As a high schooler growing up in Middle America Kansas —my afternoon activities often scoped the decision of entertaining myself by going to Petland to look at puppies or hitting up the local Sonic for another ocean water. At a certain point I needed an outlet and quickly latched onto discovering new music for the first major time in my life. The personal move from Pandora Music to Spotify was (& is probably for most?) a groundbreaking time. The open platform of being able to not only see what your friends were listening to in a sort of stalker-way, but also convince your — lead-singer-in-a-band sophomore crush— that you had taste, was the thrill of my current lifetime.
My intentionality in constantly searching for new music got lost somewhere in between finishing my graduate degree and deep diving into my first (& last!) long-term relationship. So, my search progresses. Here are some thoughts on the music/artists that has been catching my eye lately.
My Introduction to Nova Wav
Back in December, Porter and I went to see the Renaissance: A film by Beyoncé in theaters. Honestly, had no idea how much I could be grinning in the hottest theater I have ever sat in during my entire AMC A-list phase. Beyoncé’s craft is undeniable from start to finish. She is a force for not only women in the music industry, but shares her stage by bringing in emerging and historic black artists throughout her creative process. I wanted to pay homage to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album release last week that bridged the disco pop Renaissance into a country groove era with such effortlessness, it is practically a novelty. “Spaghetti” features Linda Martell — the first Black woman to play at the Grand Ole Opry. Also, you had me at a Jolene cover.
I recently read a story in Gentlewoman on Nova Wav — a producing duo that has skyrocketed and wrote for artists including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, and more. Brittany “Chi” Coney and Denisia “Blu June” Andrews actually wrote 8 (!) of the 16 tracks on Beyoncé’s Renaissance album. Just reminded me how many behind the scenes hands go into any album. Learn more about these two here.
I Have a Woman Inside My Soul
The song “I Have a Woman Inside My Soul” by Cornelia Murr scratched an itch in my brain that needed to be scratched! To add to my absolute glee— I found out that the original song was written by Yoko Ono! Hard to say that anyone can outdo Yoko, but Cornelia does an excellent job at adding her own personal twist. Something about these lyrics almost begs an anthem to the modern day woman finding her way inside herself:
I wish I knew what she says
I wish I knew what she wants
I wish I knew what she says to me
I wish I knew what she means to me
Maybe this is an extreme comparison, but this song reminds me of the utter surety that Tammy Wynette belts out “Stand by your man”; The two songs feel juxtaposed in the best way. Let me know if you agree or think this is ridiculous.
One Way G
Mac Demarco’s 2023 album “One Way G” has not nearly been talked about enough. Except by Emma Chamberlain who always seems to be on top of the latest. (Did I buy her line of eyeglasses from Warby Parker the second my doctor told me I couldn’t read the fourth line? You caught me.) Watch them giggle it up here in her podcast that I listened to last June. I took a dive into this expansive 199-song work this week and was thrilled to take note of my favorites in the same comforting analog-date-time-stamp that I use at my desk job for PDFs. Favorites include: 20191215 & 20191229.
Hoa
This winter I won my first video game called Hoa. The process honestly increased my self-efficacy (laugh, it’s fine). The plot essentially makes slim sense but involves a lot of jumping on things. But, the soundtrack has no notes. I recommend playing the game first so you can reminisce on the journey of an estranged fairy from it’s family as you listen <3.
Underdressed at the Symphony
By Faye Webster, this album really has been a grounding one during a New York three-week-long rain fest. I didn’t think that she could top “Come to Atlanta” or “It’s Not a Sad Thing” but there she goes! This paper-doll-style tennis / formal outfit had to be featured for obvious reasons.
A Calf Born in Winter, Khruangbin
Not much to add here, other than that I could listen to this song for an entire day and still feel calm. I hope you have something to listen to right now that reminds you:
Find all of the music mentioned on this playlist here!