About Damn Time
Shuffle Sundays #66 • Father John Misty, Lizzo, ††† (Crosses), Spider-Man, Axiom Verge, Luciano Cian, & more.
💽 » Father John Misty - Chloë and the Next 20th Century
chamber-pop, folk-rock • 11 songs • 51 minutes
If I had to describe Chloë and the Next 20th Century in just one word, it would probably be “elegant”. That was the first thing that came to my mind after I finished listening to the album for the first time, and it continues to be true ever since.
For his 5th studio album, Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty, distanced himself even more from the folk-rock elements that he became known for even before starting his solo career. And it was a smart decision, in my opinion, bringing something different to his discography after a couple of not so well-received releases in 2017 and 2018.
What we hear in Chloë and the Next 20th Century are arrangements that could have come out of a piano bar, cabaret show, or musical theater, but without ever sounding disconnected from his discography. You can expect delicate piano arrangements, intricate percussion, a flirt with bossa nova, and even a nostalgic sax solo in one of my favorite moments of the album, Buddy’s Rendezvous.
🎶 » Lizzo - About Damn Time
3 years after exploding with her sophomore album Cuz I Love You, Lizzo is back with a brand new single which also serves as the first taste of her upcoming third record Special, out on July 15th. You may say that About Damn Time feels like more of the same, and you’re probably not wrong, but that’s not a bad thing! It’s another extremely catchy pop song with soul and disco elements that serves as the perfect follow-up to her previous release. Good luck trying not to listen to this one on repeat! And oh, the music video is equally great.
🎶 » ††† - Protection
††† (Crosses) is the side project of singer Chino Moreno (Deftones), guitarist Shaun Lopez, and bassist Chuck Doom. 8 years after their first and only (so far) album, they are back with a brand new couple of singles that seem to point the band towards what hopefully will become a new album. The songs continue to explore the same path of heavily electronic-influenced rock tunes that they displayed in the original material, but in an even more polished version of themselves. No new album was announced yet, but I hope there’s one planned to be out soon.
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🧩 » Random Bits
🕷 • Finally watched Spider-Man No Way Home and absolutely loved it! Spoilers aside, the mirror dimension scene made me regret not having watched the movie in the big screen.
🕹 • Metroidvania is by far one of my favorite video-game genres, and after a few failed attempts, I’m at last enjoying the indie-hit Axiom Verge on the Nintendo Switch.
💬 • “It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.” – Mae Jemison
⚡️ Visual Inspiration
Luciano Cian is a Brazilian artist whose work is currently focused on drawing with giclée prints, linocut and acrylic on canvas and wood. Check out his website or Instagram for more. Here are some favorites:
🎶 » New Music
this week’s new albums I'm curious to check out
Also, new singles from Architects, Andrew Bird, Warpaint, Of Monsters and Men, 070 Shake, and many more. If you’re curious to hear some of these songs and more, make sure to follow my 2022 playlist on Spotify, updated weekly with new releases:
I see 2 coincidences here that I deem is prophetic: I've got a Lizzo track queued up for my Stack, and I have recommended Haru Nemuri's Make More Noise of You to our mutual friend, Kevin Alexander.
I sense a cosmic force at work here. :-)
Another great issue, Leo 👏 both musically and visually. So glad to hear about new Lizzo 🫶 As always you're introducing me to a bunch of totally new sounds. Thanks a lot for this!