#SOTD: Billie Eilish - “What Was I Made For?”

image courtesy of Jack Bridgland

I will spare my rant on how fucking hype I am about the Barbie movie for now to talk about Billie Eilish’s contribution to BARBIE THE ALBUM, the introspective ballad, “What Was I Made For?” Eilish sat down with none other than Zane Lowe to share details around how the song came to life and the way the meaning behind the song evolved as the song channeled its way out of her.

I won’t share all the nitty gritty details, but initially when she began working on the song with her brother FINNEAS the lyrics were written solely from Barbie’s perspective. The story goes that after writing the first couple of verses and the chorus, she proceeded to drive around playing the demo in her car everywhere she went. At some point while driving around it suddenly struck her that what she was writing was exactly how she was feeling, which then led her to be able to complete the song somewhat quickly.

Eilish also shared that around this time period that her and her producer brother were in a bit of a dry spell creatively, so having this song come together as quickly as it seemingly did was much needed for the siblings.

There’s a lesson here about being unafraid to experiment with your approach to your respective creative output. Sometimes a shift in perspective is all you need to get reconnected to your most authentic form of self expression. Also you should absolutely watch the whole interview, especially if you’ve been feeling a little creatively stifled.

#SOTD: Moritz Simon Geist - “Grams”

image courtesy of Moritz Simon Geist

Last week German media artist Moritz Simon Geist unveiled his latest piece, GRAMS, a collaborative short film with filmmaker Robert Arnold. GRAMS takes you through a brief dystopian journey through dance, color & weirdness.

After entering cyber-reality through a portal, the protagonist (played by Gero Dumrath) seeks solace in a vibrant, weird and drug-infused reality, filled with dance and distorted vision. The short film is soundtracked by Geist, who leveraged his electronic music making robots to create the dark downtempo distortion-laden dance track, incorporating AI-vocals courtesy of Portraitxo and dadabots. The Videowork was produced in Dresden, Germany between 2020 and 2022, and features dancers Charles A. Washington and Jule Öft.

#SOTD: BENEE - “Bagels”

image courtesy of BENEE

Happy Saturday, lil sweet sweeties.

When I was still living in Brooklyn, it wouldn’t surprise you to learn that bagels were part of my weekend self-care. As often as it was possible, I would get up first thing in the morning, swing my respective bagel and coffee spots, and then head to the East River where I’d chill on this one bench at Grand Ferry Park. I’d sit there awhile, headphones playing something soothing, and just stare at the water while I had my breakfast, reflecting on the week that had just transpired.

I always felt like a new woman once I left that park bench, so my brain already associates bagels with good mental hygine. However, if carbs aren’t in your current self-care routine, Kiwi cutie BENEE has cooked up something that is equally if not better for your mental health than my sausage, egg, and cheddar on a toasted garlic (WITH S&P AND HOT SAUCE!🙏🏻).

Her track “Bagels” actually uses musical elements identified by Auckland University of Technology (AUT) neuroscientists to relax the nervous system, modify brain activity and ease feelings of anxiousness. Additionally, neurological testing on teenagers and young adults found listening to “Bagels” lowered levels of “state anxiety,” which is the type of short-term anxiety experienced in stressful situations. The track also calmed brain activity in the frontal and parietal lobes – the areas often associated with regulating emotions and the fight or flight stress response. 

“I’ve always seen music as a kind of therapy, but it was fascinating to learn why certain sounds move your mood,” shares BENEE “”BAGELS” was a totally different creative process for us: every aspect, from the beat, the natural soundscape and harmonies, to the subtle message in my lyrics, “you are not alone,” is designed to take away feelings of anxiousness.”

Bonus! All income generated from “BAGELS” will be donated to Youthline, a ‘with youth, for youth’ organisation that has supported young New Zealanders for more than 50 years, including those struggling with mental health and other issues.🥯

#SOTD: Disclosure - “A Little Bit”

image Credit: Rafski Wojnowski

A few days ago, British duo Disclosure went full sneak attack on all of us, revealing that today they would be releasing their fourth(!) studio album, Alchemy, a first on their brand new imprint, Apollo Records (via AWAL Recordings). I remember the day that the brothers tweeted they had been released from Universal and have been curious if that would have an impact on how they would approach their follow up to 2020’s ENERGY, an album that may have singlehandedly maintained my sanity during lockdown.

“This record is a celebration of us feeling liberated right now,” says Guy. “We’re no longer signed to a major record label. We’re not going to tour this record. We can do whatever we like and be super creative.” If you’ve yet to make time for it today in the few hours that it’s been available to the public, lemme tell y’all: if this is what liberation sounds like then we all gotta get free, you feel me?

