With all the free time I’ve had lately, I found myself listening to more and more music. Whether it’s just leaving Spotify open while I work, or purposefully seeking out some tunes, it’s been more present in my life lately than it has in years. With that said, I’d like to share a little bit of what I’ve been listening to recently.
SIMMER – HAYLEY WILLIAMS
You might already know who Hayley Williams is from her time being the lead singer of the Paramore, a band that Wikipedia surprisingly lists as still active. Now, I was never a big Paramore fan, but I have to hand it to Williams for making such a good song. Aside from some weird lyrics sprinkled throughout, I have nothing but positive things to say about Simmer.
YANKEE AND THE BRAVE – RUN THE JEWELS
If you haven’t heard of Run The Jewels (RTJ) before, I encourage you to check out some of their back catalog because it does a great job of expressing just how consistently good this duo is at making great songs. Yankee and the Brave was the first single to be revealed to the public from their upcoming fourth album. It’s a phenomenal tease for what’s to come and I can’t stop listening to it.
JUST DROPPED IN – KENNY ROGERS
So this isn’t a new song by any measure, nor is it the first time I’ve heard it. But with Kenny Rogers tragically passing away earlier this year, I found myself returning to what arguably is my favorite of his songs. It’s a really strange sound that somehow feels like some mixture of psychedelic rock and country that just hits me hard. Rest in peace Mr. Rogers, and thanks for the good jams.
SEQUESTERED IN MEMPHIS – THE HOLD STEADY
If you were going to build a quarantine playlist, I’d argue that you should consider putting Sequestered in Memphis on it, because it’s a really fun song despite its subject matter. The main hook of the song is what really grabbed me when I first heard it and if you’re anything like me, it might do the same for you.
I AM ELECTRIC – HEAVEN’S BASEMENT
Sometimes you’re in the mood for something a little heavier, a little angrier and faster. Might I suggest I Am Electric, a song that’s excellent for practicing your punches and kicks to. The song may have come out in 2013, but it recently found its way back onto my playlist due to it being just so powerful.
SAY SO – DOJA CAT
Like many of you, I had never heard of Doja Cat before, nor would I consider myself a fan of hers. That being said however, I am a fan of this song and its funky, disco-like rhythms. That’s really all I can say about why I enjoy this song, but here’s a bonus fact for you: Doja Cat released a song once called “Mooo!” which is perhaps one of the strangest, yet not unpleasant, songs I’ve ever heard. It’s also perhaps the greatest music video I’ve ever seen.
Here it is!
RUNNING UP THAT HILL – PLACEBO
A lot of people have expressed to me mixed reactions about Placebo over the years which is understandable. The main singer has one of those voices you’re either onboard with or not. Luckily I am, which is why I can safely enjoy this cover of Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill, which is also one of those rare occasions where I enjoy the cover more than the original.
I don’t really know the proper way to close out a post like this, so pardon the inevitable fumbling of this outro. But that’s what I’ve been listening to lately. What about you guys? Got anything good for my ears?
The Bonus World 