Tag: this is not happening

Posted in Album of the Month

November AOTM | Michael Kiwanuka | Fudge.

Posted on by misterstory

I am not a Kiwanuka fan. But let’s be clear, I’m not a hater either, far from it. I genuinely love some of his music. Some of his tracks are some of the most emotionally and socially impactful tracks of the past 10 years. I am specifically talking about Cold Little Heart and Black Man in a White World.

Despite this love for these Kiwanuka-Funadamental-Tracks, I’ve never loved his albums. They tick so many boxes for me. On paper, I should love them, but I have never engaged with any of his albums in the way that I expect or perhaps even want to. I think we’ve all heard this story with me and other artists haven’t. As Guy always says, you can’t manufacture the feels. Amen. You can’t. Loving music is not a mathematical equation. You cannot solve for the connection that you might instantly feel or develop over time and experience with music and how it fits in your life. So, I approach this album with a mix of trepidation but always with love.

I was not over the moon when it looked like this album was the one that worked best for the pod when it was my month to choose the album of the month. That emotion is not a great start when critiquing an album. However, my emotions took another nose dive when I discovered that this album is a collection of tracks recorded in the same period of time as his previous album. These tracks are 2 years old. Could they be the outtakes from the last album? I hoped not.

Kiwanuka’s absence from the spotlight has recently been explained by him sharing that he has suffered from a stroke at the age of 38 and is still recovering under medical care currently. The story is heart breaking as is perfectly captured in this Guardian article / interview. This album was planned to be released much closer to the release of his last studio album ‘Small Changes’. This perhaps explains the relationship with Fudge and Small Changes. My uncharitable fear that this was simply ‘Small Changes Outtakes’ feels less accurate and the more charitable view is that ‘Fudge’ is the companion record to ‘Small Changes’. Music recorded, at a similar time, with more or less the same band, in a different environment but importantly viewed through a different lens … i.e. Kiwanuka self-produced these tracks. Moving away from DangerMouse and Inflo production is a big thing both from a narrative and sonic perspective.

Listen to it the album here or here or here.

So what does this album sound like to a non-Kiwanuka fan? Please consider the following initial thoughts, an introduction. This is not a review it’s just some stuff:

Immediately, this all feels surprisingly loose. It’s like a walk taken with no particular destination in mind—not merely walking for the sake of it, but as a genuine means of expression. It is an expressive mooch! It’s raw and messy and rich and luscious all at the same time. For those who never quite vibed with the impeccably polished, sometimes clinical sound of previous albums, this shift could be a welcome change? The vocals are often distorted, carrying the grit of being recorded through a mic’d-up amp (?), while the overall vibe remains chill, melancholic, restrained, and perhaps even a little constrained. It does feel like there is something being held back or perhaps missing? This is just a feeling, not a fact.

My overall impression was that I felt very comfortable. Definitely not blown away. Many of the tracks felt like they lacked something, and I think that they felt a little sub-Kiwanuka-classic to a non-fan. On later listens they’ve already morphed and changed so I am sure by recording time I will have been on a journey.Some track by track thoughts from my VERY first listen. These are subject to and highly likely to change, so don’t get too reactive about any of them!

