Music.
I love to listen to it. I love to think about it. I love to look for more of it (particularly the good stuff) every chance I get.
It keeps me sane, it gives me the drive to keep going, and it makes me content. It makes everything feel more worthwhile. Even the shittier parts of life suddenly become more bearable when you know how at the end of the day, when you’re ready to take it, it’s there to be had.
And so, here’s some great music I’ve found since last time.
KNOWER
“I’m The President”
2023 | SYNTH FUNK
“Holy shit.”
That just about sums up my reaction on my first time hearing this song. And, to be fair, my reaction on every successive listen ever since.
I’m the president, yeah
You all voted, here I am
I’m the president, I love you
Who’s the president? Me
Landslide fucking victory
I’m the president, I love you
Electric Light Orchestra
“Starlight”
1977 | POP ROCK
My first time hearing some Electric Light Orchestra was many, many years ago.
At the time, I was a teenager infatuated with the Beatles. On a mission to find anything that sounded like them, ELO was one of the first bands I remember encountering on my search. But I wasn’t satisfied—they didn’t scratch that itch. It was no good. I wanted something that sounded Beatles-y, but the problem was that back then nothing could ever sound Beatles-y enough.
Skip to the current year, and I’m still just as consumed by the Beatles as I always was. But now I’m older and… Well, if not wiser, then at least more open to different things. I finally recognize the brilliance of this album and this band. And Jeff Lynne’s sunglasses.
Tanaka Yoko
“Haru no Passage”
1990 | J-POP
Tanaka Yoko was one of those late 80s/early 90s one-and-done Japanese idols. You know, the ones who released exactly one album (if that) before they were gone. I’m not going to pretend and say I’ve heard ’em all, but I will say that I’ve heard a lot. And this is one album that I like.
Give it a shot, ’cause you might like it, too. Or not. You might hate it.
(If you want something in a similar vein—that is to say, cheesy guitar-heavy 90s Japanese idol pop—you might also want to check out Minami Aoyama Shoujo Kagekidan. Although they kind of went against the grain in that they actually managed to put out two albums!)
Djeli Moussa Diawara
“Yekeke”
1983 | MANDE MUSIC
Okay, this might not be instantly accessible to everyone. It certainly wasn’t for me on my first listen. But if you give it a minute or two to let it sink in and allow yourself a chance to absorb it, it’s absolutely mesmerizing stuff. The entire album is so blissful and comforting.
It’s just some seriously life-affirming music. An antidepressant in album form.
Cléa Vincent
“Retiens mon désir”
2016 | SYNTH POP
Here’s something I’ve been into as of late. I suppose it would be categorized as “synth pop,” although I might personally just call it “easy listening”—not in a derogatory sense of the word, but because it’s… easy to listen to. And sometimes it’s good to take it easy.
(I think this kind of dreamy electronic pop stuff exploded online a couple of years ago, so I’m probably the last person to discover it. But just in case you’re also new to this sound, in addition to this artist I would also recommend Poom and Lomboy.)
Alain Chamfort
“Baby Lou”
1977 | POP
Every once in a while, I seem to want to dedicate not-insignificant chunks of my life to Serge Gainsbourg. Constantly listening to his music, trying to find more of his live performances, and watching him be an offensively drunk asshole on old TV interviews.
When I do, I like to research if there’s any more hidden Serge out there for me to digest. If maybe there’s something—anything—I might’ve missed along the way. This album, with the lyrics all penned by Serge, is one of those things. Although, to be fair, the words might just as well be gibberish since I don’t speak French. This man could literally be singing about the joys of drunk driving or violence against little people and I’d be none the wiser.
Siedah Garrett
“Refuse to Be Loose”
1988 | CONTEMPORARY R&B
This whole album is fantastic. It even features a couple of Rod Temperton compositions, because of course it does. But this track especially, phew! It’s actually a pretty radical, sexually conservative message for this type of pop song.
Just listen to her go after around the 2:25 mark. Seriously. See what your ears tell you.
“My love is not for hire!”
Gonzaguinha
“Bié Bié Brazil (Byé Byé Brasil)”
1980 | MPB
I’ve been a big fan of older Brazilian music for a few years now. There are countless of treasures to be found there, and this album is one of my latest finds. Another gem in the collection.
Even if you don’t speak the language, you can just feel the cynicism oozing from the lyrics in contrast to the lighthearted air of the music. “God, it’s all gone to shit. Too late. Bye bye, Brazil!”
Missing Persons
“Noticeable One”
1982 | NEW WAVE
Now here’s something to listen to. But only if you have what it takes.
Not everyone does.
Billy Joel
“Laura”
1982 | POP ROCK
Speaking of stuff that sounds Beatles-y…
Yeah, yeah. I know. “Really? Billy Joel? That’s your great new discovery?” But for the longest time I only listened to (and loved) all the hits, meaning I only really knew a handful of songs. For some reason, I never went back to check out the albums. Until now.
And with each album I listen to, I’m just discovering more and more gems. Here’s the latest of the bunch. It’s a good one. You could do worse things with your day than listening to some Billy.
Imai Miki
“Motto Motto Motto”
1990 | J-POP
I’ve been listening pretty much exclusively to this album for the last two weeks.
Tell me this is not an amazing song. Really, I dare you. Push your way past the cheap, initially cheesy-sounding 90s instrumentation, and genuinely listen to it for yourself. The chorus is pure J-pop magic. It just works. It’s perfection.
Some real chef’s kiss type stuff here.
Commodores
“Girl, I Think The World About You”
1976 | SOUL
I’m repeating myself at this point. Came across a song I liked, checked out the albums, loved everything I heard, blah blah blah.
But geez, it’s hard to argue with a tune like this. What do you expect me to do? Lie and tell you it’s not one of the best goddamn songs I’ve heard in a good while?
Well, I won’t do it.
So many wonders in your world it seems
You’re the picture of a woman in a little girl’s dream
You seem so weak sometimes to be so strong
You make a man like me finally to belong
Until next time.
Cheers!
