this is not happening

Podcast Ep. 46 | St. Vincent | All Born Screaming

Posted on June 24, 2024June 25, 2024 by misterstory

EP.67 | Eliza | The Darkening Green – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 67 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 brings a slice of sophisticated, R&B tinged pop with Eliza's Jill latest album 'The Darkening Green'.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 'Sophisticated Pop'. —— Part 1 | Album of the Month | Eliza | The Darkening Green ——Eliza is an enigma. She has recorded under a different name but has been recording under 'Eliza' for the past 10 years or so.After 3 long, very complex albums on the pod we take a new direction, 9 tracks and 35 minutes of sophisticated pop, stylish soul driven vibes. Its full of grooves, it's full of tunes and its full of all of the emotions. I have become quite obsessed with this and am recommending it to everyone.Listen to the original album here.Read some interviews and bits here and here.If you love this album like I do … buy it here. —————- Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | New Music —————- The theme is Sophisticaed Pop … but we also get a bit confused between this and 'sophisti-pop' and to be honest, Nolan looses his shit. 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 chose 'Dance Little Sister' by Sanada Maitreya.David chose 'Uncertain Smile' by The The.Joey chose 'Sweetest Taboo' by Sade.Guy chose 'Hold me Now' by Thompson Twins.We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look – https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 45 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, David bravely returns to the scene a previous crime on our podcast. He brings the second St. Vincent album to a group of people who historically have not reacted well to St. Vincent. Wow. How might this one go? In all seriousness, this is a very different experience to ‘Daddy’s Home’ and a really good chat about the good, the not so good and our collective love of Pop Reggae.

This month, in Part 2, Spin It or Bin It, the theme is ‘Crying in Aldi’ or ‘music that makes you cry’. As the theme suggests, things got pretty emotional.

Part 1 | St. Vincent | All Born Screaming

I think the full continuum of emotions or lack of emotions is expressed in this review. David brings unconditional love for St. Vincent plus a thinly veiled threat that his wife might tell us off again if we say mean things. The rest of bring various thoughts and ideas to the table that range from the inquisitive to the annoyed.

Listen to the album here.
Watch some videos here including the Jimmy Kimmel live performance.
We reference the Tape Notes podcast (and also videos) which delve into the making of the album … this is seriously informative and entertaining discussion. Take a look at it here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘Crying in Aldi’

The most ‘in’ of ‘in jokes’ is that Joey often cries to sad songs while doing the big shop in Aldi. He’s been banned from 3 stores now and is considering to switching to Lidl. In support of our brother, we’ve all been researching which songs make us cry and testing them out in various big-box supermarket chains.

David chose – ‘Already Dead’ by Beck.
Nolan chose – ‘Basket’ by Dan Mangan.
Guy chose – ‘Magnificent’ by Elbow.
Joey chose – ‘My Girls’ by Animal Collective.

See you on Episode 47 … where 4 old guys talk about Charlie XCX. What could go wrong?

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

Podcast Ep. 45 | Vampire Weekend | Only God Was Above Us

Posted on May 20, 2024 by misterstory

Vampire Weekend - 'Only God Was Above Us' Tour - I.M.P.

Welcome to Episode 45 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 dive right into the deep-end of ‘Only God Was Above Us’ the new album from TINH favourite (at least 3 of us) Vampire Weekend. This month we’re in the capable hands of Nolan who has introduces the album and guides us through some key questions and an interesting conversation. In Part 2 we play Spin it or Bin It with songs that are all. ‘a little bit country’.

Part 1 | Vampire Weekend | Only God Was Above Us

My god Vampire Weekend can write a song! And this album really proves that. We answer (or at least attempt to answer) some big questions – is this best Vampire Weekend album? How do you pick a favourite track when they’re all so good and do such different things.

Listen to the album here.
Watch some videos here.
Awesome interview by John Kennedy that we reference constantly … here
Buy some stuff or some tickets here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘A little bit country’

Country is massive in 2024 … and Guy hates it. So, what other theme could we choose? The clue is in the title, the tracks only have to be ‘a little bit country’. 4 Track playlist of our chosen tracks is here.

Guy chose – ‘Bittersweet, TN’ by Kevin Morby and Erin Rae.
Nolan chose –‘Candle’ by Buck Meek.
Joey chose – ‘One of these days’ by Bedouine
David chose – ‘Cant Let Go’ by Lucinda Williams

See you on Episode 46!

Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes, Playlists, podcast, Spin it or Bin It, Tracks of the Month, Uncategorized

Podcast Ep. 44 | Yard Act | Where’s My Utopia

Posted on April 22, 2024 by misterstory

EP.67 | Eliza | The Darkening Green – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 44 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 wrestle with the 2nd album from Yard Act titled ‘Where’s My Utopia?’. This month we’re in the capable hands of Guy who has been a Yard Act fan for some time, choosing their debut album as his Album of the Year in 2022. 66.6% of the team agree with him but 33.3% of the team has found the album more of a struggle.

Part 1 | Yard Act | Where’s My Utopia?