  • Summer Clothes – such a great way to start an album. The sample of this musician talking about creative authenticity is perfect. It’s a lovely message and it says a lot about the album and how we should listen to it. The track itself is beautiful. It is everything you probably expected and wanted if you’re a fan? There’s a noticeable lack of percussion, which creates a swirling, meandering vibe to the track, the strings and the backing vocals enhance this perfectly. The strings are quite high in the mix which is an interesting choice underlining the ethereal qualities of the sound.
  • California builds beautifully, what’s the raspy breathy sound low in the mix. I feel that this one will be a grower?
  • Just another moment – acoustic chug, trademark strings, that tambourine’s doing a lot of heavy lifting, got to love a woodblock too. I am very comfortable with the meandering jam-like feel that exists once the vocals end: for me this could feel noodley but avoids this perfectly, not sure how. The backing vocals really help provide some ‘human-connection’ to the instrumental passage.
  • Drowning in You – this feels the loosest, feels like a demo? The synth is a welcome surprise as is the piano that sounds like it was recorded in Euston station. Interesting use of strings and backing vocals. Is this the most luscious, richly orchestrated demo ever?  Very pleasant melody, if not instantly memorable.
  • Love in My Heart – this instantly feels like a kiwanuka classic. It feels massive before it even gets massive. You probably know where it’s going and when it’s going to get there as you listen. This predictability is not a bad thing. You feel like you’re in safe hands, like someone you know well is taking you on a familiar journey … without any shoes on. I’m enjoying the soundscape. The synths against the strings are a wonderful thing. My favourite balance of production so far. Ooooh that cello, hello.
  • Across the sky – the looseness is back.  Acoustic guitar driven track, strings and synths join in and expand on the initial simplicity
  • Stars – this feels perfectly placed as a sonic change up. Lots of things are subtly different on this track. that electric guitar is a welcome time change A d the vocal sounds clean and crisp for the first time on the album. Male backing vocal feels like a switch up . I like the melodic and lyrical simplicity. The drums feel loose as fuck. I like this.  This is my favourite track so far.
  • You sent me flying – this feels a little like a filler track. The slide guitar is a pleasant addition to the sonic palette. There’s nothing inherently bad about thud track, for me it’s not adding anything to what I’ve heard before. It’s doing a similar thing in a less remarkable or interesting way.
  • Move In My Direction – another acoustic plus vocal start. Strings join in mid point. More memorable and impactful melody but I’m feeling like it lacks what I was enjoying before. I am feeling like this part of the album has a bit of an energy or vibe leak?
  • Steve’s Paradise – instrumental opening  feels like a welcome change given the previous two tracks that for me add nothing but follow a very familiar pattern. The la la las are beautiful as is that organ. I really like this track. This is gorgeous. It’s got a very Pink Floyd feel to its expansiveness and it really shakes up the feel of the album in a good way. This track does make others feel formulaic.
  • Sing – boom. This is what we want. Ok it’s the same formula but this is simply a superior song. Instant vintage. Tuned percussion, analogue synths, loose drums, swelling strings, a chord change that feels Ike a key change, floor toms, and a guitar solo. That’s my bingo card sorted, house! Gorgeous outro.
  • Swings and Roundabouts – this is a tough ask, what’s a track gonna do to finish an album after Sing ….. This is actually a very pretty end to the album. And a ,ore interesting track than I expected. Acoustic guitar solo anyone. Ok I buy it. That’s a lovely way to end the album.

I am curious to understand what will repeated listens do for my appreciation of this album.

Posted in Album of the Month, New Albums, podcast

Podcast EP.73 | Dahi | Black Boy (Alternative)

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 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.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | SuperGroups

The 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’?

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

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

October AOTM | Dahi | Black Boy (Alternative)

Posted on by nolankane706

October brings a new artist to the blog / pod, and one that has created one of my albums of th year, Dahi’s Black Boy (Alternative). Cards on the table, until a few months ago I had no idea who Dahi was, though he has been present in my music sphere for many years.

Dahi has spent the last decade making other artists sound unforgettable. He produced Kendrick Lamar’s “Money Trees” and has helped shape records for Drake, SZA, Travis Scott, Vampire Weekend and countless others. His name might not be familiar to everyone, but his fingerprints are all over modern music.

Now, on Black Boy (Alternative), he steps out from behind the curtain. The question is whether a producer known for elevating other people can create a world compelling enough to stand on its own?

The answer arrives almost immediately. This isn’t a conventional producer album, but something far stranger and more ambitious. Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Vince Staples, Channel Tres, Moses Sumney, Amber Mark and others appear throughout, yet nobody sounds like they’ve simply dropped in for a feature. They sound like they’ve entered Dahi’s world — and that world feels unlike anything else being released right now.

That’s what makes the album so good: it doesn’t really feel like a producer album at all.

You know the type: famous producer, enormous guest list, a succession of big-name artists doing what they normally do while the producer provides the backdrop.

This isn’t that.