Although I’m eager for the play counts to show up on their artist profile on spotify because I’m curious how the fandom will take to a surprise release, I have no doubt that “A Little Bit” is going to be a standout track, if not ⚡️the⚡️ standout track. I know I’m a sucker for a solid flirty song, but something about the bouncy melodies as Howard swoons, “I said, ‘Maybe…Maybe we can be a little bit in loooove’” has made me consistently grin with each spin like I just got a text from a crush. I know they’re not planning on touring this record, but I have no doubt someone is gonna be smooching on a dance floor to this song tonight. God that’s so fuckin cute to think about. 🥰

Alchemy  was written while the British duo were at two very different points in their lives. On one hand, Guy was recently married and settling into a new home in Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Howard was reeling from heartbreak and exhausted from a 150-date tour. Alchemy was an obvious title: “There was this combination of deep heartbreak and sadness, but also deep admiration and appreciation,” Howard says. “Let’s turn this horrible feeling into something beautiful. The whole idea was to channel pain into beauty—which, in hindsight, is always the aim.”

🥹

#SOTD: London Grammar x SebastiAn - “Dancing By Night”

SebastiAn and Hannah Reid of London Grammar Image credit: Julien Mignot

Last week French producer SebastiAn and UK trio London Grammar released “Dancing By Night”, which is part of a brand new remix collection, London Grammar - The Remixes, which is slated to drop next Friday (July 21) courtesy of Ministry of Sound..

While I’ve really been enjoying the fashion show soundtracks for Saint Laurent that he’s been doing, I’m really excited to see him involved in something that’s more in the direction of his studio albums. His latest album, Thirst was easily my favorite album of 2019 (as well as my most treasured souvenir from my first trip to Paris - that’s right, she’s got that deluxe 😎). Speaking on the collaboration with London Grammar frontwoman Hannah Reid, he shared “Her pure and powerful voice is a world by itself and a gift to me, an incredible experience being able to cross her intensity and my music. Hannah looks quiet, but she’s strong,”

#SOTD: Big Black Delta - “X22”

Image courtesy of Big Black Delta

You know those days when there’s this electrifying energy in the air and it’s so powerful that you’re able to notice it the second your eyes open first thing in the morning? Idk what has gotten into me today, but it def seems like one of those days that whichever direction I end up pointing my energy some shit is about to ⚡️go DOWN⚡️, you know what I mean? Like not sure what ✨it✨ is yet, but I know that there will be crushing of aforementioned ✨it✨.

Kinda hype to see what shakes out today, NGL.

Anyway

I have concluded that if you were able to distill all of that energy and smush it into a waveform that it would sound something similar to, “X22”, a track from Big Black Delta’s self-titled debut album, which was released back in 2013.

Speaking of noticeable energy shifts, we’re due for the release of Reworks Vol.1 fairly soon, which will feature fan favorites from previous albums, taking each track into a different direction (presumably a bit on the unplugged side judging from this teaser on instagram). Word on the street is that he’s also planning on dropping full length numba 5 this year with details to follow as they are announced.

2023 we’re gettin’ it, LFG! ✨

#SOTD: Bullant - “U Wunda”

image courtesy of Bullant

When it comes to new music I live for the thrill of the hunt. 🤩 Getting PR emails is cool and whatnot, but nothing brings me more joy than stubmling my way into something mind blowing and being like, “I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING 🚨RIGHT NOW🚨!” That’s how it was when I came to know Bullant, which for a blessed chosen few [so far] know is the side project of Joey Walker from King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard. Today’s select, “U Wunda”, is a boisterous bop that’s reflective of Walker’s production abilities outside of his usual duties making music with King Gizzard.

From the looks of things, he’s been releasing tracks under the moniker since the beginning of the pandemic with longtime friends PHC Films, whom he frequently collaborates with, including videos from other previously released tracks “High Rivals”, “Sensitive Crap Opera”, “German People”, and “The Simpsons Suck Now”. It’s wild, I’ve been working my way through his catalog and everything fucking slaps. Crazy to think this is just hiding in plain sight for anyone to find.

IDK about y’all but I’m def to be here as one of the chosen few, you know what i mean?! ✨

And yeah ofc as usual anything I stumble into is almost always somehow an Aussie angel, lol. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’m really starting to think the algorithm knows something I don’t about how much I’d like it there. 

#SOTD: Yuksek - “Fantasia (Feat. Alex Rossi & Jo Wedin)”

image courtesy of Yuksek & Marco Dos Santos

When we talk about ✨songs of the summer ☀️ they always seem to be these huge energetic pop-facing tracks, but IMO we don’t give enough love to the tracks that make the fullness of the dance floor sustainable regardless of the time of your summer soiree. French groove master Yuksek seems to be able to craft these crucial concoctions with the same level as ease that I feel when I’m excitedly reciting an artist’s catalog and my respective field notes for each release to someone on the outskirts of fandom. “Fantasia” is the opener from his latest album, Dance’o’Drome and is undoubtedly a track designed to lull you into a sexy subtle sway as a means to cool you down a bit so you’re able to literally dance the night away. It’s also a sign from the universe that we all need more Italo disco in our lives. That might just be me, but I think we both know I’m right regardless.

Speaking of excitedly reciting an artist’s catalog, Kono Vidovic over at Dirty Disco Radio wrote such a fucking gorgeous review of Dance’O’Drome that all I can think to add to his notes on the record is, “I am especially very happy to be alive listening to this.”