Author: misterstory

Posted in Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums

AOTM | Phasor | Halado Negro

Posted on by misterstory

Here is Helado Negro introducing his own album …

For anyone who knows me and my musical tastes well, this choice for Album of The Month (AOTM) will be no surprise. Not that Helado Negro is an artist that I shout from the roof tops about but because it’s so ‘me’. Is it in an early morning album? Is it a late night album? Is there a difference? For me there is, I go to bed early so ‘Late Night Albums kind of become ‘Early Morning Albums’ by default. Many of my favourite albums and AOTM choices have been characteristically crepuscular. And Phasor is no different.

Roberto Carlos Lange, aka Helado Negro is a 44 year old American-Latinx artist who has been recording music under this name for 15 years. Lange heralds from Ecuadorian heritage, born in Florida but found his way to New York, Brooklyn to be precise.

Lange studied Computer Art and Sound design, his first creative outputs being experimental installations and by my understanding, followed the sound design, experimentation route and started to make his own music.

2017 Tiny Desk Performance.

Phasor is Helado Negro’s 8th full studio album, quite an output in 15 years given how many collaborations and side projects he’s also been involved with. It’s the 3rd of his album’s that I’ve got to know in detail and is my favourite by some way. It’s the kind of album that I challenge anyone not to like. It’s buoyant and bubbly but in the most muted and understated, almost restrained kind of way. Nothing is ever turned up or overstated, everything sits within a level of comfort and accessible presentation. The drum track on ‘Wish you could be here’ is a great example, it’s a big old beat, in different hands it could make this track a banger but it’s pulled back and almost caged. This is a similar story on every track, there is something that could be bigger, more focal but it’s always dialled back a little so that nothing else is overshadowed.

It’s a very tight album, it’s only 9 tracks, only 35 minutes but it does a lot in it’s short stay. Lyrics are sung in Spanish and English. There is an equal balance of electronic sounds and acoustic instrumentation. They are melded perfectly. There is jazz. There is quite a lot of jazz. There is not too much jazz. Don’t worry.

Here are a bunch of words that describe this album … stringing them together perhaps diminishes their effect as a review so here they are in all their naked glory;
Contemplative. Simple. Quiet. Slow. Environmental. Faint. Clouds. Intimate. Rise. Artistic. Silhouette. Fragments. Rare. Precious.

It’s a vibe. It’s a reflective chill vibe. I love every track. I could make a decent argument for every track being a ‘standout track’. At this point in time, I wouldn’t change a thing. At this point in time, I can’t see this not being in my 2024 top 10. Surely, it’s so ‘Joey’. It’s so good. It’s go so much percussion. It’s got so much tuned percussion.

Posted in Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, podcast

AOTM | ‘Integrated Tech Solutions’ by Aesop Rock

Posted on by misterstory

January 2024 is another slow month for new music … well, actually, a slow month for New Albums. There’s a glut of interesting tracks being released as precursors to new albums but nothing that floated our boat from an album perspective. With this in mind, it is my absolute pleasure to bring an album to the table from Nov. ’23 – Interated

As this album, and to be fair this artist, was introduced to me (Joey) by Nolan, I thought it was best for him to introduce things …

You know when someone tells you a story, and starts with ‘bear with me, it’s worth it’. Or when you have to talk your partner into watching a film that their face says they don’t want to watch but you know they’ll love it by the end? Ladies and gentlemen; I give you Aesop Rock, and his latest release ‘Integrated Tech Solutions’ or ITS for short. Aesop was recently referred to by Kitty Empire of the Guardian as ‘dad rap’, the reference is fair. It’s accessible and unique. Arguably he’s one of the most interesting musicians and story tellers in modern times, which you need in your life, but you will need to give him some time to let his commentary fully sink in.

Aesop Rock isn’t new, he has been making exceptional underground hip hop for all the train spotting backpackers since 1997. Although a new name to most, over the last quarter of a century he has slowly been building a dedicated fanbase through not only unique beats and lyrics, but his unique delivery. Expect the unexpected, his lyrics and content are far from stereo typical hip hop. Aesop has been attributed to have the widest use of vocabulary in hip hop and content is spun with humour over ego. His self-awareness and an unique observations likens him more to John Cooper Clarke than Nas.

