Music I Liked: January 2024
This January was too good, I think I wrote too much also.
A. G. Cook - Silver Thread Golden Needle
Few electronic producers ever have been as influential as A. G. Cook. Considered one of the founders of the genre of hyperpop, Silver Thread Golden Needle marks the beginning of a new era of him with a new label. Well, what can I say? It's fantastic. The 10-minute build is a little excessive, but the finale makes it more than worth it.
Adrianne Lenker - Sadness As A Gift
Big Thief's lead singer-songwriter Adrianne Lenker is a wordsmith of extremely gifted caliber, and Sadness As A Gift, from her upcoming album, is another example of this. I can't wait to hear the whole record.
Ariana Grande - Yes, And?
Even with all her recent controversies, there is no denying that Ariana Grande is one talented singer. Yes, And? acts as an attempted rebuttal to the accusations that surround her at the moment. Unfortunately, while the club house beat is fantastic, there is no real melodic topline.
Bleachers - Tiny Moves
He might not be a household name, but Jack Antonoff might be the most influential musician at the moment, the backbone for Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey's productions. His band Bleachers' upcoming album sounds good, especially if it keeps the smooth romantic sound of Tiny Moves.
Kali Uchis - Orquideas
Orquideas is probably the best album from January that I'll almost certainly never return to. Kali Uchis is great as always, and the smooth Latin R&B pop jams that dominate the album are great as always, but this style of sensual songwriting is not really for me. That said, there are some fantastic songs here, such as Como Asi, Igual Que Un Angel, and No Hay Ley Parte 2. Basically when the album goes fully towards its Latin pop sound.
IU - Love Wins All
Few singers have the emotive capabilities of IU, and with Love Wins All being an emotive ballad, its impact was decided from the very onset. It helps that Love Wins All has one of her best melodies in recent memory and that the production is immaculate. Bonus points for the incredible music video.
JYOCHO - Guide and Devote
JYOCHO have this bizarre ability to take the strangest tempos and riffs and package them into a calm and healing melody. Their new EP sees them doing this as they always have, with some killer melodies and memorable moments. Ex Human is a favorite for now, but A Flourished City is also fantastic. Even Counting Planets gets better with each listen.
Limelight (Miu) - Twenty Twenty
I wouldn't call myself a Limelight fan, but this solo by member Miu has proven surprisingly addictive. The double-punch of the pre-chorus and chorus make quite an addictive combo, and I love it.
Nia Archives - Crowded Roomz
For those who want to know what would happen if PinkPantheress released '90s house. The production here is immaculate, and the lyrics are quite good. Nia's delivery is also fantastic.
NMIXX - Fe304: Break
My only writing on NMIXX in this blog was a low placement on a rookie list, an honorable mention in 2023's worst songs, and a 6.5/10 review. That said, I count myself as an NMIXX fan. A good part of that is how fun and interesting the members seem off the stage, the fact that they can perform on it, and that the group seems to have oodles and oodles of vocal talent. Fe304: Break is the first time they have been able to take these talents and package them into a cohesive whole. Closely following Ryan Adams' Star Sign, this might be my favorite album of this year so far.
Dash is fun, interesting, and perhaps the best example of K-Pop hip-hop to come from the fourth generation, Sonar is weird in a good way, Boom takes a trendy sound but is packaged in a way that is fresh and refreshing, Passionfruit is how to do a trendy sound in its normal way, XOXO is surprisingly soothing, and I somewhat enjoy Break The Wall.
I'm just stalling; Run For Roses is so bizarre yet addictive. Why is there a solo fiddle in the pre-chorus that sounds completely separate from the rest of the mix? Why is the phrasing in the chorus so dramatic ("We're alive because we are not alone"), and why is the post-chorus K-Pop phrasing over dramatic country-folk flare? I don't know, but why does it all work so well?
OnlyOneOf - dOpamine
Even amongst OnlyOneOf songs, dOpamine sounds weird. The song lacks a proper bass to ground it all, and the melody slows and speeds almost arbitrarily. That said, there is something somewhat addictive in this lopsided structure, and that makes me come back.
Renee Rapp - Not My Fault Ft. Megan Thee Stallion
Yes, I know it is basic and trendy. That said, Renee Rapp's break-out hit has been stuck in my head for days on end. Oh well, I guess that is what a well-written melody can do. At this rate, Renee Rapp might genuinely become an A-List star.
Ryan Adams - Star Sign (Album of the Month, Stay Alive - Song of the Month)
There are a few reasons why Ryan Adams' Star Sign didn't make any sort of cultural impact. His influence in the country scene has waned ever since the credible MeToo accusations he acknowledged, his public, drunk spats with fans and other artists, and his overall messy personality. I am not here to tell if Ryan Adams' sobering actually succeeded, and the fact he released five full-length albums in January certainly points to some mental unwellness. That said, Star Sign might be the best country album since Big Thief's Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You, if not for the whole decade.
There is a somber melancholy to Star Sign, with ordinary moments tackled with an end-of-the-world level of regrets. Songs like Speeding Car, Self Defense, and Be Wrong perfectly capture the waywardness of an individual who has erred, and is still paining from it. Adams is a fantastic lyricist, and Star Sign shows this immaculately.
The best moment on the album by far, however, is closer Stay Alive. The tune was initially written by Adams but given to Jose Gonzalez, only to become a major hit. That said, this new version is infinitely better than the original, and the first true song of the year contender for 2024. Its slow build is beautiful, assisted by Adams' pained delivery. If you can only hear one thing this month, let it be Stay Alive, and Star Sign as a whole.
SF9 - Bibora
Reduced to SF8 (though former member Rowoon still seems to be on good terms with the rest of the group), Bibora is a surprisingly addictive club track from club masters SF9. Bibora feels like a natural continuation of SF9's discography so far, with an addictive chorus and emotive melody.
The Lemon Twigs - My Golden Years
The Lemon Twigs garnered some attention last year as a '70s soul-rock-sounding band, tapping into nostalgia yet tapped into. My Golden Years is an excellent introduction to their discography, and I love how it perfectly captures the soundscape the band was aiming for.
Trendz - Go Up
Probably one of the best Brave Sound productions in recent memory. Trendz have slowly become one of the K-Pop groups to keep an eye on, and this just might be their best yet. I love those little rock guitars in the back of the chorus, gluing the track together.
TWS - Plot Twist/Sparkling Blue
TWS have honestly surprised me with their debut. I didn't care much for BoyNextDoor, so I'm shocked that the whole Sparkling Blue EP is great. The title track, Plot Twist, however, is far and away my favorite. I like it a lot right now, but I could see it become a classic eventually with how catchy it is.
VCHA - Girls Of the Year
I'm still mixed on this one. It isn't anything revolutionary, but that chorus is quite an earworm, even if it does a lot of the carrying for the track.
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