I’m afraid of losing my father.
- Ben
Playlists brief enough to pay attention to, songs hand-selected to make it worth it
Monday, September 30, 2019
Thursday, September 26, 2019
hooked.evd/SummerCoolDown: Normani, Ariana Grande, Jonas Brothers, Lizzo, Little Mix, 5 Seconds of Summer, Halsey, Mark Ronson, Charli XCX
Summer is winding down and I still haven't had a chance to highlight some of my personal favorites from this year.
These are all the bops I was listening to that, sadly, never made high on the charts.
What song were you hoping would rise higher on the charts this summer? Let me know in the comments.
These are all the bops I was listening to that, sadly, never made high on the charts.
What song were you hoping would rise higher on the charts this summer? Let me know in the comments.
- Erin
Monday, September 23, 2019
Monday Mix 190923: TV On The Radio, Pink Floyd, Lil Wayne, OutKast, The Cardigans
Sort of a grueling, dissatisfying playlist. Much of the list is spent "building."
Because of that, the feel of the list is sort of that of being in limbo, always waiting for the payoff. We get a few payoffs throughout the list, but not much.
ABitW came on the radio recently, and listening to it in the background, the disco elements stuck out to me. The bass line, the recurring jangly guitar, and the interspersed vamps (check out about 30 seconds in). I knew I wanted to explore that a bit in a Monday Mix and I'm pleased with how this works here.
I've been listening to Black Sabbath recently, and I had a feel that Iron Man might fit in this list someway. It's got a nice slowly building introduction, and a very nice groove. A strong song, I thought it might cap the list well. While researching it, though, I came across The Cardigans' cover and I just loved how slippery it is. It's a bit playful and sort of winks at the end of the set, satisfaction denied.
All in all, the whole thing feels like the middle of something, coming from nowhere, going nowhere, bending and stalling time.
Because of that, the feel of the list is sort of that of being in limbo, always waiting for the payoff. We get a few payoffs throughout the list, but not much.
ABitW came on the radio recently, and listening to it in the background, the disco elements stuck out to me. The bass line, the recurring jangly guitar, and the interspersed vamps (check out about 30 seconds in). I knew I wanted to explore that a bit in a Monday Mix and I'm pleased with how this works here.
I've been listening to Black Sabbath recently, and I had a feel that Iron Man might fit in this list someway. It's got a nice slowly building introduction, and a very nice groove. A strong song, I thought it might cap the list well. While researching it, though, I came across The Cardigans' cover and I just loved how slippery it is. It's a bit playful and sort of winks at the end of the set, satisfaction denied.
All in all, the whole thing feels like the middle of something, coming from nowhere, going nowhere, bending and stalling time.
- Matt
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Viva Latina: Bombazos del verano (ROSALÍA, Anuel AA, ChocQuibTown, Lunay, Sebastian Yatra, Daddy Yankee, Cali Y El Dandee, Ozuna)
Viva Latina is back with the biggest hits (in my opinion) of the summer.
I had the opportunity to go to Los Dells festival for Latin music over Labor Day weekend and it was incredible.
I was already a huge fan of Ozuna but I was blown away by his show at Los Dells. He is a powerhouse and his music is captivating. I started off the list with one of his newest collaborations with Rosalía: Yo X ti, tú X mí. Great opening line and just flows so nicely all the way through.
Next up, China which also has Ozuna on it. He did the first part of this song to open his set at Los Dells.
In the middle, keeping the dancing going with Lunay’s hit Soltera. Saw this one live at Los Dells. Everyone was singing and dancing.
Con calma, while not released in the summer, is such a banger and definitely a perfect summer song.
For the last song, bringing back Ozuna with Anitta. Fire. Muito Calor.
I had the opportunity to go to Los Dells festival for Latin music over Labor Day weekend and it was incredible.
I was already a huge fan of Ozuna but I was blown away by his show at Los Dells. He is a powerhouse and his music is captivating. I started off the list with one of his newest collaborations with Rosalía: Yo X ti, tú X mí. Great opening line and just flows so nicely all the way through.
Next up, China which also has Ozuna on it. He did the first part of this song to open his set at Los Dells.
In the middle, keeping the dancing going with Lunay’s hit Soltera. Saw this one live at Los Dells. Everyone was singing and dancing.
Con calma, while not released in the summer, is such a banger and definitely a perfect summer song.
For the last song, bringing back Ozuna with Anitta. Fire. Muito Calor.
- Elaine
Monday, September 16, 2019
Limelight: Darkchild (Brandy, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez, Spice Girls, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga)
This is the first installment of our new feature, "Limelight." We take a song, album, or artist and highlight a handful of related songs.
Darkchild (Rodney Jerkins) has had so many hits. I love his use of syncopation and groove, how he makes these songs pop right off the radio.
Each song is rich with character and attitude.
Darkchild (Rodney Jerkins) has had so many hits. I love his use of syncopation and groove, how he makes these songs pop right off the radio.
Each song is rich with character and attitude.
