Tag: Single Of The Week

Single Of The Week: IUD by Lisa Prank

One year, I was working at the box office at a music festival in Florida. It was on the beach, and it was a pretty pleasant working experience. One little bit of inside knowledge- the “number” printed on the RFID wristband you get when going to a big festival? That’s called a “UID.” Whenever I’m stressed or tired, I find that I will reverse letters or words. This meant that I spent most of the weekend asking people for their “IUD” and not their “UID.” People kind of rolled with the mistake, although one colleague kept laughing hysterically. By the end of the fest, she told me what I was doing wrong, and what that word meant.

Lisa Prank’s latest record is called Perfect Love Song and features the single “IUD.” Now that I know what that is, I can safely make it our single of the week. You can listen to or buy the record in all the usual places!

Single Of The Week: Glorious by Sudan Archives

Sudan Archives have been floating around for a few years, and, well, I haven’t really given her any attention until now. Her latest single, “Glorious,” is a stunning blend of virtuoso violin work, African rhythms, and trip hop vocals and just enough hip hop. This is a slow burner that sticks with you.

Sudan Archives’ latest record, Athena dropped today, and is available from all of the usual stores and streaming services, or you can purchase the limited edition on Black & Cream vinyl with bonus 7″ and sheet music from Bandcamp!

Noise Pop 2020 also dropped their line up earlier this week, and it’s AMAZING! But, most importantly, Sudan Archives are playing Swedish American Hall on February 24th as part of the fest!

Single Of The Week: Raising Hell by Kesha featuring Big Freedia

So, Sunday is my birthday. And it seems like Kesha knew that, because she gifted the world the most amazing music video and new single for my birthday, “Raising Hell.” Structurally, we have a great 70’s country song video and lyric, all coming together with the classic, dirty and energized Kesha sound. It’s like the classic Top 40 Ke$ha melded with the more introspective and experimental Rainbow-era Kesha, and brought us a party starter that’s supposed to make you feel uncomfortable. Big Freedia’s deep and percussive voice comes through almost unexpectedly, coloring the track in a lovely way.

This track is the lead single to High Road, coming out January 10th, 2020. And, if you are still trying to decide on a Birthday present for me, you can just get me the album bundled with a bottle of Kesha’s Raising Hell Hot Sauce!  You can also preorder it in normal ways, too! 

 

Single Of The Week: Music With Your Dad by Nasty Cherry

Five years ago, I attended SXSW and enjoyed a set where Charli XCX was backed by a three piece rock band. Rumor had it she was going to release a full on rock record, and it never happened. I’ve kept waiting, and instead of that record happening, she pieced together a rock band that includes the great Chloe Chaidez of Kitten on lead guitar. That band is called Nasty Cherry, and they released a new single called “Music With Your Dad” today! It’s a catchy, danceable rock number that will keep your fall nice and warm.

Nasty Cherry’s debut EP, produced by Charli XCX, will be dropping this November.

Single of the Week: Your Capricious Soul by Michael Stipe

Solo Stipe: An R.E.M. Story

We hear a sudden flow of synths providing a thumping backdrop, then Michael Stipe begins softly crooning, “Honey’s got got got a good feeling.” And just like that, R.E.M.’s former frontman is back with his first solo single ever, Your Capricious Soul, and as a listener I couldn’t agree more with this opening line. After R.E.M. disbanded in 2011, coinciding with the release of their fifteenth and final album, Collapse Into Now, fans were eager to learn if and what musical offerings Stipe would eventually and hopefully release unto the world. At long last, after contributing on a few third party projects over the last eight years, Stipe has released a track of his own (all proceeds going to climate advocacy group Extinction Rebellion). Your Capricious Soul is a tune that goes down easy, despite its diametrically opposed themes of hopefulness and hopelessness, as they relate to the state of the earth. The song works as a natural, albeit somewhat basic, continuation of R.E.M.’s work yet its more exploratory and steeped in consciousness than it initially suggests, completed with the poetic imagery and emotional complexity we’ve come to expect from Stipe’s songwriting. Continue reading “Single of the Week: Your Capricious Soul by Michael Stipe”