On his Spotify page, his wordplay is described as dense. A fair description. There’s an argument that to truly get a taste of what he’s lyrically putting across in each album you will need at least 20 listens. The ability to create music that keeps on giving and requires multiple listens is admirable is these times of throw away, on to the next music listening, but admittedly also could and has left him without the accolade that most of his albums deserve. 

The Guardian also pointed out that his last album Spirit World Field Guide had ‘late career rave reviews’. I’d argue he’s just getting started as with each album release there’s subtle evolution, Aesop Rock makes his best album to date with each release. 

Pitchfork described ITS as ‘an album loosely about life under technology. For me this is an album of stories, thoughts, and daydreams. The content ranges from the evolution of man (and himself), Mr. T, mental health, pigeons, even salt and pepper squid.. and skateboarding. He refers to skating a lot. 

On each Aesop Rock album, there is always a track that is a ‘gateway’ song, one I recommend to get someone to listen to the album. On ITS there is a plethora. 100 Feet Tall, Mindful Solutionalism, Kyanote Toothpick… in fairness I struggle to think of a track that I wouldn’t recommend. There is an ever so subtle evolution, where Aesop Rock finds himself making his best album yet with each release.

Thank you Nolan … let me drop some thoughts;

I’ve ‘known about’ Aesop Rock for years now but never really dived straight in and fully committed to the aforementioned density of his albums. To do this you need your gateway track and Mindful Solutionism is just that. It was my No.2 track of 2023 and is a stone cold classic. The beat is infectious, the lyrics burrow into your ears and then you’re mind.

Everything that Nolan has said about the album and Aesop is spot on. He is a great story teller. He layers meaning into all of his songs. I don’t mean there are little ‘in-jokes’ in his tracks that you have to google to understand. This is what I mean;

Pigeonometry – a track that is about setting a task to draw 1000 pigeons but is really about individualism, bigotry and the disenfranchised.

100 Feet Tall – is a track about meeting Mr. T in a restaurant in the 80’s but is really about the impact (and the lack of) black role models on TV. On one hand it makes you smile and laugh and on the other hand it makes you empathise with the little boy version of Aesop telling the story.

Aggressive Steven – is another great example of story telling that is basically about going home to smoke with a friend to find out your apartment has been broken into. But this track ends up being about underfunded mental health services and criminalisation of people in need.

These are only 3 examples but every track can be described in a very similar way. I am not sure if I can think of many … any other rappers who have this level of ‘writing’ capability. The thought process and skill sitting behind this output is incredible. But wow … then the delivery. Does it get much better than this? Ok, its not ‘banger hip hop’ this isn’t Superbowl Half Time Show hip hop. But if you like your music to say something, to say many things, to say them intelligently, with razor sharp word play, over super sharp beats and always with a smile on its face … this is for you.

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

Podcast Episode 41 | Lana Del Rey | … Ocean Blvd.

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

Welcome to Episode 41 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where 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’.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

This month, in Part 1, we go deep with Lana Del Ray for the first time on TINH. LDR is one of the industry major players, few move units or split opinions like her. Find out what we think. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is ‘A Song for January’ where we all chose a track that we think fits the theme and ask the others ‘Spin It or Bin It’.

Part 1 | Lana Del Rey | Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd.

This is album no.9 for LDR and its a whopper. It’s got a lot to say and says it across 16 tracks. There are common LDR tropes and new twists on what you might expect. We think it contains some of the best music released in 2023 but is it all good? Can a 78 minute be brilliant from start to finish?

  • Listen to the album here.
  • Watch some videos here.
  • Buy some stuff here.
  • A really interesting interview on Billboard can be found here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘A song for January’

Well, that was an odd Episode of Spin It or Bin It! The usual structure goes to the wall this month and it all gets a bit loose. Nolan get’s the hump, Joey gets all serious but thankfully David and Guy clean up the mess and no blood was spilled.

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

We’ve been writing the blog for years come and have a look – https://thisisnothappening.net

Posted in Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Episode 40 | 2023 Top 10 Albums

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

Welcome to Episode 40 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where we usually review an album in depth and play something called ‘Spin It or Bin It’ … but not this month.

We’re celebrating our big 4-0 in style. It’s end of year review time. We select our top 10 albums of 2023 and each pick our Track of 2023.

