De La Soul- Eye Know
De La Soul’s David Jolicoeur, aka Trugoy the Dove, passed away yesterday at the age of 54.
This song is from the band’s groundbreaking debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising. The album, as well as the rest of the group’s catalogue, will finally be available to stream on March 3rd, after years of legal disputes over sample clearances.
Rest in Peace.
Alien Boy- The Way I Feel
This song is from Alien Boy’s 2021 album Don’t Know What I Am. The band will be playing at The Echo in Los Angeles on Saturday (1/28/23) with Dazy and Object of Affection.
After some editing, here is a playlist of my top 100 choices for the best songs of last year. It was an interesting year for music as the world slowly (or in some places quickly) attempted to go back to some kind of normal.
Three artists from last year’s selections make a return appearance with new work- Madison Cunningham; Black Country, New Road; and Rico Nasty- who took the energy up a notch on a Fred Again.. club banger.
Alt-J, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Built to Spill and Nina Nastasia, returned with new work. Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead reunited to form a new band- The Smile.
It felt impossible not to love the energy of F.N.F (Let’s Go), GloRilla and HitKidd’s single lady anthem, or Flo Milli’s self celebration Conceited.
The playlist is a little more California-centric than others out there, which makes itself especially obvious in selections by J. Rocc, Erin Rae, and The Moonjacks.
As always the playlist leans heavily toward indie bands, however there are also some R&B songs included- like potential future classics from artists Jacob Banks, Lee Fields, and Lady Wray.
Songs about economic worries, creative struggles, grief, and, of course, love songs are in every year’s playlist and this year is no exception.
There were a lot of songs to love in 2022, hopefully this list introduces you to a few more.
Supercrush- Trophy
This song is from Supercrush’s 2022 EP Melody Maker.
They are playing in Los Angeles on Sunday, 1/22/23 at Permanent Records Roadhouse with Pile of Love, PHONY, Cosmic Joke, and Kora Puckett.
Not From England- The Kite
This song is from Not From England’s 2021 EP, for the second time.
The band is playing on Wednesday, 1/11/23 at The Smell in Los Angeles with Vaguess and Sales Team.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Spitting Off the Edge of the World ft. Perfume Genius
Every month I listen to the majority of bands/singers/musicians/artists who are playing in Los Angeles and then make selections for a playlist the following month. It includes a variety of genres and usually newer work by the artist. Linked below are December 2022’s selections.
This song above is from Yeah Yeah Yeah’s first album in nine years, 2022’s Cool It Down.
tstewart- isle of the blest
This song is from Elysian, the 2022 ambient album from Machinedrum, released using his alias tstewart. The album draws its inspiration from Elysian Park in Los Angeles.
For New Year’s Eve, Machinedrum will be playing a less relaxing set in Los Angeles at The Echo with Jimmy Edgar, DJ Bianca Oblivion, and Jubilee
Open Mike Eagle- I’ll Fight You
Every month I listen to the majority of bands/singers/musicians/artists who are playing in Los Angeles and then make selections for a playlist the following month. It includes a variety of genres and usually newer work by the artist.
The song above is from Open Mike Eagle‘s 2022 album, Component System with the Auto Reverse.
The Smile- Free in the Knowledge
The Smile is the latest project from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood with longtime producer Nigel Goodrich. Tom Skinner, formerly of Sons of Kemet, joins them as drummer. This song is from their 2022 debut album, A Light for Attracting Attention.
The band is playing two nights in Los Angeles (12/21 and 12/22/22) at The Shrine.
Leikeli47- BITM
This song is from Leikeli47’s 2022 album, Shape Up.
She will be performing at The Belasco in Los Angeles on Thursday, 12/15/22.