Don’t know about you, but I’m in a bit of a collaboration mood today. Musically speaking, of course. When two artists record a track together, the creative forces at work often result in something a little new or different compared to what might otherwise have been done on their own. So when The Black Lips and The Khan Family collaborate, there’s excitement and intrigue about how that’ll turn out. The Bones of J.R. Jones bringing in Nicole Atkins has real potential as well. While Dinosaur Jr. didn’t have any guests or collaborators on their new song below, the pleasure of hearing J. Mascis play guitar is interesting enough on its own. Head past the jump to hear additional songs from the likes of Cienfuegos, Indigo Husk, Kassin, Lil Texas, Little Vic, Nedelle Torrisi, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, and A Winged Victory for the Sullen.
The Black Lips & The Khan Family – Too Much In Love
The Bones of J.R. Jones – Burden (ft. Nicole Atkins)
Variety is the spice of life, and today’s Pick Your Poison has that in spades. The band Sloppy Jane have their debut album coming out in a couple of weeks, and it’s the best kind of weird, lo-fi scuzz rock. If you’re in a more international mood, Thievery Corporation are back with new material. The track below features LouLou Ghelichkhani on vocals, which is interesting to say the least. Then there’s an odd one-pff collaboration between EDM artist ZHU and psychedelic rock band Tame Impala. If you’ve heard a ZHU track before, then you’ll already know what to expect, just this time Kevin Parker’s vocals are in the mix. It’s not the best from either artist, but still worth a listen. Go beyond the jump for more songs from Anemone, Boys, Dune & Twemty9, Garden City Movement, LA Riots, Peluche, Superheart, Thyla, and Will Long.
Sloppy Jane – Bark Like A God
Thievery Corporation – La Force de Melodie (ft. LouLou Ghelichkhani)
I’m very excited about today’s edition of Pick Your Poison, mostly because it’s got some incredible tracks pretty much from top to bottom. That’s not to discount most of the other days and playlists, it’s just that every day can’t be an A+ collection of songs (hard as I might try to make that happen). I can’t control what music is sent my way, nor can I control your tastes either, which is why you might not love these songs as much as I do. But I hope you’ll give them a try anyway. There’s new ones from Elle Exxe, Hinds, and Hot Flash Heat Wave that I think you’ll really dig. But keep going beyond the jump and you’ll also discover tracks from Bok Nero & Ricky Remedy, Katelyn Tarver, Lemaitre, LOVE SICK, Matt Costa, Potatohead People, Quinn Lewis, QUIX (ft. JVMIE), and Set Mo.
Fans of the band Big Thief might want to know that guitarist Buck Meek has recorded a solo album in his spare time, which is self-titled and will be out this May. You can hear his unique guitar work echo through the first track from it below. I’d also recommend giving a listen to a new song from Now, Now, plus Daniel Lanois’ latest collaboration, this time with breakcore artist Venetian Snares. After the jump you’ll have more music from the likes of Andy Jenkins, Colin Magalong, Deanna Petcoff, Hanz, Malena Zavala, pronoun, Summer Heart, Tom Misch (ft. De La Soul), and Tristan de Lieve (ft. Carly Barnette).
March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb. The first half of that phrase is certainly correct today, as this set of Pick Your Poison tracks are remarkably strong and aggressive. Sure, the Ryley Walker song at the top may be pretty spacey and include flutes, but it certainly roars in its own unique way. The new one off the upcoming Young Fathers album has got plenty of teeth to it as well, not to mention a stunning Zola Jesus track that was released as part of the Adult Swim Singles series. Other artists in this set include ANMLPLNET, A$AP Ferg (ft. Denzel Curry, IDK, and Nicknack), Cavern of Anti-Matter, Coast Modern (covering MGMT), DJ Koze (ft. Roisin Murphy), Dorothy Takev, Kraus, Palace Winter, and Spielbergs.
There may be more good music in today’s Pick Your Poison than the average person can handle! The new Cloud Castle Lake song is simply stunning in its beauty. SALES do something similar with their unique brand of synth-pop in a fresh track. Then Ariel Pink adds some extra psychedelia to the synth stylings of SSION. Keep going past the jump, and you can enjoy songs from Angie McMahon, The Garden, In Tall Buildings (ft. Heather Woods Broderick), L8BLOOMER (ft. Anne Dereaux), Once & Future Band, Pining For Sunshine, Riko Dan & Mumdance, The Skull Eclipses (ft. Open Mike Eagle), and What So Not (ft. Winona Oak).
Those that love good pop music will be overjoyed to hear there’s a new Little Boots song in the world. Those that love good Chicago indie rock will be overjoyed to hear there’s a new Minor Characters song in the world. Those that love synth-pop with a strong independent spirit will be overjoyed to hear there’s a new Young Galaxy song in the world. Beyond those major highlights, there’s plenty more joy to be spread past the jump, where you’ll find songs from Datarock, Declan J Donovan, Deorro, Funk LeBlanc, Hajk, Haux, Knox White, Party Pupils ft. Audien (covering Montell Jordan), and more!
Hard to believe that February is almost over. Then again, it is the shortest month of the year. It’s also one of the worst months of the year, at least in the Midwest where bitter cold and snow tend to dominate. The music has been good though, today’s Pick Your Poison included. Don’t miss downloads in this set from Meekha, Noble Son, Oberon Rose, and Shah Marg. In the Soundcloud section after the jump, stream songs from The Aces, Dana Buoy, Freedom Fry, Good Gas (ft. 2 Chainz, A$AP Ferg & FKi 1st), The Magic Numbers, mastersystem (members of Frightened Rabbit), Mozzy (ft. Jay Rock & DCMBR), Nessly (ft. Joji), The Pale White, REYNA, Venetian Snares x Daniel Lanois, and more.
