#SOTD: Big Black Delta - “X22”
Image courtesy of Big Black Delta
You know those days when there’s this electrifying energy in the air and it’s so powerful that you’re able to notice it the second your eyes open first thing in the morning? Idk what has gotten into me today, but it def seems like one of those days that whichever direction I end up pointing my energy some shit is about to ⚡️go DOWN⚡️, you know what I mean? Like not sure what ✨it✨ is yet, but I know that there will be crushing of aforementioned ✨it✨.
Kinda hype to see what shakes out today, NGL.
Anyway
I have concluded that if you were able to distill all of that energy and smush it into a waveform that it would sound something similar to, “X22”, a track from Big Black Delta’s self-titled debut album, which was released back in 2013.
Speaking of noticeable energy shifts, we’re due for the release of Reworks Vol.1 fairly soon, which will feature fan favorites from previous albums, taking each track into a different direction (presumably a bit on the unplugged side judging from this teaser on instagram). Word on the street is that he’s also planning on dropping full length numba 5 this year with details to follow as they are announced.
2023 we’re gettin’ it, LFG! ✨
#SOTD: Bullant - “U Wunda”
image courtesy of Bullant
When it comes to new music I live for the thrill of the hunt. 🤩 Getting PR emails is cool and whatnot, but nothing brings me more joy than stubmling my way into something mind blowing and being like, “I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING 🚨RIGHT NOW🚨!” That’s how it was when I came to know Bullant, which for a blessed chosen few [so far] know is the side project of Joey Walker from King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard. Today’s select, “U Wunda”, is a boisterous bop that’s reflective of Walker’s production abilities outside of his usual duties making music with King Gizzard.
From the looks of things, he’s been releasing tracks under the moniker since the beginning of the pandemic with longtime friends PHC Films, whom he frequently collaborates with, including videos from other previously released tracks “High Rivals”, “Sensitive Crap Opera”, “German People”, and “The Simpsons Suck Now”. It’s wild, I’ve been working my way through his catalog and everything fucking slaps. Crazy to think this is just hiding in plain sight for anyone to find.
IDK about y’all but I’m def to be here as one of the chosen few, you know what i mean?! ✨
And yeah ofc as usual anything I stumble into is almost always somehow an Aussie angel, lol. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’m really starting to think the algorithm knows something I don’t about how much I’d like it there.
#SOTD: Yuksek - “Fantasia (Feat. Alex Rossi & Jo Wedin)”
image courtesy of Yuksek & Marco Dos Santos
When we talk about ✨songs of the summer ☀️ they always seem to be these huge energetic pop-facing tracks, but IMO we don’t give enough love to the tracks that make the fullness of the dance floor sustainable regardless of the time of your summer soiree. French groove master Yuksek seems to be able to craft these crucial concoctions with the same level as ease that I feel when I’m excitedly reciting an artist’s catalog and my respective field notes for each release to someone on the outskirts of fandom. “Fantasia” is the opener from his latest album, Dance’o’Drome and is undoubtedly a track designed to lull you into a sexy subtle sway as a means to cool you down a bit so you’re able to literally dance the night away. It’s also a sign from the universe that we all need more Italo disco in our lives. That might just be me, but I think we both know I’m right regardless.
Speaking of excitedly reciting an artist’s catalog, Kono Vidovic over at Dirty Disco Radio wrote such a fucking gorgeous review of Dance’O’Drome that all I can think to add to his notes on the record is, “I am especially very happy to be alive listening to this.”
#SOTD: Unknown Mortal Orchestra - “Guilty Pleasures”
image credit: Juan Ortiz Arenas
There is always so enthralling about any Unknown Mortal Orchestra record and their latest, V, is no exception. I have yet to put my finger on it specifically that is responsible for it being so easy to make a happy home inside every second of their music, but every time I put on their records I never bail before completing a spin. I’ve been playing the fuuuuck out of this record. Definitely in my top 5 of 2023 so far, no brainer.“Guilty Pleasures” has been climbing the ranks of my favorite tracks on the record. It’s just so playfully cheeky. I can’t get enough of it.
Oh! oh! If you haven’t caught their set on Tiny Desk yet it is highly recommended!
