Have a number of things to share and random thoughts, thought I'd just bring them all together here.

(EDIT: feel free to use this post for smaller shares/thoughts, too.)

Will just post one or two things to start, then come back later to add a few others.

1) BADBADNOTGOOD feat. V.C.R. - I Found A Light (Beale Street)

https://youtu.be/grIgoVnYZ8A

Missed this when it dropped in April, what a monster of a cut! Could probably just let this run all day. The group singing also puts me in mind of the stuff Jungle's been doing, like the Living in Stereo record.

Not sure if this means a new album is on the way this year or not, but love it.





-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

2) Annahstasia - tether
This got my ears over the weekend via a playlist on shuffle, then saw it was BNM'd on Pitchfork this mroning, so I just gave it a spin and MAN...

Where has her voice been?!? It's beautiful and distinct and rich.

Both literal voice and figurative, bc these songs are gorgeous, too.

More of a folk-ish, quiet, often quite sparse feel. Obongjayar shows up for a stunning guest spot.

Some production credits from folks who have worked w/Moses Sumney and Cassandra Jenkins, and I think you hear that a bit. I kept thinknig "Dreamscape."

Vocally, maybe reference Tracy Chapman or Baby Rose... that deeper register that we don't hear enough of.

Anyway, opening track is a great setting for the album as a whole: https://annahstasia.bandcamp.com/track/be-kind

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

I don't know where I heard about this outfit but I found it in a playlist I made last year.

They describe themselves as: "a West African art-folk band based in Brooklyn, with feathers all over" and I think that sort of works, lol.

But ultimately, they're just really interesting, with lots of unexpected detours -- they can feel sort of proggy or psychedelic in one moment, then suddenly we're in a passage that feels like a bryony jarmon-pinto tune. Top-notch genre dodgers, lol.

Two that I find really interesting:

"The Feel" - https://narcotix.bandcamp.com/track/the-feel

"The Child" - https://narcotix.bandcamp.com/track/the-child


They also have a pretty cool cut off this Madre Andromeda album (which is worth checking out in its own right):

https://madreandromeda.bandcamp.com/track/keep-movin-with-it




-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

(I forgot who else I was going to share on this thread --- so I'm repurposing it, and I'll just share something I listened to with a comment or two, sort of like a mini-music diary, focused mainly on newer releases. Won't commit to everyday, but I'll try and drop something every few days or so. Fun way to catch up 2025 releases, maybe? Feel free to chime in.)

---
Sam Cohen - Slow Fawn Music vol. 2

This has been one of my absolute favorite records this year, can't even explain why. I know exactly nothing about Sam Cohen, but I checked this out two or three months ago on the strength of a recommendation and the fact that Photay is involved (I've loved his last few projects).

It almost has a David Axelrod vibe, in its genre eclecticism as well as its big, almost cinematic gestures. Largely instrumental, there's a little of everything here in terms of style and sound --- there are jazz-ish nods, some more ambient moments, a fondness for break beats, stuff that feels a little more psychedelic-ish (?).

Anyhow, I think the standout is the four-part "Continuum" -- here's the first part:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4sXJVNb4nk&list=RDh4sXJVNb4nk

Can't find the record on bandcamp, weirdly, or any information about it -- but it is streaming (I've been listening on Tidal). A "Slow Fawn Music Vol. 1" was released a few years ago with a similar cast of characters, including Photay. Also good, but drifts more toward bits of ambient and almost indie folk... whereas this release feels funkier, almost soul jazz-y at times.

Alright, I give up -- just go listen.

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

Other newer releases I listened to today:

Ichiko Aoba - Luminescent Creatures. Another fav so far this year: wonderful balance between lush, almost orchestral settings and stripped down, minimalist (Japanese) folk. Otherworldly at times. Recommended (and check out her recent KEXP set)!

Francois and the Atlas Mountains - Age Fleuve. French act, chamber folk/chamber pop with electronic elements. I don't know if I'd call this a favorite yet this year but I've listened a number of times, which says something. Whenever it pops up on my shuffle, I revisit the album and am never disappointed.

Florist - Jellywish. Adrianne Lenker but more jangle, more twee? Fine, and some of it's catchy, but I don't think I'll play this into the ground any time soon.

Silvan Strauss - FLUKIN'. Know nothing about this, probably added it to a playlist bc it has a Joe Armon-Jones feature. But it was good! Some jazz-ish/hip hop mash-up investigations. Dude's a drummer and it shows, in a good way. Never felt too predictable or easy. First time listening, but looking forward to another listen soon.

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

Not sure where I spotted this but added it to my everything playlist for 2025. A track from it came up yesterday, liked it, so listened to the album.

A bit of neo-soul-ish r&b, not far in sound from someone like Raquel Rodriguez or even Amber Mark.

I was working while listening, so didn't note any favorite cuts or anything, but I liked it enough to know I'll listen again real soon. Well-produced and well-written, at least on initial listen.

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

Just dropped today, listening now.

Hunter needs no intro. Feingold has studied and played guitar with, and for, some of the greats. Her Youtube channel is a wealth of #Guitar knowledge, and she does cool shit with alternate tunings and setups. She's one of the few guitar heads on Youtube focusing on funk and neo-soul technique and sound.

Anyhow --- FUNKY so far. Almost feels like a polished mixtape/beat tape: cuts are often shorter, built around a key loop/vamp and developed from there. All instrumental.

Neither of them are here to show off; no guitar fireworks. Just a lot of really good, deep-in-the-groove playing.

Can't find it on bandcamp yet but it's on the DSPs.

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMHx_EgVVUc

nuff said

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

Much appreciated...wow!

Integrity is the Cornerstone of Artistry...

Much appreciated...wow!

Integrity is the Cornerstone of Artistry...

I need to listen more but I'm on my second spin today and I think these are built around Sly Stone grooves, or at least some.

The opening "Riot" referencing title is obvious, and the album title fits. But like, Housatonic is absolutely built around a Sly riff, too.

Eager to hear more about how this was put together. It goes!



-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

From Hunter and Corey Fonville (drummer extraordinaire ) last year.

Same vibe, even more beat-focused.

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~