While most of us are working or studying for home, it’s important that we can all have good background music that allows us to focus in on what we’re doing while contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. I have compiled a list of all the best albums that help me focus. Most of them are instrumental or lofi-indie albums, which I think are the perfect mix between songs that aren’t distracting but are still entertaining.
Ecstasy – Disclosure
This EP came out fairly recently, and is one of the easiest for me to vibe out to while doing homework or blogging. A lot of the EP includes samples from old songs compiled into an overall great instrumental compilation. I really recommend the whole EP for studying.
April In Paris – Grove Street Quartet
This jazz EP by Grove Street Quartet is short but sweet, and though I normally don’t absolutely love jazz music, this project is both energetic and listenable while completing any difficult tasks. I like the romantic tones the quartet uses and think it’s a great addition to any study playlist.
Ambivalence Avenue – Bibio
I absolutely adore this album, and it is one of my all-time favorites even outside of instrumental music. Bibio is an artist who has masterfully created the perfect atmospheric tracks, especially on Ambivalence Avenue. My favorite from the album is lovers’ carvings, and I definitely would recommend that song specifically.
How Are You – Mounika.
This album and artist are exactly what I love to listen to while working. This type of electronic mix always helps keep me upbeat. I love the simplicity of the vocals, especially on Cut My Hair which samples a song I really like by Cavetown.
This is all I have for now, but hopefully I’ll be able to post a part two eventually. Hope you all enjoyed this list, and it helps you finish everything you need to do.
Hope you guys are all staying well! Here are some of my recent favorite new(ish) releases with a bit of description.
Intro (i m sorry) – Mounika.
This new single is such a pretty instrumental, lofi-chill beat. I love the sampling and how it comes together for such a simple and relaxing melody. Just give it a listen, and you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Black Qualls (ft. Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, Childish Gambino) – Thundercat
I reviewed the Thundercat album in depth, and if you haven’t read the blog yet I totally recommend checking it out. This album is a really amazing continuation of Thundercat’s discography and especially like this song for all the musicians featured on it and how soulful and deep it is; it makes me just want to dance.
12.38 – Childish Gambino
Overall, I was not super impressed by the new album this track derives from. Unlike a lot of Glover’s previous albums, this one felt rushed and had less depth and emotion than I prefer. However, I do really enjoy this track and have been playing it all week. I like how Childish Gambino plays around with different styles all within the same song and how it is so experimental and out there compared with some of his past music.
Tokyo Drift Freestyle – Rich Brian
I wanted to include this one because I think Rich Brian has one of the best voices in rap right now. I have really liked his 88rising projects as well as this song and its music video, which he made while quarantined in his house. I really like the creativity paired with such a popular beat.
Snoopy – zack villere
This song is super out-there and weird, which is a definite plus in my eyes. I love zack villere’s vocals and especially enjoyed this recent album, this song it ends on in particular.
As always, you can check out all of my Friday Favorites from this week and past weeks on my Spotify playlist.
Artist Record Label 1 FIT FOR A KING “Breaking The Mirror” [Single] Solid State 2 AS I LAY DYING “Destruction or Strength” [Single] Nuclear Blast 3 ASKING ALEXANDRIA “Down To Hell” [Single] Sumerian 4 CURRENTS “A Flag to Wave” [Single] Sharptone 5 INGESTED “Impending Dominance” [Single] Unique Leader 6 THE ACACIA STRAIN “C” [Single] Rise 7 THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Verminous Metal Blade 8 METAL CHURCH From the Vault Rat Pak 9 TESTAMENT Titans Of Creation Nuclear Blast 10 AUGUST BURNS RED Guardians Fearless
Porter Robinson recently announced his second album, titled “nurture,” on his Instagram. It’s been four years since he released his last single, Shelter, and six since the release of Worlds, his first album.
Porter released his most recent single, titled “Get Your Wish,” this past month. I definitely recommend giving it a listen, it is an upbeat mix of instrumentals and interesting vocals so reminiscent of Porter’s previous projects. There is definitely more of a pop/EDM influence in this most recent track, which I hope will continue with the release of the rest of the album. The single is Porter’s response to his four-year hiatus. He posted an explanation of the song on his Twitter, stating that the single is about “finding a reason to move forward, even if it’s not for your own sake.” Porter has been relatively open about his struggles with creating music and enjoying the process within the past few years, and this single reflects his renewed motivation and the reason behind all of it: to “move people the way music moves [him].” The song is available on all major streaming platforms, and the music video is already up on YouTube.