Part 1 – 2023 Top 10 Albums

We all independently picked our top 10s. We run those choices through a series of deep learning models commonly known as ‘Algo Dave’ and we create a mathematically generated combined Top 10. We made our selections and recorded this pod WAAAAAY ahead of any body else’s lists coming out so we are not influenced by the mainstream musical media (which is why our list looks SO different to everyone else’s). We’re super proud of our 10 and chuffed to bits that our No.1 is an album that we all love and one that we’ve loved since the start of the year. No recency bias here my friends.

Part 2- 2023 Tracks of the Year

We each select a track of the year. Simple as that. We explain why it’s our track of 2023 and have a little critique of each others choices.

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

Posted in Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Episode 39 | Sufjan Stevens | Javelin

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

Welcome to Episode 39 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where 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’.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

This month, in Part 1, we get stuck in TINH favourite, Sufjan Steven’s latest release  ‘Javelin’. Wow. Is there a lot to talk about. I hope we do it justice. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is ‘Unconventional Love Songs’ where we all chose a track that we think fits the theme and ask the others ‘Spin It or Bin It’.

Part 1 | Sufjan Stevens | Javelin

It’s David’s choice this month and a record 3rd time that we’ve reviewed an album by the same artist. On one hand this Sufjan doing Sufjan things … and then on the other, it’s a heart breaking, gut punch of an album that takes you to beautifully uncomfortable places. It’s genuinely spectacular. 

  • Listen to the album here.
  • Watch some videos here.
  • Buy some stuff here.
  • In the chat we reference Sufjan’s Instagram, that can be found here.
  • A rare and recent (ish) interview with Sufjan on his health condition is here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Unconventional Love Songs

Who are we to judge what ‘conventional’ means, what ‘love’ means … what a ‘song’ is? The interpretation of ‘unconventional love songs’ was left wide open this month.

We all chose a 4 track shortlist to chose our track, you can here all 16 tracks on this playlist here.

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

Posted in Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Episode 38 | Artists: Noname | Album: Sundial

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

Welcome to Episode 38 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where 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’.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’? 

This month, we get stuck in Noname’s latest release  ‘Sundial’ in Part 1. It’s a short album but there’s a lot to talk about. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is ‘New Music’ where we all chose a track released since 1st August 2023 and present it for judgement.

Part 1 | Noname | Sundial

It’s Nolan’s choice this month and he’s chosen the new album from Noname, ‘Sundial’. It’s an interesting, uncompromising album with a challenging cover from an unapologetic, controversial artist.  It’s only 30 mins long but packs a big punch and brings a lot to the party! 

Here are some links to check out if you want a little more background

  • Check out the album’s metacritic page here 
  • Check out a few opinions on some Noname controversy here 

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | New Tracks

It’s a simple theme this month. New Music. We all chose tracks that have been released since August 1st 2023. We all chose a track that fits the theme then ask the others a simple question ‘spin it or bin it?’

We all chose a 4 track shortlist to chose our track, you can here all 16 tracks on this playlist here.

  • Guy chose ‘More’ by Pale Blue Eyes – listen here.
  • Nolan chose ‘Glory Glory’  by Little Brother – listen here.
  • David chose ‘Annie Pick a Flower’ by Saya Grey – listen here.
  • Joey chose ‘Mindful Solutionism’ by Aesop Rock – listen here.

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

Posted in Album of the Month, podcast

Podcast Episode 37 | Julie Byrne | The Greater Wings

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

Welcome to Episode 37 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where 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’.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’? This month, we get pretty emotional about Julie Byrne’s latest album ‘The Greater Wings’ in Part 1. In Part 2, Spin it or Bin it theme is ‘no human sounds’. All will be explained …

Part 1 | Julie Byrne | The Greater Wings

It’s Joey’s choice this month and for the 2nd time in This is Not Happening history he chooses a beautiful album by Julie Byrne. We’re in the indie-folk-ambience hinterlands from a stylist perspective. From an emotional perspective we’re right at the intersection of beauty, grief, loss, hope and reflection. We talk about what this album is, how there’s more than one way to experience it, our favourite tracks and what it means to us.

  • Visit Julie Byrne’s websitehere
  • Listen to this stunning album here
  • Buy some of Julie’s stuff here

Here are a few links for some background;

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘No Human Sounds’

This one was way harder than it sounded at first. The theme this month is ‘No Human Sounds’. We started with no vocals, then decided no human sounds at all, then we added that it couldn’t be ‘dance music’. Joey suggested we define ‘dance music’, he got laughed at … then we got into an argument about all of Guys choices being dance music. 

