Is your opinion of me not my responsibility?

Nu Music Monday #34 / 02-08-2021

Aug 02, 2021

Hey there,

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

Every week I share 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.

It’s Billie Eilish’ time to shine, DaBaby’s time to retire and Lorde’s time to teach us how to eat hot sauce.

You’re welcome to subscribe now to receive future editions directly in your inbox. It’s completely free and you get to hear great new music every week!

Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever / review

Billie Eilish and Finneas capitalize on Eilish’s vertiginous rise to fame by broadening their palette on Happier Than Ever without ever trying to recreate the hits that got them in this position.

“Is my value based only on your perception?” asks a disenchanted Billie Eilish on the only interlude of Happier Than Ever. “Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility?”, she adds with biting lucidity. The track debuted on her Where Do We Go? world tour more than a year ago and still feels particularly relevant in the days of Twitter Stan Wars. Despite the world watching her every move, Billie Eilish delivers her second album with a promotional nonchalance that suggests the lessons learned along the way aren’t just for show.

Read my full review in Riot Mag.

The Nutshell ~ news of the week

Lorde makes history as one of the most unbothered interviewees ever on Hot Ones, eating one spicy wing after the other like she’s done it all her life.
Kanye has announced another listening event for Donda, now set for release 6 August.
Ariana Grande has teamed up with Fortnite for more money, power and glory.
DaBaby made a fool of himself and showed his true colours (as well as those of some of his peers). A timeline of events concerning him:
– he showed support for Tory Lanez after that jackass shot Megan Thee Stallion in the foot prompting a Twitter clash with the resident Hot Girl
– he then invited Lanez on stage with him at Rolling Loud on Sunday night despite Megan performing that same day there and a restraining order against Lanez (prompting someone in the crowd to throw their shoe at DaBaby–well-deserved)
– he made homophobic comments and spread disinformation on AIDS and HIV during that same performance
– after being called out online, he doubled back and made things worse for himself in a new offensive video
– a bunch of other rappers, including notorious scumbag T.I. and Boosie Badazz, defended DaBaby by arguing that if Lil Nas X was allowed to display his homosexuality as much as he did, others should be able to display their homophobia too (don’t get me started)
– Madonna, Elton John, Dua Lipa, Questlove and other public figures issued statements condemning DaBaby who then pretended he didn’t know who Questlove was (how can you not know who one of the pioneering figures of your genre is? bad look)
– Lollapalooza and other festivals cancelled their DaBaby slots. DaBurnnnn

I’m exhausted.

Track of the week: Flux - Poppy

New one for Poppy who just announced her next album (out in September). This one plays with expectations with a saccharine twist that wasn’t on the menu after that eerie intro. It’s giving very t.A.T.u. (I don’t remember which letter is lower/uppercased) meets Pussy Riot with some 90s grunge. Loving the contrast with that abrasive ending, what a trip!