Tag: noname

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.71 | Steve Lacy | Oh Yeah? – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 71 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 David is even more animated than usual as he has chosen 'Oh Yeah', Steve Lacy's new album to discuss.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 'Oh Yeah?' our theme is 'duets'.               — Part 1 | Album of the Month | Steve Lacy | Oh Yeah? —Like Olivia last week, Steve Lacy started his musical career early being part of the Odd Future collective and the critical, creative force behind the Odd Future off-shoot 'The Internet'. 'Oh Yeah?' is Steve's 3rd solo studio album and follows 2022's Gemini Rights as his breakthrough album launching him into super-star status (?). The track 'Bad Habits' owned the internet for a good 12 months. But 'Oh Yeah?' sounds different. It is doing different things, while still doing some of the same things. David has been awaiting this release for months. Will he be happy? Joey didn't think much of Gemini Rights … so will this one work better? As for Nolan and Guy, who knows, anything could happen.Have a listen, tell us what you think.Listen to the original album here.Watch some of hisr videos here,particularly the amazing 'Doom' I love this Zone Lowe interview with Steve – starts cold, warms up.I got a lot from these 2 reaction videos Bob The Poppop and Turning Tables.                                     — Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Duets —Steve Lacy's new album features 3 tracks where he collaborates with other artists. Are they duets? Are the collaborations? Are they 'Tracks that feature ….'. What's the difference? With this in mind we pick 'Duets' as this month's Spin It or Bin It Theme'. 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'?Nolan picks American Boy by Estelle and Kanye West.David picks Wedding Song by Anais Mitchell & Justin Vernon.Joey picks The Boy is Mine by Brandy and Monica.Guy picks Barcelona by Freddie Mercury & Monsterrat Caballe.We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look – https://thisisnothappening.net/
  1. EP.71 | Steve Lacy | Oh Yeah?
  2. EP.70 | Olivia Rogrigo | You seem pretty sad …
  3. EP. 69 | Lykke Li | The Afterparty
  4. EP.68 | Robyn | Sexistential
  5. EP.67 | Eliza | The Darkening Green

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, Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes

October AOTM – Noname : Sundial

Posted on by nolankane706

For the first time in a few years, I’ve struggled to bring a new album to the table from and artists that I have a background with that I want to stand behind. Without naming names, some of who I feel are heavy hitters, have missed the mark over the last few weeks with their new albums. The consequence of this has pushed me into a deep dive into new music, and new artists (at least to me).

The name that kept on coming up was Noname and her latest release ‘Sundail’ that is one of the ‘hot’ names of 2023. In reflection she isn’t completely new to me as previous collaborations with the likes of Chance The Rapper have peppered numerous playlist of mine historically. Upon the release of ‘Sundial’, much was written about her journey to releasing this album and her exhaustion to the realities of being a black artist releasing conscious music. She had previously put new music on hold indefinitely. The guardian sums up her history to date fairly well in this article.

Ahead of doing research on the artist, there’s a lot of value in approaching this album with virgin ears for a listen or two. Few recent albums give you an introduction to what is coming and the artist that is presenting as the first track ‘Black Mirror’. In just over 2 minutes she explains herself better than most of us do in a lifetime. As Kendrick did in the Heart P5 video, this album is as much of a look into the mirror as it is of the world of Noname, which is highlighted by the album cover.

Hip Hop as a genre is vast and ever changing. In what could be argued as it’s most confusing state to date, this album lends us some clarity to modern hip hop. Noname’s razor sharp lyrics hide behind her laidback flow like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Conscious, astute, boldly honest and the ability to say f-you politely. We spoke on the podcast a few episodes ago about hip hop the hip hop albums of the 90’s that all of us admired. Digable Planets, Arrested Development, Spearhead, Tribe Called Quest, etc. If you like these artists; you’ll love Sundial. It could be argued that if you like PE, NWA and Paris you’ll also appreciate this album. It’s hard to pinpoint who she reminds me of. There are definite touch points to Chicagoan’s Common and Change the Rapper whilst hints of Erykah Badu constantly shine through as well.

The album doesn’t come without controversy. The album features a verse from Jay Electronica who’s opinions have polarised many music fans due to his views on many subjects. Noname’s inclusion of Electronica has ruffled a few feathers. She has been un-apologetic for his appearance. As her indifference to her music appealing to white fans. There is little doubt that Noname uses her platform to share her views. I admit that you find a need to be invested into ‘Sundial’, and at times it can be daunting. Rightfully so, the smooth jazz backing won’t be able to hide the thought-provoking lyrics throughout the album.  

Do I relate to all of the album? No. This album wasn’t made for me. In fact I’m most likely the last person she made this album for. Does it make me think? Yes. Am I enjoying it? Yes.

I’m still working my way through, but what I love about this album is that she has created a complicated piece of work that sounds great and will provoke thoughts every time anyone listens to it. I’m looking forward to what you’re thinking….