Lazy Dog and Buzzin’ Fly mixes: I dug out Ben Watt’s post-EBTG mixes this week and they’ve been keeping me constant company. Lazy Dog relies more on classic soul and funk style basslines, and that’s been scratching a big itch.
Noah Kahan – Stick Season: It hasn’t grabbed me but I’d like to listen more.
Killer Mike – Michael: Pretty much everything he’s done since R.A.P. Music has gotten heavy play from me, but this feels lazy, lyrically and musically. I’m keeping it flagged for more listens, but I’m not particularly excited to get back to it, so I probably won’t.
Caterina Barbieri – Myuthafoo: There’s enough substance to listen with intent, but every time I do, it ends up fading into the background. I’m enjoying it, but I can’t write anything substantive yet.
Taylor Swift – Folklore: For the first time since it came out, I enjoyed the record start to finish. Maybe it’s just familiarity or maybe it’s because this was the first time I listened at home on speakers late at night.
Joanna Sternberg – Then I Try Some More: This has been on my “listen when you get around to it” list for a few years now, but I couldn’t even make it past the first song. If someone can share something concrete about what I’m missing and why I should try again, please let me know!
Rrose – various singles: I’ve never heard Seth Horvitz’ alter ego Rrose, but I loved the stack of EPs from 2012/2013 that I dug into.
Arthur Russell – World of Echo: I always look for 12” singles from Sleeping Bag in old record bins, but I’d never bothered to listen to Russell’s 1986 release, World of Echo. Unlike the generic screeching and wailing that often passes for experimental music, this mixes genres and sounds in a way that truly is unlike anything I’ve heard before. I can’t say I like it, but I love its spirit.
Old friends who made it into rotation this week: Most of the past few weeks has been filled with old house and progressive house DJ mixes. I also listened to Jessie Ware’s new one again and it still feels good.