MMM - February in Review
Best of the Month + A Look Ahead
Somehow it’s another month, and boy oh boy am I glad to see you here.
Going to be totally honest, I am going through it right now/today in particular. But that’s ok!! Going through implies there’s another, better, side to get to and this month’s music is going to be/has been a big part of me getting there. Excited to tell you all about ‘em.
As always, still sorting out and evolving how I put these monthly recaps together, so any feedback is welcome!!
My hope is really that I can share some of my favorite songs and help you find a new favorite or two in the process. If you know anyone else who could use some new music, it’d be tremendously appreciated to send this their way too!
Now let’s get to it.
All The Other Days - My Favorite Releases of the Month
75% of the month, this newsletter is focused on Mondays, but folks, I’m listening to music seven days a week, if you can even believe. Here’s some of the juiciest releases that get me from Tuesday back to Monday. Listen along and catch some of my notes below!
Miya Folick - Erotica Veronica
Wow. I am SO excited about this record. A long-time favorite of Max’s Music Mondays, I’ve been looking forward to this. Expectations were high and my early reaction is “it’s better than I imagined”.
It feels Folick is moving ever-closer to “her sound”. Melodies and writing style is undoubtably hers, but the production feels bigger and more special? Little touches, especially the flute, that elevate this into a really special project.
Early favs: Hate Me, Love Wants Me Dead
Full review coming soon.
Purser - 3x (EP)
Ok, is it cheating if it came out on today? Obviously not “best of Feb” technically, but these songs have been living with me for much longer. Across live shows and demo versions, I’ve been anticipating this day for a long time and it’s already solidified itself as something I need to write about.
Purser, with a stunning and DIALED-in band, deliver three gorgeous songs across this 13min+ EP. Under the Needle moves smoothly through different scenes, an urgency building late in the song that is captivating. Dust delivers a Song About Dads to end all Songs About Dads. Sharp writing, sharp drums, Purser elegantly sliding, running, maneuvering, their way through the track and bringing us along for the ride. 3x, a massive title track. Writing that has stuck with me from first listen, building and building until we reach a Mt. Everest-level peak, the climax beyond the 3min mark is truly unforgettable. Love these songs, and I know you will too.
Kevin Atwater - The Cage
Wait….. This is early song of the year material for me. Vulnerable and GENIUS songwriting. The guts to survive this, let alone process and offer it so kindly to us…. FUCK!!!
The reveal of the second chorus... Atwater is unbelievable.
Daffo - Absence Makes the Heart Grow
Listened to The Cage^^ about 10 times over on my way to see Daffo and what a warm up that was. I’m team Daffo through and through right now, it’s been top-of-mind nearly every time asks what to listen to/what I’m listening to. There’s so much energy and momentum charging through these songs. Daffo’s voice is singular and so magic. Offering different textures and feelings at the highs and lows. It’s so fun. This one is a showcase of all that and more, great production, delightful rug-pull of a chorus. Just as it gets menacing it flips into a sweet key and smiles at you. Amazing.
Mei Semones - Dumb Feeling
Cannot stop listening to this. The best guitarist around. The only person I know making music like this. Delightful and sweet and full of so much wisdom.
Oranje Space - Shiny Penny
Thrilled to have more Oranje Space music. A twice-featured artist on Max’s Music Mondays, I really cannot stress how much I love him. An intoxicating voice and evolving production that always manages to feel right.
This one is sweet as hell, and feels so warm and breezy when the drums come in. Ooo just let it play and savor it all.
Bartees Strange - Horror (album)
Full review coming soon - an amazing show, and I didn’t even know the songs yet.
Daneshevskaya - Kermit & Gyro
A timeless voice spilling out over rolling guitar, gentle piano, and swelling strings. What’s not to love. Add in bold and creative melodies and I’m eating it up.
At least / I know / we had a good time is a killer lyric, and in context (both sonically and lyrically) it really lands a punch. The melody on the repetition so fun.
Over too soon, this one is quick, but memorable and mesmerizing. Really excited about what Daneshevskaya is up to. Can’t wait for more.
Lady Gaga - Abracadabra
Yeah I love it… what do you want from me
Dora Jar - Lucky
Again, yeah I love it what do you want from me!! One of the best doing it, writing a slice-of-life, tiny, sweet, gorgeous song. Makes me want to cry every time. My four leaf clover is our two lips kissing. She’s a damn genius, thank you thank you thank you.
Saya Gray - SAYA
Talk about a damn genius… Another record I need to review in full. Really a complete piece of work.
Early Favs: PUDDLE ( OF ME ), 10 WAYS ( TO LOSE A CROWN )
March’s Most Anticipated Releases
Another banner month on the way. Fewer projects but I’m guessing a lot of summer albums will kick off this month… here’s what I’ve got my eye out for.
Mar 7 - Lady Gaga - MAYHEM, Sasami - Blood on the Silver Screen
Mar 14 - ??? What do I need to keep an eye out for??
Mar 21 - Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
Mar 28 - Great Grandpa, Perfume Genius, UMO - gonna be a fucked up week.
Upcoming Shows in Los Angeles
I love live music like nothing else. Some of the LA shows on my radar. Let me know what else you’re going to?
Mar 6 - Charlie Hickey Release Show at Scribble. I am loving these early band/live session visuals, feels like he’s up to something fun with this music and I wanna see it live. tix here
Mar 8 - JJ Adrian, Alejandro Aranda, Oranje Space at Make Out Music. Love JJ, love Alejandro, but this is the first chance you’ve got to See Oranje Space live. Gonna be a warm, loving night of talent. tix here
Mar 10 - Patrick Shiroishi at Zebulon. Not sure what his setup will look like here, but a thrilling and boundary-pushing saxophonist in a great venue. Sign me up. tix here
Mar 13 - Joy Oladokun at The Troubadour. One of the coolest doing it, this will be such a heartening show. tix here
Mar 15 - MENDEL PRESENTS - Maddie Jay, Emory at Scribble. Yup - I better see you there. tix here
Mar 18 - Willa Kaplan at Healing Force of the Universe. One of my favorite new songwriters is releasing music and playing it live and that is a beautiful thing. tix here
Mar 21 - Great Grandpa at Highland Park Ebell Club. Rare chance to see one of the best bands going. tix here
Mar 23 - Astrid Sonne at Zebulon. A danish legend live in LA. Gonna rule. tix here
Mar 27 - Goya Gumbani at Genghis Cohen. Just came across Gumbani’s music recently and really excited about it. This should be a fun intimate gig. Worth seeing 100% tix here
Whew ok that’s it!! Great month of music, another one ahead. More big news on the way if that’s even ok with you.
Love you,
Max