5 Songs for the Start of Summer

Up here in New England, I'm pleased to report that we actually had a spring. The occurrence of this important, transitional season, has set the proper conditions for the birth of an excellent start to a summer 2019 playlist. Here we go:

"Diddy Bop" by Noname

Noname is a Chicago poet at heart. Melodic, spacey keys pair with sharp hits on the snare and flourishes from a synth/bass to create a unique sound, not far from 90's era Outkast, with a bit more shimmer & soul on the edges. Here, we get a sense of Noname's world, as the realities of family and community push themselves to the forefront- the borrowed 20 dollars, old air conditioners, the stays with cousins when the light bill went unpaid at home. Despite summertime struggle, those stars in your pocket (the unique talents and perspectives we all have) just might be plentiful enough for sharing. 

"Return to the Moon" El Vy

Humans first landed on the moon in the middle of the summer- July 20th, 1969 to be exact. With things potentially headed downhill again here on the pale blue dot, is it time to go back? 

Formalities out of the way: that familiar baritone you're hearing is indeed Matt Berninger of The National. El Vy was a lil' side gig that he fronted in 2017. The difference? El Vy is a bit more sly. A bit more smart ass- with the lyrics presenting themselves as a playful and cynical in equal parts. The guitar, keys, and bass work together to create a jumpy groove that lays the foundation for Beringer to sing his wise ass poems over. Despite the overall cnyical tone, the song ends with a plea that sounds as honest as any: "don't make me wait for you at the corner of Eden Park". Eden- the garden? The edge of something perfect. 

"The Suburbs" (Arcade Fire Cover) Father John Misty

Father John Misty does absolute justice to one of the more engaging 4 chord melodies out there. This tale of suburban aimlessness & youth is delivered with heart. "The Suburbs" arrives embedded with all the minute details (move your feet from hot pavement/ and into the grass) that precede the built in melodrama that propels the song forward on an emotional level. We eventually learn all the aimlessness and yearning add up to one wish: creating a good family. 

"Same Drugs" Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper has a penchant for breaking our hearts with a story. He's economical with his words. Big on emotions. Steeped in church sounds. You can hear it via the piano, here. Over this tastefully played piano and a few humming, uplifting background vocals and well placed strings, Chance indicts himself ("I'm a shadow of what I once was"), his old friend ("you must've of lost your marbles"), and the collective ("we don't do what we say we're gonna"). Taken together like a picture (or Coloring Book, as Chance would prefer) listeners are presented with a holistic picture- a tale of sadness, nostalgia, self-indictment, lost youth- but overall- a plea to stay in the lines & see the beauty. 

"In League With Dragons" by the Mountain Goats

John Darnille, lead singer and writer for the band the Mountain Goats  has always been big on heart, big on empathy. "In League With Dragons", the title track off of the bands excellent 2019 album, plays around with territory surrounding  the game Dungeon and Dragon's, wizards, and the like. If I've lost you there, so be it- but look underneath the hood- beneath every thematic template Darnielle grabs inspiration from, he manages to generalize, distilling wisdom and lessons, earnestly delivered to us in sensible, neat, simple arrangements. It's hard to get revenge. It's hard to be yourself. Ya gotta be strong in the face of suffering.