Max's Weekly Roundup
Who needs new music? Because I've got too much and need to share
Good morning and happy Friday!!
Let’s get right into it, the music never stops flowing. Some quick thoughts on the new stuff I added to the MMATOD playlist this week, some more new tracks I’m excited to dig into, and a couple links to send us on our way.
Have a great weekend, see you again soon :)
What’s New This Week:
mhm that’s right it’s my other playlist!! 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:
Forgot About - Priya Ragu
Heartfelt songwriting, standing in the spotlight at a quiet jazz club
Wow, another beautiful one from Priya Ragu. Just getting better and better with every release. The vocals are just *pristine*. The vinyl intro sets the tone, this vulnerable first verse really welcoming you into Ragu’s world. The pre-chorus lets this song wander into a little 00’s R&B moment. A chord progression and melody feeling so timeless, the bass alongside the strings working perfectly here and now. Trying to stay strong in the chorus, but generously keeping it real with that last line - a nagging pain that carries us into the second verse. Love the subtle background vocals holding it all together. “Missing your laugh from time to time / Sometimes I re-read our convos / Just to be close to you” coming for your dang heart!!! Processing such deep pain, but done (and shared) with such care, this soothing production wiping away the same tears it brings.
Bloom - R.I.Pablo
Genre-free love letters, dinner parties with like cool cool people, previews of next week’s MMM
I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE - you might remember R.I.Pablo from last year’s Maxies where he took home the award for Favorite Soundcloud Discovery with this gem:
Any excuse to share this one ^ but we’ll get into this with a full write-up coming Monday hehehe what a tease, sorry!!
Soundwalk - Pino Palladino & Blake Mills
Jazz but make it twisted, like if they made a live action Hey Arnold reboot where football head was in his late-20’s in brooklyn just trying to figure it out.
OK! Here’s something a little different for the newsletter. Thank you to Hunjiya for posting this on her IG story because I never would’ve heard it otherwise and I am obsessed. This whole album, Notes With Attachments, is worth your time. Some wonderful and fresh jazz, absolutely littered with incredible instruments and sounds. Soundwalk, in particular, sports some saxophones really going wild, stacked and stacked with some growling fuzz. Giving it suuuuch a dirty feel (in the best possible way). A ridiculous groove throughout, it’s just so different and so well done.
Off The Rails - Wallice
Urgent evolving indie pop with somewhere to be, shoplifting at Erewhon, trying your best
Wallice just keeps delivering gem after gem. Infusing a levity into the music, even while we watch the narrator amidst the chaos just trying to make it through. My mouth watering thinking about what I’d steal from Erewhon (nothing, i would get too nervous, but also probably a breakfast burrito) The song grows and grows, slight changes and builds to the track, it all happens so naturally. The song transforming right under your nose. It’s a glimpse into the life of someone who can’t seem to catch a break, an anthem about trying to float along as the waves get bigger and bigger. My favorite moment is 1:20 where the vocals get an edge as they bubble over. Sounding weird and beautiful at the same time. Packs such a punch for such a short song.
My Mind - Yebba
Live from Sofar Sounds!!! HECK YA LETS GO, TICKETS ARE ON SALE AGAIN
Yebba dropped the audio from this legendary Sofar performance. I still remember hearing Zane Lowe talk about it on his show and blew my mind. The performance holds up, and now you can, and I will, stream it to my dang heart’s content. The simple arrangement lets Yebba shine and she does just that. The runs throughout are inconceivable, just jaw-dropping. I really can’t say more, just sit back and enjoy.
Awash - Runnner
Poetry carefully laid over a indie folk gem. Looking out at a cloudy morning with your coffee to warm your hands.
No time wasted, giving the people want they want with this one. A twinkling synth lays the foundation for a warm guitar. A banjo just slowly coming to life before a wave of vocals crests over the lyric “I’m awash”. A stunning welcome to the song. As it fills out around us, these poetic two and three word phrases stretched out so you can really feel them. The band steps into frame a little after a minute in, that guitar solo sliding in, fading out, so much emotion packed into it. The gentle keys and slide guitar underneath filling out the sound so well. The bass with a sneaky little run before “Better now / but there’s no going back” lands as a powerful period to end this song. One I can’t stop banging around my head (both the song and the lyric).
Five more 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.
In case you missed it, some links:
Thank you to anyone and everyone who sent their Release Radar’s it is very generous of you to do. If you’re reading this and thinking, hmm I’m feeling generous today, feel free to send yours too!!
Bartees Strange playing a moment UFOF and i must’ve watched a dozen times
St. Vincent x Zane Lowe interview yesterday and I found it honest and personal in a way that most virtual interviews aren’t.
As always, I hope you like the playlist (both in the real way and the clicking the heart button on spotify way) <3 <3 And please share with anyone else you know who might be looking for new music, everyone is welcome!
XOXO,
Max