Related Recs

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i've never really listened to declan mckenna before but

this new album is so great, somewhere between dijon, vampire weekend, wallows and probably some more accurate comparisons from people more in the know. production is immaculate but not annoyingly clean, the mix sounds bright and lovely. no idea what he's on about sometimes but there's a lot of lyrics about the pressure of expectations. if you were to give it a go i would say check out elevator hum which is the one i that got me to listen to the album in the first place. LET ME KNOW IF YOU LISTEN and thank me later - shredddie

@shredddflanders

Feb 16, 2024

🪨

baths - obsidian

this is an album I return to in the fall/winter, and while it might not sound like a comfort album from the description i’m about to give it still plays a sort of comfort album role for me during this time of year where it’s easy to isolate and feel listless. this album was made in the midst of a period of debilitating illness for the artist that left him mostly bedridden for months at a time, during which he had little else to do but languish in his deteriorating mental and physical state. each song focuses on a different thought spiral that took over his mind in this time: his past relationship failures, his unhealthy coping mechanisms, his “inner demons,” and his increasingly frail body. though the subject matter is pretty bleak, the production and composition across the album is gorgeous, and the care that went into making the album reveals how music became an escape for Baths–a medium into which his suffering could be channeled into something which allowed him to transcend the restrictions of his illness and give meaning to his pain. I found this album during a time of similar struggles in my own life, and the album was a sort of companion to me throughout that period. It gave me some sense of not being alone in my experience, and if Baths could make it through his period of isolation and pain, then there was no reason to think that my own wouldn't also pass eventually. luckily it did, and now I can listen back to this album and find comfort in the role it played for me and also just enjoy it for being gorgeous music regardless of any personal connection I have to it. also I think it’s a hopeful album simply because it exists–a testament to Bath’s resilience as an individual and talent as an artist. and since he’s found health and happiness and gone back to making the very cute and wholesome music that is his usual style anyway all this to say if you tend to feel a little bleh this time of year and have a high tolerance for hearing other’s tragedies then this album is a great fall listen and oddly kinda cozy

@royallmonarch

Nov 1, 2024

🎶

bibio

dude has a pretty solid lineup spanning a wide spread of genres, all executed flawlessly, and he writes, records, produces, and mixes everything Silver Wilkinson (2013): spacious, almost ambient guitar ballads, all washed with reverb and decorated with field recordings. fav songs: Raincoat, You Won’t Remember…, Dye The Water Green, a tout a l’heure A Mineral Love (2016): a few songs are in a similar vein as the last album, this time a bit crisper and with the addition of some electronic elements. some moments are more funk/soul inspired. love the drum machines and clavs. fav songs: Town & Country, Feeling, Petals, Raxeira, C’est La Vie Phantom Brickworks (2017): the biggest switchup, a loop based ambient album interspersed with field recordings and samples, reminiscent of William Basinski, a concept album on the dilapidated ruins of the early industrial era that litter the Welsh countryside. also has a companion EP of Phantom Brickworks IV-V fav songs: Capel Bethania, Phantom Brickworks I-III Ribbons (2019): Bibio takes his usual guitar balladry but with a Welsh folk twist, all the songs are full of nature imagery. dude busts out the mandolin and fiddle on a few tracks fav songs: Curls, Beret Girl, Ode to a Nuthatch, Valley Wulf, Old Graffiti Sleep on the Wing (2020): FULL WELSH FOLK MODE. perfect morning music, lovely melodies and lush arrangements. dude plays all the parts too. fav songs: Oakmoss, Sleep on the Wing, Watching Thus the Heron is all Pool, Awpockes BIB10 (2022): his 10th album, more of a 80s pop vibe, sounds kinda like Prince. a lot synthier and groovier fav songs: Even More Excuses, Rain and Shine, S.O.L, Fools, Cinnamon Cinematic Sunbursting (2023): YACHT ROCK. steely dan vibes on this. fav songs: Sorry Won’t Cut It, A Matter of Fact, All of the Above, Sunbursting

@royallmonarch

Mar 7, 2024

Top Recs from @seiji

〰️

being on the same wavelength

there’s that little jolt of joy when you discover that you’re having the same experience as another person

@seiji

Mar 8, 2025

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90 minute movies

it’s the perfect length for me to watch after work , i can start a movie at 11 or even 12 & get to bed at the (mostly) reasonable hour of 1:30 at the latest . sometimes i will extend this to 100 or 110 min if i‘m feeling indulgent or ambitious . i could watch an hour of tv but this gives me a whole story in only a little bit more time .

@seiji

Sep 11, 2024

6️

my toronto day off itinerary

morning go to george st diner for breakfast if you’re in the east end , the people are the best there & i’ve never had a bad meal , they also turn tables at a truly impressive rate while never making you feel rushed .. real professionals at work 🫡 [irish breakfast is fantastic in all 3 sizes it’s offered in] -> {afterwards go across the street to window shop at haven if you’re into beautiful but expensive clothing} in the west end go to the federal it’s quick & reliable & cute , small menu but nothings bad [cubano & eggs federal are standouts for me] if you want a coffee i think hamers is the best in the city , they really care about what they’re doing & the prices are surprisingly reasonable in a world where a coffee can easily scrape $10 if you’re not careful ... rooms coffee also has a couple locations across the city & the spaces are thoughtful & beautiful & filled w/ the city's creative directoriest types afternoon ossington is a ridiculous street but there’s a couple great stores there if you like shopping , lost & found is great for high end basics & i miss you is one of the best designer consignment stores in the city . sonic boom probably has the biggest vinyl selection in the city but it’s also home to toronto‘a only genuine film photobooth , it’s so cute & fun to squeeze into the booth & get a little strip of photos to take home while around there you can walk around bellwoods & watch the dogs or get some great fruit & oysters from the farmers market if you’re there on a tuesday & head down the street to get a glass of wine at grape witches gorgeous back patio [they’re open from noon] you could also head west to high park which is huge & a great place for a picnic or a stroll museum wise the textile museum is small but always has something that takes my breath away , truly special exhibitions if you’re into textile arts for a snack stop by le’s sandwich [cash only] for a stunningly cheap & surprisingly good banh mi from the owner’s living room or make the trip up to st clair to go to futura granita + gelato exceptional vibrant flavours & unmatched textures .. best in the city & so worth the trek evening if you’re west you can go roncesvalles & catch a movie at the revue [the citys best theatre] , just go see whatever is playing the editorial team there is fantastic & the crowd is always fun ! pre movie you can browse vinegar syndrome if you’re into under seen/under distributed movies of all varieties , lots of beautiful re editions here by the house label as well as others for a nice dinner go to stop or mhel my two favourite restaurants in the city , seasonal & chef driven , both have small but passionate & kind teams who really care about the food & experience , definitely worth the admittedly high price to portion ratio , beautifully considered dishes & drinks but no fussy pretension behind them . more mid priced options are le swan or bar vendetta [both from jen agg the city’s most publicly opinionated restauranteur who is also one of the best] , dotty’s or cafeteria [one of the new dinner/dance club hybrid spots that are mysteriously becoming a thing here now] cafeteria in particular is headed by eric mcdonald who has been my favourite chef since she blew my mind with what she was doing at sakai bar a few years ago for drinks go to archive or little jerry for beautiful & interesting wine [little jerry in particular has fantastic warm sound & atmosphere & great vinyl dj’s setting the tone] or black dice for a fun japanese rockabilly cash bar this is so long sorry … but i love my city & i especially love the food & drink scene/community here i think it’s really something special 🥲

@seiji

Sep 17, 2024