Lanterns on the Lake – Versions of Us: I didn’t know this band two weeks ago but this album has stayed in regular rotation. Introspective music, insightful lyrics, and phenomenal drumming that I eventually figured out was Philip Selway from Radiohead.
Dave Matthews Band – Walk Around the Moon: I’ve always preferred DMB’s softer and more reflective side, so I wasn’t disappointed. Unfortunately, it occasionally crosses into the kind of dodgy soft-jazz that Sting has consistently dished out since 1991.
Shabazz Palaces – The Don of Diamond Dreams: Lese Majesty blew me away when it came out but I lost track of these guys until this week. Diamond Dreams isn’t great (with the possible exception of “Reg Walks by the Looking Glass”) but it’s still enjoyable.
Everything but the Girl – Fuse: When it’s good, it picks up where Temperamental left off 20+ years ago. When it’s bad, it’s just embarrassing.
Noah Kahan – Stick Season: It hasn’t grabbed me yet but there’s definitely something here, at least with some of the songs. I’m going to keep listening for at least one more week.
Sharon Van Etten – We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong: Played it but didn’t hear it. I can’t really say anything other than it sounded good in the background.
“Ball of Confusion”: I made a playlist of about 15 versions of “Ball of Confusion” after hearing Tina Turner’s version for the first time last week. This might be the only time where I’ve listened to multiple covers of a song and every one was palatable, even if they weren’t all special.
Frankie Knuckles – Essentials (Tidal playlist): I hate yardwork but it’s better when Tidal recommends a Frankie Knuckles playlist. Tidal’s algorithm that drives recommendations like these is light years ahead of Spotify’s.
Old friends who made it into rotation this week: Elkka: DJ-Kicks; Darren Emerson: Global Underground 020 Singapore; V/A: 20 Years of Fabric; Anthony Pappa: Renaissance Presents Anthony Pappa and Rennie Pilgrim; Carl Craig: Fabric 25; Colin Stetson & Sarah Neufeld: Never Were the Way She Was; Everything but the Girl: Temperamental; Thelonious Monk: Brilliant Corners.