Lav's Music Corner

Let the listing begin. In the first and smallest year-end list I publish I take a look at the tiny projects that were packed full of good songs. While this list lacks some of the stunning high-end releases of previous years, it's a very deep well full of versatile and compelling projects.  These are my 10 favorite EPs of 2023. Enjoy <3 10. Jlin - Perspective  EP Kicking off the list we have Jlin's pseudo-return to dropping new music with this Pulitzer Prize For Music finalist Perspective . After being originally composed three years ago the material was re-recorded by Jlin and finally made it to the public, which I'm very grateful for. Despite moments that feel undersold relative to her normal textural bliss, there is ton of magnetic and distinctive electronic music present throughout this project. Jlin continues to have a sound that is not only easy to identify but easy to love.  Listen To: Derivative , Paradigm 9. Softcult - See You In The Dark  EP Canadian duo ...

Forever Means EP - Angel Olsen The reason I was excited for this new Angel Olsen EP is easy to explain. Her output has been so consistently great that everyone should be constantly excited for whatever she's doing next. After loving her last album I was thrilled that we were getting another taste with these four songs which originate from the same recording sessions. It helped that the EP was led off by the gorgeous Nothing's Free  and intimate ballad which stretches and grows to include a charming sax solo and some slinky keys. The EP's title track is a turn for something a bit more reserved though it definitely reminds me of some of my favorite quiet moments on her last record even if it isn't the most standout part of this project. Time Bandits  is another big highlight which kind of feels like a throwback of sorts as Angel revisits some vocal inflections we haven't heard since at least My Woman . It's a simple sonic palette for a song but the results are lar...

5.  Talkback  - 6lack Even if using the same Sting sample as Lucid Dreams  only a few years after it was a smash hit is a bold idea I also think this might be my favorite 6lack song in quite a while. All of his swagger as a performer and versatility between singing and rapping comes through to make the song pretty irresistible. You basically know what you're getting with this one but that's not a complaint.  Listen 4.  Failed At Math(s)  - Panchiko A few years ago I would have never believed we would get Panchiko reunited and recording new music but here it is. While their new single didn't exactly blow me away it did something just as important, maintained some of the stylistic motifs of the music that broke the band through in the first place even though it's been over 20 years since then.  Listen 3.  My Cosmos Is Mine  - Depeche Mode This might be the darkest new Depeche Mode song in a while at least in terms of soundplay and I actually li...

Angel Olsen is an Asheville singer-songwriter who has spent the past decade as one of the most acclaimed artists in the indie and singer-songwriter scenes. After years of acclaim in the indie circuit she releaser her massively acclaimed breakout album My Woman  in 2016. She followed that up with a shift into a grander instrumental prescence on the follow-up album All Mirrors  in 2019, which also came with a stripped-back accompaniment the next year. Big Time  is Olsen's 6th album which is not only a shift back into more reserved instrumentation, but also the sounds of country music. Review By Lav: If clout comes from being early to great artists, one of the artists I can rightfully claim that title for is Angel Olsen, though geography and some of the older indie kids at my middle school definitely had something to do with that. Since then seeing her breakout, evolve her style and continue writing great music the entire way through has been a treat as both a fan and a crit...

At the 11th hour, I returned home from vacation having only recently remembered I had to write and publish the best tracks of the week. Here they are. Enjoy <3. 5. 2001 - Foals While Foals have basically been in their dance-rock era for quite a while now they finally leaned heavily into the disco influence on this track and made their best single from this era. It's certainly not complicated and I wouldn't say it has much of the extravagant rush that you might expect from a good Foals track, but it's bouncy and charming in the way the good disco revival music has to be.  Listen 4. Funeral Solution  - Thee Oh Sees After not loving the last few Oh Sees records, this was a punch in the face that I was excited for. The band needs less than two minutes to absolutely pummel you with chugging riffs, short screamed vocal refrains and an absolutely filthy mix. This one is simple, it will crush you, you should let it. Listen 3. Through The Fires  - Angel Olsen Angel Olsen delive...

I'm late, sorry, I was at a music festival. Let's not waste any more time. Enjoy <3 5.  Falling Apart (Right Now)  - Wilco When Wilco announces a new album it's still an event in indie music. When that announcement comes with a short but catchy and slightly psychedelic tinged lead single it is even more of a moment. Nothing about this is mind blowing but it's a very solid start for one of the more respected acts in all of indie to return with. Listen 4.  Big Time  - Angel Olsen If you ever hoped that Angel Olsen would try her hand at writing a Courtney Barnett song I think this is the closest you'll get. While it doesn't have the same kind of snarky attitude to it and the instrumentation is much more folk inspired this is one of the wordiest tracks I've ever heard from Angel Olsen. While I do enjoy what she has to say I also can't help but think the song is crying out for a climactic moment to complete it.  Listen 3.  Hello, Hi  - Ty Segall Ty's e...

The Grammys are tonight, ick. While they will never achieve the level of industry admiration that the Oscars have, the great slap may have inspired the show to shoot for some kind of contrived attempt at cultural ubiquity. So assuming something meme worthy happens at the Grammys that then dominates the news cycle let's talk about these songs that came out this week while we still can.  5.  Deja Vu  - Toro Y Moi The upcoming Toro Y Moi album has the potential to be one of his best ever. After knocking my socks off with one of my favorite singles of the year so far Postman, Chaz came back just as strong with this breezy little psychedelic number. It perfectly combines his consistent delivery of chill wave bliss with an ear for instrumental texture that never fails.  Listen 4.  Sirens  - Flume (Feat. Caroline Polachek) After what was a pretty standard pop and EDM fusion for his lead single, Flume is back with something more outside the lines and I really enjoy...

The single is the absolute heartbeat of popular music. Nothing racks up streams, builds up hype and generates social media buzz like a lead single, music video or elaborate promotional campaign. While the medium isn't exclusive to the mainstream and bands all the way down to the local level can issue singles in the streaming era, this is the list most affected by general consensus and commercial success. Based on the quality of these songs, the level of execution in their visuals and promotion, and the appeal and reception within their target fanbase this is a ranking of the top 100 singles released in 2021.  Enjoy <3 100. Bloody Future  - Kilo Kish Last Time On The List: 2019 Bite Me With nostalgia being as potent a force as ever in music this year Kilo Kish kicks our list off with a multi-decade encompassing R&B banger. Her voice continues to be an infectious accompaniment to a bouncy hook and her impeccable attitude goes a long way to help sell the track.  99. P...