Welcome back to The Full Page’s music corner. I’m glad to share some new favourites with you. This genre-spanning playlist is called “Chaos Theory.” Whether you’re driving, exercising, cooking or relaxing, I’m sure you’ll find some songs to really dig. Follow the link provided to find the playlist on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/tfp-chaos-theory/pl.u-JPAZxAPuDdP9gB
He has a new album out. It’s Drake. For All the Dogs gave us another chapter in the novella of Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR collaborations. With a Drake album, songs often fit into a similar group with songs from earlier albums. “Started from the Bottom” was Nothing was the Same’s “Headlines,” which was Take Care’s “Over.” “Members Only” fits into a singing group of Drake songs with moody equivalents like “Since Way Back,” “Days in the East” and “After Dark.”
Troy Sivan is finally on a fame wave. I thought he showed great potential on Bloom and I’m glad he’s delivered with his new album, Something to Give Each Other. The club-ready single from the album, “Rush,” has a wild music video and an addictive chorus. Evidently, Sivan is embracing his gay-icon status for the Something to Give album cycle. Luckily, he’s pulling it off. Did you see him get spoofed on SNL?
Boygenius is poised for a big night at the Grammys. I’ve watched some of their candid interviews and live videos. They seem like charismatic girls with enviable chemistry. Their 2023 album, the record, mixes hipster radicalism with authentic rock, fun ballads and extensive emotions. If you can’t get enough boygenius and feel like staying depressed, I’d recommend Julien Baker’s song “Something.”
Last month, I was in an Airbnb bed with an inconvenient case of Covid. As I lay there with body aches and nasal congestion, I started deep diving into metal. My curiosity started with Black Sabbath. I listened to them previously, while touring an art gallery. Their devilish music stood in vivid contrast with the gallery’s religious art, which made for a thought-provoking experience. Deeper and deeper I went into the wormhole on metal and its origins. I have emerged with this initial collection of fiery songs.
Is there anything greater than George Michael’s vocals on “Careless Whisper”? The camp, power, skill and song progression are all perfect. I defy you not to feel something when Michael hits us with, “Tonight the music seems so loud, I wish that we could lose this crowd.” This is the 80s at its most 80s. What is the mix on this song? Why is it so quiet and yet it fills so well by the end. Oddly brilliant.
Yes, I did first hear “Big Iron” on Instagram under a Reel of cats that apparently run some sort of Western town. But I do love it and it’s a fun, story-time country song. “Chick Inspector” is enough to get any man cancelled today, but for 1973 it was just almost a top 50 hit. And how about Dion’s vocal runs on “Dream Lover”? He floats through the pocket of that beat, sounding fun, fast and fantastic. Labi Siffre’s “My Song” is another song that I found on Instagram. It was famously sampled by Kanye West on Graduation. On its own, “My Song” is sweet and sensitive with a gentle beat and excellent vocals.
Sometimes, when you’re travelling, the only English channel is the music video channel. This is how I found two of these songs. Edie Brickell’s tune gets better with repeated listens. For Simply Red, you need to be walking through an airport terminal, or taking the train, or staring out the window on a gray day, or be melancholically contemplating or be living off a bad sleep. It has vibey synths and stellar vocals.
We close the music playlist with the sophisticated and nocturnal moods of soft jazz. There are two beautiful piano pieces from Bill Evans and Don Shirley, and vocal jazz performances from wonderful singers: Peggy Lee, Astrud Gilberto, Blossom Dearie and Billie Holiday.
