Week 2 of Music Mondays and I'm already about to stray from my own guidelines. This past weekend was too full of great new releases to leave you ignorant of them.
Thursday night, everyone's favorite pale, British beanstalk that's worked with Beyonce became inspired by her marketing tactics. James Blake's The Colour in Anything is the perfect album to have you in your feelings as your attempt interpretative dancing to all 17 tracks. The very next day, the hottest new producer from Montreal, Kaytranada, dropped 99.9% laced with great features from artists you'll want to learn more about. Last, but certainly not least, Radiohead graced their ever evolving fanbase with A Moon Shaped Pool. I'll be honest, I haven't listened to it yet, but it's gonna be a fantastic listen if it's anything like its debut single "Daydreaming."
And now, back to your regularly scheduled throwbacks.
From the moment I saw the video for A-Punk on MTVu my freshman year, I knew Vampire Weekend would be noteworthy. Released in 2008, their self titled debut proved to secure their indie-level superstardom. With Ezra Koenig's melancholy lyrics and Rostam Batmanglij's African drum inspired production, the Chrises helped them launch a new sound for a new generation of music lovers yearning for something to call their own. Vampire Weekend gives me hope that the most WASP-y looking folk can be socially aware, too. Still, I must remind Ezra: I give a fuck about an Oxford comma.
Breakout Tracks
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
One (Blake's Got a New Face)
Breakout Tracks
Heaven
Maxine
The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah Carey
Mentored by the divas that preceded her, Mariah Carey has always ignored that her roses really smelled like poo. These days, her poo has turned a hard white, but before the fall of Mimi came her emancipation. What could be considered her last hit album, MC freed herself of her evil alter ego in 2005, long before Beyonce announced Sasha Fierce to the world. The Emancipation of Mimi is riddled with party tracks and ballads that will make you appreciative of Mariah Carey's range, including her whistle tone. By the end of the album, you too will be asking "Ariana who?" and claiming to still be young.
Breakout Tracks
Say Something (feat Pharrell & Snoop Dogg)
Fly Like a Bird
I Am Just A Rapper 1 & 2, Childish Gambino
Before he became a fully formed rapper and was still concerned a joke, Childish Gambino continued to live his own truth and make the music he wanted to hear. After dropping two full length mixtape that sounded like Lil Wayne on helium, Gambino produced two seven track collections of him rapping over the most popular and up-and-coming indie/alternative songs of 2010 and the years prior. Besides being one of the first rappers to do such a thing, the mixtapes stand out because of his clever metaphors. Though he harps too much on being perceived as "not black enough," it's a valid frustration that propelled him into become the great lyricist he is today.
I Am Just A Rapper 1 & 2, Childish Gambino
Before he became a fully formed rapper and was still concerned a joke, Childish Gambino continued to live his own truth and make the music he wanted to hear. After dropping two full length mixtape that sounded like Lil Wayne on helium, Gambino produced two seven track collections of him rapping over the most popular and up-and-coming indie/alternative songs of 2010 and the years prior. Besides being one of the first rappers to do such a thing, the mixtapes stand out because of his clever metaphors. Though he harps too much on being perceived as "not black enough," it's a valid frustration that propelled him into become the great lyricist he is today.
Breakout Tracks
Bitch, Look at Me Now (Two Weeks)
The Real (Infinity Guitars)
That should hold you over for this week. Until our next journey through music together, my friends (and associates).
Word
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