Music taste is naturally a very opinionated topic of discussion, so when recommending it, I always try to combine a varied list of genres to listen to. These lists always compile what I believe sounds best or has a good flow to it. Despite this, it is important to branch out and try new things, especially music-wise. With this in mind, here’s what I’ve cultivated from this past week:
Rap:
“Usual Suspect” by Big Noyd & Prodigy
Why I chose it:
There is just a particular vibe about 90s rap that I love, and I think this song really captures this era. Prodigy and Big Noyd used this song to really display their talent, focusing on relaying their reputation to their audience. It is a classic track with a rhythmic drum loop that just sounds great.
Listen to it: https://youtu.be/81JGhiPO6LA?si=vwQuaWeWzPWRHm8-
Read more about it at:
https://sonichits.com/video/Big_Noyd_Feat._Prodigy/The_Usual_Suspects
Hip-Hop:
“Roses” by Outkast
Why I chose it:
Everyone knows “Hey Ya” from the “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” album, but I cannot believe this song isn’t more popular in comparison. It combines so much humor and pain, talking deeply about shallowness within relationships. It just gets stuck in your head so easily, and it may even be better than “Hey Ya” (which in itself is already such an amazing track).
Listen to it: https://youtu.be/gWju37TZfo0?si=-OOMBnDW_9_fGCLA
Read more about it at:
https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858488731/
Pop:
“The Subway” by Chappell Roan
Why I chose it:
There is a new Chappell Roan song- of course I’m going to recommend it. I have to be honest, I wasn’t that big of a fan of “The Giver” (do not kill me). Nonetheless, “Subway” was what we have all been waiting for, for so long. It is so devastating and perfect, and the double entendre at the end with “She’s got a way” and “She got away”? What!? I really recommend listening to this, even if you do not like most of her music, because it really is a beautiful song.
Listen to it: https://youtu.be/woLfAvD5iXI?si=CZ8pm2VHm9qEkE2N
Read more about it at: https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a65574351/chappell-roan-the-subway-lyrics-explained/
Rock:
“Synthesizer” Electric Six
Why I chose it:
This song is such a nice blend of rock and 80’s synth. Electric Six has a unique way of pronouncing words in their songs, so much so that I thought they were German for a hot second. As it turns out, they’re from Detroit. Either way, I personally interpret the song as the singer saying that his synthesizer is awesome and how good music can change the world. But all in all, I love these guys, and their whole “Fire” album is indeed fire.
Listen to it: https://youtu.be/J9ul4qLj0kQ?si=-R8m4g0aycxJOYAL
Read more about it at: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/2733-fire/
Indie:
“1000 Whispers” by Warmduscher
Why I chose it:
I can only describe this song as feeling not quite awake, like only getting two hours of sleep (but in a good way). It starts off so slow, then ramps up, then repeats the process and it comes together so well. Their “Whale City” album is just great, and I love how energetic most of the tracks are.
Listen to it: https://youtu.be/hBWgbMj2auw?si=yul_BLNwYOTnXof0
Read more about it at: https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/discovery/warmduschers-1000-whispers
Punk:
“Fan Club” by The Damned
Why I chose it:
I love simple guitar riffs like the one at the beginning of this song. The whole thing feels kind of fuzzy, but I think most songs from this genre and era feel like that. The entire song just seems to work together seamlessly in such a cool way and it has a really unique sound.
Listen to it: https://youtu.be/eq61uIImbU8?si=Mt1IilwzUIXld_s4
Read more about it at:
https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3458764513820556360/
R&B:
“Bobby James” by N.E.R.D
Why I chose it:
I named my electric guitar after this song, so it is easy for me to say that it is pretty good. Songs that have a storytelling aspect to them are so fun because you never really hear the story unless you are really listening to the lyrics and what they are saying. This song follows the story of a young man who gets hooked on drugs that make him sing to cope with the struggles of being bullied, only to end up isolated because of his addiction. The lyrics are so sad, but the rest of the song is so upbeat and overall it is the perfect mix.
Listen to it: https://youtu.be/tVLgZXHUKh4?si=m40OxTkd_agM7oJi
Read more about it at:
https://www.songmeaning.io/song/bobby-james
Country:
“Bartender Song (Sittin’ At A Bar) – Alt/Rock Mix” by Rehab
Why I chose it:
Even with a long song title, this mix is amazing. It has a nice drum loop repeated throughout the song and a solid chorus that will definitely get stuck in your head (speaking from experience). It has some rock themes, but once you listen to the lyrics, you will know that this song is definitely country.
Listen to it: https://youtu.be/pdEvL6jxUYA?si=8Ylo6sYlxQOm0DDU
Read more about it at: https://www.songfacts.com/facts/rehab/sittin-at-a-bar
Overall Just Sad Music:
“Working For The Knife” by Mitski
Why I chose it:
Mitski was bound to appear here at some point; most of her work is soul-crushing. I would recommend “I Don’t Smoke” or “Last Words of a Shooting Star” specifically from her Audiotree live performance (and I still do recommend those; they are amazing and so depressing). I wanted to pick a track from her Laurel Hell album, though, because I feel like no one ever talks about what a masterpiece it is. “Working For The Knife” has a theme that I think all of us can relate to: the fear of having to work until you drop dead. And when you’re able to relate to a song like that, it hits way deeper.
Listen to it: https://youtu.be/HYbXt4_r9Pw?si=llFJgv0G-ueY2_20
Read more about it at: https://amhsnews.org/6427/arts-entertainment/working-for-the-knife-mitskis-laurel-hell-and-the-exploitation-of-an-artist/