Single Of The Week: You Got Me (Drum & Bass Mix) by The Roots with Jill Scott

The Roots were far ahead of their time. When they first came out onto the scene, mainstream hip hop was very sample driven. Live hip hop was practically unheard of, and generally relegated to 15 minute sets at radio festivals, performed to a backing track. The Roots, however, are a band, and live musicians making hip hop in front of you didn’t really become the norm for another decade and a half after the release of their groundbreaking record Things Fall Apart.

To honor the 20th Anniversary of this record, The Roots are reissuing the album with a bunch of bonus material from the era, including the original mix of “You Got Me,” their first significant single. The “hit” version featured Erykah Badu, but the song was written with Jill Scott, and really was the heart and soul of the record. Finally, after 20 years, this is the way this song was intended on being heard. There is a TON of other hidden treasures on this release, and the vinyl can be found in stores today, or can be purchased online. It’s also available in all the usual streaming sources.

Also coming out next year will be deluxe reissues of classic Roots records Illadelph Halflife and Do You Want More?!!!??!. Two other groundbreaking hip hop classics that deserve your attention.

Single Of The Week: When I Wasn’t Watching by Mandy Moore

September 2019 may go down as one of the greatest “comeback” months in pop music history. After both Missy Elliot and Tool both released their first records in a decade and a half, out of nowhere comes a brand new single from Mandy Moore. This is her first true single since her ex husband, Ryan Adams, basically manipulated her into quitting music.

And what did she come back with? A stunning, potent song that seems to directly confront Adams’ abuse. It’s also backed by some vibrant electric piano, and some classic Laurel Canyon production that’s “soft rock” but hardly soft at all. Mandy Moore’s comeback single shows signs that she could easily join the league of great LA songwriters like Jenny Lewis and Carole King.

Word on the street is Moore will have a full length out next year. If it’s on par with this track, it’s going to be great.

Single Of The Week: Throw It Back by Missy Elliott

The last full length release from Missy Elliott was The Cookbook which came out July 4th, 2005. This was 14 years ago. She would occasionally put out a single or do a live show in this time, but she’s been pretty much quiet. It’s been a sad period without one of the most inventive musicians of the 21st century.

That was until midnight this morning, when she quietly released into the world Iconology, an EP of new material that’s classic Missy Elliott- frantic beats under trippy synths and her spitfire delivery that’s practically inimitable. The lead single, “Throw It Back” is catchy as hell, complete with a perfect Missy video, full of memorable moments that would be nightmarish if they weren’t so happy. This is a classic track that’s going to be part of our lives for a long time to come.

Iconology is available for streaming and downloads TODAY in all the usual places.

Single Of The Week: Dead Mall by PARENTZ

This week’s single of the week comes from Oakland based duo Parentz. This song feels like a groovy, chillwave-inspired bit of modern R&B. The lyrics, however, run from full on hysterical to a deep analysis of the current state of the economy. The song is also hooky as hell, and is the perfect soundtrack for spending time with abandon storefronts.

Dead Mall can be streamed in all the usual places! Including right after the jump!

Single Of The Week: Got You by Amyl and the Sniffers

Australia has been killing it lately with great rock n roll! Courtney Barnett, Julia Jacklin, Wing Defence, Camp Cope, and so many more amazing musicians keep popping out of our friends on the other side of the Earth. The latest of these excellent bands is Amyl and the Sniffers, giving us a nice healthy dose of bratty garage rock to get you through your Friday doldrums.

Their new record came out TODAY and can be found streaming in all the usual places, or you can order the fancy splatter vinyl here! Also, they are touring everywhere this Summer, including a stopover at Burger Boogaloo, where you can enjoy them alongside The Jesus + Mary Chain, Shannon and the Clams, Dead Boys, fellow Aussies’ The Scientists, and many, many more!