Hope y’all had a lovely weekend. I know I sure did. 💖✨
#SOTD: The Kickdrums - “Everything’s Great”
Image courtesy of The Kickdrums
Happy Saturdayyyy. Hope it’s been a lovely day wherever you are. I guess you can say “Everything’s Great” over here. 🥰 No but really, it only feels right to include longtime SKOA fam The Kickdrums in this latest reboot. It’s been a pleasure getting to know Fitts over the years. I think one of the best parts of doing this work is the friendships you make along the way, and it’s been really cool to witness the way that we’ve both evolved creatively since we met at the beginning of this whole endeavor.
Just the other day while Fitts and I were catching up over text, I happened to randomly inquire about his reasoning for releasing an album with minimal singing or lyrics on his latest album, Zig Zags. It was such a unique creative choice for him given how intimately I’ve come to know and love his catalog (and frequently utilize his singing as a security blanket of sorts) that I couldn’t help but ask. Anyway come to find out he apparently didn’t feel terribly inspired to deliberately say anything but still wanted to offer up some vibes. And lemme emphasize here for one and all: they are immaculate!
anyway It’s a nice having a vibey little reminder out in the universe for the world to enjoy alongside me that sometimes you don’t have to have something groundbreaking to say and that sometimes you can just show up in your authenticity in the moment and still have such a gorgeous impact on people’s lives.
#SOTD Yung Bae - “Body Talk (feat. Mayer Hawthorne)”
Image courtesy of Instagram
Mmmmm it’s vibe o’clock on Friday, Finallyyyy. ✨💖🙏🏻
I knew the moment that I was aware that future funk producer Yung Bae was teaming up with longtime crooner cutie Mayer Hawthorne that it was gonna be a potent pairing, but i cannot emphasize enough just how much “Body Talk” is a bop that shouldn’t be allowed to stop.
word on the street is that Yung Bae should be dropping another track soon, too!
And!
AND!
new album coming soon apparently, too!? Hell yeah 🤩
I hope we can agree on the following:
Groove Continental: Side A was precisely what we all needed last summer and the thought of more Yung Bae to help me get through the hottest summer on record is giving me life.
Mayer Hawthorne deserves to have more upbeat moments like this in his life. Love him to death as his laid back usual self, but this track made me really curious about the impactfulness of a possible production switch up for his next album when he’s ready for it.
Independence Day should never be allowed to be on a Tuesday ever again because my brain is still not convinced it’s Friday even if I’m able to type that it is.
#SOTD: Sum Bloke - “Fly”
image courtesy of Instagram
SHE BACK 🤩
It’s so wild. I had already planned on the SOTD reboot for today and then with Threads dropping last night it seems that music fam is all in happy spirits and feeling like the old twitter days when this site attracted the web sheriff at least weekly.
But here we are!
Speaking of old Twitter days, I cannot stress just how much I’ve missed doing SOTD. As much as I overcomplicated it for awhile there for no one else other than myself, it was always the highlight of my day. With all my time away I realize just how much happier I am when I devoting time on a daily basis to staying curious about what I can learn from baby bands I’ve yet to encounter and sharing my findings with both friends and future friends alike.
Speaking of friends and future friends, the kickoff track for the triumphant return of SOtD comes from Lee Cunningham, known to the cool kids as Sum Bloke. the Dallas house producer teamed up to release this track on fellow former Floridian turned Brooklynite, Lefti’s somewhat newly founded House label, Quincy Boy Records. “Fly” was featured on the label’s debut artist compilation, Friends & Family vol. 1, which was released in February 2022.
This will be your go-to track to groove your way to greatness. Seriously. I still have yet to figure out where the sample is from on this track, but there’s a lot of magic in it. To warmly and accurately quote it,
“It’s the year, kid.
You gotta just got for it.
Don’t think about what comes after or what came before.
You just gotta bend your knees, take a deep breath, and
JUMP.
And you might think, ‘What if I fall!?’
Well, what if you don’t?
What if I fly?”
Reminder: the SOTD playlist is always available for your listening pleasure in full (and ease of track acquisition) on Spotify and Apple Music.
🚨Song Of The Day is Back 🚨
That’s right 🥰✨
hold on to your butts, it’s about to get fun over here again. 🍑
ICYMI - there are currently over 600 songs in the SOTD playlist on both Spotify *and* Apple Music for your listening pleasure with plenty of info on each track. You may follow on your respective platform of choice below 😎: