Max's Weekly Music Roundup

folks. what a week. Dora Jar, Charli, KAINA, and so much more

Jan 28, 2022

Happy Friday.

It’s weeks like these that I know there’s some music god out there, looking out for me. The week has been full of new stuff from so many of my favorite artists, I almost wish I could save some of it for another quieter week. I’ve been spoiled and I am enjoying it.

I’m rereading this all now, scrolling through these songs and frankly? I’m excited as hell for you to hear them all. No time for me to say anything else, you gotta get listening.

I hope something here catches your ear and your heart.

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.

Dora Jar - Lagoon

Holy shit. Dora Jar is an absolute genius and star. Lagoon came out this week - with some sensational praise from Zane Lowe and the team. And every bit of it deserved. This song is fucking sensational. Those keys with an otherworldly tone, full of so much life. The drums just plodding on with gratifying patience. The band building slowly but surely, leading us to one perfect opening verse:

I’d like to be suddenly discovered by you
When I’m washed up on the shore and you’re traveling through
My heart is a crustacean could you come and crack it open

Crustacean!!! Good god. The whole thing brilliant and unique and creative. Vocalizing such specific emotions and desires with a one-of-a-kind mind. The song continues to blossom into and beyond each moment.

There’s a special moment deep into this one. At 2:00 flat, the band drops out. The drums and a banjo knocking from note to note. Before that kick at 2:03 - a kick that is intergalactic. This whole song a spaceship, that blast is Dora breaking out of our atmosphere, that gentle beep ushering a new calm and peace as we float through space, through these final minutes, Dora Jar & co. slowly orbiting out of reach.

I have already listened to this song a gross amount of times and it’s just as devastatingly beautiful each time.

Charli XCX ft. Rina Sawayama - Beg For You

Another Charli single, another Max being stoked. She’s been teasing this one for a long time Online, and it is such a joy to finally get it in full. A drum break, a harp plucking away, a bouncey bass beneath it all. It has such a ~cool~ feel, effortless for Charli I imagine. As we break into that next scene, that delivery of “hour or two” perfectly rough around the edges, the yearning desire unable to be contained. That last line so fun - don’t make me beg for you, cuz I’ll beg for you. A DJ brings the record to a halt, releasing into a smash that feels very early 00’s club in the best possible way. A wild thing to say as someone who was much too young to be at a club in the early 00’s (brag) but folks, that’s what it feels like imo!!! Sawayama steps up for the second verse, the two making such a natural combo. Where Charli reached for the sky, Rina sticks with the ocean, both of them just as determined to keep their love within reach. It’s big and dance-y and fun and everything the world could’ve wanted from these two.

Confidence Man - Feels Like A Different Thing

ConMan is in their damn bag!!! Folks, they are dialed in right now. This vintage dance sound, simple and direct, an unshakable groove. Janet Planet lays down vocals with a passion that doesn’t always appear on their recordings. It’s exciting, it’s enticing. That bass bumping the whole way through. Those bright keys and a whole choir of voices pile on to the fun as we sprint to the chorus. An explosion that will send you straight to the dance floor. I’m just having the time of my life with this one. Falling back into the second verse it again manages to breathe fresh life into this retro feel. It’s only a matter of time until the snare starts picking up steam and before I can even finish typing this sentence (and I’m a reasonably fast typer, not to boast) we’re back to the song’s joyous peak. A little feedback, splits the song open, a devilish reset that genuinely feels naughty! Are we sure we’re allowed to do this? The final build is almost spiritual, that last drop testing your patience with one moment of silence before the cannonball splashes into the pool again. It rips and I love it.

KAINA - Apple

Something very special is brewing over in KAINA land. If this is news to you, it’s time to get on board. Her 2019 tune Green has made a lasting mark on my brain, beautifully sporadic percussion and an incredible vocal performance. I love that song. And have been chomping at the bit for every KAINA release since. Apple feels like a step towards more, in all the right ways. The drums shuffling on, KAINA smooth and steady too. The rest of the band chugging around the track. We take a bite of the apple, a moment of angelic bliss, a chance to hear just how wild KAINA’s voice is. The whole song rocks. That moment at 1:40 feels magical too, giving way to some fantastic piano moments post 2:04 or so. Shining the spotlight on “Apple on a tree / I wanna be that sweet” as it trades off with that drum fill at 2:17. Just so many moments of masterful music making. Ya gotta appreciate someone sharing art this wonderful.

Toro y Moi - Postman

WHEW. It just doesn’t stop. I am obsessed with the intro - a childlike questioning, asking the mailman for mail. So damn cute. The bass gnarly as it struts it way into frame. Tambourine getting some real shine here, painting the edges of the groove, bringing it all to life for me. The verse continues, asking for more mail before letting out some full-hearted yells. Who else is getting this emotional about the mail?! That contrast, the charming, personal conversation and the massive ad-libs. A delightful one two punch. There’s a little tense breakdown running us towards 2:00 mins, enough to spice things up without pulling us too far from the theme. One we get back to quick and savor to the end of a much-too-short need-to-run-it-back single. The b-side, Magazine, is a delight too.

