I’ve been listening to this album on repeat for a few weeks! It’s got some great scream/sing-along-in-the-car tracks on it, particularly “Jícama” and “I Don’t Believe In Death.” Here’s “Jícama,” but I encourage you to give the whole album a listen on Spotify.
On Repeat: Green Garden, by Laura Mvula
Hi! This is my way of casually coming back to this blog after months of radio silence. Oops.
I’m currently living in Mexico City, working on my dissertation thanks to a fellowship from BU. I’ll write some blog posts about it soon, but for now, a song that always brings me some joy: Laura Mvula’s “Green Garden.”
And: please donate to Beto O’Rourke’s Senate campaign. Thanks! More to come . . .
On Repeat: Forever
It’s my favorite time of year! The sun is out more days than not, and it’s warm and bright everywhere I go. That’s kind of how Matt and Kim’s music makes me feel, no matter the season, so I’ve been listening to their latest album while out on runs or packing boxes. (I just moved to a new apartment for my last 5 weeks in Boston before leaving for Mexico . . . it’ll be a summer of many boxes and suitcases.) I like this song because it still has Matt and Kim’s usual upbeat danceability, yet the message is actually kind of pessimistic! So it’s a funny contrast. Enjoy!
On Repeat: Hiedra Venenosa
This song by the Instituto Mexicano del Sonido / Mexican Institute of Sound came up on one of my daily Spotify mixes last week and I can’t stop listening to it now—it’s so catchy!
After a few listens you’ll find yourself joining in on the drawn out “aaaahhhhh”s between verses, even if you can’t manage to sing along to the rest of the speedy lyrics . . .
Enjoy:
On Repeat: Natalia Lafourcade’s Tiny Desk Concert
I adore Natalia Lafourcade’s music, so it was such a treat to be able to watch her perform with her musicians for this NPR Tiny Desk concert! Enjoy.
(For more, I heartily recommend her “Hasta la raíz” and “Lo que construimos.” The latter is one of those songs that I simply can’t hear without wanting to sing along. Love.)
On Repeat: Homemade Dynamite [Remix]
I had Lorde’s Melodrama album on repeat all summer while I was scanning microfilm in the basement of the Yale Library, and this song is a remix of a song from that album (now featuring Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA).
Since November, much of my hope has been brought to me by young people who are full of energy and fight. I’ve found myself listening to young artists who bring that energy to me musically: Lorde, Khalid (who, like me, is a proud El Pasoan!), Tash Sultana, Harry Styles, and Noname, for example. With its featured artists of Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA, this remixed Lorde song is a superforce of that youthful fire that’s been so valuable to me lately. Enjoy!