This is Dahi’s album. He’s front and centre, and everyone else seems to have joined him for the ride. Kendrick appears on “How To Pray”, Childish Gambino on “Running”, while Vince Staples and Channel Tres feature on the opening track. Moses Sumney, Amber Mark, Fousheé, Baby Rose, Ravyn Lenae, Elmiene and others weave in and out of the record.

Rather than sounding like a collection of separate collaborations, they somehow sound like they’ve joined the same band.

That’s the magic of it.

Dahi has described the music as something close to “African Radiohead”, and the more you listen, the more you understand what he means. There’s hip-hop, obviously, but also 90s alternative rock, West African rhythms, soul, jazz and electronic textures. Guitar is everywhere, but rarely in the way you expect.

There’s something wonderfully unhurried about the album. It isn’t chasing a trend or trying to prove how clever it is. It sounds like someone finally getting the opportunity to make the record that has been sitting inside their head for years.

And apparently, it has been sitting there for a long time. Dahi has spoken about the project taking around twelve years to become what it is, with the idea dating back to his time at Def Jam. The album was reportedly finished more than two years ago and then quietly waited for its release.

That somehow makes the finished record even more satisfying.

Black Boy (Alternative) doesn’t sound like an album trying to catch up with the moment.

It sounds like it has waited for its moment.

“Who Are You” is an incredible introduction. “How To Pray” brings Kendrick into Dahi’s strange, beautifully constructed universe. “Running” with Childish Gambino feels effortlessly cool, while the groove of “Rest of Your Life” is impossible to ignore. Then there are quieter moments like “Drowning”, where the production is given room to breathe and you begin to realise just how much is happening beneath the surface.

There’s a looseness to it, but also incredible detail.

You can hear Radiohead’s influence in the space and Fela Kuti’s in the rhythm, but these influences never overwhelm the record. They’re ingredients in a sound that Dahi ultimately makes his own.

And maybe that’s the point. For years, he’s been the person helping other artists sound like themselves. Now he’s made a record where everyone else has had to sound a little bit like him.

It’s modern without feeling disposable. Experimental without being inaccessible. Familiar without ever becoming predictable.

Most importantly, it’s a joy to listen to from beginning to end.

Posted in Album of the Month, podcast

Podcast Ep.72 | Phoebe Bridgers | Lost Weekend

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 72 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 Guy has chosen an album that feels inevitable, Phoebe Bridgers much anticipated and long awaited ‘Lost Weekend’

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 Phoebe our theme is ‘Miserable Music’. Tracks that make Phoebe Bridgers sound uplifting.

Part 1 | Album of the Month | Phoebe Bridgers | Lost Weekend.

Phoebe Bridgers is one of the biggest artists outside of mainstream pop but this is only her 3rd album in 8 years. She doesn’t lack for creative output or activity but still, her albums are a rare, anticipated thing. The critical response has been mostly positive but there are some naysayers dispite its current 91 score on Metacritic. But what will we make of it? The four of us have varying degrees of fondness for her music but again mostly positive. Jump on the socials and tell us what you think?

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Miserable Music

The theme this month, inspired by Phoebe’s melancholic machinations is ‘Miserable Music’. Feels like a slam dunk for Joey but what will the brothers bring?

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’?

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

Podcast EP.71 | Steve Lacy | Oh Yeah?

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 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.

                                     — 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’?

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

August AOTM: Oh Yeah? – STEVE LACY

Posted on by David Allison

It’s the return of everyone’s favourite bisexual musical polymath!

Anyone who knows me has had to listen to me witter on about my love for Steve Lacy – 2022’s Gemini Rights remains probably my favourite album of this decade so far, a sleek, horny, angry and brilliant piece of music making, pushing R&B into fresh territory to the extent that it was somehow hard to think it even was R&B. It fused Prince style slow jams, bossa nova, grungy guitar and funky beats into a delicious stew that I am still feasting on years later. And in the breakout hit, Bad Habit, Lacy went from cult artist to high(ish) profile star.

To say I was excited about the follow up is probably one of the understatements of the century. To quote our favourite opening pod question, so what was I expecting, and what did I get? I was expecting a lot. What I got was NOT what I was expecting…but is that a bad thing? More on that in a minute.