I’m so excited to see the storyline of nurture. Porter’s first album, Worlds, follows the story of a post-apocalyptic world where humans and machines collide. From my perspective, the Worlds album begins with a descent into a new world. The album progresses to depict the intertwined relationship of a human and a robot who depend on each other for survival in a world of chaos and war. The final song of the album, “Goodbye To A World,” is almost haunting. The human has left the robot (perhaps in death or by entering a different dimension), and the robot reflects on their time together before it shuts down forever. Each song on the album has a unique melody and detailed narrative. The stories Porter Robinson is able to create within all of his tracks and their visual counterparts are some of the most vivid I have ever found in music.
Ahh Jungle Rot, and no, I am not talking about Tropical ulcer, that is just nasty. I am talking about the American death metal band from Kenosha, Wisconsin. The first time I heard of and saw Jungle Rot was at the 2015 Mayhem Fest. Me and my dad mainly went to this festival to see King Diamond, and wow! At this festival, we also saw Thy Art Is Muder and Whitechapel. Right when we got to the festival, Jungle Rot was playing. At first, I thought it was Obituary! When I was waiting to get a Thy Art Is Murder shirt, Jungle Rot was at their booth meeting fans.
Fast forward to 2019, I started listening to Jungle Rot! I was hooked on their song Paralyzed Prey for the longest time. Their songs are about zombies, war, battles, and everything in-between! What I really like about Jungle Rot are their grooves. They are insanely groovy and it is the traditional groovy death metal sound. I love them so much; I never get tired of them. I got to see Jungle Rot with Deicide in June of 2019 and they were awesome!! I pushed my way to the front during Jungle Rot’s set and they absolutely killed it. I also go to meet their touring drummer at the time and he was really cool. I would definitely recommend seeing Jungle Rot when you get the chance.
Jungle Rot formed in 1992 as a side project by Jim Harte and Joe Thomas, members of the Illinois thrash metal band, Prisoner. The band’s name refers to Jungle rot, an infection of the feet, which people develop in the jungle when their military boots are left on. They are an aggressive style of thrash influenced death metal. They are known to integrate slow stomp melodies within their style.
Current Members:
Dave Matrise – vocals and guitars
James Genenz – bass
Geoff bub – guitars
Spense Syphers – drums
Discography:
Skin The Living (1996)
Slaughter the Weak (1997)
Dead and Buried (2001)
Fueled by Hate (2004)
Warzone (2006)
What Horrors Await (2009)
Kill on Command (2011)
Terror Regime (2013)
Order Shall Prevail (2015)
Jungle Rot (2018)
Favorite Songs:
A Burning Cider
Paralyzed Pray
No Mercy
The Unstoppable
Send Forth Oblivion
Demigorgon
Have you seen Jungle Rot? What are some of your favorite songs?
What’s going on Butcher Crew?! We have been cooped up in the Butcher Shop for one whole month! Can you believe it? I know that I said that there aren’t any exits in the Butcher Shop, but I’m kinda getting some cabin fever. Apparently, The Saw’s Butcher Shop is not essential. But that is okay! We can still stretch, hang, grind, and chop up some tracks from home!
This playlist is a part of the Viral Infection series, but it has been infected with some grooves! All these songs have the theme of rotting, viruses, infections, plagues, pandemics, death, the apocalypse, and zombies, etc. These songs are also very, very groovy. So get prepared to jam out to these tunes in your house. Blast these tunes all the time to spread the love of the Butcher Shop!
We find ourselves in unprecedented times so I curated this list of podcast recommendations of shows that will inspire you, provoke you, or make you laugh (or cry). With more of us (shout out essential workers) staying at home amid these anxious times there is need and yearning for connection. Let’s connect through the most fundamental human art form storytelling, stories provide us with a means to connect, inspire, and many more wonderful things. This list was curated with my personal favorite podcasts that I believe everyone will find interesting featuring shows about big ideas, to shows about the small interpersonal stories that tug at your heartstrings. So, let’s find a new podcast to binge!
