Songs of the Week: 4/18-4/25
By: Connor Lenahan
Any and all efforts to try and understand my music taste will prove impossible. It makes no sense. One of my favorite things in the world is playing music for my brothers and my friends to find ways to confuse them as much as possible. It’s more fun to have a diverse taste in music. With that in mind, and a lack of interesting things to write about on Saturdays, I figured I would share a couple of songs for my fellow music fans that are always looking for something new to try. Here are some songs I listened to this week that you might enjoy.
“Baby Blue” – Action Bronson featuring Chance the Rapper
I love Action Bronson because he’s the most incredible goofball working in music today. Seriously, I’m not sure theres anyone that comes off more like they are just rapping to have fun. He’s also by far the least important part of this song. Chance the Rapper will have an album out this year, the follow up to 2013’s Acid Rap. If you weren’t giggling in excitement at his guest verse and the “I hope you never get off Fridays, and you work at a Friday’s that’s always busy on Fridays” line then you need to go listen to this 50 more times.
“Don’t Tell Our Friends About Me” – Blake Mills
Blake Mills is one of the most talented musicians that absolutely no one has heard of. The only reason you might recognize the name is if you listen to Fiona Apple – one of my absolute favorites – because he has been her touring guitarist for the past few years. Apple sings back up vocals on this bluesy, overall awesome track. He’s got a country twang without playing country. Mills is interesting, and his entire album Heigh Ho is really just wonderful.
“Curbside Prophet” – Jason Mraz
True story: I can absolutely sing every word to this off the top of my head. Like, without second guessing as much as a syllable. I don’t know why I can do this, it’s a largely pointless talent to have, but that doesn’t change the fact this song is my jam. Every spring/summer going on 5 years.
“Take Off Your Cool” – Andre 3000 & Norah Jones
I will, inevitably, write a whole 15,000 word piece on how The Love Below, Andre 3000’s first and so far only real solo effort, is one of the most fascinating experimental albums in history. Just realize that this song was on the same album as “Hey Ya” and came from the guy who also was behind “Rosa Parks” and “Ms. Jackson.” Andre is a genius.
“When I Come Around” – Green Day
Because sometimes you just want to teleport back to those long gone days of teenage angst for a few minutes. Green Day just was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recently – no, seriously – which led me to listen to a lot of the trio this week. Fun story, this song came out 21 years ago and was on Green Day’s third album.
With that, I’m going to go cry myself to sleep as thanks to old age.