https://youtu.be/zIYfSXPk2Eg
3. Tasha – "Love's Changing". Chicago singer-songwriter Tasha with a beautifully sung jazz-folk meditation rooted in a shuffle beat, strummed acoustic guitar and piano fills that wouldn't be out of place on a Nick Drake record. #music

https://youtu.be/pbDBGuOM718
2. Wunderhorse – "Arizona". Another moody UK indie-rock gem from Wunderhorse. Based on their other material, I kept expecting the full band to burst in, but no, they left this one simple with just an acoustic guitar and lone voice. And it totally works. #music

My Top 5 Songs of the Week (2024 Week 35):
https://youtu.be/pe5Bsr-wpuA
1. The Waeve – "Broken Boys". You could picture this song showing up in the middle of a Blur record with its punk guitars and quirky effects, and not for nothing: The Waeve is Blur guitarist Graham Coxon's project with partner and ex-Pipette Rose Elinor Dougall. Pushes my Britpop buttons for sure. #music

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The latest New American Writing (number 42) showed up in the mail today, and I'm honored to have two poems included alongside work from some of my favorite writers such as Maxine Chernoff, Chris Stroffolino, Norman Fischer, Yongbo Ma, Mark DuCharme, and Elizabeth Robinson. Many thanks to editor Paul Hoover. You can order a copy from https://madhat-press.com/ #poetry

My best of 2024 (so far) playlist is updated regularly and can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDJeO4dNUaIn2mN9hFpBK1szGAA07d8pq&si=ZVqklnxTIwkgAQKq
#music

https://youtu.be/vAXrfTMyr94
5. Kaleo – "Rock N Roller". Kaleo is an Icelandic band inspired by the blues rock prevalent in the 1970s. If you miss guitar-heavy songs with wailin' harmonica and lyrics about snortin' whisky, drinkin' cocaine, hoochie-koo and similarly wacky stuff, this one's for you. #music

https://youtu.be/Xc2BS-5erpw
4. Geneva Jacuzzi – "Dry". This tune could go on your early '80s playlist and hardly anyone would notice, thanks to its arty synthpop arrangement and Geneva's coolly ironic voice repeating the fun lyrics. #music

https://youtu.be/V3qU5rHWlyk
3. Caroline Says – "Faded and Golden". Wistful, melancholy indie folk with a touch of dream pop and a stack of gorgeous close harmonies. This one's a gem. #music

https://youtu.be/a2PAcMREq7A
2. Being Dead – "Nightvision". Psychedelic jangle pop from Austin, Texas. This takes so many unexpected twists and turns in its two minutes and forty-five seconds your head will spin, but all are welcome, adding up to a song that will haunt your ears for days. #music

My Top 5 Songs of the Week (2024 Week 34):
https://youtu.be/bwNDSAuDACc
1. Sofi Tukker featuring Kah-Lo – "Woof". Sofi Tukker are back with their custom blend of club beats, global grooves and irresistible melodies. They're joined here by Nigerian singer-songwriter Kah-Lo. #music

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My best of 2024 (so far) playlist is updated regularly and can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDJeO4dNUaIn2mN9hFpBK1szGAA07d8pq&si=ZVqklnxTIwkgAQKq
#music

https://youtu.be/2r0PBv68j7I
5. Deadletter – "More Heat". Yorkshire band with a track from their upcoming debut album that reminds me most immediately of New Model Army (remember them?), but a little funkier, and with saxophone. #music

https://youtu.be/Vc5dVjEoO5E
4. Dora Jar – "Ragdoll". Dora Jar's second appearance in my top songs list this year, "Ragdoll" is a compelling hybrid of contemporary pop and indie rock that keeps introducing new sonic elements all the way through. #music

https://youtu.be/nTxvvpSZokU
3. The Howl & The Hum – "Echo". Starts off as a fingerpicked ballad. Then at 0:45 the band enters, lifting the song to another level while keeping the focus on the lyrics. "I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid of the terms and conditions." #music

https://youtu.be/5IXc0x3T-cQ
2. Say She She – "I Believe In Miracles". This is a pretty straight re-creation of The Jackson Sisters' (not that Jackson Sisters) rare 1973 disco funk single (not that Hot Chocolate song with the same phrase in the lyrics) by Brooklyn's Say She She. A lost banger brought to thrilling life. #music

My best of 2024 (so far) playlist is updated regularly and can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDJeO4dNUaIn2mN9hFpBK1szGAA07d8pq&si=ZVqklnxTIwkgAQKq
#music

My best of 2024 (so far) playlist is updated regularly and can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDJeO4dNUaIn2mN9hFpBK1szGAA07d8pq&si=ZVqklnxTIwkgAQKq
#music

https://youtu.be/oh18RWb2vFU
5. Video Age with Esther Rose – "Out in the Country". Sweet 'n simple country-folk duet featuring intertwined acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies from Rose and Video Age's Ross Farbe. #music