Ministry Of Ideas
A small podcast about big ideas “that shape our society” from spiritual machines and transhumanism to the need to have an economy based on grace, this podcast tackles the big questions of society and definitely will engage you intellectually and broaden your perspective on various interesting topics.
Lore
A thrilling podcast about the dark side of history every two weeks host Aaron Mahnke explores true life scary stories. Well produced and well narrated this podcast is a very entertaining podcast that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Myths and Legends
Jason Weiser brings humor to classic myths and legends that we may or may not be familiar with. Jason Weiser narrates myths from different cultures from classical Greek to India and everything in between, think you know these classic stories? Well, listen to these classic stories with a witty spin.
Serial/This American Life
This American Life is a podcast about stories specifically American stories with content so diverse it’s hard to put into a few sentences. Check this podcast out for great stories that can inspire you, make you laugh and can definitely make you cry.
Serial is a podcast from the creators of This American Life is another podcast about stories, Serial takes one story over a season exploring different angles and depths of the particular story making it an engaging podcast that millions of listeners have enjoyed.
Civics 101
A podcast about civics, civics is so important to our lives that a podcast refreshing us about how our government works is so important. Even if you do not consider yourself a political person you should at least have fundamental knowledge of how government works and this podcast is a great resource.
This Land
An assassination in 1889 and 1999 murder case crimes decades apart play into an important supreme court case in 2019 that involves half of Oklahoma and five tribes. This Land is a limited series podcast that explores the background of a supreme court case that could be the biggest tribal land restoration.
5-4
The supreme court sucks! According to this podcast anyway, From the people who brought you Slow Burn this podcast explores different landmark court cases that involve hot topic issues like affirmative action, gun rights, and campaign finance hosts Peter, Michael, and Rhiannon breakdown the ideological battles in the courtroom through a progressive lens.
Wolverine Podcast
A scripted podcast from Marvel featuring one of its cornerstone heroes Wolverine, for my comic book fans and non comic book fans Wolverine the Long Night is a great gateway into the world of scripted podcasts.
The Left Right Game
A scripted podcast starring and co-produced by Tessa Thompson, the engaging story is worth a listen but it is backed up by amazing production with immersive audio; this story offers not just an suspenseful mystery story but an experience.
Jemele Hill Is Unbothered
An Original Podcast on Spotify featuring award winning journalist Jemele Hill. Jemele Hill interviews a who’s who in the entertainment industry but also politicians and activists to have interesting conversations.
Becoming Wise
In short episodes, most are less than 10 minutes, host Krista Tippett explores various topics that will make you wiser through the many interesting conversations she has with interesting people from Brene’ Brown to John Lewis become more wise with this podcast.
Optimal Relationships Advice
Optimal Living Daily is an audioblog where they narrate content to you and this particular audioblog is about relationships. And not just romantic relationships, although those are covered too, but other relationships everything from friendships and parenting. Get the best relationships content read to you for free, best deal ever.
How’s Work With Esther Perel
Couples therapist Esther Perel explores relationships at the workplace, from startups to family business and everything in between. In one time therapy sessions between co workers, co founders, and colleagues Perel unpacks the invisible forces that impact our relationships at work.
Good For You
Comedian Whitney Cummings interviews guests (friends, comics, celebs etc) every week. These interviews are never boring as Cummings comedic background is in full effect with every interview, listen for laughs….and more laughs.
Good One A Podcast About Jokes
A podcast about jokes sounds funny right but it is funny and informative. What makes a good joke? That is what this podcast is all about as comics break down their best jokes and find out what makes a good joke, you might see your comedic skills improve too.
Zig Zag
A business podcast about the changing course of capitalism? Sign me up, this podcast hosted by Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant this podcast will help you understand a multitude of things from cryptocurrency to identity at work and how work is changing plus many more pertinent topics to the modern workplace and modern life.
Listen if you like: Erykah Badu, Toro Y Moi, Flying Lotus
My favorites: I Love Louis Cole, Black Qualls, Dragonball Durag, Fair Chance
Hello all you cool thundercats and thunderkittens (sorry), I hope everyone is staying motivated and well-rested. Today, I want to discuss my thoughts about Thundercat’s new album, as well as a little bit of an artist background.
