Tuesday Tunes--June 14, 2016
Shaun Cordingley
This week, I wander into talking about Beck again, as I am wont to do, and then deliver a set of songs that are summer playlist ready (with maybe a wander into an 'end of the night' song) . Summer is something I just so happen to be thinking about a lot lately...maybe because it's 30* here right now...(Celsius...it's not below freezing, crazy Farenheiters).
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new and different music, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website, so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Wow - Beck
I know Beck is a lot bigger than 99.9% of the music I talk about on Tuesday Tunes, but as has been established everywhere on the internet, I am a big Beck fan, and "Wow", his latest track dropped last week (unfortunately after I had already written the previous Tuesday Tunes, or this would have been here earlier).
This is just another example of how interesting, and damn talented Beck is: this is a song driven by both an airy, somewhat loose soundscape, but punctuated by a rich baseline, and the standard poetic, and admittedly weird/trippy lyrics, that sort of strange beat poetry, that make Beck Beck.
It's Beck: you probably already know if you like him or not..."Wow", like "Dreams" is very much a throwback to pre-Morning Phase Beck, so if you are a fan of something like "Black Tambourine" or even "Devil's Haircut", you'll feel right at home here.
lovepeak - Sunbathers
Baltimore based indie alt band Sunbathers is next up this week with their track "lovepeak". This is a great, mellow alt-rock track; there is a strong, sun-drenched vibe to this song that is just perfect for a hot and hazy summer day. It's really the interplay of synth and drums, bouncing around the vocalist Sean Lynott's falsetto, punctuated by ripples of guitar that makes this one of those perfect summer playlist songs.
"lovepeak" is Sunbathers' latest single, but if you're looking for some more ready for summer alt pop/rock, check out their debut EP Intimacy.
Capsize - FRENSHIP ftr. Emily Warren
As I have said on previous lists, I am trying to make sure that I don't ignore electronic music, as it is where my roots are, it's just hard with only having 5 songs a week sometimes...
"Capsize" by Los Angeles based FRENSHIP, and featuring singer/songwriter Emily Warren (whose name you may not recognize, but she has definitely written some songs you would know, for artists like The Chainsmokers, Shawn Mendes, and Tiesto) is a dreamy song that is known in a few circles, but really should have wider exposure. This is poolside/beach EDM at it's finest: not too heavy, but with a peaceful rhythm, calm, beautifully sung lyrics, and just a general feeling that makes me wish I had a hammock.
I should really get down to the hammock district. You know, on third.
Lo-fi Sky - Ursa Major
Toronto's "psychedelic r&b" artist Ursa Major dropped his debut EP Lo-fi Sky earlier this year, and it is an excellent debut. This is a warm electronic song, which demands to be heard on a good stereo (that bass really punches this song up a few notches). "Lo-fi Sky" is the perfect title for this track: it's an expansive song, done so simply, and with such a pure focus to it that I am sure that it will find its' way onto a plethora of playlists--I know that this is an addictive track that I'm going to have on repeat for a while, watching a summer sunset or two.
Changes - Charles Bradley
Wrapping this week up is an amazing soul (or perhaps blues) cover by Charles Bradley of the Black Sabbath song "Changes". Bradley is an amazingly talented singer whose story is quite remarkable in itself: he ran away from home at 14, was homeless for a few years before training as a chef, hitchhiked around North America for a while, worked as a James Brown impersonator, and eventually he was discovered, releasing his debut album No Time For Dreaming in 2011 at age 62.
Seriously, in the small space I use to write this stuff, I cannot do Charles Bradley's story justice, so I do recommend, if you are interested, tracking it down.
"Changes" is the best version of the song. It works perfectly as a soulful blues track, and Charles Bradley's voice is just perfect for these lyrics. If you dig "Changes", do yourself a favor and check out the rest of his 2016 album Changes: you won't be disappointed.
The Apple Music Playlist for May 2016! I have done my best to mix it all together like I'm spinning a set for you, but as that is hard to do without being able to fade, mix, or talk through the transitions, you will have to forgive a few hard edges
Remember, if you want me to put these playlists on other services (like Spotify), let me know on Twitter (I've linked it below).
If you're looking for more Tuesday Tunes, are late to the party, or just want more theguysfrom.com in your day, here are the playlists for:
April 2016
December 2015 & January 2016 (because I felt crazy)
Support what you dig! It's soooo much cheaper than anything else out there. You cannot even buy a peach for what one of the songs listed here would cost you...I would if I could...
We will see you again next week with 5 more Tuesday Tunes!
-S (@Shauncord)