For those not in the know, a quick Steve Lacy potted history. Born in Compton to a Black American mother and Filipino father (who died when he was 10), he first came to attention via the left field R&B group The Internet in the early 2010s, themselves on a Odd Future offshoot. The Internet were a fabulously curious outfit, openly queer and recognisably R&B while feeling looser and weirder than a lot of their contemporaries.

By this point, Lacy had already established himself as a producer and songwriter of note, famously able to mix an album on an iPhone and still make it sounds amazing. Artists as varied as Solange, Vampire Weekend, Blood Orange and Kendrick L were lining up to work with him or use his songs. What’s interesting, despite that, is that I think it took a while for Lacy to find his own voice as a solo artist. While I enjoyed 2019 debut Apollo XXI, particularly the single Playground, there wasn’t that much there to suggest the giant musical leap he’d make on Gemini Rights, stomping straight onto Prince’s playground with an album of such confidence and quality, it takes your breath away.

And now to Oh Yeah? 4 years later. One thing we know Lacy likes to do is evolve, so I wasn’t necessarily expecting more of the same. Even the title seems to suggest a bit of pushback – oh yeah, is that what you were expecting? First track nice shoes dropped quite a while back, confused the hell out of me – a strange nihilistic chant to a jungle beat, it felt doom-laden and odd. But then came the feeling, and boy oh boy did I fall hard for this track. Everything I love about a Steve Lacy song rolled into one – a soaring beautiful love song with a heartbreaking chorus (Am I your baby?).

Interestingly, those two songs actually express the rather schizophrenic nature of this record. It’s a lot more downbeat and ballad filled than Gemini Rights, and even has some folky stylings. And then mixed amongst those beautiful ballads are quite confrontational, tough workouts like doom and nice shoes. And then, even more fascinating, are Lacy’s songs with collaborators. Other single is it cool? with SZA is pretty recognisably Lacy – a groovy slow jam with bubbling synths and anchored by a growling guitar, with Lacy flipping between emotional anxiety, sincerity and flippancy – something he does across the record lyrically.

But track 4, pure colour a collab with R&B royalty Erykah Badu, goes into a whole other direction altogether and pulls off something quite remarkable quite early in the album’s sequencing – it’s a meditative, spacey and genuinely psychedelic outing, with little in common with the rest of the album. Badu is known as an innovative artist, not afraid of making bold moves, but this is mind-blowing stuff, and it’s the moment in the record when I realised that Lacy was not in the slightest bit interested in spoon feeding more of the same.

The same is true in a very different style with following track show you me, a folky ballad that’s almost like a sad boy singalong (hey, and Steve a word of advice – maybe stop falling in love with guys who aren’t even sure they’re gay?). Neither of these tracks are anything like he made for Gemini Rights and I couldn’t love him more for it. Let’s also take a minute to talk about the production – the SOUND of this record is fascinating: loads of synth bass, drum machines, acoustic guitars, reverbed vocals and vintage synths. It’s such a clever sound – clean but messy, future facing but nostalgic, emotional but brittle. I honestly don’t know how he concocts the noise he puts together, but it is one of the most singular things about this record.

In fact, it’s such a peculiarly individual album, hurling between genres with gay (more gay than bi these days if you ask me, Steve) abandon, it can be quite a disorientating listen, and it won’t appeal to everyone. His lyrics are also quite in your face – he’s a man with a lot of feelings, often at the same time, and you need to ride with the flow. I actually think it’s the most vulnerable album he’s ever made. nothing, for example, is an extraordinary ballad, one of the best he’s ever made, achingly beautiful and charmingly simple.

Criticisms? Well, initially, I thought the sequencing was a bit odd, but I’ve come to love it. Even nice shoes now makes so much more sense as an angry intro to the smooth AF second half jam in your world. But I do think it can be hard to read the pace of the album at times, and it’s certainly not an ‘easy’ record to digest, way less so than Gemini Rights. Finally, I wonder if it’s missing one final killer tune to round it off: I like closer bebe, but it feels like a mid-album groove than a proper finale.

