Category: blog posts

Albums

Aimee Mann – Bachelor No. 2 or, the Last Remains of the Dodo (2000)

This is Aimee Mann’s third record, and her first to be released independently. The lyrics are incredible. Each listen, a new bit gets stuck in my head.

FKA twigs – EUSEXUA Afterglow (2025)

I just saw FKA twigs perform in San Francisco, so I was listening to her music a lot this month in preparation. I especially enjoyed the live versions of her new material. Her newest record was a low-key release, but I think it’s quite the statement. It’s gritty, it’s steamy, and it’s a totally new style for her. “Touch A Girl” is an underrated standout.

Project Pat – Mista Don’t Play: Everythangs Workin (2001)

This is the second record from Memphis rapper Project Pat. I had been listening to “Chicken Head” a lot–one of his most famous tracks–but there are a lot of other highlights on here, too. His personality really comes through on this record.

Joshua Chuquimia Crampton – ANATA (2026)

Love this new release from local Norcal artist and one half of sibling duo Los Thuthanaka. Close your eyes and let yourself dissolve into the distortion and guitar riffs.

Singles

HoodCelebrityy ft. Cardi B, Josh X & Young Chow – “Island Girls“ (2017)

I discovered this song from a meme about remembering Manhattan is an island, and it’s such a banger. Dancehall was having a big moment in the U.S. around when this came out. “Gyal You A Party Animal” is another personal favorite of mine from this era.

Mitski – “Fireproof (One Direction Cover)“ (2017)

Mitski covered One Direction for Our First 100 Days, a 2017 charity compilation released one song at a time during the first hundred days of the first Trump administration. It’s a really good cover, but it completely re-imagines this composition. I think her version really illustrates how writing a song, performing a song, and recording a song are all different things.

Ricardo Olmos – “Cinco Danzas Catalanas“ (1979)

This piano composition comes from the Joaquín Parra edition of the Musica Española Contemporanea series. I picked up a copy of this LP a few months ago at Groove Merchant Records in San Francisco. I was so moved by this piece. I’m not very knowledgeable about modern classical, but I want to do some more discovery here.

2charm – “girls” (2025)

I’ve got this track from married Australian duo 2charm on loop. Recommended for fans of Challengers.

Albums

Burial – Tunes 2011 to 2019 (2019)

This compilation has become one of my all-time favorite electronic records. It moves through so many different moods and showcases Burial’s brilliance and versatility as a producer. I would even recommend this to people who think they don’t like electronic music.

Sudan Archives – The BPM (2025)

Brittany Parks’ third record as Sudan Archives is packed with hits. She’s still incorporating the strings that once defined her as an artist, bit this record is not defined by its use of violin. I hope this record finds a wide audience, because these tracks belong on the dancefloor.

Car Seat Headrest – Twin Fantasy (2011, re-recorded and reissued 2018)

I used to cry to this record as teenager and had a sticker of the album cover on my laptop for a few years. I’ve been picking this record back up recently for whatever reason. Some of the lyrics are a little bit cringey, but I think it makes the record endearing.

Singles

ESP – “North” (2023)

I just saw this duo open for Malibu at the Chapel. They were previously unknown to me, but I really liked their set. I was listening through their discography after the show, and this song stood out to me. It’s from a compilation released on Swedish label YEAR0001.

Death Grips – “I’ve Seen Footage” (2012)

This is my favorite Death Grips song. I can’t believe this song is 14 years old…Today, its influence on music is undeniable.

Annie – “I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me” (2008)

Annie is one of my favorite pop artists. I finally got my hands on the 7″ of this forgotten single released a few months before she was dropped by Island Records. I love her work with Richard X, and I think this is one of her standout tracks.

Albums

Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer (2025)

My boyfriend has been raving about this album for a few months, but I’m just now getting into it. This is the debut record from the ascendant Nina Jo Wilson, who is topping the charts and winning national prizes in her native Australia. You won’t be able to get “iPod Touch” out of your head. Recommended if you like Doss’ recent output.

