Friday Playlist

“Dopamine” – Robyn
Our Swedish Queen has returned! Her first new music in over seven years.

“WAITING FOR THE PHONE CALL” – The Twilight Sad
Speaking of artists that have been away for a bit, this song is the first new music from The Twilight Sad in six years. They have a very special guest on this track; The Cure’s Robert Smith, a long-time fan of the band, joins to play guitar.

“alone” – Neva Dinova
This band put out new music just a year ago. But before that, it had been 16 years since they released new music. What is in the water this week? This song is perfect for the moment, when the sun sets at 5:30 and night begins far too soon.

“Analog Ways” – Radioactivity
OK, I’m starting to get freaked out a bit. This comes off Radioactivity’s first new album in a decade. Definitely a different vibe than their regular, DIY-punk sound. Almost brushing up against Heartland Rock.

“The Package” – De La Soul
COME ON, MAN, STOP IT!!!! The lead single from De La’s first album in 10 years…This playlist is getting spooky, maybe better suited to the week of Halloween than two weeks after. The first album after the death of founding member Trugoy, it will feature a lot of big named guests. Pete Rock produced this track.

“Heathcliff” – snocaps
OK, finally a new band. Although the Crutchfields had not made music together for a decade or so before they started snocaps. Last week I shared an Allison C track. This week Katie C gets some run.

“Wonder” – Hatchie
Hatchie’s 2019 album Keepsake is one of my favorites of the past decade or so, a collection of nearly perfect dream pop tracks that doesn’t have a single miss. That sets a very high bar, and while Harriette Pilbeam has done some nice things since then, her work has never reached those same levels. Her new album Liquorice is no different. Actually it is different. It’s probably my least favorite of her albums as there are definitely some skips on it. Thankfully she can’t help herself and still has a couple really nice tracks, notably this near-banger.

“Northern Lights” – Science For Girls with Boots Ottestad
Let’s blow the dust off this 2007 classic to wrap a week that brought one of the most spectacular Northern Lights events in recent years for us non-Northerners. I was even able to see them, with the naked eye, from our backyard, something I couldn’t do even during last spring’s big geomagnetic storms.

“History Never Repeats” – Split Enz
I can’t think of a better way to wrap up this week’s music. The Splitz announced earlier this week they are reforming for a brief tour Down Under in 2026. They officially broke up in 1984. There have been a few reunions over the years, this will be the first time they perform together since 2009.