What you”ll make it of it is quite beyond me, nor the wider music loving public. But I think Lacy has cemented his reputation as a generational artist pushing his music into new and surprising places. Over to you, brothers…?

Posted in Album of the Month, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

EP.70 | Olivia Rodrigo | You seem pretty sad …

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 70 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 Joey is VERY happy to bring ‘You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love’ the 3rd album by Olivia Rodrigo.

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 Olivia’s love of and references to the Cure, the theme is ‘Songs that reference other artists’.

    — Part 1 | Album of the Month | Olivia Rodrigo |  You seem pretty sad … —

Olivia is a force of nature. She is a song writing savant. She has a new album out, in case you didn’t notice, this means we’ve got to talk about it. And there is a lot to talk about.

Have a listen, tell us what you think.

               — Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Songs that reference other artists — 

Olivia references the Cure a number of times on this album. We’ve taken inspiration and chosen ‘Songs that reference other artists’ as our Spin 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’?

What would you have chosen? What’s missing from our playlist?

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

July AOTM | Olivia Rodrigo | ‘You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love’.

Posted on by misterstory

Is there anything left to say about Olivia Rodrigo in 2026?

Probably not. The internet has broken down every single word of her lyrics, debated who her songs are about, and tracked her relationship timelines in real time. But at This Is Not Happening, we want our say, too, when a pop savant raises the bar this high, you have to talk about it.

Personally, I’ve been hooked for years, a fact that has become a joke with my 15 year-old daughters friendship group. ‘Drivers License” is genuinely one of my absolute favorite songs ever written, a perfect encapsulation of teenage suburban heartbreak. But it was actually “deja vu” that acted as my gateway drug. The witty, sharp, acerbic lyrics were matched only by the melodic brilliance.

For a quick primer if you’ve been living under a rock, or more likely, you’ve pretended to be too cool to care: Olivia Rodrigo exploded into the industry as a three-time Grammy winner, shifting the entire expectations of mainstream music with her multi-platinum records SOUR and GUTS. She took the raw vulnerability of modern teen life and smashed it into 90s alternative rock and pop-punk sensibilities. She’s completely rewritten and is continuing to rewrite the playbook for global pop superstardom. She. Is. A. Force.

Before this new record dropped on June 12, she teased us with two brilliant singles that gave us hints about where she was heading:

  • Drop Dead (Released April 17): A shimmery, infectious synth-pop track, an intentional homage to classic new wave, and more specifically The Cure. “You know all the words to ‘Just Like Heaven’ / And I know why he wrote them now that you’re standing right here.” As we’ve come to expext it’s smart, it’s sharp, its bold and it’s catchy AF.
  • The Cure (Released May 22): A slow-to-loud alternative anthem built around massive, driving guitars … and a very literal 2nd reference to the band The Cure … but listen again. There are 2 other references to alternative pop rock that I think have been missed by others – The Introduction and verse 1 owes a massive debt to ‘Everlong’ by the Foo Fighters and there are motifs in the bridge and chorus that are massively reminiscent of ‘Disarm’ by Smashing Pumpkins. I think the former is more obvious but the latter is definitely there fore me. This track is a magnificent example of Olvia’s ability to magpie ideas from less obvious places and weave them into her pop magic.

The album itself, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, is a masterfully executed 13-track ‘concept record’. It functions as a classic vinyl album of two halves. The first part, “Girl So In Love,” tracks the intoxicating, all-consuming rush of a relationship. The second half, “You Seem Pretty Sad,” documents the slow, painful unraveling and the bitter recriminations that follow when the illusion shatters.

But if it is an album of two halves … then there is a track in the middle that you can’t tell if it belongs on Side A or Side B – that track is Purple. Credit where’s it’d due – the brilliant Switched on Pop has a theory about this. Side A is the ‘Red Side’ – A Girl So In Love, red is the colour of love and Romance. Side B is the ‘Blue Side’ – You Seem Pretty Sad, blue is the colour of sadness. The song in the middle is ‘Purple’ which is created from mixing Red and Blue. Mind. Blown.

Side A: Girl So In Love

1. “drop dead” The opener, the lead single, the absolute masterclass in ’80s new wave inspired pop. It sets the scene with shimmering, glossy synths and a bouncy beat that hides the underlying obsession of stalking someone online.

