A killer mix for grey skies, open roads, and getting for whatever the week’ll throw your way.
Good morning!
This week we’ve got some assorted thoughts on “seasonal” music, word of mouth in the current age, and a great mix of fresh tracks and fan favorites.
Another week into November, and fall has finally shown up in my corner of flyover country. For those of us in the shorts-and-hoodie crowd, it’s truly our time to shine. Winter’s fury and the monochromatic landscape that comes with it’ll be here soon enough. For now, we’re alternating between clear-and-a-million skies with moderate temps and what can best be described as “Joy Division and a nap” weather—grey skies that swirl in place, but never seem to move.
There are tracks I only seem to listen to during specific seasons. We used to joke that you could only play “The Joker” between Memorial Day and Labor Day—as if it were the sonic equivalent of wearing white. As teenagers, we found this endlessly amusing. Teenagers today would call it cringe. My point here is that some tracks are very much songs of the summer, and some are very much not. This list reflects that downshift into cooler temps and lower lights.
Electronic’s “Disappointed” was on the soundtrack to Cool World, a film that really only lives on as a trivia question (it’s actually not the worst film in the world). Information Society has seen a sort of resurgence on social media. I don’t know if that’s nostalgia accounts looking for what’ll hit next or someone digging into their parents’ CD collection, but I’m here for it. If you haven’t seen their Bands Reunited episode, it’s something else, as was the fallout.
Shame these records so often get treated as period pieces. These tracks are every bit a part of the era they were made in, but to my ear, they’re as shiny as they were on day one.
We lost Juan Atkins on Halloween, and if you’re thinking you don’t know who that is, you’ve probably heard his fingerprints: one of the pioneers of Detroit techno, and techno in general, and a massive influence on anyone who picked up a keyboard (or keytar) in the last 40 years. If you spent anytime in the clubs, it’ll only take a few seconds for you to recognize “Clear.”
We also lost Television’s Richard Lloyd. Feels like the Grim Reaper is using the wrong list. Hug your friends, pet your pets, see your favorite band while you can.
On a happier note, a few discoveries this week came from places I’m usually trying to avoid. I try to stay off most of the godforsaken Meta apps, but the election cycle roped me back onto IG. Progress, not perfection, I guess. I’m always surprised at how many bands have decided to buy in and buy ad time on there. If I ruled the world, flyers and word of mouth would be enough. Maybe we can keep working back toward that. In the meantime, there’s the occasional silver lining, and finding Devyn Crimson was one of ’em.
If I find an artist through another writer, it’s kinda word of mouth, right? Gabbie was recently talking up Swapmeet. They sounded great, and, well, here we are. I haven’t made it too far past this track, but I’m getting there. Same with Dead Rock West, a band I’d never come across but who’re now in the hunt for an AOTY nod. Thanks to Glenn Cook for getting them on my radar! This crowd has incredible taste.
For absolutely no logical reason, Northern Soul sounds 10x better in the fall and winter than in the other half of the year. It’s science (probably). At any rate, expect more of those sounds in these playlists as we head into the tail end of ’26/start of ’27. If you’re looking for something a little off-menu to check out, this comp is a great place to start (h/t Joi ). In the meantime, Barbara Lynn’s here. Maybe a little off-menu when it comes to genre/definitions, but the ruling on the field says it’s good.
We’ve also got some brand-new sounds from Letters of Acceptance. The full record’s out now, and I can confirm it’s great. They also stopped by our pal S.W. Lauden Remember the Lightning for a Q&A. And look for a little more ink from me in an upcoming review. Ditto Fulton Lights and their Best World record. We’ll have a Q&A with them out later this week (spoiler: it was fun to do, and I think it’ll be cool to read).
We wind it up with a one-two punch from Jenny Lewis and hayley before closing it with a little Chemical Brothers, because who couldn’t use a killer drop on a Monday morning? Grab your coffee and get in.
Enjoy the music!
KA–
On to the music:
Spoiler alert: There’s nothing from Joy Division (or The Steve Miller Band). Maybe next week?
The Playlists: | Apple | Qobuz | YouTube Music | Tidal (NEW) |
Now it’s your turn.
What’s been exciting you lately? How’d you come across it? Any releases or shows you’re looking forward to? Share your thoughts in the comments!
