A soulful single from musician and producer Stro Elliot that gives a late-evening drive feel. This song is a great listen for sunsets and warm skies. This song is also great for daydreamers who love a good instrumental.
Roaches Don’t Die – BbyMutha
The energy that is brought on this track packs a punch that made me stand up from my seat. Chattanooga, Tennessee artist, BbyMutha, will most definitely catch the attention of any new listener and is a great way to start her amazing album, “Muthaland.”
Sainte – Champagne Shots
Sainte brings his own personal touch from the U.K. to a track that will turns heads all over the world. This song is a wonderful soundtrack to a night in the city with some friends. The smooth basslines and dancing hats provide a feeling that can add a little bounce to your step.
Vet – Tony Shhnow
Tony Shhnow is bringing back a classic aspect of the trap sound with his own personal twist to it. Each of his songs are consistent and “Vet” is a perfect example of this sound. This song is great for a sunny day and getting active outside.
A beachy easy listen with a beat I’m obsessed with. Aminé’s rap verses add the perfect complement to this gorgeous track.
Maybe Chocolate Chips (ft. Ric Wilson) – CHAI
This track from CHAI’s recent EP is playful and vibrant. The music video released along with this track features really beautiful, unique animation style by Callum-Scott Dyson.
Japanese Word for Witch – of Montreal
Pretty, esoteric instrumentals paired with chill vocals make this song an instant favorite, especially if you’re a fan of of Montreal.
Seamstress – Little People
Vibrant and chill new track perfect for relaxing or listening while you get your work or studying done. Check out the newest Little People EP if you enjoy it, too.
Sunblind (Acoustic Version) – Fleet Foxes
A lovely folk-style song from the most recent Fleet Foxes album. Their new album, “Shore”, brings me back to my roots in the North Carolina mountains.
Listen to this week’s Friday Favorites, as well as my favorites from past weeks, on WKNC’s Spotify.
The Masego remix of KAMAUU and Adeline’s gorgeous single, MANGO, adds an extra special layer of appeal. Masego’s vocals added to this track is just what it needed to make it an instant replay every time.
Good Girls (Don’t Get Used) – Beach Bunny
Pretty bedroom pop meets surf rock in this new Beach Bunny EP. This opening track is so catchy, it’ll stay in your head all day. I can’t get enough of this band and especially this song.
SHELTER (ft. Wyclef Jean, Chance The Rapper) – VIC MENSA
VIC MENSA takes on a whole new style in this new single. Raw lyricism and relevant themes including COVID and Black Lives Matter makes for a beautiful track. Chance The Rapper and Wyclef Jean’s additions to the song just add to the appeal.
Think About It – Verzache
Verzache’s new album is everything an anti-pop lover looks for. Chill enough for your daily car ride but upbeat enough to keep you coming back for more.
Trophy – Crumb
A dreamy, chill song to invigorate your morning. If you like Crumb, you’ll love this new single.
Listen to this week’s Friday Favorites, as well as my favorites from past weeks, on WKNC’s Spotify.
One of my favorite aspects of music as an art form is that it inspires more music. It’s safe to say that every artist or band has once been inspired by someone else, and a clear way to show respect for a song or artist that you love, is by covering them. Covers, sometimes, can even become more popular than the original, as can be seen with Whitney Houston’s famous cover of “I Will Always Love You,” originally by Dolly Parton. No matter the context, I love covers, so here are some of my favorites.
“Swingin Party” covered by Lorde (originally by The Replacements)
Lorde, one of my favorite pop artists, loves bringing theater and drama into her music, which can clearly be seen in her cover of “Swingin Party.” This cover is perfect in so many ways, but perhaps my favorite quality about it, is that it fits so beautifully into her album, “Pure Heroine (Extended).” It takes a lot of skill and mastery for an artist to truly make a cover their own, but I think Lorde does an exemplary job of doing just that.
“Tim McGraw” covered by Maggie Rogers (originally by Taylor Swift)
Maggie Rogers puts a beautiful folk-pop touch on this originally country tune. Like Lorde, Maggie Rogers does an excellent job of making “Tim McGraw” her own. This cover is a Spotify Single, which is a series that Spotify does where they let an artist do a live version of one of their own songs, as well as a cover of a song of their choice. This cover came out in 2018, and I’ve loved it since.