2. “stupid song” My daughters favourite. It’s got this incredible, glossy precision, it’s perfect punchy pop-rock. And. it’s Olivia so it’s also super intelligence self referential song-writing all about that exact moment you realize you’re writing cliché love songs about someone.

3. “honeybee” A massive highlight here that I think has been overlooked somewhat? Olivia brings in her real-life best friend Conan Gray for some gorgeous backing vocals. It’s an acoustic, warm indie-pop track about pure optimism and hoping a relationship lasts forever.

4. “maggots for brains” The title says it all, after the sweetness of Honeybee, things start to change. The guitars get a bit fuzzier here, leaning into a more playful … so playful I can hear Avril Lavigne-esque pop-punk energy? It’s an affectionate but witty roast of a partner’s lovable flaws.

5. “u + me = <3” A brilliant nod to early 2000s minimalist pop. Think Britney-level vocal confidence layered over a robotic, Gary Numan-style synth beat. It’s hyper-confident in every way and perhaps even slightly self mocking?

6. “my way” Is this the turning point on Side A? The track captures the moment where you realize you’re changing ‘you’ to fit into someone else’s world. The music is smooth, but the lyrics are quietly tense. I think it’s easy to overlook this tracks brilliance.

7. “purple” The closer of the first half .. or the opener of the 2nd half? Given the next track is ‘The Cure’ its probably the former. It’s a lush, dream-pop track heavily influenced by British shoegaze?

Side B: You Seem Pretty Sad

8. “the cure” The transition is jarring in the best way possible. It starts with a heavy, driving guitar riff that pays direct homage to Foo Fighters’ “Everlong” before exploding into massive, Mellon Collie-era Smashing Pumpkins strings. A towering alternative rock anthem about realizing love can’t fix your personal baggage.

9. “begged” First debuted on SNL, this one is raw and angry. The pop-punk spark is back, but it’s darker this time. It’s a heavy, aggressive track about the absolute humiliation of having to beg someone to treat you right. It’s the grown up version of the pop-punk influences we heard on her debut?

10. “what’s wrong with me” (feat. Robert Smith) I could not believe it when I realised this was Robert Smith. I literally laughed out loud. It’s such a flex. A flex that would not have flexed if the track was not as brilliant as it is. I never knew I was missing this from my life!

11. “less” Olivia strips it all back and returns to the piano alone. It’s a devastating, intimate ballad in the vein of Phoebe Bridgers. The killer line says it all: “If loving me means letting go and wishing me the best / Then I guess I wish, I wish, I wish you loved me less.” Ouch. This song proves her songwriting chops. Piano ballads are 10 a penny, how many hit this hard on first listen? Literally none.

12. “expectations” One for Guy. Synth Pop to the max. An oh my god is it pop. It’s so infectious.

13. “cigarette smoke” The 5-minute epic closer. It delivers (in my humble opinion) the strongest vocal performance of the album (her career?). We get a swelling, cinematic indie-rock backdrop. It closes the book on the album (and the relationship?) with a brutal, parting-shot one-liner: “I thought that we played the perfect couple / Until you didn’t want the part.” Who has the right to be that good a song writer this early in their career”?

We’re going to have a lot to talk about?

Posted in Album of the Month, New Albums

June AOTM : Lykke Li – The Afterparty

Posted on by nolankane706

This month I’ve chosen the new album from Lykke Li, The Afterparty. For the second consecutive month we’ve been gifted an album from an artist much loved on the pod, yet one who has somehow never had a full album featured on either the podcast or the blog. Lykke Li is an artist who continues to evolve, though for me her first three albums remain permanent fixtures in my musical world.

I’ve always found Lykke Li’s music deeply intriguing. Her songs are musically welcoming whilst emotionally devastating — pop music that invites you in before quietly breaking your heart. Her work has long felt centred around a love of love itself; even when the beats are huge, the emotional energy often feels fragile, wounded, or collapsing inward. Where many artists turn heartbreak into empowerment, Lykke Li tends to stay inside the ache — dreamy, self-destructive, romantic, numb, and haunted.