Stephen Lee Bruner, better known as Thundercat, has a long and diverse history in the music industry. He happened to be born to Ronald Bruner, Sr. who worked with iconic soul musicians like Diana Ross and The Temptations. From being in a boy band to working on the iconic album To Pimp A Butterfly, Bruner has gained prominence in the industry and has absorbed musical influence from a multitude of genres. Thundercat’s past works include the well-known album Drunk and features on albums by Flying Lotus and Mac Miller.
It Is What It Is has a funky and soulful vibe, and many of its tracks are more playful than Bruner’s past discography. The album has a surprising amount of artists featured like Ty Dolla $ign and Louis Cole. I especially love how each different voice comes together on Black Qualls, and I adore the vocals Childish Gambino and Steve Lacy provide. As one can expect, this album continues Thundercat’s trend of creating jazzy beats and rough, unfinished-sounding vocals. He delves into great emotional depth within this album. On Existential Dread he falsettos “I’m not sure, of what’s comin’ next/ But I’ll be alright.” The song fades perfectly into It Is What It Is, where Bruner wistfully sings out “So many things I want to say/ This is the end.” What impactful lyrics for all of us to consider at this time, when so much of the future is unsure. I find the questions of existence and love in the lyricism throughout the album to help guide me in my path of calmness amongst the calamity.
Hope you all enjoyed! Let me know what you think of this album.
This wholesome four-piece group from Vienna, Austria writes songs for a greater purpose than mere entertainment. Vitamin C, My Ugly Clementine’s debut album, tackles heavy topics such as gender equality, difficult breakups, and self-confidence. Though the band has been together for less than two years, it’s evident by this album’s impeccable composure that this group has already cracked the code to making ears perk up. The band is already known as a supergroup in the Viennese music circle, but are just starting to make promising strides in the U.S.
Instrumental on this album sounds very 90s, including guitar with an exact twinge of fuzz that makes you double check to see when this album was actually recorded. Don’t let the Summery sounds on this album fool you, there are are some meaningful lyrics at work. The first track on the album, Playground, has incredible sway, while clearly conveying the message that being a woman is not a handicap. The last track, Peptalk, is the slowest and most somber song on the album, but arguably the most uplifting, about a person reminding themselves of their individual value.
I appreciate the clear messages embedded in each and every song on this album. There are no excruciatingly vague lyrics that leave you struggling to figure out just what the heck the band is harping on about. I don’t mean to say that songs that leave some interpretation up to the listener are bad, but when lyrics are too generic, it just comes off as lazy songwriting.
Listen to this album if you’re having difficulty being alone with yourself during this quarantine, or if you’re in the process of defining your own identity. This album will empower you and remind you that you’re good enough. I’d also recommend this album to you if you like bands like Soccer Mommy, Haley Heynderickx, and Lucy Dacus.
Fun fact: I discovered this band in 2019 and I am kicking myself for not listening to this band sooner! I was strolling through some Instagram stories and multiple friends posted a screenshot of their album that came out in 2019, and I got to thinking, “who is this?” I started listening to their newest album and I fell in love with their sound. The pure intensity of the music with lots of double bass and blast beats combined with the deep gutturals of the singer makes my heart really happy. I have never seen this band live but I hope that one day I do. I feel like when the day comes that I get to see them, my reaction is going to be the same as the first time I saw Dying Fetus, in pure awe. They have easily became one of my favorite bands.
Devourment is an American death metal band from Dallas, Texas. Although they are considered death metal, I see them more as a slam band because the instruments are not played as “cleanly" as death metal. Slam has a more distorted and disorganized sound (though it resembles the beauty of chaos). They formed in 1995 following the breakup of the band Necrocide – the drummer, Brad Fincher, and guitarist, Braxton Henry then founded Devourment. The band has split up and reformed three different times leaving Fincher as the only original member. The band is currently signed to Relapse Records.
Members:
Ruben Rosas (vocals)
Chris Andrews (guitars)
Brad Fincher (drums)
Dave Spencer (bass)
Discography:
Molesting the Decapitated (1999)
Butcher the Weak (2005)
Unleash the Carnivore (2009)
Conceived in Sewage (2013)
Obscene Majesty (2019)
Favorite songs:
Cognitive Sedation Butchery, Sculpted in Tyranny, and Tomb of Scabs
Have you seen Devourment live? What is your favorite song by them?
