Max's Weekly Roundup

Faye Webster, Tobe Nwigwe, and other music I've loved all week

May 21, 2021

Again, we have made it to Friday. As weekends start to feel like weekends again I’ve enjoyed these little roundups as a way to punctuate the week and hopefully bring some joy/good music to your weekends too.

A reallllll deep week, hard as ever to pick, but some amazing music and music videos to enjoy. And I sincerely hope you do.

What’s New This Week:

mhm 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. always adding to this one, please tap in!!!! <3

New additions to MMATOD:

I Know I’m Funny haha - Faye Webster

Telling stories while you melt in the sun, all verse no chorus, modern writing over timeless sounds, being inside and sad and then the air conditioner stops working

Dropping the first lyric before the clock strikes 0:01, Webster is just so dang good!! Starting to get out of control, verging on illegal, I would imagine. The kind of song that just makes you feel. That initial bass note, just hanging, begging to resolve as it fades. This sense of tension, of discomfort, of sadness, of things being not quite right. Websters vocals with such palpable emotion, reliving what feel like such real honest memories. It all just swirls into this beautiful little song, packed with so much life. Usually when I say life, I mean like ‘energy’ or ‘passion’ but here mean it in a much more complicated, experienced, been around the block kind of way. Each verse a little scene, specific memories that I’m mesmerized by, and the title lyric… i may combust it’s just so perfect.

FYE FYE - TOBE NWIGWE FT. FAT NWIGWE

Unbelievable energy, wonderful music videos, powerful family storytelling told with your whole heart, that pale green

There’s really nothing else to say!! Incredible performance, amazing writing, the wardrobe is perfect, the choreo is perfect, and the energy is undeniable. Every time a new Tobe song/video drops I have to brace myself, and this one rocked. Goosebumps!!!

Your Best Friend Sucks - Emma Rena

Amazing vocals, speaking your mind with a smirk, frustrating relationships, a kiss of SZA

Another release from Emma Rena, another smash hit. Love her tone, such a strong voice with tender moments, even amidst her bravado. The production is clean and doesn’t ask for too much attention. Beautiful and subtle, mostly just offering a warm canvas for Rena to go tf off, which of course we support and are grateful for. These melodies continue to evolve giving Rena new points to send off some stunning vocal runs. There’s a bit of anger in the ‘why you do that’ section, but instead of bubbling over, Rena just moves on. And that’s good news for us, because there are some wild(!) harmonies in the next verse. A smooth, dreamy tune, I’m loving it.

Translucent Beauty - Wilby

A bright indie moment, closing your eyes as you sway in the sun.

Man oh man, Wilby is getting better with every song (and she started really good already!!!). I love the intro, so warm and full. The immediate cut to Wilby’s vocals making the transition feel that much more intimate. It helps that the songwriting is just devastating enough, on such a personal level too.

“Call my bluff baby / ‘cause I’m not that tough / even though I’d like to be”

“I’m still here learning / how to be seen”

*insert a few crying emojis*

That little flutter/flourish in her voice giving every last ounce of emotion possible into the song. But the steady production and fun bits of spice (i’m looking at you verse two organ!!) give balance to this one - a convertible-with-the-top-down feel. Struggling with some insecurities but doing it with grace. Spinning this one endlessly.

And another delightful music video:

Nothing’s Special - Oneohtrix Point Never ft. Rosalía

Atmospheric expanses, weird noises, Rosalía in completely new light.

It’s been fun to see the Oneohtrix Point Never buzz off his album late last year. I became a fan right after graduating college, ‘Replica’ was on an Apple Music ambient playlist that I would read to every day (‘fan’ seems generous, was mostly just listening to this one song over and over). It’s a song I’ve held as it’s own singular thing, never really thinking about OPN beyond those four-ish minutes. But now I do!! Suddenly blossoming into an indie-ambient(?) star, using those same all encompassing shapes of sound to make some special music. And here with Rosalía you can feel them both bending towards each other, OPN offering space, Rosalía fitting nicely and shining alongside each wrinkle. Goes without saying her voice is exceptional, and it’s a joy to get to hear it in entirely new contexts.

Burn - Jorja Smith

Sitting on the stoop trying to make sense of it all, simple and beautiful with a stunning final chorus.

One of life’s true gifts is getting to sit and bask in the light that is a new project from Jorja Smith. Even the talking over the intro could be the song of the year. So damn cool!!! It’s aspirational. The entire feel of this song is moving - that little vinyl fuzz sitting over the drums and bass doing some great work. It is inspiring, but not in some big grandiose empowering way. Instead, it feels like Jorja is here for us, urging us to get us up off the ground. To take that first step. Remembering our strength and moving forward. And when those harmonies come in for the back half of the first chorus, I just about lost it. SUCH a voice, and another beautiful song. Will be soaking up this album for a while.

Here is the link to the playlist :)