We all chose a track that fits the theme then ask the others a simple question ‘spin it or bin it?’

In order to select our tracks we shortlist 4 each and create a 16 track playlist that can be found here.

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

We’ve been writing the blog for years come and have a look – https://thisisnothappening.net/

Posted in Album of the Month, New Albums

Sept. ’23 | Julie Byrne | The Greater Wings

Posted on by misterstory

I tend to love 2 types of music (i) really beautiful music (ii) really un-beautiful music. I don’t play in the no-mans land between them and prefer the extremes of the beauty continuum. There is no doubt that Julie Byrne’s ‘The Greater Wings’ sits at the very beautiful end of the beautiful music spectrum.

I have for some time loved the niche, sub-sub-genres of ‘folk music that bleeds into ambience’ and also ‘ambience that bleeds into folk music.’ I would listen to pretty much anything that Grouper or Mutual Benefit recorded. Julie Byrne sits somewhere in this space and occupies a very special place in my heart and my ears for doing so. This is Julie’s 3rd album in a period of 9 years of releasing albums. She’s far from prolific and that’s ok with me. It’s been 6 years since the release of Not Even Happiness which I chose as Album of the Month and introduced you guys too. That album is my calm place. It’s a constant in my life. I ‘use’ that album as much as listen to it, by which I mean that it plays a role in my life more than music. God that sounds wanky but also, it’s true so fuck it.

You won’t get many words into a review for ‘The Greater Wings’ without learning that it was completed in heartbreaking circumstances. In June 2021, Eric Littmann, Bryne’s long time collaborator, friend and I believe former partner passed away. He was 31. Apparently Littmann was as responsible for the beauty of ‘Not even happiness’ as Byrne was, adding production and synth credits to the album. He’s untimely passing came half way through recording ‘On Greater Wings’. It feels like he was a major influence in the creation of the album but also that he influenced the nuance with which the album was completed after his passing.

I read a ‘throw-away’ Instagram post the other day that introduced me to the concept of ‘Glimmers’ and explain them as the opposite of triggers. Its the things that add beauty and peace into your world. The idea being that (as per triggers) the more you look for them, the more you find them. ‘The Greater Wings’ is 39 minutes of glimmers, glimmers born of the most heartbreaking circumstances.

I read about this album before I had the chance to listen to it. I knew the circumstances in which it was recorded and this probably set my initial expectations. But it’s perhaps not what you think it is. At least, not unless you want it to be. I think there are 2 ways to listen to this album. You can allow this album to infuse you with glimmers and with loveliness by allowing yourself to be caught up in its current. You can allow it to pull you along with it. Or, you can make a deliberate, conscious decision to immerse yourself in it. If you do the latter, it can be emotionally overwhelming, it could be the wrong time to listen to this album like this. I do however think that if you chose the first option, you are not missing out on the depth or the importance of this album. I am not suggesting you make it background music. I am not sure it could ever be that. It still radiates beauty and connection … and glimmers.

If you’re new to Julie Byrne, her music sits somewhere in that Indie / Folk space. She’s always experimented with Synths and ambience that adds something hauntingly affecting to her music. This album is this x10. It’s 39 minutes, 10 tracks. Every note, sound and feeling is where it is as a deliberate act of placement. Bryne talks about the track sequencing being the result of very specific thinking. She talks about the presentation of tracks being ‘the purest form’ of the music on this album. She also talks about Side A and Side B. If I am honest, I was not convinced that I thought the sequencing was ‘right’ when I first heard it. The title track is a stunning piece of music but I was not sure if it felt right to start the album. However, having lived with this album for weeks, I get it. I totally understand what she means.

One thing you won’t hear on this album is percussion. The closest you get is the percussive thrum of a finger picked guitar. On some tracks this is more definable than others, ‘Portrait of a Clear Day’ being a great example. The piano drives other tracks forward but mostly we’re taking about very calm, ambient, beatless tracks.

Lyrically, this album is stunning. Again, it can be overwhelming, but there is more than one way to read this music and it’s lyrics. I encourage anyone to ‘read’ these lyrics as ‘openly’ as they can do. For me, I get more from them if I do this, to concentrate on the beauty.

I am not going to do a track by track on this one. I don’t think it’s fitting. Every track has a critical place on this album and I love each and every one for that place. The instrumental ‘Summers End’ included. This is a palette cleansing couple of minutes of ambience that closes ‘Side A’ and prepares the listener for ‘Side B’. To follow ‘Summers Glass’ (which Byrne describes as the beating heart of the album) with ‘Summers End’ feels a very natural and rewarding decision. I understand that the title ‘Summers End’ refers to a song that Littmann wrote for Byrne when they first met.

