Welcome to the midway mark of 2017!… Can you believe we’re starting the second half of the year already? Summer festival season is in full swing. A boatload of major albums are about to drop over the next few months or be announced for quarter 4 (praying Years & Years has some answers for us soon). On the other hand, summertime approaching here in the Northern Hemisphere means I’m crippled with embarrassment to go out in public in sandals because I need a post Spring pedicure.
While the earth is going up in flames, do know I’ve got a nice selection of five songs this week for you to enjoy, and an armada of bonus content this week. Take your mind off some things, kick your feet up - enjoy!
Please reach out to me via the handy dandy contact page on the cmd+f website, or at the brand new cmd+f Twitter at @cmdf_me with your thoughts about any of the tracks I’ve selected this week. I love chatting about music. Let me in on your new favorite band; they’re looking for new fans, too.
As always, you know the drill: if you like what you hear, spread the cheer. Tell your friends about the songs you liked in this letter, but most importantly, let the artists know. There’s a good chance they’ll see your comments. Let them know how good their tunes are, and they’ll crank out even more magic.
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“Jinx” - IDA KUDO | I have to admit: when this song first came on, I almost switched it. I was trying to focus on a project at work, and luckily for the song, I couldn’t touch my phone in that moment and had to ride the song out. Good rule of thumb is to give a song at least 30 seconds– and if you’re patient, give it the whole damn song.It was worth sitting through because this chorus BANGS. For fans of Grimes and Little Dragon, “Jinx” is by far my most exciting song I’ve dug up this week. Not much literature floating around about IDA KUDO, but what I have found out she’s a Denmark-based Danish/Japanese artist making incredible experimental electropop pretty consistently over the last few years. Listen here
“Techno Parties” - Lustgas | The Swedes strike AGAIN! Even LESS information out there about this artist. This is the only song I’ve found by Lustgas (though to be honest I haven’t tried too hard). “Techno Parties” sounds a bit like a cross between Peter Bjorn and John at their campiest meets The Von Bondies (aaah, remember them?) forged together during the rise of peak early 80s Blondie. Sounds like a lot happening? Well, it’s ultimately a bangin pop tune. Listen here
“Further” - TOPS | Every music journalism outlet is losing their minds over the new TOPS tunes. I’ve fallen for it, too. Pitchfork describes their sound as “honey-dipped guitars and twinkling keyboards,” and “paint a picture as stark as heartbreak” with this track “Further.” When you hear the track, these descriptions will make a whole lotta sense. Listen here
“Fire Sign” - Sensible J feat. REMI and Sampa the Great | Australia got bars. Like, serious ass – Iggy Azelea has managed to make herself the face of Australian hip-hop, meanwhile they’re down there hiding REMI, Sensible J, and Sampa the Great!!! “Fire Sign” is fucking dope. Honest, groovy, funky, free. This got that pure 90s New York vibe. Listen here
“Theresa May (Bullshit)” - Cherryade | My babes Cherryade have bust out an anti-Conservative club ANTHEM. Never in my life did I think I’d want to shake my ass to “hide your shit like Theresa May.” The production on this is crazy as hell, and would go the hell AWF in a club. Speaking of Theresa May: the UK election is next week. I’m here to remind y’all if you are reading this and live in the UK, please remember to cast a vote for your local PM!! Listen here
BONUS
Those who are close to me know one of my faaaavorite genre’s of music to listen to is house music. NPR’s podcast Code Switch, which explores race and identity in American (and sometimes global) culture, have released an incredible episode on house and techno music. The episode highlight its origins in black/Latinx/queer communities in Chicago and Detroit in the early 80s, and explore dance music has devolved into yet another music culture imperialised and dominated by white male musicians in Europe. For music nerds like yours truly, those who aren’t familiar with the origins of dance music, or if you’ve got 20 minutes to spare, it’s imperative you give this a listen (and share with your friends). Listen here
LOTS OF NEW MUSIC THIS FRIDAY- BEAR WITH ME, BUT WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS
Feeling stressed about the state of the world? Arcade Fire will make it sound slightly more optimistic for at least 5:03 consecutive minutes. Listen here
Dua Lipa’s debut album is finally here! Don’t get too worked up though as half of the tracks have been released as singles……………………………………………. Nevertheless, I assure you’re still gonna bop till you drop. Listen here
NEW! BETSY! SECOND COMING OF CHER IS TOO REAL!! Listen here
Haven’t listened yet, but Halsey’s hopeless fountain kingdom dropped today. I can assure you it’s more a pop album than an alternative album. “Strangers” is the best song on it. Yep, I have determined “Strangers” is peak Halsey. Can't tell me otherwise Listen here
Liam Gallagher has gone solo. Like, purely solo - no Beady Eye bullshit. Still not as good as anything Noel’s written for him to sing, but it’s still a fucking belter. 9/10. Listen here
Oh, and have you had the chance to follow the official cmd+f Twitter and Instagram?
Once more, with feeling: IF YOU LIVE IN THE UK, PLEASE VOTE NEXT THURSDAY, 8 JUNE!!! REMIND YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
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If you’re interested in hearing what else I’ve been rinsing this month (aside from the tracks listed above), peep my personal June 2017 playlist. You can dive into the cmd+f archive to hear what I’ve been listening to in previous months this year.
A(lmost a)ll of the tracks I’ve shared this week and past cmd+f newsletters are archived into a single playlist on Spotify for you to follow here. You’re welcome.
See you next week!