Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Is this site becoming a Lexa Gates fan site? MAYBE?!?! But, holy shit, this one is good. It’s like a classic Chi-Lites jump groove (is that a real term?) with Gates’ signature fierce and snarky delivery. And that video is BONKERS. Such a solid track. One of my favorite new rappers to come out in a long time.
“Past It” can be enjoyed here. This is the first track from her upcoming sophomore full-length, but if this is the first taste, I can only imagine how gratifying the whole meal will be.
I recall as a wee 15-year-old, listening to the radio. Live 105, which, as a teenager in the Bay Area, was your source for a rock n roll education. This was shortly before I discovered KZSU and KALX, as well as similar stations, which really opened my ears. Anyway, I heard a song. It was the most deliciously naughty song I’ve ever heard at the time. It was a song called “Underwear.” I was OBSESSED. I found out that an older friend had a CD called Different Class. He dubbed it for me, and I listened to it nonstop. It was my opening to the genre known as “Britpop.” Later, of course, I’d delve into Blur, Elastica, Supergrass, and Kenickie. Eventually, this led me to spend my young college days at an 18+ nightclub called “Popscene.” Continue reading “Pulp announce 30th Anniversary Edition of Different Class”
Today’s episode of “How Did I Get Here?” features the amazing psych duo Ghostwoman. We talked at length about music, being in a band, and what to do when you find an excellent musical partner that happens to live on an entirely different continent!
Ghostwoman’s latest record, Welcome To The Civilized World, is out TODAY (September 5th!) on Full Time Hobby. You can either stream or order it delivered to your home FROM THIS VERY LINK!
Today is a pretty bonkers new release day, with new records from Sabrina Carpenter, The Beaches, and The Hives that were all queued up for my eardrums. And then I landed on something completely different- this deliciously dark, prog-psych-free jazz brain swim of a track from Brazil’s Oruã. The song is “México Suite.” I love it.
“México Suite” is off Oruã’s upcoming release, Slacker, coming out October 24th on the legendary K Records.
SIGRID IS BACK! Norway’s finest import has returned with a funky, infectious single, and it’s the thing that’s keeping me moving today. And that vocal fry?!?! “Fort Knox” is the second single from Sigrid’s third full-length record, There’s Always More That I Can Say, coming your way on October 3rd. Preorders and such here!
Photos by Gordon Elgart
E*MO*TION by Carly Rae Jepsen is an extremely rare record. It’s simply perfect. It landed at #2 on our list of greatest records of the 2010s, and if we re-evaluated that list, it likely would be #1 five years removed from the last decade. When Jepsen announced that she was going to do one show in 2025, and it would be playing that seminal record in full, I decided it was best to make sure I was there.
I *love* Ivy. The faux French Pop project from married couple Dominique Durand and the late, great Adam Schleisinger was almost certainly a thing of the past when COVID stole the life of one of America’s greatest songwriters in 2020. However, while working on remaster / reissues of Ivy’s fantastic catalog, Durand started listening to various demos from over the years, called up bandmate Andy Chase and, bam! We have a new Ivy album! And much like a ghost giving you a warm hug, these are all songs worked on by Schleisinger. Even though COVID is still frustrating our lives, its impact has reduced in the last year, and hopefully will continue to wane. That being said, “Heartbreak” sounds as fresh and inviting as anything off their classic record Apartment Life, and I’m eager for more music and to hopefully see them live again.
“Heartbreak” comes from Ivy’s upcoming record, Traces Of You, in stores and at your friendly neighborhood DSP on September 5th!
Continue reading “Outside Lands 2025: 15 Instant Set Reviews”
Jorja Smith keeps knocking out banger after banger. “With You” is a bright and happy tune perfect for detaching from the stress of life, holding your loved ones, and enjoying the sun. It’s delicate and just housey enough that it’s got a sexy groove without being, well, annoying.
Jorja Smith is playing Outside Lands on Sunday evening (6:50 / Twin Peaks Stage), and I can’t wait to hear this one in Golden Gate Park.
Outside Lands is THIS WEEKEND!!! This is always one of my favorite weekends, and it’s generally a great weekend for discovering your new favorites. And now it’s time for the 2025 edition of my “Top 10 from the Bottom Half” list, which I’ve spent actual months researching and listening, and these are my 10 favorites. And, in case you are keeping score, in 2022 Wet Leg and Faye Webster made my list. In 2019, I introduced you to The Marias. 2018 had Lizzo. 2017 had Khruangbin. 2016? Anderson .Paak. That’s not a bad track record… There is a LOT of good stuff happening this weekend, and the full schedule is out here. Limited tickets are available here, but don’t delay! The weather is gonna be the best of any festival in America, just like every year. Continue reading “Top 10 from the Bottom Half of the Outside Lands 2025 Poster”
