Spring Forward, Volume Up
Cruise into April with this soundtrack
What makes a song stand out? What little piece of a song makes your ears perk up? What makes us like songs?
Sometimes it’s the melody or a specific rhythm, other times it’s an off-kilter sound of an instrument or the way a musician or singer is attacking the notes. Other times I think nothing of a song, only to fall in love with it weeks or months after the first listen.
Here’s a few standout tunes I’ve come across this past month or so, with a full playlist HERE and here:
Jerry Paper, “Bara To Yaju”
Jerry Paper (real name Lucas Nathan) is an electronic music producer and singer in Los Angeles. In high school, Nathan played bongos in the school band and was in the after-school Dungeons & Dragons club. Paper released a new album called “INBETWEEZER” in September.
Dee Edwards, “Why Can’t There Be Love”
Dee Edwards was a soul singer active in the 1970s. Tyler, the Creator sampled this tune on his song “Deathcamp,” and Adidas used a remix of this song for a 2010 ad campaign.
Miki Berenyi Trio, “8th Deadly Sin”
In the 1990s, Miki Berenyi was the guitarist and singer for the shoegaze band Lush. She’s now in the Miki Berenyi Trio, who have been touring and will release an album this month.
The Beginning of The End, “I’ve Got The News”
Funk band from Nassau, Bahamas who released two albums in the 1970s — they had a hit song, “Funky Nassau” in 1971 — before breaking up.
Errol Eats Everything, “Kingdom”
This is a track from his debut album, which just came out in February and is packed with anthems that feel like the soundtrack to a modern revolution. He has been called an MC and educator on the rise.
Miso Extra, “Certified”
British-Japanese artist Miso Extra grew up playing the violin and singing. She’s said that her influences are J Dilla, MF DOOM, Daft Punk, Kelis, and anime. Welcome to the Misoverse!
Stan Kenton, “Baia”
Kenton was a pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader who led jazz orchestras for nearly four decades, and is widely remembered for championing the idea of summer jazz clinics at high schools, to stoke interest in jazz music among teenagers.
MRCY, “Man”
MRCY are producer Barney Lister and vocalist Kojo Degraft-Johnson, who aim to combine the social consciousness of Marvin Gaye with the modern sensibility of Anderson .Paak and SAULT. This is a tune with a definitive vocal melody and distinct production: it sounds modern and old and dusty at the same time.
These and more tunes from these artists are up on Spotify in the MUSIC NERD “Spring Forward Volume Up” playlist!
Thanks for reading and listening to MUSIC NERD !