I only mention it 'cause it was such a scene

Nu Music Monday #15 / 22-03-21

Mar 22, 2021

Hey there,

I’m Red, and welcome to Nu Music Monday. Glad to have you here.

Every week I write quick bites about some of my favorite tracks released in the past seven days (-ish). I also go into the latest music news when I feel like it and share stuff I think is worth your time.

This week, on the menu: Lana Del Rey and bits and bobs along with wonderful new tracks across a wide variety of genres simply because that’s how the cookie crumbled.

The Curious Case of Lana Del Rey

Seven months after its initial planned release date, Lana’s seventh studio album, Chemtrails Over The Country Club, is finally out into the world. Breaking with tradition, the album is more hopeful, almost buoyant at times. Not-so breaking with tradition, it’s mostly about America for America and the record is entrenched in Lana’s special brand of oxymoronic grandeur: death & daddies, always. I live.

It really begs the question: sitting in my little French suburbs, should I care? Probably not. Do I care? Very much. But Lana’s dedication to her art is a double-edged sword. She herself cares more than she probably should: having just announced the release date of her eighth album, Rock Candy Sweet, (1 June, honestly, work) she said the work would address her critics. Not sure I want to hear Lana chirp about driving across America with leather-bound critics in her trunk. Actually, I kinda do, and I realize I’m part of the problem. So be it.

You can read my review of the album on Medium for a deeper dive into what’s new, what hasn’t changed and why the album is well worth your time.

Track of the week: Lana and Jack Antonoff’s latest masterpiece

Lana recollects the carefreeness of time before fame and brings us back with her in ‘White Dress’. The song encapsulates Lana’s most recent dilemma: she laments that what she gained in visibility, she lost in sincere consideration. It’s no coincidence now is the time she chooses to remember the specifics of those early days. When she whispers “I only mention it ‘cause it was such a scene / And I felt seen” we understand those times are brought back to mind to contrast with her current public disposition. Lana feels misunderstood. Whether she’s to blame for the (several) failed attempts at conveying intent through social media or not has been greatly debated. Well, it hasn’t been as much debated as it has been asserted—on our gentle slope to a one opinion-fits-all culture…

Back to ‘White Dress’. There’s something incredibly raw in how Lana pushes her vocals to a grating high-pitched rasp, squeezing her vocal cords for something new seven albums deep. And it’s beautifully complimented by the back and forth of Jack Antonoff’s arrangements. The drums and guitar glide and retreat like waves across the entire piece, arriving just in time to highlight the sprawling chorus and evaporating when the space is Lana’s to take. 5 minutes? 10? 2? Time stops: Venice Bitch might have found itself a worthy successor.

I listened to it so you wouldn’t have to

steven j. horowitz @speriod

i’m sorry but this MLK interlude on the Bieber album is the wildest choice i’ve witnessed on an album in at least a year

Also Bieber receiving a cease-and-desist from Justice for the album cover art is iconic.

House music, literally

Another delightful house jam from Laurence Guy. Also appreciate all the exquisite titles he’s blessed us with so far. Personal favorites include Making Music Is Bad For Your Self Esteem and The Sun Is Warm And Directly Above You, one which is sci-en-ti-fi-ca-lly proven and the second is only true at a specific time of day. It’s hard to get excited by much these days but this track ought to get things going for a brighter day ahead.

Welcome, Elliot

Read the brilliant interview of Elliot Page with TIME magazine where he talks coming into his own in an industry that makes it incredibly hard, privilege, and working for more visibility for his peers.

A magical short and its spellbinding soundtrack

Do yourself a favor and watch this animated short. This companion piece to the new collaboration between Boys Noize, Kelsey Lu and Chilly Gonzales is chilling alright. Delightfully strange. A masterclass in world-building under four minutes.

Pretty much

Sophie @jil_slander

Me as a cultural critic: idk I liked it

I have dreams in French—which I hear is pretty standard, being French and all

New dream pop release from French outfit Cortège and it’s everything you want it to be. One second you hit play, the next the sun is slowly rising in the distance; it’s the end of a long night out and you’re heading back home through empty streets, recalling lost lovers and dear friends you haven’t seen in ages. It’s the ending credits of a life well spent. Until the next morning, that is, when you wake up with the indelible “je ne veux plus te voir” refrain that’s decided to set up camp in your brain. You naturally decide to add it to a weekly newsletter you write because it wouldn’t be fair to the few people reading this not to include the song here.

No surprises here

unfriendly native hottie @t3rriaxo

i’m a creep, i’m a bimbo, or whatever radiohead said

Fit for a coming-of-age movie soundtrack

Back like he never left, because he didn’t

Honestly, Snoop really didn’t ever leave so I have no idea what that opening line is about. Seemed like he was featured on a new track every week in 2020. Forget about all these damn tracks because they don’t stand a chance against ‘CEO’. Rick Rock did the damn thing; deeply appreciated. Also:

Alex Scordelis @alexscordelis

Once I interviewed Snoop Dogg for a magazine, and he told me about a time he stayed in a 7-star hotel. I said, “I didn’t know a hotel can get 7 stars.” He said, “That’s ‘cause you’re not a player.” I still can’t believe how hard I walked into that.

Folamour, the reinvention

Folamour has been working on a totally different sound for this upcoming album and it’s been thrilling hearing the risks pay off. The new album is slated for a June release; here’s the title track. There are still too many house artists putting nondescript music out there and reaping the rewards from the habitual crowds: Folamour is not one of them. He risks losing an audience that’s change-averse but I trust he’ll more than make up for it with his rehabilitation of house within larger and more diverse genre spectrums. New listeners welcome.

Birthday dissolution haiku

hand habits @hand_habits

it’s my birthday and i just want to be music inside of it with no body just completely dissolve into the magic of it thank you

Craving a wee bit of techno, eh?

Highlight from Joyce Wrice’s debut album

The LA R&B songstress just released her debut last Friday. Although I’m not particularly enamored with much of it, this Masego joint venture is simply gorgeous. All of my concerns with some of the other cuts go out of the window to witness Masego cultivate evident chemistry with yet another up-and-comer. Enjoy.

Ode to interminable days and laundry lists

“Procrastinators hate him. He’s out to get them all. Click here to learn how he managed to never fear another long day ever.”

‘A Long Day’ is a fantastic hodgepodge of folk, neo-jazz and alt-pop. It’s also a showcase of how ridiculously talented Tomlinson is as a songwriter. You most likely don’t know him yet, but remember the name. MF Tomlinson is just getting started. Front row seat all the way.

J Balvin: from Colores to black and white

He’s one of the most commercially successful artists of our time. ‘Tu Veneno’ makes a good case for why he’s going to stay up there for a good while. Which reminds me, I haven’t done my Duolingo due diligence in a while.

More, more, more

Also check out these *nifty* new tracks:

Check out this Spotify playlist featuring my favorite releases of the month (so far).

Thanks for reading! Back soon with more great music & stuff,

I’m @red_dziri on Twitter.

Nu Music Monday