[Repost of November 2023’s newsletter edition]
Here’s what I’ve been jamming to:
Aphex Twin – Avril 14th
Infectious piano lick from ambient English lad Aphex Twin.
Kanye sampled it with help from John Legend–and Chris Rock, who adlibs over the stirring keys, ranting about his infatuation with Kanye’s ex-girl and her… well its a bit NSF-OFNL so I’ll let you explore on your own.
Alex G – Runner
“Runner” is a short, let-it-loop, indie-alt-country single. Sing it as you walk, or run.
It’s the second track off Alex G’s latest, God Save the Animals (one of 2022’s best), and it fittingly odes to Alex’s canine friend, someone who judges him for what he does and not what he says (get it?). A more cynical interpretation says “Runner” is about buying drugs–“my [drug] runner”–which might explain the “what’s the couple grand rolled up in your pocket?” line.
The synthesis view is that Alex’s dog is watching him in the throes of addiction but remaining loyal throughout. You can commend man’s best friend, but I’ll call it what it is–enablement.
Palace – Rabid Dog
If you like ’em, you love ’em. Palace is back with their ability to envelop the amygdala and dissipate the ego, if you’ll only let ’em. Coming off a strong showing with last year’s Shoals, they wasted no time after their North American tour (not bragging but I have the t-shirt) and putting out new music teasing their upcoming full-length.
Could anyone else make a song titled “Rabid dog” with the lyrics “just put me down” beautiful? Maybe Alex G, and one or two others, but it’s a choice group.
Low Cut Connie – Help Me
A good get-drunk-in-the-bar song from Low Cut Connie helps balance out the emotionally-laden slate this week. Not just any bar though. A cool bar, that plays cool music. But not outwardly cool, more like just uncool enough that it becomes cool. But not “we discovered this” cool. Cool in an inherent way, cool whether or not it’s observed. The anti-Schrodinger dive.
Yonder Mountain String Band – How ‘Bout You?
Some spacegrass from Yonder Mountain that asks one of life’s existential questions. And one I recommend as a new recruiting tactic for our Armed Forces on this Veteran’s Day Weekend. “I Want You” is too forceful, to direct for this generation. “How ‘Bout You?” is non-committal, aloof, asking why-the-fuck-not? rather than demanding service. Trust me, it will play in the demo much better.
…and the rest of ’em... Generationals don’t miss and their new album is no outlier from the trend… a cut off Mk.gee‘s 2018 album that keeps on giving… and it wouldn’t be Old Filters New Light without some Aussie-rock…
This is what it feels like to bike to work in Boston traffic after a triple espresso: