MMM with taeo & Sam Cope
I actually can't believe I'd never heard these songs, way too good for you not to hear them too.
Welcome to Max’s Music Mondays. My ~music discovery newsletter~ where I get too excited about songs I love. I hope you love them too. Your subscriptions go such a long way. Free subscribers help these artists get the audience they deserve, paid subscriptions help keep this thing running and also PAY THE ARTISTS!!! 2/3 of every subscription goes right back to the artists I write about. Please consider supporting independent music and music journalism(?) here today <3
Folks… It’s Tuesday. A CLASSIC Tax’s Tusic Tuesday!
One of those days yesterday - brain was not interested in finishing the newsletter. But I sincerely love these two songs so much I had to wait a day and do them justice.
I appreciate your patience and know you’re going to love these. Sending my love to everyone. Hope these songs can bring some joy.
Please follow the playlist if you haven’t already! It’s where I put all these songs, and every follow helps the music that much more. 1 like - 1 dream coming true for me.
taeo - Crystal Clear
I don’t know how or why I stumbled into taeo’s album from last September. But truly thank the heavens I did. 11 songs long, each full of heart and full of magic. From the supportive background vocals on Cherry to the woodwind intro and growing vocals of Boys in Jeans, there’s no shortage of surprises and genius. Floating across genres and worlds, it’s genuinely a thrilling listen.
I have given myself the impossible task of writing about only one song. I’m going with Track Six, Crystal Clear. Among a collection of wonderful songs like this, there’s no wrong choice per se, but this feels like the right introduction to their music that’ll get you hooked too.
A filtered, almost industrial/basement drum loop opens the song, a metal pipe ringing out as a snare. It’s harshness immediately given context by the sweeping acoustic guitar’s contrasting gentleness. A warm bass rounding out each moment.
taeo staring into someone’s eyes, reaching out, focusing in, trying to find the perfect words to name the color they see. Their voice is light, floating over the continued momentum of the band. A sweet moment that feels like it could go on forever - I wouldn’t be mad if it did! But as they hit the titular lyric, the guitars jump into a delightful little lick. The bass holding the groove without the drums. Some sound, a synth maybe, bounding upwards towards the sky. The moment is a shock and is so intoxicating.
We fall out of this swirling scene, the drums waking us up, the pulse of the guitars vibrato radiating out like a steady cello. A heartbeat of the song, you can really feel it.
Back into another scene, the live drums sticking around, lush guitar chords, a bass player that’s braving off the path a little, the melody supported by another guitar. We cross the minute mark, somehow almost halfway done already. What feels eternal / will make you / jaded.
The band hears jaded and again jumps into action. Finding an entirely new groove to propel the song on. The second vocal, nearly screaming the same words, adds such a punch here. The whole section really hits. Coming out of it, at 1:21, every guitar note a push and pull. The song building and building, climaxing as the whole band lines up to land those three chords a couple times.
Maybe less crystal clear than ever, the song seems to be spreading out, filled to the edges with great production and a wonderful vocal performance. That last lyric landing with so much love - i’ll just find new / words to describe / her eyes. Come onnnnnnn. What a sweetness to share and what great music to do it with. The song is short and sweet, somehow able to deliver something where every second, every sound, really counts.
I’m locked in to this record now… hope you give it a spin too.
Follow taeo on Instagram // on Spotify
Sam Cope - Two Hands
If you just listen until 0:05 you’ll immediately recognize this as “Shit Max Loves”. And somehow, we over the next four minutes Sam Cope manages to make that more and more true with every second.
The room tone picked up, Cope getting into place, and a guitar that sounds exactly what I like a guitar to sound like - good. It’s messy and warm, so unbelievably rich. On this foundation, a couple electric guitars slowly rise out of the dust, more edge and energy building. Cope steps in with a gorgeous first line - I think you know that you are full of shit. If you weren’t already in, you are now.
The writing is so good. It’s direct but in a human and caring way. The imagery in the next phrase, the mud, the rocks, head gushed like a faucet. It’s a specific vocabulary and it sits so beautifully with the production. Especially with the drums on top. They’re loud, heavy, loose, patient. When they take the spotlight, Cope wades through Exxx / traaa / paiiin / fulllll, the slow groove a powerful punctuation to each syllable oozing out.
Things fill back up, now a hi-hat helping push the pace. The texture of the guitars is so remarkable here. These acoustic chords from a nylon-stringed guitar feeling dark and wet and gooey around the sides of the track. It’s really something. Try not to get lost in there, there’s so much else to appreciate. The hi-hats loosen up, the electric guitars start screaming a little louder. Cope letting it rip a little too, That fucker struck a chord… the emotion packed in his delivery of ‘fucker’ really gets me. A little something extra. But it doesn’t stop there. Cope’s writing continues - so visceral, even in the simplicity. Push the needle through the cloth and cut the thread. Finding ways to deliver each word and get so much juice out of it. The emotional impact so much bigger than just the words on paper (which are already good don’t get me wrong).
The moment keeps growing, everything feeling louder and louder, bigger and bigger. This second vocal a perfect compliment. Sprinkling a gentle harmony across it all.
Breaking past two minutes, it feels like this song is about to erupt. The control then, at 2:13, to stop down is beautiful. Rather than lashing out, Cope steps back and reflects - I know that I’ve done the same sometimes / and I know what it’s like. The second voice now so soft as the band breathes too.
Cope knows what it’s like and knows it’s extra painful. This empathetic pat-on-the-back appreciation for what this other person is going through. Really has a ‘we’re all in this together’ feeling that just resonates.
From there the band rocks out. Again never pushing over the edge, just a crushing consistency. Driving the point home. There’s bits and bobs that shine around the edges. Creeping towards the 3:30 mark and again a few seconds later, I’m hearing some ghostly screams swirling in the distance. The entire section showcasing this sound that seems to blur between guitar feedback and flute. Nasty and beautiful at the same time. It’s a masterpiece, a collage of so many sounds but never overwhelming.
The NY artist’s album drops this Friday and I am so excited.
Follow Sam Cope on Instagram // on Spotify
All The Other Days!!
So much to say about this month’s music already!!!
Jia* Deluxe Version goes so crazy. New marlon amon is a gem, new Sarah Julia single (went insane live), loving this new Free Range album, another new HAIM song to freak about, new Daffo, the chyrsalis album is out, otta is back! A lot going on!!! Always more being added here ^^^
*Mendel News*
Hudson Freeman’s new single, Dean, drops on 4/15. That is NEXT TUESDAY. I’m so excited, it’s a fun one. Pre-save here - it really does make a big difference for us.
April 22nd - Two by Two no. 3!!! Back at Scribble in Highland Park is just a couple weeks away!! Incredible lineup of artists - YaSi x Gayathri Krishnan and HUNJIYA x Maddee Ritter. Come have your mind blown. A special format, and supporting IRL really goes a long way for Mendel and the newsletter. Tickets Here
May 8th (Early Show) at Permanent Records Roadhouse - Honored to put together a fun one with Hollis Howard featuring friends of the ‘sletter mer marcum and Farrah Hanna in from NY. Always a privilege to have my pals Farrah and mer in town. Tickets Here
Cheers,
Max