October is here. October is here. I had to type that twice for it to sink in. October is traditionally a month that ushers in a plethora of music releases, and it looks like we're getting started off on the right foot with this week's shiny new Tune-Up. Let's take a look at a few of my favorite tunes for this week.
Bon Iver's new record 22, A Million has finally arrived. It's been a five year wait between their excellent self-titled sophomore album and 22, A Million. The new record shows the progress and experimenting sound Bon Iver continues to display on each album. "8 (circle)" is the album's most conventionally arranged track on 22, A Million and probably my favorite. That could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. The deep and often emotional lyrics from Justin Vernon are what make him an exceptional writer and you can see why with lines like this: "Too much for me to pick up, no. Not sure what forgiveness is. We've galvanized at the squall of it all. I can leave behind the harbor." 22, A Million is an album that may take a few listens through before you really appreciate it, but if you do, this might be an album that plays throughout fall and winter for you.
Last month Kid Cudi went on a twitter rant and it made headlines instantly. He proceeded to call out two of his biggest influences in Kanye West and Drake. Here is that very brave tweet: "Everyone thinks they're soooo great," Cudi wrote. "Talkin' top 5 and be having 30 people write songs for them. Let me tell you something: The days of the fuckery are over. The fake ones wont be lasting too much longer." Shots definitely fired. Now, we don't know the full story and why he would air that out on Twitter, but for now Cudi has two new enemies.
His most recent tweet was much less aggressive and pertained to his new album, Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin, originally slated for a 9/30 release, but now delayed due to some clearance issues. He also gave us two new singles from his new album, "Frequency" (Featured on this week's blog) and the Pharrell-produced "Surfin." Both new songs are welcomed with open arms and sound more in same vein of his earlier Man On The Moon records. which is a very positive sign. Cudi's 2015 Speedin' Bullet To Heaven was a huge misfire and one of the most disappointing albums last year. Stay the course, Cudi.
Jadu Heart makes quirky pop tunes that can vary between dance tracks and more thoughtful compositions. "Late Night" is a favorable song that definitely resides on the dance side of things. Here we have a balmy tropical sound mixed some funk, warm synths, sultry guitars and mournful vocals. I can hear an '80s influence all over this track, and Jadu Heart handles it well. If you like what you hear, give their new EP Ezra's Garden a listen.
Weekly Tune-Up XXIII
01. Bon Iver, "8 (circle)"
02. Tycho, "Source"
03. The Darcys "Coming Up For Air"
04. James Vincent McMorrow, "I Like Awake Every Night"
05. Computer Magic, "Gone for the Weekend"
06. Kid Cudi, "Frequency"
07. The Growlers, "Night Ride"
08. SOHN, "Signals"
09. CHINAH, "Can't Remember How It Feels"
10. Totemo, "Dreamit"
11. Vesuvio Solo, "Guardian"
12. Jadu Heart, "Late Night"
13. Arms and Sleepers, "Sooner or Later"
14. Sampha, "Blood On Me"
15. Over Sands, "Memory House"