The music world can oftentimes seem like an abyss: it's huge, difficult to navigate, and full of hidden items just waiting to be discovered. While technology and services such as Spotify, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp make accessing and consuming music easier than ever before, these sites also reveal just how much music is really out there, a realization that can be overwhelming at times. Because of the high volume of work that is circulating through the World Wide Web at all times, we miss new releases of music even from some of our favorite artists; I find myself following bands and artists on Spotify, Facebook, or other sites simply to keep up with them (somewhat).
Lots of new an exciting things were dropped this past week by some of my favorite artists, though I had to do a little but of searching or subscribing to ultimately find them. I wanted to take this opportunity to share some music I love, but also to encourage people who don't already do so to go on a musical scavenger hunt once in a while. Rather than listening to that same Spotify playlist or the Top-40 radio station, do a little bit of research. Click on "related artists" a few times in a row and see where it takes you. I guarantee that you will discover an artist, whether obscure or actually quite popular, that you love, even if you might not normally listen to them. And remember that social media and music streaming sites can be used for more than connecting with friends--they can actually be a great resource for expanding one's horizons and obtaining information about artists, shows, current events, and more!
Enough of my rambling. Here are four artists I am listening to right now!
1. DOPE LEMON-"Honey Bones"
DOPE LEMON is Angus Stone's new project. Known for collaborating with his sister in the band Angus & Julia Stone, the Australian's new album is an interesting departure from the work produced by the sibling-duo. Without Julia's soft, angelic voice, Angus is left on his own to slow things down and create a more relaxed and psychedelic sound; reminiscent Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes or Lotus Plaza, yet very much still unique and fresh.
Below is the music video for the first track on "Honey Bones," "Marinade." A spin-off of the innocent plot of "Moonrise Kingdom," the video brings the lyrics to life by incorporating concepts and images from the original film with bright, colorful animation.
2. Mitski-"Puberty 2"
Mitski's long-anticipated album "Puberty 2" is very successful as a whole and as individual tracks. Mitski is a great musician and I love her sound, but the aspect of her music that I always find most captivating is her lyrics, and "Puberty 2" does not fail to disappoint. While listening to the album can, as some critics have said, take you back to those angsty teenage years, the emotions and ideas woven into this record transcend time. The album tackles pain, love, absence versus presence, and cultural differences in a raw, sincere way.
Below is the music video for "Happy," one of the first singles that was dropped before the album debuted. All I will say is that it takes a surprising turn at the end.
3. The Avalanches-"Wildflower"
The Avalanches are expected to release their second album on July 8, almost sixteen years after the debut of their first album, "Since I Left You." The Australian electronic group has released two singles so far, the most recent being "Colours." "Colours" is the type of track that reminds me of so many different songs and artists, but combines these elements in a way that is new and exciting, making me eager to hear the rest of the album.
The band also released "Frankie Sinatra" featuring Danny Brown and MF Doom, a collaboration that instantly sparked my curiosity. I can honestly say that this song is like nothing I have ever heard before in the best way possible; it is one of those songs that really opens the doors to the infinite combinations of creative minds and ideas, and the music video only reinforces this idea.
4. Danny Brown-"When it Rain"
Speaking of Danny Brown, the Detroit rapper is working on a new album of his own, the first to be released since his 2013 album, "Old." His latest single, "When it Rain," features the same rapid-fire spitting that Brown is famous for, but incorporates sounds that are new to Brown's work, further increasing the difficulty to place the rapper into a single genre or subgenre. "When it Rain" speaks to Brown's experiences growing up in poverty-stricken Detroit. The music video incorporates old VHS tapes precisely cut and edited to create an experience that is nostalgic, energetically and emotionally charged, and a bit unnerving.