“Say It” covered by girl in red (originally by Maggie Rogers)
Speaking of Maggie Rogers, girl in red did a Spotify Studio cover of “Say It” by Rogers. She puts a rock spin on the once folk-pop song, by making it more up-tempo (she shaves almost a minute off of the song) and adding more percussion and guitar. This cover was released in May of 2020, and was on repeat for several months of quarantine.
“Across the Universe” covered by Fiona Apple (originally by The Beatles)
Fiona Apple covered “Across the Universe” for the “Pleasantville” (1998) soundtrack, a movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire. I’ve been on a Fiona Apple kick for the last year or so, and when I discovered she had a cover of one of my favorite songs of all time, I was ecstatic. She doesn’t change much from the original, and it’s so lovely and dreamy. Her cover is just over five minutes long, but it floats by in an instant.
“Such Great Heights” covered by Iron & Wine (originally by The Postal Service)
Even though “Such Great Heights,” by The Postal Service has over 100 million streams on Spotify, I still believe it’s an underrated love song. Iron & Wine puts an acoustic spin on this electronic track, making it all-the-more touching and intimate. Like much of Iron & Wine’s discography, this song feels like a warm hug on a rainy day.
I adore all of these songs and the originals as well. I have an entire Spotify playlist dedicated to these, titled “covers and their counterparts,” which I would love for you to check out.
In honor of Women’s History Month, I’m featuring some of my favorite female artists and favorite songs they’ve done.
Spend Some Time (ft. Wade Coal) – Amaarae
One of my favorite artists, as you can probably guess by the album reviews of hers I have covered and the artist spotlight I wrote last month. Amaarae has done a lot for the advancement of women through music and advocacy, so she’s the perfect choice for Women’s History Month.
Beef FloMix – Flo Milli
Flo Milli is a bada** woman who is taking the rap genre by storm. From popping up on TikTok to running the “e-girl” scene, Flo Milli transcends the traditional limits of how rap is defined and truly makes it her own.
Good to Love – FKA twigs
FKA twigs is an extremely talented artist who is also a talented songwriter, actress, and dancer. She has gone through a lot in recent years including alleged abuse from a past partner but has remained strong in the face of everything.
Nunchucks – Doja Cat
Doja Cat has evolved immensely and increased her notoriety throughout recent years. Since her 2014 EP Purrr!, Doja Cat has been a strong female rap figure and has changed the way women are viewed in the industry.
If you’re an NC State student, or really a student anywhere, you know how stressful midterms can be. What’s been getting me through those long hours of late-night studying has (of course) been music! These are some of the songs I’ve had on repeat over the past few weeks to help cope with the mountains of homework:
1. Guts – Budgie
This song gets me PUMPED. Released by a somewhat obscure protometal band, it’s sure to make you get that astral projection feeling with those incredible riffs.
2. Easy Street – Amanaz
If you’ve never heard of Zamrock, I highly suggest you start here. Psychedelic funk reached every corner of the earth in the 1970s, including Zambia. Amanaz is a fantastic band that arose during this time, combining funk, rock, and psychedelia.
3. Stoned – Allah-Las
This song comes off a compilation called “Psych Versions of the Rolling Stones.” Allah-Las does NOT disappoint. I’m usually not a fan of covers, especially from such a prolific band, but Allah-Las does “Stoned” justice.
4. Who Do You Love, Pt. 1 – Quicksilver Messenger Service
This is my favorite track off my favorite album by Quicksilver Messenger Service. First-rate song, first-rate band!
5. Four Lead Clover Salad – Richard in Your Mind
I love the mind-bending sound of this song. I’ll be honest, I haven’t listened to much of Richard In Your Mind, but this is definitely one of my most prized songs on my repeat playlist right now.
6. Home Town – Witch
Witch is another Zamrock band that you just have to check out. They have a heavier feel than Amanaz, combining a garage and metal sound to their work.
7. Dove – Cymande
You! Can! Never! Get! Enough! Funk! The members of Cymande are the kings of soul and dressing impeccably. This track shows off their unique, hip style perfectly.
8. 1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be) – Jimi Hendrix
The day I don’t include at least one Jimi Hendrix song on my repeat playlist is the day I die. This song was released when Jimi was still apart of the Experience group and it’s one of the most epic tracks he’s ever released. At a whopping 13 minutes long, it has tons of weird reverb and experimental noises that perfectly compliment his signature riffs.
9. Knowing That I’m Losing You – The Yardbirds
Jimmy Page’s brief time with The Yardbirds proved to be formative years that set him up for future songwriting opportunities. Even though this track was originally released by The Yardbirds, it would later turn into Led Zeppelin’s “Tangerine.”
