Sunday Music: New Playlist For June 2021

Spring turned into summer while I was making this one. We went from windows up to windows down and from sweatshirts on dog walks to t-shirts. This playlist kind of captures the transition with enough mood for each season. Here it is on Apple Music and Spotify.

“Special Girl” by Dodie. The syncopations. So subtle and so infectious.

“Little Plastic Castle” by Ani DiFranco. Ok, so Ted Lasso’s goldfish speech reminded me of this song and I’ve been re-obsessing over it for a few months now. It’s soft enough to come after Dodie and those horns perfectly set up…

“ooh la la (Mexican Institute of Sound Remix) by Run The Jewels. God I love this remix. Definitely need the windows down for this one.

“Syrup” by Tkay Maidza. “Thick, sweet, sick / syrup.” Everything oozes on this one.

“End of the Road” by Noga Erez. The pop, the rhythms, the high-level concept – it’s a complete nerd banger.

“Cannonball” by Tune-Yards. An old favorite becomes a new favorite. I think the Deal sisters would be proud.

“Dirty Money” by Ida Maria. Sex, drugs and rock and roll baby. Complete with all the swagger.

“Brutal” by Olivia Rodrigo. I missed all of her backstory theatrics, but this kid’s got a thing going on.

“Transparent soul (feat. Travis Barker)” by WILLOW. Who knew she had this one in her? Anybody see this coming?

“I Ain’t” by Dinosaur Jr. For the kids that came before, respect your elders. How are they still so good? Have fuzzed-out power chords ever sounded better? “I ain’t good alone.” Damn.

“Party Lines” by Anna Fox Rochinkski. So maybe it’s a political thing, but this is a bouncy, funky party jam right here.

“Who Knows Who (feat. Franny Franklin)” by Orgone. All the party jam without the political statement. Just some good old relationship drama. I need to catch this band live.

“Bussifame” by Dawn Richard. House, hip-hop, dance – Prince would be proud of this.

“Nihilism” by L’Orange and Namir Blade. I love the spacey beat and existential philosophy. I’m a sucker for it every time. Plus it’s short, so we have to follow it up with…

“Imaginary Everything” by L’Orange and Namir Blade. That sample is gorgeous. I love this tempo.

“Hood Blues (feat. Westside Gunn, Benny the Butcher, and Conway the Machine)” by DMX. When I heard this come on I immediately transported to “Answers” by Lootpack. It’s a deep sample positioned in a way only Griselda and DMX could do it.

“Cataracts” by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib. I can’t have a classic Madlib sample without hitting some Madlib. This one has just been in my head and feels like a perfect ending to drive off into the evening to.

What’d you think? Got any suggestions for me for the next one? Send them in!