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what to make of Alex Cameron. The Australian musician is a bit of an oddball, but he’s so carefully skating the line between sincerity and parody (or truth and fiction) that it’s difficult to get an accurate beat on who he is or what he’s trying to accomplish with his music. Which isn’t a bad thing, mind you – that sort of vague template he’s presented over two full length records is dynamic and entertaining.
Alex Cameron’s debut album Jumping the Shark, for example, introduced him as a sort of worn-down sleazeball drunk. It’s a role he played into for live performances as well, applying makeup and fake wrinkles on his face to look older and creepier. Not entirely sure why anyone would voluntarily step into such a lecherous persona, but he managed to make it work by fully committing to the role and crafting smart yet gritty synth-pop songs to go along with it.
For a follow-up, 2017’s Forced Witness pivoted into a style and sound that might best be described as acerbic sheen. The songs sound much cleaner in execution, and he’s gotten rid of the wrinkles, yet the lyrics remain dark and disturbing. Each song paints a portrait of a deeply ugly, chest-thumping man’s man, as well as the sort of guys that might ascribe to a similar mentality. You probably know the type, straight from the coked-up, Wolf of Wall Street and American Psycho universes.
The characters in Cameron’s songs may be total assholes devoid of respect for women, but what makes them so compelling and the reason we listen to them ramble about perverse and disgusting things is that each one reveals deeper layers of insecurity and monstrosity. Underneath the surface of braggadocio are scared boys leaning into their worst impulses mostly because they don’t really ever face any consequences for their twisted actions.
When you combine those themes with slick, ’80s-style cheese pop (the kind that frequently includes jazzy saxophone solos), the whole exercise becomes astounding in its audacity. It’s impressive how many ludicrous things Cameron manages to get away with, all while somehow pulling memorable hook after memorable hook into the fray. Listening to it on record is one unique experience, but watching him sing these songs on stage is a whole other one. So if you’re up for catching a performance that’s weird, wild, and entirely unpredictable, don’t miss Cameron when he drops by Lincoln Hall on Wednesday, March 7th. The fantastic Molly Burch is opening the show too, so that’s an added bonus!
Alex Cameron / Molly Burch / Holiday Sidewinder Buy Tickets
Wednesday, March 7th
8PM / $15 (advance) / 18+
It may be odd, but apparently Car Seat Headrest and Smash Mouth have some level of mutual respect for one another. As a sign of that respect, they’ve decided to cover one another’s songs for some reason. You can hear Car Seat Headrest’s version of Smash Mouth’s “Fallen Horses” below. It’s interesting, to say the least! Also in the highlights for today, get ethereal with something new from Julianna Barwick, and discover some great new hip hop from SOB x RBE. There’s even more music after the jump, including tracks from Bishat, Branko + PEDRO, Caroline Says, Dillon Francis (ft. Fuego), Ganser, Launder, Lea Love, Oklou, and PREP.
Car Seat Headrest – Fallen Horses (Smash Mouth cover)
The return of Black Moth Super Rainbow helps to kick off your mid-week edition of Pick Your Poison. Additional highlights in this set come from Jordan Rakei and Remember Sports, so give those a listen too. While you’re at it, keep going past the jump and hear more new ones from Ellevator, Exale, High Sunn, HYLLS (covering The Cranberries), ISLAND, Let’s Mars, Mina (ft. Gafacci & Omo Frenchie), Ruth Koleva, and Uppermost (ft. Birsen).
It’s a particularly fun edition of Pick Your Poison today, for no other reason than the songs are just a little wilder than usual. There are some fascinating higlights from the likes of Computer Magic, Jimmy, and Lord Huron. If you venture past the jump however, you’ll find additional songs to stream from Frokedal, Grandtheft (ft. Just Chase), Gundelach, Iskwe (ft. Tanya Tagaq), Shanahan (ft. Arielle), SWOLL, VOWWS, Win and Woo, and Yumi (ft. Olmos).
Normally on a Monday I’d have about double the amount of downloads for you to enjoy, but unfortunately the numbers just aren’t quite there this week. Ah well. You can still pick up some great tracks from the likes of Errant Boy, Luna Shadows, and Red Black Red. The Soundcloud section after the jump has you covered with some streams from Alison Wonderland, August Greene, Bonny Doon, Chez Ali, Esbie Fonte, Gift Wrap, Helena Deland, Holly Miranda, Jouska, Simone Felice, Steve Kroeger, and Vera.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope you get to spend some time with somebody you love – even if it’s just family or friends. There are a couple of love-centric songs in today’s edition of Pick Your Poison, but it’s not specifically angled in that direction. Most of these songs are rather lovely in their own ways though, especially highlights from The Blow, The California Honeydrops, and Eleanor Friedberger. Keep going past the jump and stream additional tracks from BRKLYN (ft. Lenachka), Frank Leone, JB Dunckel (of Air), Paddy Hanna, Rival Consoles, Roxiny, Westerman, and more!
One of my favorite things about these regular editions of Pick Your Poison is the ability to share new and interesting music from local Chicago artists. Chicago has a vibrant music scene filled with all different types, as evidenced here with the rock n’ roll of Company of Thieves and the hip hop of Towkio (ft. Teddy Jackson & Grace Weber). Beyond that, I’d also like to endorse the new one from Kero Kero Bonito, which is a bit weird yet super catchy. After the jump you’ll find more tracks to stream, including ones from Bad Royale (ft. Richie Loop), BAUM, Black Atlass, GRDNS, Hoodlem, Millionyoung, Prinze George, SAINt JHN, and UPSAHL.
Company of Thieves – Window
Kero Kero Bonito – Only Acting
Towkio – 2 Da Moon (ft. Teddy Jackson & Grace Weber)
