NEW MUSIC FOR OLDS #78
Never expect me to take my own side in an argument
Welcome to New Music for Olds #79. Today’s newsletter is sponsored by Dionysius, the Greek god of wine, revelry and uncomfortable seating!
Remember last time, when I said there was too much good music to constrain myself to three measly songs? Well, I continue this trend of un-constrainment by bringing you FIVE new songs this week. To wit:
Music for streaking
A cozy classic, made cozier
The perfect late night stroll
D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Testicular peril
Plus, some lightly controversial thoughts on music consumption from someone smarter than me
Commence listenage!
GOOD STUFF
As always, your Glossary of Terms.
Obongjayar, “Not in Surrender”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Not in Surrender (single)
Nutshell: Joyful afropop
Voltage: 6
Thoughts: There’s enough energy in this dance tune to power a midsize city. I remember watching charismatic Nigerian Brit Obongjayar on Ye Olde Tiny Desk and thinking “Wow, if this dude ever develops a pop sensibility, watch out.” But I hardly expected a tune that would that would make me want to run naked through the streets. And this from a guy who hasn’t been naked since 2013! Thankfully, “Not in Surrender” comes in around three minutes, allowing me to regain control of my id before my balls end up fully flapping in the wind. Pray there’s never an extended dance mix! For the elementary school across the street, if nothing else.
Pairing Suggestion: STREEEEEEAKING!
Tera Lynne Fister, “Harvest Moon”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Flowers from the Ground
Nutshell: Alt-countrypolitan
Voltage: 3
Thoughts: There’s some strong writing on this debut album by Nashville (via St. Louis) singer-songwriter Tera Lynne Fister, so I feel bad singling out a cover tune. But the ear wants what it wants! When Neil Young released the original, I was a snotty 19yo, suspicious of anything overtly sentimental. What is this nursery rhyme shit? But the simplest melodies are usually the ones that stick and I now think of “Harvest Moon” as a near-classic. That little descending guitar motif never gets old, does it? Fister’s version de-emphasizes the main hook, in favor of lush ambiance. It’s not just easy listening, it’s the muthafuckin’ easiest listening.
Pairing Suggestion: Ordering a massage chair for your happy place
Okonski, “October”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Entrance Music
Nutshell: Hushed late night jazz
Voltage: 3
Thoughts: A few nights ago, I left my apartment around midnight to pick up some seltzer. For the 500ft sojourn to the nearest bodega, I clicked play on a jazz trio I’d randomly stumbled across earlier in the week. I already knew I dug it—pianist Steve Okonski exists on the bittersweet end of the jazz spectrum, like a post-breakup Vince Guaraldi. But under a bright moon and with nary a soul in sight, Entrance Music cast its spell. With no one waiting at home (Kambri and the dogs were upstate), I passed the bodega and kept walking, not stopping until 90 mins had gone by and I’d listened to the entire album twice. I felt serene, floating past Astoria’s quaint hodgepodge of darkened homes. Mine ain’t the prettiest neighborhood in NYC, but it has a distinct vibe—not “the city”, but not Suburbia either. I can’t quite explain why, but wee hour Astoria the music of Okonski go together like lemon and potato1.
Wait, one more thing: My untrained ear tells me this is an upright piano. Am I correct? If you’re the kind of person who knows, kindly sound off in the comments.
Pairing Suggestion: 24th Ave and Crescent, roughly 12:35am
Jason Isbell, “Good While it Lasted”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Foxes in the Snow
Nutshell: Naked acoustic
Voltage: 3
Thoughts: At this point, you’re either sold on Jason Isbell or you’re not. I’m a longtime fan, but I wouldn’t say I enjoy his albums equally. “Stripped down = better” is a music writer cliche, but in Isbell’s case I think it’s true. Therefore, I’m fully onboard with Foxes in the Snow, a guitar-and-voice affair from front to back. The unvarnished simplicity highlights Isbell’s gift for combining surgical songwriting with bracing vulnerability. The songs on Foxes in the Snow are, in one form or another, about Isbell’s recent divorce from fellow songwriter Amanda Shires. For anyone who saw the HBO doc “Running With Our Eyes Closed”, this likely won’t come as a shock. Honestly, my guy seems like a lot. Well, maybe not a lot a lot. But definitely more than you need.
Pairing Suggestion: Writing/reading a Dear John letter
Cloakroom, “Clover Looper”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Last Leg of the Human Table
Nutshell: According the band, “Stoner Emo”
Voltage: 8
Thoughts: Do you love heavy, sludgy shoegaze bands, but wish they’d loosen up a bit? May I present Cloakroom—or, as I like to call them: “Hum, but dumb”. To be clear, I’m not saying anyone in this band is stupid. But if you met these guys at a party, they’re not going to start mumbling about constellations or some shit. I’m not sure how I feel about this album as a whole, but “Clover Looper” will rock your balls. To those of you without balls, gotta say, you’re missing out. Not in general, testicleds are considerably more trouble than they’re worth. But man oh man, when that fuzzy guitar squeal hits just right, it’s like being slapped upside the nuts. In a fun way!
Update: Hold up, I’m being told there is no “fun way”.
Pairing Suggestion: Surfing on the hood of a Starfighter
Huh. Fancy seeing you here again.
And what do you have to say for yourself?
SOME BULLSHIT
I’ve spent a goodly amount of time thinking about this recent post by music writer Steven Kunze.
It’s about embracing your surroundings and not mindlessly distracting yourself with musical filler. I found myself largely in agreement, while at the same time feeling ever-so-slightly called out.
Writes Kunze:
In the age of WiFi and Bluetooth speakers, we seem to believe that every activity in life needs an idealized, artificial soundtrack, whether it’s working or unwinding, running or relaxing.
Tech corporations have instilled and nurtured that belief in us. Their aim is to “maximize engagement”. The longer we listen, the more indispensable they become – and the more profit they make.
In these hectic times, we’re not sitting down to listen and truly engage with music. Late capitalism forces us to stay in motion all the time. In that climate, we’ve allowed art to be devaluated to a stream of constant inoffensive background entertainment, stripped of context and meaning.
Yes. And also…ouch!
After all, how often do I frame the songs in GOOD STUFF in terms of how much faux-poignancy they provide my mundane day-to-day life? Just what the heck is my “Pairing Suggestion” bullshit, if not an implied belief that “every activity in life needs an idealized, artificial soundtrack”?
J’ACCUSE, FINNEGAN!
Where I think I’m in the clear is, I do spend a great deal of time sitting down and engaging with music. Too much, even! Also, the reference to Late Capitalism feels like a reach (as references to Late Capitalism so often are). Still, I take the author’s general point and I recommend taking seven minutes out of your day to read the piece in its entirety.
My larger point is, never expect me to take my own side in an argument. Your thoughts?
By the way, I decided to take Kunze’s advice today and went fully unplugged for my morning dog-walk. Without all that cursed music to distract me, I heard seven car horns, one police helicopter and two elderly slobs catcall a woman in Greek. Remember all those nice things I said about Astoria? I TAKE IT ALL BACK!
That’s all for today! Oh hey…
PROGRAMMING NOTE: I’m prepping for that Vegas thing next weekend and then I return just in time for my birthday and related festivities, so I may decide to take an extra week before NMFO #79. But who knows—if all this very good new music continues apace, I might not be able to hold off that long.
As always, I thank you for your support. See ya when I see ya.
That there is what we call “Astoria humor”.
Loving the Objongjayer? Sounds like some Marillion on crack.
REALLY digging the Cloakroom! Thanks for the recommendation!