Max's Weekly Roundup
I'm on vacation, take it easy on me
Once again the music has come raining down from the music heavens and boy oh boy are we lucky. Here’s the catch - I am on vacation (but obviously the hustle never ends (but double obviously this is sarcastic and I don’t believe that)) so this week it’s first thought best thought, just a bunch of great songs and my genuine gut reactions.
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!!
New additions to MMATOD:
Andrew - M Field
Giving your friend Andrew a pep talk but also impressing them with your language and musical abilities.
M FIELD DON’T MISS. This is 3/3 in my book, every song getting better and better. This intro riff, covered in elegant plucked strings. It feels so majestic. So when it falls into this sexy groove my jaw hits the floor. That’s in the present tense because it happens every single time. The guitar riff + vocals running alongside is so cool and also impressive. Another poetic verse and catchy chorus sends us into that a little vocal solo and my goodness is it beautiful. More stunning garden imagery, a bridge expanding the world of the song, some dreamy ‘andrew’s before a cinematic end, M Field bowing in front of his orchestra.
Solar Power - Lorde
LORDE LORDE LORDE LORDE SUMMER SUMMER YAY YAY YAY YAY
Ahahahah I mean what can you even say… feels so good to see an old friend again. And no Lorde and I are not friends this is just me ~manifesting~ (Lorde if you’re reading I loved your Blackbird Spyplane interview!). It’s a tease of a song, slowly picking up steam, just a cheeky smile the whole way through. The way only Lorde can. That little bass line at 1:03 has me losing it. Could easily explode into a pop anthem, and instead Lorde went small and I love it. The back half is breezy as could be, blinking three times and dancing in the sand, just a song that makes me want to smile. That trumpet!!! All the pressure in the world was on this release and Lorde came through. How does she do it. <3 <3 <3 <3
Isn’t It Romantic - BEL
Spoiler, it wasn’t romantic… heart on your sleeve indie music, trying to move on
BEL back and going wild again!! Heartbreaking from the first verse, this one is vulnerable as all get out. I keep wanting to pick out a lyric as an example but literally all of ‘em would work. It’s just all so plain and honest and relatable, it’s a beautiful and somber(?) summer smash. The bridge is fucked up good… “so that’s that” geez this one is a heavy hitter </3 the anger is bubbling up just below the surface but BEL stays even keeled and somehow makes this one feel warm.
Contact High & Bull Frog’s Croon - The Growth Eternal
Jazz but also not? Short but oh so sweet.
This rules. Those long nights of clicking around for new music, I just never know where they’re going to lead. These two songs from The Growth Eternal are so fun and bizarre and beautiful. Experimental, jazzy, twisted, adventurous. All of it. With incredible vocal performances throughout. Like James Blake meets Body Meat meets Thundercat meets something entirely new. Would recommend the whole project, these little snippets (feels unfair to call them that because they really are so much more) are universes unto themselves and all so dang creative.
Listen Close - Junior Mesa
Timeless and yet still new, indie rock that’s not afraid to try on some new looks.
A catchy mf’ing song. Junior Mesa somehow managing to scratch the itch of 2021 and the 00’s indie scene. Yet breaks the mold of both, with a stellar melody and some really unique sounds. I love the harmonies, I love the conga drums, and then JM pulls the rug out from under us and sends us into an entirely different song at 1:45. Transported back in time, as the bass pops and harmonies turn too a chorus of ooo’s. Then again thrown into another world, the organ going off and all of us with our arms draped over each other’s shoulder swaying side to side.
Waze - Avelino ft. SL
Rapping in the dark, word play that doesn’t it take itself too seriously but also you know they aren’t messing around.
A few years ago I fell in love with Julie Adenuga’s show on Beats 1 Radio. She approaches music the way I try to - just pure love and genuine excitement for the artists around her. It got me hooked on UK rap, mostly locked in on Avelino, J Hus, and Ambush Buzzworl. Since her show ended I’ve had a hard time keeping up with the scene but every now and then something delightful comes through on the release radar and this is one of those now and thens!!! Simple and heavy beat, catchy chorus, and this SL feature has me grinning!!!
Five songs that just dropped that I bet will be good but I haven’t listened to enough to actually write about. Give ‘em a try! I think you’ll like them.
A jazzy, folky number and a beautiful performance from Rebecca HH Rosen like Haley Heynderickxx meets Lianne La Havas meets Temme Scott?? The illuminati hotties hot streak refuses to end, a summer punk tune for you and your (potential??) crush. Mulherin… these two…. USUALLY I DONT DANCE BUT I WANNA DANCE WITH YOU, shy boy anthem, I’m blushing over here it’s adorable. When Megan Thee Stallion speaks I simply must listen, Lookin' in the mirror like, "Damn, I don't brag enough", bar after bar after beautiful bar. Funky and fun and so dang smooth, this new Tkay Maidza is mesmerizing.
Miscellaneous Links and stuff
Dora Jar dropped the most beautiful/poetic little number on IG and I can’t stop thinking about it
All these and so much more, I hope you’ll share with anyone else you know who might be looking for new music, everyone is welcome! plz + ty.
What a week, see you Monday, enjoy your weekend,
Max