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Gonna kick things off with a tune Iāve had on repeat pretty much all year long. Everyday, I Donāt by Anna Domino is one of those rare tracks that makes you feel warm, isolated, hopeful, and subdued all at the same time. Itās been a go-to source of respite for me throughout this historically shitty year. Not to like, be a total āmy life a movie frā dude but listening to this song while biking through the city at night really is an inimitable vibe. Truly cathartic. I will be listening to it on repeat while I write the rest of this newsletter.
Dec 8, 2020
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If you only know Doja Cat from her hit singles, viral TikTok sounds, and trollish online antics, you might be surprised to learn that she had a deep career on Soundcloud long before she would first boldly declare "bitch, I'm a cow".
As a teenager, Doja would scour YouTube for songs to turn into beats and vocalize over. One such song was Com Truise's Brokendate, which forms the foundation of 4 morant (better luck next time), uploaded to Soundcloud in 2012 when Doja was only 16 or 17 years old. She eventually took down the song, and generally refuses to acknowledge it (likely due to the very personal lyrics), but it recently had an official release under Com Truise (to whom she did not give credit in her initial upload).
As for why I recommend it: this song is just perfect for those late nights when you're in that dissonant state of hurting deeply while being too apathetic to acknowledge or do anything about it. You feel stuck and a bit impulsive and very alone. Damn, no one gets it. Then in a sudden moment of clarity, emotion comes spilling over you. I cry from my eyes to my feet, stairs to the street to the gutters to the seas. You sit in that feeling for a while, but then it washes away, and you're left in your habitual resignation. Sigh... better luck next time. Better luck next time.
Feb 1, 2024
I have always really loved the song and I find it melancholic and unsettling, yet hopeful. It has this almost lazy groove in some parts of it, and this almost chaotic thrumming beat in other parts of it. When I close my eyes and sway to it I don't feel self conscious at all, I just float and nod my head. I think people would hear it and think of all the times I have put this song on and just danced about and it'd make them smile.
Aug 2, 2024
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alter ego by doechii and jt!! been loving doechii for a long time, but this song really stood out, especially coming out on the same day as cowboy carter and a bunch of other highly anticipated releases early this year. listening party with the girls and we all said YUP it's her year now and forever.,.,,love being on the ride love being in da swamp!!
Jan 3, 2025
Top Recs from @shyam-mervana
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I recently revisited this book of photos by Michael Jang, an incredible photographer whoās been documenting life in California since the early 70s. Jangās photos distinctively capture the sincere humanity that exists in San Francisco but is often overshadowed by todayās pervasive tech bro agenda. Thereās something extremely tight about how he was able to capture high-energy situationsāāfrom parties at the Beverly Hilton to punk shows at the Civic Center Plazaāāin a way that just feels so tranquil. As a Bay Area native, I deeply appreciate his work and hope you will too.
Dec 8, 2020
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For somebody that works in podcasting, I hardly ever listen to them. NPRās new show Louder Than a Riot, however, is the rare exception. Hosted by Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael, the show interrogates the relationship between mass incarceration and hip-hop by diving deep into the experiences that artists like Bobby Shmurda and DJ Drama have had with the criminal justice system. Iāve been fucking with Rodney and Sidās music coverage for a while now and this pod really highlights their skills as storytellers.
Dec 8, 2020
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Okay, I know everyoneās been recommending this, but it really is that good. Lovers Rock is the second film in Small Axe, Steve McQueenās five-part series about Black life in West London in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The movie follows a crew of West Indian Londoners through a night at the coolest party Iād probably never get invited to. Theyāre spinning jams, drinking Red Stripes, and falling in love. I weirdly really fuck with all movies that take place over the course of one night and this one is no exception. Itās visually gorgeous, the soundtrack is vibey as fuck, and the fits are astounding. Check it out on Amazon Prime Video now.
Dec 8, 2020