365 – New Music Daily

I got new airpods.

Only feel like reading about music you think you might like? I get it (but come on, venture out). Use these links to jump to reviews from Phoebe Bridgers (Indie Pop), Sampha (Alternative R&B), Madvillain (Rap/Underground Hip-Hop)

Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher (Indie Pop)

Phoebe, boygenius, and all associated acts definitely represent a massive new fad in pop music – which is the Indie scene really becoming mainstream to a certain extent. Are those people as famous as the true pop acts that still reign supreme (some date members of the Chiefs, which is the worst storyline of 2023)? No, but they are massively successful and popular amongst the younger generation.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I wouldn’t say I went into it with any predispositions – which is obviously quite intentional, and probably inherent, in listening to new music – but I certainly wasn’t close to thinking this was going to be an album that I fell in love with. I don’t think the instrumentals were anything insane, pretty classic Indie Pop, but the songwriting is creative, Phoebe’s delivery works on me, and some of the songs are just simply catchy. Good stuff.

Favorite songs: Garden Song, Kyoto, Moon Song, Savior Complex, I Know The End

Sampha – Lahai (Alternative R&B)

Ethereal, dreamy compositions, beautiful songwriting and smooth deliveries fill a lot of this new Sampha record, which is certainly one of my favorites that was released in 2023. Sampha is a British singer perhaps best known for No One Knows Me Like The Piano or perhaps a certain song by a middle aged Canadian man named Aubrey.

I had never listened to a Sampha record in full but respected him from afar – Lahai was a great one to start on. Some of these songs are seriously poetic, and his deliveries are so incredible throughout – damn I love that falsetto. May not be as upbeat or catchy as your favorite song, but this is seriously some beautiful music.

Favorite songs: Stereo Color Cloud, Spirit 2.0, Dancing Circles, Inclination Compass (Tenderness), Only

Madvillain – Madvillainy

Madvillian is the duo of two incredibly respected individuals in their respective fields – Madlib, who in my opinion may be the greatest producer of all time, and MF Doom, who will definitely “frighten the dames” (for lack of another phrase) if played at a party, but is one of the most well respected lyricists of all time. However, he is firmly not for me, an opinion that will get me crucified in a circle of hip-hop purists. He basically raps like:

Et Tu Brutus, I scoop poop in your mind like Rasputin, Putin’s Goofin

I hope that illustrates my point well enough. This opinion of Doom turns this album from one that is widely regarded as the best underground rap album of all time into a demonstration of how fucking talented Madlib is. The production on this album is outrageously good. Sometimes I let Doom slide, but most of the time I’m just not into it.

Favorite songs: Accordion, Meat Grinder, Money Folder, Figaro