This is so clearly 2023 Top 5 album material for me. This is everything that I love about music. I hope you find something you love in it. I hope it doesn’t overwhelm you, perhaps only when you want it to. It has at times overwhelmed me. It has made me think and question a lot of things.

It has kept me coming back to a single question.

Could anybody ever expect to influence anything as beautiful as this after they pass on?

Posted in Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Ep. 36 | Creep Show | Yawning Abyss

Posted on by misterstory

Welcome to Episode 36 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where 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’.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’? This month, we get stuck right into Creep Show’s ‘Yawning Abyss’ in Part 1 and in Part 2 we play Spin It or Bin It with the theme ‘Super-Producers’.

Part 1 | Album of the Month | Creep Show’s ‘Yawning Abyss’

It’s Guy’s choice this month and he choses a bleak little oddity by Creep Show called Yawning Abyss. Creep Show are a ‘Super Group’ of John Grant, Phil Winter (Tuung), Stephen Mallinder (Caberet Volataire) and Ben ‘Benge’ Edwards (Prolific Producer). This is their 2nd album as a collective and they channel the dark, the dystopian and the hopeless across 9 tracks and 40-ish minutes of music. There are elements of each individuals previous work but there is distinctive sound that the band capture themselves. 

  • Listen to the album here or some tracks here.
  • Visit their Bandcamp here.

Here are few links to provide a little background.

  • Read a very short interview with Creep Show here and a longer one here.
  • Watch Creep Show play ‘Yawning Abyss’ live at latitude here.
  • The Metacritic album page can be found here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It? | Super-Producers

What is a Super-Producer? It turns out we all have a different definition, no surprises there I guess! But collectively we kind of agree that a Super-Producer is (i) successful (ii) prolific (iii) has had a significant impact on music (iv) spans numerous artists and perhaps genres.

In order to select our tracks we shortlist 4 each and create a 16 track playlist that can be found here.

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

Posted in Album of the Month, Music chat, podcast

Podcast Ep. 35 | 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop

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

This month we’re doing things a little differently. In this episode we are celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th Birthday by each choosing our favourite Hip Hop album. We’re not choosing ‘the best’ or ‘the most important’ we’re choosing our personal favourites. We take it in turns to introduce our favourite album and discuss what everyone else thinks.

Listen Here – 16 track playlist, 4 tracks each from our 4 favourite Hip Hop albums.

Nolan’s Favourite Hip Hop Album | ATLiens by Outkast
Straight out of the blocks is our resident Hip Hop expert Nolan’s with his selection, Outkast’s 2nd album, 1996’s ATLiens.

  • You can find an introduction to this album by Nolan on our blog – read it here.
  • You can listen to the album – here.
  • ATLiens 25th Anniversary You Tube page and videos can be found –here.

Joey’s Favourite Hip Hop Album | Buhloone Mind State by De La Soul
Choosing a classic TINH album from the past, Joey counters with his favourite, going back 3 years and selecting De La Soul’s 3rd album, release 30 years ago in 1993, Buhloone Mind State.

  • You can find an introduction to this album by Joey on our blog – read it here.
  • You can listen to this gem – here.
  • Have a look here at De La Soul’s You Tube account for videos – here.

David’s Favourite Hip Hop Album | Reachin’ by Digable Planets
This one was a real pleasure to be re-introduced too. We’re staying in 1993 with David’s selection Reachin’ by Digable Planets. The ‘most-David’ Hip Hop album evs.

  • You can find an introduction to this album by David on our blog – read it here.
  • You can listen to this beauty – here.
  • Watch the video to the track that kicked the whole thing off – here.

Guy’s Favourite Hip Hop Album | Renaissance by Q Tip
After some deliberation, Guy chose an album that divided opinions at the time but has aged very well and is a lovely choice by Guy. 2008’s Renaissance by Q Tip.

  • You can find an introduction to this album by Guy on our blog – read it here.
  • You can listen to this rediscovered gem – here.
  • Watch Mr. Tip doing his thing – here.

So, these are our 4 favourite Hip Hop albums of all time. What do you think? Do you know these albums? What are your favourites? Hit us up, let us know.