Maria Arnal – Ama (2026)

Loving this new one from Maria Arnal. This is technically her debut solo record, as her previous collaborative project with Marcel Bagés dissolved in 2022. It’s a little bit more pop than the music she did with Marcel. Lyrics are sung in both Spanish and Catalan.

Girls – Album (2009)

I’ve been digging through the Bay Area’s music history and trying to discover records from before my time. I was alive in 2009, but I wasn’t old enough to be following indie music. This is the debut record from Girls, a now-defunct duo formerly based in San Francisco. This record is so, so good. And so, so devastating, too. I love how much this record feels like San Francisco. “Hellhole Ratrace” is still tapping into the local zeitgeist seventeen years later:

I don’t wanna cry my whole life through
I wanna do some laughing too
So come on, come on, come on, come on and laugh with me
And I don’t wanna die without shaking up a leg or two
Yeah, I wanna do some dancing too
So come on, come on, come on, come on and dance with me
Sometimes you just gotta make it for yourself

Singles

Utada Hikaru & Skrillex – “Face My Fears” (2019)

This song is very moving. I have always interpreted the lyrics to be describing Utada’s realization that they are nonbinary and decision to come out after over twenty years in the spotlight. I am also a big fan of Skrillex’s more recent production work and think he shines on this track.

Santigold – “L.E.S. Artistes” (2008)

The first breakout single from Santi White’s Santigold project (or Santogold, as she was known at the time). This song describes her experiences moving from Philadelphia to New York City to further her career as an artist. I think a lot of people would relate to its lyrics:

I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up
If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe

What a chorus. I’ve been finding comfort in this song as I question how much I should keep sacrificing in order to pursue my dreams. Maybe it will mean something to you, too.

Yves Tumor – “Gospel For A New Century” (2020)

I saw Yves Tumor open their set at Pitchfork Festival 2021 with this track. It was my first live show back from COVID, and I was so taken by this track. I’ve continued to come back to it now and then since that performance. It has a particular intensity to it that is hard to put into words.

Albums

Sister Irene O’Connor – Fire of God’s Love (1973, reissued 2025)

This electro-gospel album from the 1970s was recently reissued by Freedom to Spend. The opening track, “Fire (Luke 12:49)“, has been stuck in my head all week. It seems that experimental private press records recorded by nuns are having a bit of a moment, given the recent success of Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou’s reissues.

Wednesday – Bleeds (2025)

Bleeds was one of my favorite albums of 2025, and I’m bringing this record with me into 2026. I don’t directly relate to a lot of the lyrics about life in rural North Carolina, but I feel pieces of myself in these tracks. I love rock albums that can balance harsh instrumentation and yelling with softer melodies; I think “Pick Up That Knife” displays this combination clearly.

Singles

Robyn – “Talk To Me” / “Sexistential” (2026)

I’m enjoying these two new singles from Robyn’s forthcoming album. This is her first batch of new solo music since 2018’s Honey. I’ve been listening to her music since I was 10, and she always comes out of hibernation right when I need some new tunes.

Moses Sumney – “Can’t Believe It” (2020)

This cover of T-Pain’s “Can’t Believe It” (2008) was first included on the Save Stereogum charity compilation in 2020. Sumney released it on his own label TUNTUM in 2021. Five years later, I’m still thinking about the vocal performance and layering on this track. It’s on another level.

Daddy DJ – “Daddy DJ (Chico & Tonio Radio Edit)” (2000, remastered 2025)

I’ve been listening to a lot of Eurodance recently for whatever reason (?), and I think this is decidedly my favorite Eurodance track. You might not recognize the title, but you’ve heard this melody. It’s been sampled everywhere, but the original version was not much of a commercial success outside of the Benelux countries and Scandinavia. It actually moves me to tears…💔💔

Daddy DJ, please take me to the party
And let me dance along until the lights are on
Daddy DJ, please take me to the party
And let the music play, until the break of day

Also, it’s just so metal to have a song with the same name as your band.