Lav's Music Corner

Review by Lav: Mannequin Pussy is a Philly punk rock band that has long interested me for their combination of ferocity and sonic versatility. For many it was their 2019 album Patience  that served as their breakthrough, but where they really clicked with me was on the 2021 follow-up Perfect EP. Across just a few tracks the band showed off their full range with infectious dreamy space and speedy punk intensity coming back to back on songs throughout. But with the singles for this record, the band seemed to take a different approach, why not combine them? For the best example look no further than the title track, lead single, and opener I Got Heaven . It's an absolutely ripping opener that I loved last year and it wastes no time kicking the album off with a bang. I love that it hits right away with this literally animalistic ferocity to the lyrics. It's also a great example of how the album can transition seamlessly between its punk angst and a sweeter, dreamier sincerity. I als...

This was an all-time strange week where some of the big releases left me very underwhelmed. Here's my best attempt to make clarity out of the mess. 5.  Deeper Well  - Kacey Musgraves This was probably the new single I was most excited for this week but I just can't quite say I'm in love with it. I do like the novelty of Kacey essentially offering to pass you the blunt for a few minutes. But the song also doesn't really evolve in any way that's satisfying and. I also think her attempts at vulnerability in the lyrics kind of come up short even if she is being honest in her writing and delivery, it just doesn't feel like it's actually revealing anything.  Listen 4.  Auset  - Jlin Even though this kind of grinding metallic electronica will be familiar to Jlin fans I still like this song. It has a much more direct house and dance influence than much of her EP last year with stuttering hand claps and tight drum looks worked into certain parts of the song. Even if ...

Not exactly a world class week of new music, but here are the highlights regardless.  5.  The Mad Stone  - Everything Everything While this still isn't the band at their peak, I do think this is an improvement from the previous single they dropped. It contains some of the always unique vocalizations you expect to hear from them and it does rise dramatically with a creeping piano phrase that I like a lot. My only issue with the song is that the band isn't writing anywhere near their catchiest material here and the song never really worked its way into my head.  Listen 4.  Get Close  - Ari Lennox While this track is definitely getting more from Ari as a performer than the songwriting itself I don't really see that as all too much of a complaint. Ari continues to be a world class vocalist and even when she isn't given the strongest direction it's still entrancing. The song isn't as memorable as some of the best moments on her last album but I still enjoy what ...

5.  inferno  - yeule I was surprised by how much I liked the previous yeule single and for that reason I wasn't surprised by how much I liked this one. Both tracks feature MAJOR instrumental improvements from the previous yeule album which creates a drastically more interesting sonic palette for the understated vocals and mysterious songwriting.  Explore 4.  I Got Heaven  - Mannequin Pussy Welcome back, Mannequin Pussy. While this new song lacks the earworm hook they often deliver I find it hard to complain about the dreamy blown-out replacement. Especially when it contrasts with some of the most pointed and explosive verses I've ever heard from the band. It's immediate, vicious, and totally unflinching.  Explore 3.  Demons  - Doja Cat If you had told me that Doja Cat's newest song would see her doing her best Baby Keem impression I wouldn't have necessarily been more excited. But do I like the song? Oh yeah. It sacrifices some of the sheer catchi...

The Extended Play is either a dying breed with too few songs to rack up meaningful streams or it's the only place where you can discover authentically good indie music anymore. Depending on who you ask. The reality of it is while the EP is mostly dead in popular music save for a few artists who could release literally anything and their fans would listen, it is a thriving medium in the underground. Part of me hates doing this list because 10 years from now we will know about some great EPs from artists who will break out in the next few years and this list will look completely different. But for now lets indulge with artists we know are good right now and count down the top 10 EPs of 2021.  10. Lil Mariko  - Lil Mariko Lil Mariko garnered quite a bit of attention with her appearance on Dorian Electra's My Agenda  last year, but she was really just getting started. Her debut EP is a hyperpop meets hip hop meets metal fusion sort of like Poppy but with more rapped verses. A...