Let’s take a moment to reflect on the music that made us hip this past spring and summer.
Enjoy.
Elegant Ensemble – May Rio
May Rio is the Brooklyn indie scene’s Gwen Stefani. She once fronted the exciting guitar group Poppies (à la No Doubt) before embarking on a successful pop-oriented solo career (à la Gwen Stefani). Similarities continue in this somewhat lazy comparison as May and Gwen are both blonde, uniquely eccentric, and naturally melodic.
May Rio is the Brooklyn
indie scene’s Gwen
Stefani
On Elegant Ensemble, May Rio rearranges her electro-pop-rock songs into classical compositions, reimagining her short-sleeve-over-long-sleeve t-shirt era originals for an audience that prefers white gloves, bonnets, and big Victorian gowns.
By replacing the guitars, synthesizers, and drum machines of her original compositions with a cello, saxophone, and grand piano, May’s vocals and lyrics take prominence. The emphasis on May’s words generates increased curiosity and appreciation for the stories she’s been telling.
If you’re not familiar with May Rio, definitely check out her debut album, Easy Bammer, her sophomore release, French Bath, and her first band, Poppies.
Summer Weather & Everything Is Right in Its Place – film studies.
film studies is the DIY project of laid-back country-indie rocker Tom Higgins. Tom released three records over the past 12 months, serving indie hooks on a lo-fi, DIY, does-he-really-know-how-to-play-any-of-the-instruments-he’s-using platter.
Tom sandwiched the warm weather months of 2024 with two releases: Everything Is Right In Its Place and Summer Weather.
Like all great slacker rock, Everything Is Right In Its Place is personal, catchy, and doesn’t seem to care. Tracks like “The Tea” nod to Weezer in its “hip-hips” and singing/rapping-like style: lyrics like “Pass me the rock I’m spotting up from three,” pay homage and updates “What’s with these homies dissin’ my girl?” The track “Pickup” strongly supports the recent thesis that indie rock can be country, an idea that probably traces back to Alex G but has grown since the releases of Wednesday’s Rat Saw God and Florry’s Big Fall and The Holey Bible.
film studies’ latest EP Summer Weather includes my two favorite film studies tracks: “Honeymoon” a song about newlyweds in Portugal (obrigada this and obrigada that) and “Flowers” the slacker song of the summer.
Baggy$$ – Fcukers
DJ’s: Just press play.
YOU’LL HAVE TO LOSE SOMETHING – THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
The Spirit of the Beehive has mastered the art of making albums that run like one giant song. Where other notable one-big-song feeling albums can sound like they’re more or less the same song (Nonagon Infinity) or feel like a bundling of unrelated songs (second side of Abbey Road), The Spirit of the Beehive distinguishes itself by living in a sweet spot somewhere in the middle.
Like any The Spirit of the Beehive album, or any classic album for that matter, You’ll Have To Lose Something gets better the more you listen to it. And like those previous SotB releases, notably Hypnic Jerks, Entertainment Death and i’m so lucky, You’ll Have To Lose Something is best enjoyed in an existential haze.
Brooklyn: Mark your calendars, as Greenpoint’s Warsaw will host The Spirit of the Beehive on Thursday, November 7th, 2024.
Kuchu Best of Fishmans – Fishmans
From the saunas of Brooklyn to long car rides upstate, there is no time or place I will pass up the opportunity to talk about the Japanese alternative group Fishmans.
Kuchu, also titled “Kuchu Aerial,” is half of a best of Fishmans compilation. Initially released in 2005, it was re-released digitally and on vinyl in the summer of 2024, which gives me an excuse to mention my favorite band.
The word “Kuchu” roughly translates to relief, sky, or air, a fitting title for Fishmans’ music’s breezy nature. Composed of echoing soundscapes, psychedelic grooves, and sunny melodies, Fishmans’ Kuchu transports the listener into distant memories of summer.
As far as summer compilations go, a burned copy of Kuchu is in my CD collection right next to The Beach Boys’ Sounds of Summer.
Pinball – MIKE and Tony Seltzer
This 21-minute album is there for you when Biggie and 50 Cent feel passé. The confidence of these Native New Yorkers is contagious and ultimately infectious.
“They know my name in my city, I’m feelin’ like Jeter.”
Opus – Ryuichi Sakamoto
“He conjured emotions we don’t yet have names for” – Sophie Monks Kaufman
Given the context of Opus in Sakamoto’s life, I’m thankful for this performance and album. I welcome listening to Opus at any time and I suggest the 2023 documentary on a Saturday night you decide to stay in.
RIP Ryuichi Sakamoto
Bonus: More notable releases and songs from the Warm Weather Era of 2024:
Releases:
Your Day Will Come – Chanel Beads
American Seraphim – Christian Cail
Zinger – Dog Date
Kabutomushi – Mei Semones
Wish on the Bone – Why Bonnie
Charm – Clairo
Songs:
Tired of Being Alone – Water from Your Eyes
まだ早い果物 / The Fruit not yet ripe – Mei Ehera
Lonely – Kate Bollinger
Gates of Heaven – Horse Jumper of Love
Take a Trip – TV Girl, George Clanton
Second Nature – Clairo
Tegami – Mei Semones
Perfect Hand – This is Lorelei
Don’t Have the Right – Nan MacMillan
The Dreamer – A Country Western
