Max's Weekly Roundup
Here's all* the good songs that came out this week** (*most of)(**or so)
I swear I say this every week but like, there really is so much good music that came out. This week more than ever before I just couldn’t help myself… the playlist getting a fresh new face with so many gems. I’ll be blasting all these all weekend and hope you find one that sticks for you too. And if you don’t, thank you for trying and also I am happy to send more recommendations DON’T tempt me. Let’s rock!!!!!!!!!!!
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:
I Went Out - Kyle Lux
A house party full of all your friends that spills out under the moonlight
Kyle Lux rocks, we all know this. Typically though, we get these beautiful, sexy, almost elegant R&B songs. Using lower tempos to stretch and show off his insane voice. The voice is still insane here, but we’ve gone full dance party, bright and breezy pop music. That synth is out-of-this-world, we’re talking some real outer space stuff. It opens with that familiar tone, so smooth even as it sits high. But the first verse settles in, a new flow for Lux, living in this more conversational tone for the first time (to my knowledge). And it works so well! Both on its own and as a contrast to the chorus. The kid’s got range!! A chorus that begs to be sang along with, danced along with, at a minimum. The delightful little warp at the end of the second verse is a treat and has me excited to see Lux pull off that same run live :) just immensely danceable fun right here. Got me feeling so good!!
Hawks - Jodi
leaning on friends and gorgeous guitars
Fuck I love Jodi. No one writes songs quite like them, and no one bends that dang pedal steel quite like them either. Hawks is the latest single off the almost-here album Blue Heron. Jodi songs often feel like this one, deeply personal moments told poetically but also still plainly. They come across as these small and real worlds, these little vignettes of life graciously shared over beautiful chords. 1:24 starts a dark and contained section, which explodes and flows over into a glistening and expansive wave. A release and relief that took my breath away the first time I heard it. Another beautiful stretch of imagery pulls us through to the pedal steel and oh baby!!! Such a unique sound and so dang emotional, ugh adore it. The video is amazing too. Childhood videos perfectly edited, blending in and out of the present.
On Your Side - Wet
Songs that might be about lovers or pets and are equally beautiful either way.
Is that a dog? Some kind of electronic bark? Just a sweep of sound? idk I’m sure there’s some word for it, but it’s the weirdness laid perfectly atop gorgeous performances and production that has kept me rapt by this one. The whole first minute feel cinematic and dreamy. Around 1:23 I’m more sure than ever it was in fact a dog and I am not an idiot for looking outside my window every time I start this song, just assuming there’s a dog barking out there. The imagery is so sweet and loving, a promise of a song. Or maybe a plea. To trust that even when it doesn’t seem like it the love is real and is here and isn’t going anywhere. The second verse builds and sends us back to that dreamy pre-chorus/chorus. “I’m not your enemy” really hits this time. The “day by day” section is so creative and well done, I love it.
LUMBERJACK - Tyler, The Creator
https://twitter.com/tylerthecreator/status/1405194477770211334?s=20
This one would get a shoutout for the DJ Drama tags alone. Making me so nostalgic and happy. And then, it also absolutely knocks. Unfair but no surprise, Tyler always delivers with such big bold beats. This one is perfectly chaotic, the sample sounding like how those cartoon squiggles that move really quickly (maybe like in the Peanuts? I can’t quite pin it down but I can see it in my head and I just need you to trust me) look. Sick lyricism as always, but mostly just glad to have new Tyler here and more coming. So weird and fun and willing to break form and norms at every turn. Always something to celebrate and look forward to. The videos he posted on twitter were a delight.
October Sky - Yebba
Looking at photo albums with family, great story telling, idk i’m speechless with these vocals.
It is scary how incredible Yebba’s voice is. It’s so soft but so strong, so airy but stunningly full, it’s undeniable and unmistakable and I am running out of complimentary words! The storytelling of the first verse is almost haunting, returning to these memories with calm assurance. As the strings spill out underneath the guitar, Yebba continues to show off - melodies no one else could even imagine pulling off. AND WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED. A switch flips after the drums kick in and these runs are mind-blowing. But still, the songwriting doesn’t get compromised once. And the production feels so… done? If that makes sense. It’s fully formed, arrived. This is a real piece of art. The whole of it absolutely carries the colors of an October Sky, and if you need me I’ll be trying to pick my jaw up off the floor, where it’s been since the 1:15 mark.
ELEVEN songs (new record!!!) 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.
Hahaha settle down max geez… Don’t worry no need to panic, they’re all on the playlist just sort by date added or let it rip, no rules!! Little Simz can’t be stopped, first half is gritty and harsh, second half is twisted, whole thing rocks. Becca Mancari dropping OurVinyl Sessions and the tears are flowing!! See you at her show in LA??? One of the most breathtaking songwriters around right now. Ginger Root coming through!! ~Vibey~ x3 this one will have you boogieing (sp?) in your seat. Hope Tala is crushing this light groovy sound with gentle performances and killer writing. Julianna Zachariou is back and better than ever, something in her voice that just sets her sound apart. A stellar chorus. Lucy Blue delivering a sick EP, this cut really does sound like snow in tokyo and no i’ve never been. Vince Staples holy moly this guy. One of one. Goldlink x Flo Milli what a generous collaboration, here for any and all Flo Milli, esp when it’s over incredible production like this. Somehow Terrell Hines finds a new way to surprise me with every song. A very vintage groove on this one. Wilby rounds out her EP with another absolute GEM!!!! Rebecca Black okay!!! Some heat on this EP too, but this song leans full hyperpop meets 00’s maximalist nostalgia. OK ARTISTS THANK YOU FOR A GREAT WEEK.
Miscellaneous Links and stuff
Aquarium Drunkard dropped a Joni Mitchell bootleg set and it’s really incredible (as you’d expect). Really nice quality and that guitar sounds so fucking good.
A lovely list + mini q+a from Nylon with some incredible queer artists. Some favs, some new names, and also one who miiiiiight get the full MMM treatment in just a few short days…….. *EYES EMOJI* place ur dang bets (i will tell you if you get it right).
What’d I miss? Probably a lot?? I’m also still a little busy listening to the Rostam and Japanese Breakfast albums, forgive me!!!!
Until next time, where next time = Monday,
Max