The title The Afterparty immediately filled me with anxiety. Afterparties, in my experience, are rarely parties at all. They’re strange, liminal spaces where the adrenaline, glamour, and euphoria have worn off, leaving anxiety, exhaustion, regret, loneliness, and existential dread. Everyone is quietly planning their exit.

That feeling makes this album title especially fitting. In recent interviews, Lykke Li has hinted that The Afterparty may be her final album after more than two decades in an industry she has repeatedly admitted doesn’t suit her. Her Scandinavian bluntness has often cut through the mythology of music industry glamour. One of my favourite quotes from her remains: “The profession I have keeps dragging me into drama and taking me away from baking, flowering and gardening.”

What makes The Afterparty so compelling is how it feels like the culmination of everything she has explored across her career — from the icy melancholy of her earlier work to the widescreen pop and club textures of later releases and remixes. At just nine songs and roughly twenty-five minutes long, it achieves more than many albums manage in twice the runtime. The soundscape feels simultaneously expansive and tightly controlled, whilst lyrically it moves through themes of love, ageing, alienation, fame, and emotional exhaustion. Glamorous yet emotionally wrecked feels like the perfect description.

From the opening pulse of “Not Gon Cry”, the album immediately establishes its emotional contradiction: euphoric music carrying deeply bruised emotions. Anchored by the lead single “Lucky Again”, the remaining eight tracks orbit with near perfection around her core sound. Throughout, the album bleeds broken positivity — shimmering with hope whilst soaked in melancholy.

The brief spoken line at the beginning of “Famous Last Words” — “I don’t trust anything. I’m going to a dark place, do you need anything?” — perfectly captures the fragility running through the record. It’s darkly funny, vulnerable, and quietly devastating.

If The Afterparty is a comedown, it is an exquisitely crafted one — elegant, emotionally rich, and full of musical joy despite the darkness at its centre. If this truly is Lykke Li’s final album, she has left us with one of the most accomplished works of her career.

Though the eternal fan in me still hopes this isn’t her swan song.

Posted in Album of the Month, New Albums, podcast

Podcast EP.68 | Robyn | Sexistential

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&apos;s the producer behind many massive artists including Kendrick Lamar and has released his first &apos;solo&apos; 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 &apos;SuperGroups&apos;.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&apos;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&apos;s nothing like I expected it to be. Dahi himself described the solo project as &apos;African Radiohead&apos; 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&apos;s review for a bit of background here.Read this rare interview on Music Tech to learn more from Dahi.If you&apos;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 &apos;spins&apos; 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 &apos;Spin It Or Bin It&apos;?Guy chose | Getting Away With It | ElectronicJoey chose | &apos;The Truth&apos; | Handsome Boy Modelling SchoolDavid chose | 7/4 Shoreline | Broken Social SceneNolan chose | Definition | Black StarWe&apos;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 68 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 Guy brings a Robyn’s latest release ‘Sexisitential’.

In Part 2, we play Spin It or Bin It, we pick a theme and all pick songs that represent that theme. This month, the theme is ‘Sad Bangers’.

           —— Part 1 | Album of the Month | Robyn |  Sexistential ——

Robyn is a unique, iconic figure in contemporary music. She’s been making and releasing music since 1995, her career spans 4 decades already and she shows no signs of slowing down. Her pop career started when she was 15, she’s about to celebrate her 47th birthday, this is insane staying power!

Sexistential is her 9th studio album if you count the Body Talk series as full albums? It’s only 29 mins long, it doesn’t mess about and no track or the album in full overstays it’s welcome. 

There is lots to get into in the discussion, has she still got it? Is she doing new things? Is this still relevant and if so who for? How artists change and what we expect from them as they age?

Have a listen, tell us what you think.

                —————- Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Sad Bangers —————- 

Robyn’s biggest track is ‘Dancing On My Own’ is the archetype of a genre that Guy made up ‘Sad Bangers’. This is our theme for Spin It or Bin It this month.  It’s got to be sad, and it’s got to bang. Simple (in theory).

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’?

What would you have chosen? What’s missing from our playlist?