MMM - March in Review
Spring has sprung and music has musicong or something
Can you believe it’s already April?
I think that’s my first thought as I try to start every single monthly recap. Alas…
This was an exceptional month for music and I’m so excited to share what I’ve been listening to all month long. And a banner month for all the work I’m doing over at Mendel - our biggest show yet, our first “official” new release. It’s all happening and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride. A lot more planned this year, so stay tuned.
I’m also trying to find the time to get more artist features again - interviews or live performances - they can be so special and I want to share them more often (writing here for accountability).
Also just random side note - I loved this little youtube essay about Dua Lipa’s passion for fiction?? I had no idea. Fun watch.
Thanks as always, and I hope you find a new favorite song here.
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!
Hudson Freeman - Slouching
*Mendel Records Release* I could talk about if for days, I love this song. Hudson is such a special writer and performer, and here, paired with the tender and elegant production of Jesse in Grey… Wow. One of those songs that’s burrowed deep into my head and into my heart. So so proud to be any little part of this, and hope you’ll give it a listen.
Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
I am just loving this record… She’s done it again. With the timeless hand of Blake Mills, holy moly they cooked up a gem here.
Please check out my full review, available via
! So proud to be sharing some more writing though an amazing music merch startup.
Jensen McRae - Savannah
I’ve been a McRae Head since I saw Jensen perform Wolves as part of a Rosie Tucker Residency at the Bootleg in 2019. Chills from that day on. Savannah has hit me hard.
The second verse features McRae’s piercing writing and sees her on the verge of screaming, barely staying composed as the emotions burst out. I love it and have been screaming it in the car with every chance I get. Holy moly.
Chappell Roan - The Giver
Folks. I mean…
Bon Iver, Danielle Haim - If Only I Could Wait
Really excited about this Bon Iver record. Full of new sounds, full of collaborations from so many of my favorites (Dijon, Jim-E Stack, Mk.gee, Danielle Haim!!!) it’s going to be a beautiful project.
I’ve really connected with this one. Justin Vernon continuing to shine in new ways, always finding some new evolution to how he sings, how he performs, how he puts songs together. It feels exciting to him and that makes it exciting to me.
Danielle Haim is really proving to be the duet artist of our generation. Perfect on her own, full stop. But after the country duet with Vampire Weekend, this is another massive notch in the belt. She’s got a distinct sound that she can bring to any genre, it just works. Haim remains herself and adds so much to this track.
Greg Uhlmann, Josh Johnson, & Sam Wilkes - Mavis
I think we all need a little more jazz in our lives. Uhlmann and Wilkes have been two names I’m always keeping a lookout for, and here they’ve really made an exciting, propulsive, groovy little thing. The mid-song switch up taking into space, it’s a beautiful song. Give it a spin!!!
mer marcum - Junkyard Dog
mer nation rise up!!! I feel so lucky to have heard some early versions of this song. A song I loved from first listen. But this?? Oh man, oh man, has it become something special.
marcum’s songwriting is sick. Personal and vulnerable, exploring familial trauma and accepting how that makes us who we are.
I can’t believe the production here. The basics of the song are stunning - marcum’s performance, each vocal take adding character and depth. But the magical little moments really stand out too. Like just around the minute mark, an alice in wonderland section where time is moving forward and backward simultaneously.
The song climaxes as we all repeat “Somebody! Made you this way!”. Can’t wait to see this one live soon.
Annie DiRusso - Super Pedestrian
I think Back in Town might be the catchiest song of the year…
But the whole record is fun. There’s Leo’s soaring power chords (giving bowling for soup but new and amazing). The brutal barbs of Good Ass Movie. The truly LOL Derek Jeter. And in no surprise to most, my favorite, It’s Good To Be Hot In The Summer. An epic finale.
Loving this record, feels like one that’ll really reward each additional listen and I will be listening.
Great Grandpa - Ladybug
Really stoked on this new GG music. This is one that I hear and keep going “woah who is this??”, their evolving sound and production catching me off guard. But as soon as I see it’s them it makes perfect sense.
No one writes melodies like GG and no one finds the perfect place to lay every word, phrases with such unexpected and song-shifting rhythms.
And hello how are you? / Who the hell are you? / father of the ladybug / dressed like Donald Glover / on the GQ cover
Like how did you think of that…? This song erupts from the intimate to the field filling singalong. What a feat.
Medium Build - Takeaways
This is the best version of Miseryy IMO.
But more than anything, I think MB’s intentions with these recordings is so special and should be a guiding light for more artists. In his words, “I’ve wanted to highlight some of my personal favorites from the back catalog. I plan to continue recording stripped versions of all the songs to build a big archive of solo recordings and maybe some demos and shit that never make it to an album. Basically I love writing and recording songs and I want the heads to have as much as they want.”
Especially for me, a person who is constantly looking for the new, the next, I think it’s so beautiful to find a new way to share the old work too. Work that is just as important. It’s literally good art that’s already been made, and making sure it gets a new life and isn’t forgotten to time is admirable. Perhaps none of it is that serious, but I really do think it’s important.
I could also talk about this in a different perspective - how as the project grows and the band builds, there’s an urge to then swerve away from the production and strip things back and how this accomplishes that without having to derail/over-constrain a future project. But we can save that for the next time we hang out. It’s too much to get into right now.
Lady Gaga - MAYHEM
I really do love this record. Nachos or not, Gaga makes good music and we should all have the pleasure of enjoying it.
Killah is so crazy lmao, Perfect Celebrity has such delightful writing, How Bad Do U Want Me’s francis and the lights’ ass intro. I love it!
Honestly, (and seriously, not to get into the nachos thing too much) my first thought was that this really is future nostalgia. While Dua Lipa’s beautifully referenced sounds and scenes, Gaga is doing these more recent sounds in their best possible versions.
March’s Most Anticipated Releases
Apr 4 - Longstreth/Dirty Projectors - Song of the Earth. Florist - Jellywish.
Apr 11 - Bon Iver - SABLE, fABLE.
Apr 18 - Julien Baker & Torres - Send a Prayer My Way. Quickly, Quickly - I Heard That Noise.
Apr 25 - Samia - Bloodless
Upcoming Shows in Los Angeles
I love live music!!! Some of the LA shows on my radar. See you there??
Apr 5 - Sarah Julia at Scribble. If you like harmonies I think you’re legally obligated to be there. Here’s a taste. tix here
April 13 - Daryl Johns at Makeoutmusic. Really loved his record last year. Eras and genres of yesteryear made so fresh and new again. Plus love a makeoutmusic show always. tix here
April 15 - Neu Blume at Healing Force of the Universe. Wrote about them in MMM last month, and got a sneak peak of their new record - so stoked to see it live!! tix here
April 17 - Mali Velasquez / Micah Priete at Genghis Cohen. Every time I see Micah it’s a joy, a virtuoso. And Mali Velasquez is such a special artist. I’m still repeating 2023’s I’m Green once a month at least. tix here
April 17 - Medium Build at El Rey. What more do I need to say… tix here
April 22 - Two by Two III at Scribble, featuring YaSi, Gayathri Krishnan, HUNJIYA, and Maddee Ritter. YUP!! The third edition of my new show. The format is proving to make for some special nights. Please come support independent music, and see some of the most talented artists in this whole dang town. tix here
April 26 - Hana Stretton at Scribble. If I can get you to buy one ticket to a show this year, sight unseen, it’d be this show. Stretton’s record ‘Soon’ from 2023 is one of the most incredible, all-consuming records I’ve ever listened to. Brave, gorgeous, novel. I’m really excited to see it live. tix here
Have a good week, will ya?
Max
<3