New Listens 9/19 – 9/21: Curtis Mayfield, PUP, and PUP again – 365

We’re kind of in “bang out some posts” mode here. Hopefully you get some recs.

Only feel like reading about music you think you might like? I get it. Use these links to jump to reviews from Curtis Mayfield (Funk/Soul), PUP (Punk), and PUP (Punk).

Curtis Mayfield – Curtis (Funk/Soul)

A 70’s soul legend, Curtis Mayfield is known for his falsetto delivery that oozes soul, often over upbeat, robust instrumental tracks that are super funky, incorporating notes of funk (duh), soul, horns, and more. This album is best known for Move On Up (you might recognize the sample), but really is much more of a full fledged funk/soul album than just one song. Although I can’t help but think of the Chet Hanks Atlanta scene whenever I hear the name Curtis now.

Favorite songs: (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Down There, We’re All Gonna Go, The Makings of You, Move on Up, Underground

PUP – THE UNRAVELING OF PUP THE BAND (PUNK)

PUP was on this blog long ago, sporting a sort of emo-punk style that is more common in the genre than I thought. That 2018 album, Morbid Stuff, grew on me quite a bit and did have two songs in my “top songs 2023”. This latest album had some nice songs, but I felt like the more melodic direction of the band doesn’t really fit the lead singer’s style – which is kind of that not-really-that-good-punk-singer-but-works-a-lot style. There’s some songs here, but if you hated this, I would get it.

Favorite songs: Matilda, Waiting, Habits, PUPTHEBAND Inc. Is Filing For Bankruptcy

PUP – The Dream is Over (Punk)

You are going to think this band can’t win with me, but this album, compared to the last, is much more thrashy, much less melodic than the 2022 release, however it delves too much into that realm for me to be pleased with it. Morbid Stuff is like the perfect middle ground, and for someone who is a bit of a punk stickler, illustrates what I find to be the perfect balance between melody and lackthereof in a genre that is filled with much more thrashiness than coherent melody.

This is why I love Turnstile so much and think they are the best punk band out. Anyways!

Favorite songs: DVP

One response to “New Listens 9/19 – 9/21: Curtis Mayfield, PUP, and PUP again”

jishbo

December 6, 2023 at 7:55 pm

MAYFIELD: Curtis is one of the OG (if you can handle the slang coming from a “Boomer”, har). Yet here he is sounding as fresh and as tight, as always. Great rec!

PUP 1: “There’s some songs here, but if you hated this, I would get it.” Thank you.

PUP 2: Okay, I definitely like this one a lot better—it’s got some energy, with traces of the Suicidal Tendencies. Cool vid.

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365 – New Music Daily