Hey, ya’ll! I just applied for a job at my favorite place in the world and am so excited to see if I get my dream summer job at Grimey’s.
After a week of listening to Beyonce and The Weekend, I decided it was time to switch up the pop-y/RnB pattern with something outside of my comfort zone. Popping into a surprise Americana show on Friday featuring Kasey Musgraves’ ex-husband, Ruston Kelly, I decided to jump into the Electronic/Metal section downstairs. The music wasn’t necessarily bad, just not the vibe I was looking for on a sharp and crispy night in April.
Downstairs, I met Will, a nice mid-twenties man with glasses and a potent enthusiasm for electronic music. I’m mostly a jazz and classical fan, to be honest. But after hearing Honey Dijon’s house beats on the new Beyonce record and her live house explosion at the Boiler Room x Sugar Mountain in 2018, I hopped into Chicago House. The plethora of samples off her hours-long DJ sets were perfect. Seeking something out of my comfort zone, I asked Will for some recommendations on a new frontier–-electronic music- a new adventure! After polite introductions, I hit ‘em with, “What beats are irresistible grooves? Certified dance-floor hits?” And boy, did he show me some fantastic albums I’d love to share with you too.
Off of Daphni’s album Cherry, I fell in love instantly with “Take Two” and “Cloudy.” Blasting the music at full volume through my Volvo speakers back to the suburbs of Green Hills, I couldn’t stop head-banging, and the rhythm of the bold techno, disco, and pure dance emanating from both tracks reminded me of being out on the dance floor with friends and jacking our bodies to the speakers. Nothing better. In fact, after looking up the album’s creator, Daphni/Caribou (aka Dan Snaith) originally earned a PhD in mathematics from Imperial College, London before taking a drastic career change and becoming a recording artist and electronic composer. Snaith says, “There are tracks on here that were made in the depths of the pandemic, when I was yearning for clubs to return and experiencing music collectively” (Snaith). It shows. You just can’t listen to Snaith without moving to the hard drums and direct disco-tech energy. The beat is addictive, and I suggest you take a hit.
But oh my god… Iglooghost rocked my world. After hearing Neo Wax Bloom for the first time, I knew I’d found a keeper. The infectious intro track “Bug Thief” by Irish producer Seamus Malliagh felt like an instant sugar high mixed with some Mario Cart and spring flowers. The abstraction of hip-hop beats through dense and fast tracks is a magical world I never want to leave. Also, “Super Ink Burst” feels like a middle school band concert from hell in the best way possible. I don’t know how someone made such a strange and frankly insane album, but I love it and can't wait for Malliah’s next project. In the meantime, I’ll be putting Neo Wax Bloom on my regular rotation and can’t wait to share it with friends! I already played it for Hemsath, Owen, and Juni yesterday, and it was simply the boppiest; nobody knew a word…just headbangs and good vibes.
I really hope I get the job at Grimey’s, because I can’t wait to discover new music. Going out of my comfort zone and trying out genres is becoming more fun the more I explore. Also, did you know that Nashville actually has a plethora of house and techno DJs, but only one place in town for people to come together in celebration of underground club music? Maybe I should try out this THUMP music place I just discovered. If anyone loves to dance and try out new music, hit me up, and let's go!
Also this album below is just a favorite of mine from middle school. The Pillow are a fun Japanese rock band with just the sass you need to jumpstart your day. I saw it hanging out in the stacks, and the picture took itself. Off of this album, I recommend “Crazy Sunshine” and “Nightmare” just for the feeling of listening to these tracks on the way to school on a nice day. Let me know what you think!!
- Parker Stack, Editor
Comments