Category Archives: Henkka’s New Music Discoveries

Henkka’s New Music Discoveries #4

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“No music, no life.” 

I always found that sentiment a bit melodramatic for my taste. Don’t you? I don’t think I would literally die if music suddenly ceased to be. I just don’t see myself having a spontaneous brain implosion only because I no longer had Barry Gibb’s falsetto in my ear, sweet as it is. Surely life would still go on. Still, it’s a fun thought exercise. What would be the point without music?

In my case, I just imagine myself confusedly looking around like John Travolta in that Pulp Fiction meme. “Uh… Okay…? Now what?”

But, happily, seeing as the stuff still exists, here’s some of my favorite music since last time.

Silk Sonic
“Smokin Out The Window”
2021 | SMOOTH SOUL

I feel a bit silly “introducing” you to a song with 250 million YouTube views. In my next post, I might as well link you to “Billie Jean” or “Happy Birthday to You.”

But just on the off-chance that you haven’t heard it, this is a pretty great album. Even saying this as someone who could never quite fully get into either Bruno Mars or Anderson .Paak, I found their collaboration here really enjoyable. It’s my favorite body of work from either of the two.

It’s just outrageously smooth stuff. Sonically silky, you might even say. If you were a funnyman.

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Henkka’s New Music Discoveries #3

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One of these days, there could come a day when finally, at long last, I get bored of listening to music. “All right,” I’ll say. “That’s enough music for me.” Having decided I’ve heard all I want to hear, I’ll hang up my music hat. One day, who knows? I might graduate from listening to music.

But that day is not today. And in all likelihood, it’s not tomorrow either.

Here’s some of the better music I’ve found since last time.

Urakami Souki
“Dreaming of Dream Harbour”
2024 | POP

The freshest of these findings. I only just discovered this artist last month.

In a word, I love how beautifully melodious his music is. Just listen to the song—it’s crazy the directions his melody lines go. It’s too early to say for sure, but I think I’m about to become a fan. Can you imagine how cool this song would sound live?

Fun fact: this song features on bass guitar the great Shin Rizumu. He is a fantastic solo artist in his own right.

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Henkka’s New Music Discoveries #2

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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

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Henkka’s New Music Discoveries #1

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I love music, and I’m always—constantly—looking for new stuff to listen to.

Pretty much my favorite activity in life is to sit down in a dark room, pour myself a drink, put on some headphones, and listen to new music in search of gems I haven’t heard before. This is something I’ve been doing quite consistently since my early teens. (Well, the drinks may have come a little bit later.)

In any case, here are a few recent “fruits of my labor.”

These findings are from the past year or so. I’ve listed each song, in no particular order, with its musical genre and year of release. Feel free to grab a drink and listen along if you’d like.

Young Gun Silver Fox
“Lenny”
2018 | YACHT ROCK

I discovered these guys a while ago when I came across a collaboration they’d done with the amazing Rod Temperton. (On a side note, I would list Rod Temperton’s Heatwave among my favorite bands of all time.) They’ve released four albums so far, and each one consists of this sort of very friendly, sunny-sounding yacht rock. Awesome stuff.

By the way, I learned from an interview of theirs that the band name Young Gun Silver Fox is derived from its two members. One of them is a young gun, while the other is a silver fox.

Pretty academic stuff, I know. Really makes you think.

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