doesn’t waste the moment, leaning into the fun. The two push each other, but gently. Together finding a natural new feel for both artists. No reason to keep writing, it’s just good.
Eight songs that just dropped that I already know will be good but I haven’t listened to enough to actually write about. Give ‘em a try! I think you’ll like them.
All of these gems living on the playlist now.
Vince Staples opening his album with a easy, rolling, hit. Such a good writer, nothing ever quite feels like Vince, making Kenny Beats a great match. Omar Apollo back with this half-vintage funky number. The harmonies towards the end genuinely scared me (in a good way). BEL dropped the dang EP!! Drive is another beauty, unfurling out with sunshine levels of warmth. Berhana ok ok what a treat. Transfixing chords and percussion, stunning and creative vocals, feels like a morning coffee on the porch. Billie Eilish is just unstoppable. Every style, every song. It just works. Cross that minute mark and just savor it all (EDIT: I can’t stop listening this shit rocks). Courtney Barnett is so dang good. Simple but juicy storytelling, a one of a kind voice, all strewn across a great band. Peggy Gou generously inviting me to continue my dance music curiosity, it’s a joy. Charlotte Day Wilson ft. BADBADNOTGOOD) has one heck of a voice. Tender and so full, this one is a treat with BBNG coming to play!!
My goodness, can I just say, music freaking rocks wow.
See you Monday,
Max