ON REPEAT: Oklou, PinkPantheress, untitled (halo), Julie Doiron, Jadu Heart, Awich, Westside Gunn, Sofie Royer, Tujiko Noriko, Akiba, binki, Pretty Sick, Mamalarky, The Clash
ooooh guns of brixton
I don’t have a lot to say about these songs—I’ve had a long week!!!
Oklou “blade bird”
This song is an earworm, you have been warned!
untitled (halo) “blunt subconscious”
I’ve said the phrase “the kids love Slowdive” to a few different people now. I also like a band where one person sings and then the other people patiently vibe in the background until it’s their turn to sing.
Julie Doiron “August 10”
The kids also love Julie as this 1996 track went viral recently. Now there’s like SingKing versions of it on YouTube now.
Jadu Heart “AUX”
Jadu Heart is Alex Headford and Diva-Sachy Jeffrey, who dated for nine years, then broke up, kept their band going, then made an album about it.
Awich feat. A$AP Ferg & RZA “Butcher Shop”
"Awich" is short for "Asian Wish Child." She moved from Okinawa to Atlanta after her path in life was forever changed by getting a Tupac CD as a child. No, she’s been pretty active with collaborations with Japanese female rappers but this one she leans into a 90’s vibe with help A$AP Ferg and production by RZA.
Westside Gunn feat. Doechii “EGYPT”
I’ve liked what I’ve heard of Westside Gunn but seems to be specifically targeting me with the Million Dollar Man visuals, the Doechii feature and the MF DOOM line. Also love that he put up a giant pic of Psycho Sid in Times Square without any elaboration to promote this record.
PinkPantheress “illegal”
Been really enjoying this new record from PinkPantheress, who I’ve enjoyed everything from over the years.
I don’t know what’s going on with dude in the weird tartan dreamscape tbh.
I have a deeper appreciation from watching this video and I’ll never unhear the line that she dresses like a young English teacher in 2004.
Sofie Royer “Young-Girl (Illusion)”
I had an initial aversion to Sofie Royer--she did kinda give off “industry plant” vibes whatever that means but I’ve since come around and have become a big fan. I especially like this video which is like a bloodier Whit Stillman’s Metropolitan.
She's released music on the reputable Stones Throw label, which always seems to especially hit hard when they’re out of their standard jazz and hip-hop comfort zone. I’m thinking old weirdos like Bruce Haack & Gary Wilson, young weirdos like Anika and Jerry Paper, cool comps like the Minimal Wave tapes and so much more. Really good shit across the board.
Tujiko Noriko “Endless End”
Tujiko Noriko has been referred to as the Japanese Bjork, but the similarities are largely superficial. I did read an interview from 2008 where she talked about her goals, and I’m curious to dig into her catalog to see if this came true:
"I would like to make music with somebody who makes really funky music. I never managed to make something really funky. I have never done dance but I like it. I think it's funny if I sing on it because my singing is not funky at all."
I’ll report back.
Akiba “Kagami”
I don’t know anything about this one. When you play it on Spotify there’s a glitched out Pocari Sweat ad that plays and that’s my favorite drink, which may have influenced this.
binki “Landline”
binki is Baraka Ongeri from North Carolina. This is a nice song he made a few years ago.
Pretty Sick & xmal “Street Wise”
This one from NYC’s Pretty Sick is very catchy.
Mamalarky “#1 Best of All Time”
Should I rent a convertible? Never drove one before. Only was a passenger in one like twice. (Unless you count the Cars ride at Disneyland—then 4 times.)
THE GOLD STANDARD:
The Clash “Guns of Brixton”
This song is timely, and not just because of this video of kids covering it on the street and Paul Simonon starts singing with them. It’s probably fake, but that’s ok!