Music Highlights 5.9.2022
What is this, Jessie making a music post after almost a year of stopping them? Yes. Yes it is. Now I’m not saying that I’m guaranteeing anything, cause we all know how much of a failure I am at actually following through, but I am going to try to post roundups of the music that I’ve been into a bit more frequently than I have been. Although they can be a bit of a bore to do all the time (especially when no one is actually viewing them), I did like that it gave me the excuse to spend some time focusing on all the music that was coming out. If I don’t have these posts to do, I don’t allow myself to make the time, and I know I’m missing some good music. So, here’s to the grand return or whatever.
I didn’t know where to really start with this post, and so much of the year has passed that would make this post way too long if I was going to post all that I’ve liked since the beginning, so here’s a small sampling of the top of the top. Minus Dreamcatcher since I did a full review of the album that you can find here. I’m also switching things up and trying to ease off of things that create more work for me (no matter how small) and won’t be including what I’m looking forward to and spotlights. I hope to incorporate more full artist spotlights going forward and everyone gives out their comeback dates basically the week before they drop music now anyway. Keeping up with the dates just became a burden, and we’re trying to do that whole “working on our mental health” thing this year. Burdens are not wanted here.
King Gnu - 逆夢
I desperately need an album like yesterday, but I will settle with singles cause it usually means an album is in the future. Maybe. While this isn’t one of my top King Gnu tracks, it incorporates a lot of what I like with King Gnu: sweeping instrumentals and vocal lines.
Suzy - Satellite
I think it’s pretty clear that Miss A was one of the first girl groups I really got into, and so I’ve always had a spot for Suzy more as a music person than an actor. While her solos can be hit or miss for me, she always does things a bit differently and you never know what type of song you are getting. Satellite has that quality. I dig its indie quality, its quietness, and the breathiness in her vocals.
Tricot - エンドロールに間に合うように
Tricot just makes songs I like to listen to and music videos I like to watch.
Solji - Fade Away
Did we expect Solji not to make this list? If your answer was yes, then you don’t know me at all. Solji could sing the ingredients label on the back of a bag of chips and it would still give me chills.
Say Sue Me - Around You
This is such a fun song. Judging by this and the other song they’ve put our recently, To Dream, their upcoming album has the potential to be a favorite of this year. Around You is catchy and poppy with a constant beat that makes you feel youthful (even when the dread of the entire world and its crappy leaders are upon you). It almost takes me out of the dark places. Almost.
Big Bang - Still Life
I kind of had given hope on seeing Big Bang do anything anymore and had accepted that fact. I think Big Bang goes in and out of different music genres really well, and Still Life kind of proves that. I actually love that this wasn’t a big dance song. It’s underrated and quiet, a good introspective of where they are at this stage in life. Whether this means nothing in the future or a new something, I’m glad we at least got a good send-off.
AleXa - Wonderland
My BFF is currently competing on the NBC music show American Song Contest and she’s obviously doing great and wonderful, but the song is also really great. It’s catchy and I think works really well for the competition cause it allows her to show off how good she really is. AleXa is highly underrated, she’s got a good voice and is a good dancer. This song is a good showcase of it.
PURPLE KISS - Pretty Psycho
I wish this was what they followed Zombie with. It’s fun and quirky and yes I’m boring and love anything spooky and carnival but it’s also just fun and incorporates all of the girls’ unique voices, a huge advantage I think PURPLE KISS has over a lot of other groups out today. MeMeMe just kind of was meh in comparison. Not bad, just not PURPLE KISS.
Lanalogue - GOBLIN
If you’ve followed any of my music posts last year you’ll know that I fell deep in love with Lanalogue’s song White Light. It was one of my top songs and I had that thing on repeat. The problem was…it was kind of the only song I really liked that they had out and then I stopped actively looking for new music. I thought that it would stay a one-off thing for me, an oddball song, but here we are with another song I really liked. I haven’t had time to listen to the entire album, but am now super excited to check it out.
Jackson Wang - Blow
Do I have to say anything really? Yes, I love it. I’m a whore for creepy carnival music, haven’t we already established that? Give me the pipe organ intro. Give me the corsets. Give me the theatrics. Give me everything.
The Poles - High Tide
The Poles is easily one of my favorite Korean indie rock groups. Hands down they always give me what I want and I can consistently count on them for albums that I can repeat and live performances that match. The entirety of this new album is fantastic and I could equally pick any of the other songs, but High Tide caught me a bit more than the others.
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