MGMT - Me And Michael

MGMT's had an interesting journey up until here (really well summarized here). I mean I'll always appreciate when artists value their creativity over their profitability so they automatically get massive cred from me (like that meant a damned thing though lol). About this actual album ... first off, I have to say that I really love their music videos, best described as creative irreverence ... that's a possible descriptor of some of their lyrics too ... bahaha. Rest of the album has a really good retro vibe. 4/5 digs!!

"Me And Michael" by MGMT from their 2018 album Little Dark Age

Rich Brian (featuring JojI) - Introvert

I was really excited that Rich Brian (formerly Rich Chigga) was finally releasing a full album instead of the onslaught of singles that he had been doing for the last two years. I really enjoyed the album and not even just for the music. I think a large part of my appreciation is for the narrative of Brian himself. 

He went from being a home-schooled dude learning a lot of colloquial Western English from YouTube to being featured on the Late Late Show with James Corden. And when you see interviews with Brian, you see that he's very well grounded and well-intentioned. The cynic in me does want to focus on what seems to be an element of naivete. But, as I think about it, I realize that's less important. People will experience a plethora of things as they develop as humans ... I'm sure he has many ups and downs to experience in his relatively short life/career so far. 

I think I appreciate Rich Brian for the same reason I had appreciated Alessia Cara when she first had "Here" out as a single: a young person pursuing an interest wholeheartedly and being able to make something out of it. Honestly, I think these types are people are just very good role models for teenagers and it feels like we can never have too many of those in this day and age of media saturation.

Anyway, that's the rant. Here's a link to one of the songs I really liked:

"Introvert" by Rich Brian (featuring Joji) from his debut 2018 album Amen

The LYNNeS - Recipe For Disaster

"Recipe for Disaster" somehow popped in my feed. The LYNNeS are Lynne Hanson and Lynn Miles, both of whom are well-known in the Canadian folk scene (I was really surprised they were based in the Ottawa-area). Coco thinks that this song fits us very well ... I think so too (in the most endearing way of course). Anyway, great song! Oh and they're playing in Toronto and Barrie ... very nice.

"Recipe For Disaster" by The LYNNeS from their 2018 album Heartbreak Song For The Radio

Third Eye Blind - Semi-Charmed Life

Oh, this song ... it came out ... a bit over 20 years ago ... Third Eye Blind just had a 20th anniversary re-release of their 1997 album. Well, I guess I saw Sloan's 20 anniversary of One Chord To Another a year and a bit ago. Yikes. Time's just ... passing by, innit. Also, lol at the censor of "crystal meth", 90's as hell.

"Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind from their 1997 album Third Eye Blind

Tei Shi - Baby

I remember going to Bestival a few years ago ... after reviewing the line-up ... I realized I really wanted to see the openers (namely Tei Shi and Alessia Cara). Ok, well, guess I'm a little late but Tei Shi released an album last year: Crawl Space. It's nice ... interspersed with dialogue documenting the dreams and insecurities of a young girl wanting to sing.

Anyway, here's a track I particularly liked.

"Baby" by Tei Shi from her 2017 album Crawl Space

Luby Sparks - Thursday

Back for another round
Suspended animation is a hell of a state of being
Just kidding
I've been doing things ... something ... or another

Oh look it's Thursday ... why not share a song about ... Thursday? Light Japanese noise pop ... sure takes me back to 2012 ... mm mmm.

"Thursday" by Luby Sparks from their debut 2018 album Luby Sparks