Who knows if this will become a recurring series, but I felt inspired to share a recap of all the music I listened to and interacted with in the month of March. I love making lists and I love music, so this is a best of both worlds scenario for me! Putting this together reminded me of the artist Q&As at the end of Rolling Stone that I always adored. If you’re curious and/or open to recommendations, read on!
Concerts
I SAW ALY & AJ!!! Oh, what a perfect way to usher in the spring season! I will sing Aly & AJ’s praises to anyone who will listen (and even those who won’t, because it is my duty to try to evangelize) — every album they’ve put out since 2020 is flawless and gorgeous and the epitome of the breezy, free-spirited California sound with their own special touch. I’ve been lucky enough to see the sisters in concert a few times, but this was the best yet. I treated myself to VIP so I got to MEET THEM, which was even better than I dreamed, and the cherry on top? I was on the barricade for the show! I am still awestruck and words will never be able to do the experience justice, so I’m just going to look at my pictures and videos on a loop and relive it all in my head and smile about it forever!!!
Watched
I binged The Runarounds, a great new show on Amazon Prime about a band of talented high school kids in Wilmington, North Carolina trying to make it big after graduation — shout out to my friend Dana for the rec, because this was right up my alley! The Runarounds are a real band and the show was made for them by the creator of Outer Banks, which they originally formed around and appeared on, but since then they’ve grown offscreen too, regularly releasing music and touring. My heart is broken and angry since it was announced just yesterday that Amazon cancelled the show (WHY?!?? It had so much spirit! RUDE AND UNFAIR!), but I’m grateful it led me to become a fan of their awesome indie rock music, both of which are definitely worth your while.
I also watched the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special, which I wept through from start to finish, especially during the songs…”Younger You” devastated me. I hope Miley is checking her mail for my therapy bill.
Favorite Album Releases
BTS. B. T. S. BANGTAN SONYEONDAN. ARIRANG. OBVIOUSLY!!!! The kings of K-pop and the biggest band in the world came back for what’s theirs — music industry and global domination, the #1 spot on every chart to ever exist, and a phenomenally written and produced no-skip album that every music lover needs to hear!
For those who didn’t know, yes, I am a proud, passionate, and relatively new ARMY – it’s been 3 years, which means I became obsessed with the group just as they went on hiatus for military service. My first BTS comeback has been exhilarating so far! The first 48 hours post-release are kind of a blur, as my brain and body were fully hijacked (kerosene, dopamine, chemical-induced for real) and I was physically incapable of listening to anything except ARIRANG on a loop, so I think I should get a pass for any unhinged behavior that may have taken place. Such as practically speeding to the store to buy multiple copies of the album and getting up at 5 a.m. on a weekend to watch the Netflix livestream of their epic comeback concert at a fan event. Am I delusional? Yes. Regretful? Never!
I am exhausted trying to keep up with the daily flood of promotional content and also overjoyed (and scared, because this isn’t even the thick of it yet…a whole tour lies ahead)! This is the ARMY life! And yes, the album really is THAT GOOD, for a million and one reasons I will leave you to learn for yourself.
I’m also loving the killer new Slayyyter record (sign me up for a Slayyyter summer!), Snail Mail’s new album Ricochet, and Raye’s This Music May Contain Hope.
Song Rediscoveries
Elton John & Kiki Dee’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” had slipped out of my periphery for too long…gosh, what a classic tune! So upbeat and cute and catchy! I think it’s my dream karaoke duet song.
I also recently reconnected with Hootie & The Blowfish’s cover of “I Go Blind,” which for some reason eluded me for 20 years or so (I guess I only had capacity for the excellent Cracked Rear View smash hits). But one day the line “Hold me, hold me ’cause I wanna get higher and higher” echoed in my mind out of the blue, and it all came rushing back. Does anyone else wonder how that recall even works? What is the science behind the way we can drift away from and then effortlessly remember an old song at the most random moment? AMAZING!
Both songs take me back to my childhood, sitting in the back of the minivan with eager ears as the radio station cycled through the same two dozen “best of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and now!” soft rock tracks. Simpler times.
Old Album Discovery
T. Rex’s Electric Warrior (1971) is fantastic – wish it hadn’t taken me so long to turn onto this one! It’s critically acclaimed and widely credited as the first glam rock album. Everyone and their mother knows “Bang a Gong (Get It On),” but I had no idea how sexy the whole record is…you can’t help but feel like the main character of a movie just listening to it! I think I’m starting to get the Marc Bolan hype; the man was positively oozing raw talent, creativity, charisma, the rock star “it factor.”
Song Hyperfixations
- “Uncomfortable” by Wallows
- “Past Life” by Ariana Grande — specifically, the way she sings “RHYTHMS. OF. THE. NIGHT. CONSUME MY BODYYYYY. JUST LET THE MUSIC CONNNNFISCAAATEEE MY SoOoOoooOul.” Addictive and life-giving!!!
- The way John Lennon says “COOKIE” at the one minute, six second mark of “Hold On”…though this is admittedly a 24/7/365 obsession for me. That stoned gremlin voice is always lurking in the back of my mind and gives me a much-needed chuckle every day!
Spring Album Recommendations
- Minnie Riperton’s Come to My Garden is astonishing — a timeless classic and the pure essence of springtime in album form! If you listen to nothing else this season, PLEASE slowly savor this work of art as you have your coffee in the morning or walk around looking at all the beautiful blooms!
- All Things Must Pass – George Harrison
- Golden Hour and Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves (DUH!!!)
- Charm – Clairo
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