Beck Pete - Softie

Beck Pete’s latest single is joy, a great display of what sets her apart. The production is stellar, that guitar just has such a bright texture, the drums driving on, the whole thing has a smile to it. Beck’s manage to be both tender and strong. What a great voice. As the first verse comes to an end, we find a quiet moment, feeling like we’re bubbling up to something. A brilliant arrangement pulls the rug out from under us, back to the verse again. All the while, wondering just where this big love has been waiting, how it continues to evade her. That little synth appears in the second verse, blossoming beyond ‘boys and men’, kicking things up a notch. The chorus now repeated over a full band’s passion, leading us to this massive, determined plea to let it out. The other place where Beck shines, these emotional releases, so visceral and pure. Both on the record and irl, a real powerhouse!! This week we got the video too - stunning set and choreo, it’s full of these tiny little moments that add up to a special vid.

Intrnet Boyfriend - these days

Just when I thought I was done for the week, the clock strikes 9pm PST (maybe the most thrilling moment of the week for me) and Intrnet Boyfriend went ahead and dropped a smash. Waves of vocals washing over you from the jump, rich and soothing even as they sing of loneliness. The drums pushing a wild groove all the while. A verse full of wishes, earnest and heartbreaking. My only wish? That this song doesn’t end!! That run from 1:36 to 2:00 is so nice. Intrnet Boyfriend persistent and generous, pushing on despite being drained emotionally and physically. He’s still at his love’s side, still wanting to make it right and make it last. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, the vocals snatch the spotlight and roll us on to the end. Charming songwriting throughout, another beautiful release.

Mulherin - Better For You

Ok well now that I’m here doing these post-midnight-on-the-east-coast-because-no-way-i’m-staying-up-that-late-on-a-schoolnight entries, I might as well add this one to the list too. I love Mulherin, and this, a gentle and heartfelt new single. The guitars are shimmering, their voices swirling alongside each other’s. It is not fair how perfectly they fit together, but I’m happy to get to hear it. The chorus is simple, direct, and endearing. As we break through to the last minute, the strings make their presence known. Then to the outro, one that makes me feel like I’m holding an old memory in my hands, watching a snow globe of my past settle in front of my eyes, just wishing I had the chance to shake it again.

The Less New Stuff:

Dijon - Big Mike’s

Now, I know what you’re saying. Max?! You still have more to say about Dijon? wtf…!! But can ya blame me? It’s been a big few days in Dijonworld. A world I’m grateful to live in. Wednesday night Dijon and the gang took the stage for Mr. Fallon and ripped Big Mike’s live.

There’s a lot to be said about this one. First off - what a bold song choice to play for Fallon. For your TV debut. A wandering, four-plus minute song with no real discernible structure at first listen. A emotional, noisy, meandering groove. But there’s no better way for Dijon to introduce himself. Second - they brought the room to life!!! Impressed and inspired per usual, breaking the form of the late-night performance, staying true to the music and the emotion and the aim of the art.

Then, a blessed profile/interview from Pitchfork. Something to savor.

Fiona Apple - Criminal

Feels like I shouldn’t have to say too much about this one - I’m a little late to the game. But this one came across the ‘ol timeline this week and geez it really is good huh.

FKA twigs - CAPRISONGS

I’ve been LOVING the FKA twigs album!!! A few times this week I just let that thing run top to bottom and was back to the start before I knew what hit me. The whole thing is beautiful. These intros, interludes, skits, conversational interstitials, whatever you want to call them give the album such humanity and vulnerable honesty and sense of loving community. It’s touching really. That meta angel intro in particular is a genuine joy. I struggled to pick just one song, it really is a well-rounded work of art. But if I had to recommend an entry point I’d try one of these:

honda (feat pa salieu) - It’s a dark and steamy track. FKA twigs rolling at different paces showing of the versatility. Pa Salieu is a British rapper on the rise, I feel like he was on every international “2021’s Artists to Watch” lists and you get a good sense for why here. The two make for a fun combo, their give and take in the back half of the song rocks.
darjeeling (feat jorja smith & unknown t) - Jorja Smith is here, what more do you need. An ethereal start, falls into an urgent pace, the bass coming in next pushing the limits on how hard this one hits. Jorja is next up, smooth and stunning as ever. Then just when you’re comfortable, Unknown T arrives and goes wild.

See what I’m saying??? What a dang good week. What’d you think? Let me know, always makes my day to hear from y’all. And maybe… if you’re feeling generous… let a friend know too. The more the merrier in here :)

See you on Monday, have a great weekend,

Max

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