- Matt
Thursday, September 12, 2019
hooked.evd/JackAntonoff: Lorde, Taylor Swift, fun., Bleachers, St. Vincent, Sia, Lana Del Rey
In case you missed it, Lana Del Rey just released her 6th studio album, Norman F**king Rockwell, which was produced by Jack Antonoff. I'm a fan of both of them, and I thought I'd take this opportunity to highlight some of Antonoff's work, as a writer, producer and performer.
But also, go check out Norman F**king Rockwell. It's great.
But also, go check out Norman F**king Rockwell. It's great.
- Erin
Monday, September 9, 2019
Monday Mix 190909: Madonna, BC Unidos, Epik High, Janet Jackson, Dua Lipa, BTS, Daddy Yankee
I've been so excited about the significant in-roads being made by Latin and Korean artists into the American mainstream. This is a list to celebrate that.
I tried to pick songs that had icons of American pop on the collaboration.
A fun listen, enjoy!
- Matt
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Top Tunes 1905-08 / Hot 100 Summer Rewind: Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Shawn Mendes, Khalid, Jonas Brothers, Sam Smith, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, Lil Nas X
NEW
#1 TRUTH HURTS / Lizzo
Erin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "My jam" Lizzo is 100% that bitch. It’s incredible to me how long it took for her published music to hit the charts, but I’m so glad they’re here. If you like Truth Hurts, check out Good as Hell and Juice, both Lizzo tracks. There’s such diversity with a common feel. She’s fantastic – watch her.
Matt - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" My personal pop song of the summer and I think it's going to heat up a bit as kids go back to school and play it at dorm parties.
UP 5
#2 BAD GUY / Billie Eilish
Erin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" I’m excited for Billie’s contribution to the charts. She’s dark in a very accessible way and is opening alternative music to pop music teens. If you’re following the blog, you know that I’ve been a fan for a while here and I’m just so glad to see this talent hit the mainstream.
Matt - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" Sort of a head-scratcher for me. It's fine, it does a lot, goes a lot of places. Fits in with this weird current moment where everything needs to be lo-fi, spooky, hard to define, and hey, why not ASMR, too? DUH!
NEW
#3 SEÑORITA / Shawn Mendes
Erin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" First and foremost – Yes, I believe Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello are faking this relationship. They make fantastic forgettable top 40 music together and can really use some PR to stay relevant. I like this song on the charts because it’s not offensive, but I don’t see myself adding it to any playlists or seeking it out after it’s run its turn on the charts.
Matt - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" Not usually my vibe, but this one has really laid into me as a late summer burner. Cabello keeps putting out these bold, delicate vocal performances and I'm rooting for her.
NEW
#4 TALK / Khalid
Erin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" Love this song, love the vibe, love Khalid.
Matt - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" Much like Ella Mai's "Boo'd Up" last year, this simple, warm, thoughtful love song is simple enough to keep me from turning the dial.
DOWN 3
#5 SUCKER / Jonas Brothers
Erin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" I’m surprised I’m still into this song this far after the release date. I was definitely a Disney kid and watched Jonas during its run on the Disney channel, so I’m biased here. I’m excited the Jo Bros are back and I’m enjoying the whole album (Happiness Begins).
Matt - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" Almost too on-the-nose summer pop, but they pull it off. I'm totally here for the tight drum break at two minutes.
DOWN 2
#6 DANCING WITH A STRANGER / Sam Smith
Erin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" I generally like Sam Smith and Normani and this collaboration is fine. I can sing along to it so I keep it on, but I don’t foresee us thinking about this track even next year.
Matt - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" This is my beat, and the duet plays so well. Calls back to some of the new romantics and sophista-pop of the late Eighties, but comes off fresh and honest.
DOWN 4
#7 WOW. / Post Malone
Erin - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" I like this song more than I’d like to admit. I still hate Post Malone, but I love the melody on “Made another hit ‘cause I got bored now.”
Matt - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" It's fun. A lot of twists, decent rhythm interplay, and that "snip-snip" sound effect after "nip tuck."
NEW
#8 I DON'T CARE / Ed Sheeran
Erin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran are out here doing their thing. It’s fun and light, a message that most people can get on board with. Everyone hates people these days and it’s very relatable to have your S.O. be the one person that makes other people tolerable
Matt - ⭐️ "Turn it off" This song feels like it was made by a marketing team. Especially the oo-oo-ooo-oo. Blech. Oh and the clapping part. Jeeze. So cliche.
HOLDING
#9 OLD TOWN ROAD / Lil Nas X
Erin - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" Undeniably the song of the summer, but maybe I’m just too old to understand why.
Matt - ⭐️ "Turn it off" This song is like a deep fried Snickers bar. The simplest parts of two worlds collide and it's delicious. But it has no substance and too much of it makes you sick. Throw in some controversy, Miley Cyrus' dad, and a run time that barely passes 2 and half minutes, and you've got your song of the summer. Not the one we want, but the one we probably deserve. Wrangler on my booty.
Monday, September 2, 2019
dolphinbright, "Bye, Bye Summer" with Haim, The Zombies, Leon Bridges, Mayer Hawthorne, Tuxedo, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Elvis Presley, Lake Street Dive, Vanilla Fudge
Summer wanes but Leslie brings the heat with songs that help us to look back and move forward.
- Matt
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