Yard act are an interesting proposition, they are perhaps the most knowingly Northern band since Oasis. They seem to be everywhere and it’s tough to find someone who doesn’t like them. They are very clearly ‘Post Punk’ but their definition of what this means has changed somewhat with this album. We ask the standard question, what did you expect and what did you get plus questions about

Listen to the album here.
Watch some videos here.
Buy some stuff here.
Buy some tickets to see them live here.
Read some stuff here and listen to some pods here and here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘Spoken Word’

Given the AOTM is Yard Act, we chose to look at our favourite Spoken Word tracks. And 3 of us actually chose a Spoken Word track … one of us chose something else but let’s leave that and let us know if you agree with me that it was not Spoken Word. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.

Nolan chose – ‘SpottieOttieDopalicious’ by Outkast.
Guy chose –‘‘The Revolution will not be Televised’ by Gil Scott Heron.
Joey chose – ‘Loosing My Edge’ by LCD Soundsystem
David chose – ‘O Superman’ by Laurie Anderson

See you soon for Episode 44!

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

Podcast Ep. 43 | Helado Negro | Phasor

Posted on March 11, 2024April 22, 2024 by misterstory

EP.67 | Eliza | The Darkening Green – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 43 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 embrace the truly beautiful, hynotic new album by Helado Negro, called ‘Phasor’. Joey (that’s me) is running ‘tings this month, at least one of the crew loves this album but the other two … I’m not so sure. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is ‘New Music’ where we all chose a track from the last 2 months and ask the others ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

Part 1 | Helado Negro | Phasor

This is right up my street. It’s calming, beautiful, intriguing little gem of an album. It’s instantly accessible and a rewarding listen but it is also a gift that keeps on giving. There is a surprsing complexity to the album if you want there to be. But the big questions is ‘what on earth do we call it?’ Guy suggests ‘Cosmic Pop’ and I think he’s right.

Listen to the album here.
Watch some videos here.
Buy some stuff here.
Follow him on Instagram here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘New Music (Jan, Feb, March ’24)

The theme is nice and simple and always a fun one – new music. Pick a track, any track from the past 2-3 months. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.

David chose – ‘AA Bouquet for your 180 Face’ by Saya Grey
Guy chose –‘Spare me the decision’ Nation of Language / Cutouts
Joey chose – ‘Right Back At It’ by Waxahatchee / MJ Lenderman
Nolan chose – ‘Invulnerable’ by K-OS

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

Podcast Ep. 42 | Aesop Rock | Integrated Tech Solutions

Posted on February 18, 2024 by misterstory

EP.67 | Eliza | The Darkening Green – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 42 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 right into Integrated Tech Solutions by Aesop Rock. Nolan and I (Joey) think this is one of 2023’s underrated albums and definitely a hidden hip hop gem. David is missing this month so we only have to convince Guy! In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is ‘Technology’ where we all chose a track that we think fits the theme and ask the others ‘Spin It or Bin It’.

Part 1 | Aesop Rock | Integrated Tech Solutions.

This one’s special (in my opinion). Nolan has always tried to sell Aesop Rock to me but there’s so much music and so little time that I never quite got it. That changed in the Autumn when Mindful Solutionism, the lead single from this album dropped. I chose it as a Spin It or Bin It track and won that month. There’s another 17 tracks on this album. It’s dense, intelligent, socially conciuous, amusing, moving and thought provoking hip hop. Get stuck in if you haven’t already.

Listen to the album here.
Watch some videos here.
Buy some stuff here.
Follow him on Instagram here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘Technology’

Taking inspiration from the album of the month, a really interesting theme of ‘technology’. Interpretation was wide open on this one. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.

Nolan chose – ‘Robots’ by Landhouse ft. Raddantze
David chose – ‘Windpower’ by Thomas Dolby
Guy chose – ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 1′ by The Flaming Lips
Joey chose – ‘(nothing but) Flowers’ by Talking Heads

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums

AOTM | Phasor | Halado Negro

Posted on February 18, 2024February 18, 2024 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.

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 January 15, 2024 by misterstory

EP.67 | Eliza | The Darkening Green – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

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.

Nolan chose – ‘Let me calm down’ by Nicki Manaj (Feat. J Cole).
Joey chose – ‘Vamos A Andar’ by Silvio Rodriguez
Guy chose – ‘Cocktail Chez Madmoiselle (remix)’ by Laurent Voulzy, Yuksek
David chose – ‘Utopia’ by Goldfrapp

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

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

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

Podcast Episode 40 | 2023 Top 10 Albums

Posted on December 11, 2023 by misterstory

EP.67 | Eliza | The Darkening Green – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

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 ***

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

Podcast Episode 39 | Sufjan Stevens | Javelin

Posted on November 20, 2023 by misterstory

EP.67 | Eliza | The Darkening Green – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

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.

Nolan chose – ‘The Night’ by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Joey chose – ‘Ms Fat Booty’ by Mos Def
Guy chose – ‘Chateau Lobby #4 (for 2 virgins)’ by Father John Misty
David chose – ‘Where Dreams go to Die’ by John Grant

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

Album of the Month, podcast

Podcast Episode 37 | Julie Byrne | The Greater Wings

Posted on September 18, 2023 by misterstory

EP.67 | Eliza | The Darkening Green – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

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;

The Metacritic page for ‘The Greater Wings’
Marty’s Music Talk interview with Julie is here
Another interview with Julie, this time on KEXP Podcasts

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?’

Guy chose Vision of Self by Rival Consoles
Nolan chose Time is the Enemy by Quantic
Joey chose Transitions by Beastie Boys
David chose Speed of Life by David Bowie

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/

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