The weather is finally getting warmer here in NC, and all I want to do is sit on my porch with a nice book, a cup of tea, and some springy tunes. It’s hard to believe that daylight saving time is right around the corner! In honor of the longer, warmer days ahead, I’ve decided to put together a playlist filled with my favorite springtime songs. These tracks give me sitting-in-a-garden-feeling-the-sun-on-my-skin type vibes and I hope they do the same for you!
1. Peach Fuzz – Tyler, the Creator
One of my favorite singles from Tyler, this song just oozes sunny, spring vibes. Even just the title makes me want to go fruit picking!
2. Not Fade Away/Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad – The Grateful Dead
The Dead are the masters of all things jammy goodness, and this track is no exception. I love the beachy, lovestruck sound to this song.
3. Run to the Sun – N.E.R.D
The title “Run to the Sun” says it all. Pharrell’s signature funky style sticks out especially on this track from the N.E.R.D trio.
4. Tangerine – Led Zeppelin
“Tangerine” is actually the song I named my show after! I love the gentleness of it, and it’s one of my all-time favorite Zeppelin songs.
5. The Girl From Ipanema – Stan Getz & João Gilberto
The idea of starting off Spring without some Bossa Nova playing in the background is despicable. This Brazilian classic will for sure remind you of sunny days.
6. One Rainy Wish – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
One of Jimi Hendrix’s softer songs, this psychedelic ballad is filled with lyrics that seem to worship mother nature herself.
7. Hit Me Like That Snare – alt-J & Rejjie Snow
This is one of those songs that I just wish were longer. The bridge at 0:53 is absolutely fantastic.
8. Raspberry Jam – Allah-Las
Allah-Las are arguably the kings of modern surf rock. This song, off the soundtrack of “Self Discovery For Social Survival” is a great testament to that.
9. Sparks – The Who
Even though this track is just an instrumental, the upbeat, soft strumming reminds me of sunshiny afternoons.
10. Dancing Barefoot – Patti Smith Group
Patti Smith is an absolute icon. Period. “Dancing Barefoot” is one of her more pop-leaning songs, but it reminds me of spinning around in the middle of a bright, grassy field!
11. An Idea – IAMNOBODI
What a great little random track! Featuring Emmavie, Zacari, and Josh J., this song is the pinnacle of R&B perfection.
12. Ivy – Frank Ocean
It would be injustice not to include at least one Frank song on this playlist. Though it’s a bit melancholy, for some reason this track reminds me of the shift from Winter to Spring.
For me, 2021 has been about finding music new and old that is good quality and worth listening to. This is evidenced quite clearly by this list being composed of music with release dates that span from 1998 to 2020. Let’s not waste any time and get straight into my February Favorites.
“Let’s Get Out” by Life Without Buildings
Up first, we have “Let’s Get Out,” by Life Without Buildings, an arbitrary but joyous song comprised of slightly nonsensical lyrics. Despite this, it is so addicting to listen to, as the words and phrases seem to have no real meaning behind them, causing them all to flow into each other beautifully. The lead singer of the band, Sue Tompkins, talk-sings amongst an addicting guitar melody engineered by Robert Johnston, upbeat percussion headed by Will Bradley, and a groovy bass-line by Chris Evans (not to be confused with the famous Marvel actor Chris Evans). This song feels like sunny days in January, and I can’t help but smile as I sing along.
“When It Hurts so Bad” by Ms. Lauryn Hill
This year, I finally listened to the critically acclaimed album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” which as a whole has been a favorite of mine thus far in 2021. In the hook of this song, Lauryn Hill laments the question “When it hurts so bad, when it hurts so bad / Why’s it feel so good?” Hill displays her stunning vocals throughout this song, especially in the chorus. The outro of the song, like a few others on the album, includes a skit of a teacher asking a classroom full of students what love is. Following that story throughout the album is very fun, and makes it all-the-more cohesive. This track is the ultimate song to sing along to in the shower.
“Tarantula” by Wavves
Despite what the title might make you think, this song is not about arachnids, but rather the perfect angry-for-no-good-reason tune. It simultaneously is an upbeat dance tune, while also having fairly nihilistic lyrics, which is my personal favorite type of song. The chorus loudly asserts “Every morning / Toxic waste / Everything sucks / If you don’t get your way.” Wavves makes great indie-rock tunes and this song is a prime exemplar of that fact.
