The Useless Critic 2.0

I thought I'd share for today - it being a Sunday in COVID times- a few of my most recent Spotify playlists. One is for 2020 all encompassing, and the other is fall/winter mood music. Hopefully it makes the beginning of the week that much more bearable:  Here's my 2020 playlist - which features The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue, Still Corners, Lana Del Rey, Cut Copy, and many other folks: And here's my fall/winter playlist which features Sampha, Phoebe Bridgers, Haelos, Moses Sumney, and Ed Harcourt among others:

Diana Gordon, formerly known as Wynter Gordon, released the EP "Wasted Youth" earlier this year. Gordon has been around since the mid-2000s, penning songs for Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Lopez. Most notably, Gordon contributed writing to Beyoncé's masterpiece "Lemonade," which says all you need to know right off there. But in her own right, Diana is more than a formidable talent. Although she's released work as a solo artist since the early 2010s, it was after "Lemonade" made its mark on the world and she went back to her birth name (Diana) that her career has switched to warp speed.  In particular, the "Wasted Youth" EP sticks out for seamlessly blending R&B, soul, electropop, and grunge. It's a very unique - and immediately addicting - listen.  Hear the title track below: Here's the anthemic "Woman," which came out in 2016: Don't know how I've been sleeping on her music so long, but going to be remedying tha

Do you ever hear a genuinely fun song and think to yourself "why the HELL is this not more popular?" Well then, welcome to my feelings for "In the Dark" by indie band The Shadowboxers. I was turned on to this track by an Instagram influencer I've been following for years (Jessenia), since she often highlights other musical artists (she's a performer too) on her stories. This song was immediately so damn catchy I couldn't afford NOT to add to my library. It vaguely feels like MGMT circa 2008 with the right amount of in vogue disco that it's kind of just like ... why isn't this song on the radio again? I mean, it's not a far cry from the disco-influenced synthpop of Dua Lipa (who is amazing in her own right).  Check out the track below - I honestly thought it was released this year, but guess I was wrong. What has this year even been, am I right:  Also, you should stream Jessenia's single " Phoenix " - it's a pretty good pop s

The best love story in this otherwise dumpster fire of a year is not even about romantic love. IMO, it's the story of Fiona Apple and Shameika.  ICYMI, Fiona released "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" at the start of the pandemic, and it was an instant success - and critic's darling overnight. The standout track - and Fiona's first charting track in years - was by far "Shameika," an ode to a classmate of Fiona's who stood up for her in grade school. In case you haven't heard the song, it more or less explores how Fiona wished she could thank this girl who made such an impact on her in her formative years, and how that related to her self-worth over time.  Well, thanks to an old schoolteacher of Fiona and Shameika's, the two were reunited - which is the feel-good story 2020 needs. Turns out Shameika Stepney is now a rapper, and she and Fiona teamed up together to reinvent/remix the song. You can read the full story here (and I fullheartedly recommend y

Hey, did you buy that Goo Goo Dolls cover that Phoebe Bridgers and Maggie Rogers put out in support of FairFight , a Stacey Abrams-affiliated organization that pushes for fair and free elections? Well I did, and I wasn't disappointed with a cover of a gorgeously schmaltzy '90s alternative throwback. Phoebe Bridgers - with the exquisite help of Maggie Rogers - reinvents the song into something far folkier than I initially imagined.  I believe the Bandcamp sale with proceeds going to FairFight is now over, but I would recommend (if you have the money) donating to FairFight. Also, it's kind of heartwarming to see the Goo Goo Dolls are in full support of the cover, which cements them as cool dudes IMO. BTW, Bridgers promised the cover if Trump lost the election … and well, the rest is history. Here's the song itself, but please consider donating if possible. Maybe they'll do "Slide" in honor of Planned Parenthood next.

 Man, every so often, I hear a song that immediately gives me chills upon first listen. And last night, that song was "Confessions" by the extremely talented artist Sudan Archives, whom you need to check out. It's experimental, idiosyncratic, soulful pop. Have a listen: One of my friends told me he first found out about Sudan Archives toward the beginning of Lockdown Season (TM) and she's become one of his favorite artists along with Fiona Apple, whom I would say her sound is slightly similar to (not terribly so, but definitely a bit). Sudan Archives is signed to Stone's Throw records, which is one of the best record labels out there today. Have a good week and if you have any solid music suggestions, send them my way. - Britt P.S. SHE DID A TINY DESK CONCERT -

Because this week isn't the most pleasant week in recent history (and it's barely begun), I decided to just post a random song I heard the other day I really enjoy by Summer Heart , a chill Swedish dreampop act. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Sweden, but even more so recently. 😍 Please enjoy below, and take care of yourself.

Erie hard rock band Mas Nova - which formed in 2004 and reunited for a show as (relatively) recently as 2015 - just dropped their 2006 album "Hollywood" for streaming on Spotify. This time around though, they're releasing two other tracks - covers of Gary Jules' version of "Mad World" (which was super ubiquitous at this time in history, if my AIM profile around this time can be trusted) and Real Life's "Send Me an Angel." If you like the harder rock sound of this era - think like Velvet Revolver, and definitely a nod to the Stone Temple Pilots - you'll definitely want to give it a listen.  Their cover of "Send Me an Angel" is a much more intense version of the classic song, but it's a distinctive take on it. Listen to "Hollywood" in its entirety below: And for more info on Mas Nova, check out this write-up on founding member and author Joseph D. Newcomer's official website.