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Showing posts from August, 2020

"I Would" - Slow Dancer

I came across some new music this week relatively unexpectedly - well not "new" per se, but new to me. Meet Slow Dancer - an Australian music project steered by Simon Okely. Yes I really have no idea why I'm on such an Australian kick lately, but whatever. I searched for chill music to listen to, and he popped up, and I was instantly captivated. Looking for something quiet, calming, and a little melancholic? Then I would strongly advise checking out Slow Dancer.  This particular track, "I Would," off his 2017 same-titled album reminds me SO MUCH of Nick Drake. Like, I know a lot of people were keen to compare Elliott Smith to Nick Drake, but this Slow Dancer song is the closest descendant to his sound I've heard. Also vaguely reminds me of Badly Drawn Boy in spots.

"Move" - Baker Boy (you need to hear this)

Somehow I stumbled across the hip-hop artist Baker Boy last week, and I have to say he's made quite the impression on me. I don't normally listen to a ton of hip-hop, but I still appreciate it here and there. Baker Boy is really catchy and quite talented. I would keep an eye on this young man. He's "an Aboriginal Australian rapper, dancer, artist, and actor. A Yolngu man, Baker Boy is known for performing original hip-hop songs incorporating both English and YolÅ‹u Matha." A sample of his work: and Also, while you're here, let's take a moment to demand justice for Jacob Blake . 

"Lion" - Kacy Hill

 So I'm a little late on the Kacy Hill train, as she released the album "Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again" earlier this year and has been in the game for a while. The Phoenix native was originally signed to Kanye West's record label, but has since parted ways with it.  Anyway, her most recent album is ABSOLUTELY worth your time. Here's "Everybody's Mother," which has a heartbreaking chorus. ("I'm everybody's mother and nobody's baby.")  But I really, really, really want to talk about "Lion." Holy hell, this song is moving . It is a tour de force. I'm not sure how I went several years without hearing it to be honest. Just check it out, you'll see why Kanye was eager to sign her:

"Dark Hearts" - Annie

In 2020, a dumpster fire of a year, we've at least gotten some good music. I mean, silver linings, amIrite? I keep going now for Kylie (Minogue, I'm over 30) and Annie. Also, I went MIA for a while because I chose to focus on the Job Blog for a while.  So Annie (my personal favorite Norwegian pop star EVER) is back with a new album, "Dark Hearts," which will drop in October. But Annie has been gradually releasing tracks one by one since the start of summer (or whenever, cuz 2020).  Today she released the title track, "Dark Hearts." It follows suit of the darkwave pattern she's been leaning toward, which is a more somber departure from her previous work (save maybe "Russian Kiss.") However, "The Bomb" and "American Cars" (her other two released tracks) have a heavier sound than "Dark Hearts." "Dark Hearts" may live up to its title, but it can't hide its pop sensibility in the end.  The whole album will