“Simple Math” by Kid Sistr
Kid Sistr started releasing music last year, and it would be no understatement for me to say that I’m obsessed. “Simple Math,” is a beautiful indie-rock ballad about the hard cycle of getting over a relationship. The chorus, which I love to poorly sing along to, goes “I keep falling back on simple math / It’s all I have / Trying to subtract you / Coming back to simple math.” The intricate lyrics, clean vocals, and slow and somewhat haunting instrumentation comes to a head at the end of the song, where the lead singer belts out the last couple of lines. Kid Sistr is an excellent band, and I especially keep coming back to this song.
“The Breeze” by Dr. Dog
“The Breeze” is a folkier song from Dr. Dog, a band that tends to lean more toward the genre of rock. This track feels like a winter in the Midwest in a comforting way that I can’t put my finger on quite completely. The folky nature of the song feels like a mixture of Fleet Foxes and “Norwegian Wood” by the Beatles. I can’t speak high enough praises of this song and the pure nostalgia it brings to me, despite only listening to it for the first time a few weeks ago. The lyrics are poetic in nature, my favorite section being the first chorus, which goes “Do you feel like you’re stuck in time? / Forever waiting on that line / If nothing ever moves / Put that needle to the groove / And sing.”
This song is very classic Men I Trust vibes, if you like the band you’ll love this new single.
yesterday – frumhere
A new single from my one of my favorite lo-fi beat makers.
Caution – KAYTRANADA
A chill new song from KAYTRANADA; perfect for working out to.
Gang Signs (ft. ScHoolboy Q) – Freddie Gibbs
Another great single from Freddie Gibbs since his recent album, “Alfredo.” ScHoolboy Q brings more of a top-100 vibe to the song but Gibbs keeps it unique.
Jealous (ft. Rico Nasty) – Mahalia
Mahalia’s strong, sweet vocals perfectly complement with Rico Nasty’s harsher rapping. You can definitely see how Mahalia’s style has evolved recently through this song.
It’s Valentine’s Day! I feel so full of love every time I think about the people who listen to my show every week, so I decided to make a V-Day playlist just for y’all! Filled with classics, newbies and lots of romantic goodness, it’s all the lovey-dovey songs that I’m obsessed with. The full playlist is about almost two hours long, but here are of few of my choice favorites:
1. I Love You So – The Chantels
The Chantels are most known for their hit single, “Maybe,” but “I Love You So” has to be the most romantic song they’ve released. It just makes ya feel good.
2. Sweet Thang – Shuggie Otis
I’ve been super into Shuggie Otis recently. His work on the steel guitar is impeccable and I love how he mixes funk and the blues. “Sweet Thang” is a great ballad perfect to listen to any day of the week, but especially on Valentine’s.
3. I THINK – Tyler, the Creator
“IGOR” has to be one of the most prolific albums released over the past couple years. I love the way Tyler has softened and really refined his work. “I THINK” shows off the hopeless romantic he really is.
4. Still Together – Mac DeMarco
I remember listening to this song over and over again in 9th grade when I first heard it. Five years later, and it’s still one of my favorites.
5. Nancy (With The Laughing Face) – Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra is one of the original masters of the romantic ballad, but this song really makes me misty-eyed. Written about his wife, it’s so beautiful and heartfelt.
6. Prototype – Outkast
The lyrics say it all: “I hope that you’re the one/ If not, you are the prototype/ We’ll tiptoe to the sun/ And do thangs I know you like.”
7. Hey, Hey, What Can I Do – Led Zeppelin
“Hey, Hey, What Can I Do” was originally released on the B-side of the “Immigrant Song” single in 1970. It’s a soft, acoustic track, displaying a side that the iconic heavy rock band rarely showed.
8. Girl – The Internet (feat. KAYTRANDA)
Syd’s vocals on this song are fantastic, especially since they’re mixed with the rest of The Internet’s funky instrumental talent.
9. Not Fade Away / Goin’ down the Road Feeling Bad – The Grateful Dead
Is your love bigger than a Cadillac? As per usual, the Dead show their mastery of feel-good, eclectic rock in this live version of “Not Fade Away.”
10. Paris, Tokyo – Lupe Fiasco
Last but not least, “Paris, Tokyo” is a sweet song about love that crosses borders and travels around the world. It’ll always be one of my favorites!
Make sure to check out the full playlist below for more tender jams!
