Month: February 2025

Posted in Album of the Month, New Albums

AOTM March | Brother Ali & Ant | Satisfied Soul

Posted on by nolankane706

This month we delve into the latest release from Brother Ali, an artist that has become a mainstay on the pod over the last few years and is finally getting the love he deserves as we visit his new album Satisfied Soul. 

Brother Ali has been a jewel in the indie hop hop scene for over 20 years. Although always on my radar, his music only started to become a big part of my world just over 10 years ago and to the pod a few years ago when we discussed his track Sensative on spin it or bin it. His back catalogue is impressive, and essential listening (for a quick intro you can find a playlist here). 

Ali is a far cry from your stereo typical hip hop artist. Born a caucasian albino, Ali felt he was more excepted by his black classmates growing up. Influenced by hip hop since a young age, he discovered Islam through a conversation with KRS One in his teens and credits him largely for the journey that later lead him to converting (this is mentioned on the album). Someone once said to me that they thought Brother Ali was misunderstood which is polarising for his music. I completely disagree with that. I can’t think of an artist that is more certain and eloquently puts across his views on his spirituality, morals, politics and his love of hip hop better than Brother Ali. It’s because of that some find his music polarising.  Following up on the largely ignored 2024 release Love & Service (Ali has stated it was blocked for it’s political messages), Ali is firmly in his purple patch. Partnering with longtime collaborator Ant, the two make their debut on the exceptional hip hop label Mellow Music. 

Breaking the mould of what we often think is the perfect album length, Satisfied Soul almost doubles it with a hefty 17 tracks spanning over 57 minutes. Though this comment may haunt me, I think they’ve pulled it off. Ali and Ant’s navigation of wholesome, soul drenched hip hop is a pleasure. 

This album is a mixed bag of emotions; it’s serious, it’s lighthearted, it’s reflective, it’s a prevision, it’s spiritually inclusive. Ali is a confident storyteller, a hip hop journeyman that emits a mature self confidence that is infectious. Ant has created a musical curation perfect for the 17 track journey. From pure hip hop gems like Deep Cuts and The Counts to the lighthearted stories shared in Two Dudes there is a lot to go at and enough variation to keep you hooked. 

To be an artist that’s career spans over 20 years is tough. How do you stay relevant? How do you keep connected to your audience? Based on this collection, you could argue that personal evolution and honestly between yourself and your audience is the trick. 

Satisfied Soul has lived up to the high expectations that were set after hearing the initial EP at the back end of 2024. I look forward to hearting your thoughts….

Posted in Album of the Month, New Albums, New Tunes, Playlists, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast EP.54 | The Weather Station | Humanhood

Posted on by misterstory

EP. 73 | Dahi | Black Boy (Alternative) – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 73 of This Is Not Happening, an Album of the Month podcast. In Part 1, we do a deep drive review of our Album of the Month. This month Nolan has chosen an producer and artist that was on none of our radars, Dahi. He's the producer behind many massive artists including Kendrick Lamar and has released his first 'solo' album Black Boy (Alternative).In Part 2, we play Spin It or Bin It, we pick a theme and all pick songs that represent that theme. This month, taking inspiration from last months focus on Phoebe Bridgers, we are picking tracks by 'SuperGroups'.Part 1 | Album of the Month | Dahi | Black Boy (Alternative):He may not be the first SuperProducer that you might think of but its hard to deny that Dahi meets the definition. He's produced for Kendrick, SZA, Travis Scott, Mac Miller, Childish Gambino, Madonna and Dr. Dre. But now he becomes the creative focal point with his debut artist release. The album is many things but it's nothing like I expected it to be. Dahi himself described the solo project as 'African Radiohead' which I feel is weird and misplaced but apparently the internet has much to say on the topic.Join us as we unpack this interesting and intriguing album.Read the Guardian's review for a bit of background here.Read this rare interview on Music Tech to learn more from Dahi.If you'd prefer to watch an interview … Saving Connie has it covered.This playlist reminds you how prolific Dahi is.Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | SuperGroupsThe theme this month, inspired by Phoebe Bridgers Boy Genius side project is the Super Group. We are defining SuperGroup as a collection of previously well known solo musicians or members of other groups who form a named, side project with other solo musicians or band members.The task is pick a track that fits the theme, the objective, get more 'spins' than your friends. We each pick four tracks for a 16 track play list . We then each pick select 1 track and ask the simple question 'Spin It Or Bin It'?Guy chose | Getting Away With It | ElectronicJoey chose | 'The Truth' | Handsome Boy Modelling SchoolDavid chose | 7/4 Shoreline | Broken Social SceneNolan chose | Definition | Black StarWe've been writing the blog for years come and have a look – https://thisisnothappening.net/
  1. EP. 73 | Dahi | Black Boy (Alternative)
  2. EP.72 | Phoebe Bridgers | Lost Weekend
  3. EP.71 | Steve Lacy | Oh Yeah?
  4. EP.70 | Olivia Rogrigo | You seem pretty sad …
  5. EP. 69 | Lykke Li | The Afterparty

Another year, another month, another pod. Welcome to Episode 54 of This is Not Happening (TINH), an Album of the Month (AOTM) Podcast. In Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’.  We pick a theme and each pick a song that represents that theme. We judge the selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

In Part 1, Joey hosts a bit of a love-in on The Weather Station’s 7th album Humanhood.

In Part 2, Spin It or Bin It, our theme this month is ‘New Music’, tracks from the past 2-3 months.

                    —– Part 1 | The Weather Station | Humanhood —–

One of the rare times that we’ve double dipped on artist, we return to Tamara Linderman and The Weather Station. In 2021 we all (eventually) loved Ignorance. An album focusing largely on nature and the climate crisis. It was an album of global concerns. Humanhood is feels quite different, it feels deeply personal but retains global relevance in different ways.

I think this is going to be a big one for the pod this year. I know Joey and David will love this album but not so sure about Nolan and Guy. We discuss the album in comparison to Ignorance, we talk about production and sound mixing, percussion backing vocals and lovely lovely woodwind.

  • Listen to the album here.
  • Listen to the essential Sheroes podcast interview with Tamara here.
  • Watch a few videos here.
  • Buy some stuff here.                   

                            —– Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | New Music —–

January / February is usually a great time for new tracks. This year is no exception. Let’s celebrate that. We each pick a new track and ask each other ‘Spin It or Bin It?’

Here is a link to a long list of new tracks that we put together. Enjoy.