“Birthday” – Late Bloomer
Their album came out last week and it is filled with agreeable rock like this.
“Brown Paper Bag” – DIIV
Their first new music in five years, their new album is focused on the state of the world and, from the band’s point of view, its impending meltdown. This lead single is appropriately sludgy and gloomy.
“Beautiful Girl” – Kaiser Chiefs
Another band that has been away for five years. KC was one of the first bands I played on my old music podcast, so I’ve been down with them since late 2004.
“Deeper Well” – Kacey Musgraves
Speaking of beautiful girls…despite her physical appeal and unorthodox song writing, I’ve always resisted Kacey Musgraves as her music was always, ultimately, straight country. Here she’s softened it up a bit, planting at least a couple toes in the pop world. This could easily be a Waxahatchee song. I like her honesty in assessing the people and things that she now believes were holding her back. “So I’m getting rid of the habits that I feel are real good at Wasting my time.”
“Wild Boys” – Gold Star
Well, if I’m playing Kacey Musgraves I might as well through another Country or Not track at you. Weirdly I’ve collected several of these over the past ten days or so. Not sure what’s going on. As tends to happen, here the “country” is mostly the presence of a pedal steel guitar.
“Funeral For Justice” – Mdou Moctar
The Nigerian legend returns.
“Hold Me Now” – The Thompson Twins
On its way to #3, The Thompson Twins’ biggest American hit was at #24 in its fifth week on the chart the week of March 10, 1984. Is this a polarizing song? It feels like some people love it while others can’t stand it and label it as sappy. I’ve always thought it was glorious, especially the final chorus.