"Why Must a Building Burn?"

"Why Must a Building Burn?" - Maximo Park

On February 26th, British rock band Maximo Park released their seventh album, "Nature Always Wins." The album is a good listen for the two-decade-old band; it's reminiscent of their earlier efforts - like "A Certain Trigger," which is by far their pinnacle work - but it feels more mature, more grounded.

"Why Must a Building Burn?" is classic Maximo Park, but more restrained and more pensive. Lead singer Paul Smith says about this track, ""Why Must A Building Burn? is a snapshot of ordinary lives touched by tragedy in different ways. I think the heavy subject matter is alleviated, and made more resonant, by the effervescent music. I was thinking of how Prince does that brilliantly in 'Sign O' The Times' when we wrote the song.”

Although it might fly under your radar, give the entirety of "Nature Always Wins" a listen. While it may not be life-changing, it's a solid album nonetheless. Check out "Why Must a Building Burn?" below:

And because it's still COVID times, Maximo Park will be doing a livestreamed show on March 6th at 8:30 PM GMT. If you pick up a copy of the CD or vinyl, you get free admission, which you can see here.

Maximo Park will also be playing a string of actual shows in the UK, dates including::

4/22/2021 - Kingston - Pryzm - with Banquet (socially distanced)
2/22/2021 - Kingston - Pryzm - with Banquet (socially distanced)
4/23/2021 - Kingston - Pryzm - with Banquet (socially distanced) - SOLD OUT
4/23/2021 - Kingston - Pryzm - with Banquet (socially distanced) - SOLD OUT
4/24/2021 - Newcastle - Tyne Theatre (socially distanced)
4/24/2021 - Newcastle - Tyne Theatre (socially distanced) - SOLD OUT
8/24/2021 - Dundee - Fat Sam's - with Assai Records
8/25/2021 - Edinburgh - The Liquid Room – with Assai Records
8/28/2021 - Leeds - Brudenell Social Club - with Crash Records
8/29/2021 - Preston - Blitz - with Action Records
8/30/2021 - Liverpool - The Arts Club - with Jacaranda Records
9/1/2021 - Coventry - The Empire - with HMV
9/2/2021- O2 Academy2 Oxford - with Truck Store
9/3/2021 - The Brook - Southampton - with Vinilo
9/5/2021- De Lar Warr Pavilion - with Music's Not Dead
9/6/2021 - Norwich - The Waterfront - with HMV

"Mon Soleil" - Ashley Park

If there's anything people take away from my piss-poor legacy, I hope it's what a huge, unabashed fan of "Emily in Paris" I am and will continue to be. People love "90 Day Fiancee," "The Bachelor," and other garbage - allow me "Emily," which is at least harmless, kind of goofy fluff (which does, unfortunately, lean into some stereotypes, as the country of Ukraine knows ). I have already watched Season 2 twice. And honestly my favorite part of this show (despite my crush on Camille Razart and Lily Collins channeling Audrey Hepburn hardcore ) is Ashley Park. This woman has superstar written all over her. She's a bona fide Broadway star, and "Emily in Paris" has served as her pivot into the zeitgeist. "Emily in Paris" is also showcasing her vocal prowess front and center this season, with her covering BTS, "All By Myself," "Sympathtique," and Marilyn Monroe. But the real standout performance is th

"Anchors" - AM Higgins

Here's a nice breezy, almost sensual song from AM Higgins (the solo project of musician Annie Toth) to start your Tuesday off right. Her debut album "Hymning" will be out November 5th on Victorialand Records. The album was mixed by Casey Foubert, a frequent collaborator of Sufjan Stevens. The album "captures the first years of moving from an American city to rural France." Sounds like "Hymning" will be a welcome escape from the world we live in right now, especially considering that Annie Toth counts poets Mary Oliver and Thomas Merton as influences.

Summer Playlist - 2022 Edition!

It's truly the little things in life that make a world of difference. And for me, that means my summer playlist! Behold, I have put together 2022's edition. It includes cuts from artists like: - Mitski - Uffie - Johnny Orlando - Kylie Minogue + Jessie Ware - Florence and the Machine (who put out a fantastic album this year after a long dry spell of kind of "meh" records. Her pairing with Jack Antonoff worked out quite well!) - Bilal - Harry Styles (he has some catchy music!) - KATE BUSH DUH - And of course, Lana. It's also available on Apple Music, but since I recognize a lot of folks use Spotify, here's that link. Enjoy!

The Useless Critic 2.0

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