Lav's Music Corner

This was a strange week of subverted expectations and curious returns, none of it really assembled into anything rational. Let's break it down.  5.  Evicted  - Wilco This sure is a Wilco song. While it doesn't necessarily have any of the compositional or instrumental adventuring that has kept the band fresh at points deep into their career, they still do what they do. This gentle bouncy indie-folk tale of love lost is simple but memorable.  Listen 4.  Angel In The Marble  - Stormzy After loving Stormzy's new album last year I haven't been as crazy about some of his new singles. This one is definitely my favorite so far and I think it sees Stormzy returning to a style that worked for him earlier in his career. He delivers a series of bars that bounce between ridiculous opulence and occasional flashes of honesty that add up to something really compelling. Paired with the thumping beat and wild vocal samples this is kind of a banger. Listen 3.  Munekita ...

Stormzy has spent the past 5 years becoming one of the definitive voices in British rap music. With both hit songs and critical acclaim on both of his first two records, This Is What I Mean  was highly anticipated by fans and critics despite a somewhat lukewarm reception to its first two singles. They forecasted a significant shift to more meditative, reserved, and emotional music which the album reflects.  Review by Lav: After not being crazy about Stormzy's debut album, I thought his sophomore effort was a big improvement that showed him to be a better lyricist than I had previously thought and also capable of making some bangers. That's sort of why I was caught off guard by the pivot he took on the two singles from this record for a sound that a lot of people haven't loved. But you know me I'm not afraid of a big artistic swing and I made my feelings towards both of the singles pretty clear, I like them. And while this record is far from perfect a lot of what I liked...

On time even though I don't have wifi right now because I moved. The things I do for my little darlings.  Enjoy <3 5.  Grapevine  - Weyes Blood Even with Weyes Blood being known for playing it lowkey the verses on this track are on the sparse side. And while the hook doesn't quite erupt like some of her best tracks it doesn't have to because the beauty comes from the subtlety. With Johnathan Rado once again on board for production every single chime, keys and swell of strings sounds immaculately aligned.  Listen 4.  Stressed  - Doechii Top Dawg's new versatile wonder child is back with another impressive new single that shows off her ability to sing and rap across an effective array of styles. Beyond her impressive display the song also has a great instrumental that's creative and pretty uncompromising in its willingness to work in charming small details.  Listen 3.  ours  - R.A.P Ferreira In the middle of this song Rory explicitly says no...