Music

Here's a page to collect all my previous music recommendations. I'll update this page when I make new posts so you can see all my past posts all in one spot. If you have recommendations for me, please drop me a line via the email on my Contact page.

Fazerdaze

I don't know exactly what genre Fazerdaze falls into, but I do know that her album Morningside is the definitive example of it. An about-face from the previous rec, Fazerdaze has a relaxed, summer picnic vibe, with a personal touch that just soothes the soul. No song better exemplifies her command over the sound than Jennifer⤻. For something slightly more upbeat with the same ethereal vocal style, Lucky Girl⤻ might captivate you. Honestly, I just recommend the whole Morningside album. I know I've said this a couple of times, but the stuff I put up here is to highlight artists who have a distinct part in the music I enjoy. And half of the time that means they have full albums worth of really solid tracks, of which it's sometimes hard to pick just a couple selections to represent them.

Cobra Man

I will never forget the day I watched Worble III⤻. I have never skateboarded. I had never watched skateboarding content. But the YouTube algorithm decided that I would be interested. And for some unknown reason, I clicked. What followed was an audio visual experience unlike anything I'd ever consumed before. If you have a half hour to burn, just watch it. From the first notes of Powered Up⤻, Los Angeles Power Disco band Cobra Man stuns. Best played at legally questionable volume. But they can also keep it lowkey, with Don't Look⤻. Whatever suits you.

Art d'Ecco

Here's something new. Well, new to me at least. Art d'Ecco gets points just for a crafty name. And the sound is even more creative. Their track The Traveller⤻ picks a style and goes all in. This early electronic 80s sound (and look) is flawlessly executed. I am personally still working through the rest of his back catalogue, so I can only offer one other recommendation for Only Ones⤻, the song I was introduced to Art d'Ecco by.

Wytch Hazel

I've been told that Wytch Hazel is very reminiscent of earlier bands, but I don't know them so I wouldn't be able to say. My first exposure was to Barrow Hill⤻ off their album II: Sojourn. From their later albums, I recommend Archangel⤻ and Angel of Light⤻. You'll soon realize, if you haven't already, that Wytch Hazel is a Christian band. While I'm by no means opposed to that style, it has to be executed well to find its way into my library. They more than deliver (pun intended) on the instrumental front, and the lyrics are clearly inspired and heartfelt in a way that is endearing. I give them non-zero credit when it comes to my serious reconsideration of faith. Truly doing God's work.

Fit For Rivals / Renee Phoenix

Hot. Damn. Fit For Rivals, led by Renee Phoenix, is one of my top bands. Remember what I mentioned in the Like Roses rec? Well this is that other band I was thinking of. I can still remember when I first heard Crash⤻. I played this song over and over at volumes my ears won't forgive me for. I couldn't get enough of her voice. It's unreal. I'm not gonna tell you to listen to an entire album... but Steady Damage⤻ is probably the most prized CD in my collection. Every track on that album is a hardcore banger. I'm not exaggerating to say that, over the last decade, I've listened to this album hundreds of times. For completeness sake, I'll recommend you listen to Swallow⤻, one of her solo tracks. The band has split, gone on hiatus, come back together, turned into a solo effort, turned into another band called Pink Fly, turned back into Fit For Rivals, gotten a whole new lineup... the only constant being Renee herself. If you like this band even 10% as much as I do, you'll be hooked.

Mori Calliope

Ok look. Please understand. I never watch V-Tubers. But somehow these songs made their way into my ears at some point and I couldn't resist them. Absolute bangers. If you're looking for something (likely) new to you, check out Q⤻, which also has a sick anime style music video too if you like that kind of thing. KING⤻ is another energy packed duet for you to bang your head to. This style of Japanese/English sorta-rap 200 mph fusion is something I've never come across before and hope that it tickles your fancy the way it does mine.

Like Roses

YouTube recommendations have been coming in clutch for me recently. Another new song from a band I'd never heard of that ended up being a banger. First ran into their track Broken Things (Lie To Me)⤻ and was very impressed. Went through their catalog and also ended up really enjoying Easy⤻. I'm noticing now that I have an affinity for this particular female vocal style. Envoi is a very similar style. And these two likely won't be the last as I can think of another one just now and there's likely more if I look. You'll just have to wait and see.

Caitlin Myers

I can't quite recall where I first heard one of Caitlin's songs. She's got a distinct, JPOP style, with such powerful vocals that I can't help but be mesmerized. I just missed making this rec in time for September but, I'm obligated to direct you to her cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's hit September⤻. A good portion of her songs have her as part of a group (even under different names such as Interlunium or Aromatique), so if you want to hear a solo performance, I recommend one of the few non-covers she has recorded, Ghostin' You⤻, just in time for October spooky season or the City Pop classic Stay With Me⤻.

Glitterfox

Shout out to my dad. Around a year ago, he heard the song TV⤻ on the radio during his commute to work. He decided it was so good, that he would text me telling me to listen to it. And now, I'm doing the same to you.

Easy going. Groovy. The singer's voice is just so smooth. They just recently released a new album, Decoder. Visually, it's 70s styled. But the music is as fresh as ever. The album has a good variety of slower ballads mixed in with upbeat, bumpin' tunes like Wildfires⤻.

Envoi

This one surprised me. Not because I haven't been listening to this band for closing in on 10 years now, but because I thought it was over. Their most recent release Wonders⤻ was 4 years ago now. And even that was a single released after 2 years of no new tracks. So when they dropped a full new EP Seasons, I nearly fell out of my chair. A bit sad to admit, but it doesn't q u i t e compare to their older stuff, but was a good listen and a nice trip down memory lane. Tidal Wave⤻ off the new album is certainly worth a listen. One song of theirs you must listen to though is their cover of the 30 Seconds to Mars hit: The Kill⤻. It's just soo good. Her voice was seemingly made for this song.

Peach Fuzz

What a great summer vibe I get from this group. Ironic, because I think it was middle of winter where they are in Australia when these songs were released. I stumbled upon their song What Do You Want From This?⤻ just randomly on YouTube. Wasn't sure at the time if they were working on any new tracks, but shortly after they released I Don't Like Roses⤻ which really cemented their spot in my playlist. Light in spots, heavy in others, a solid mix in my estimation.

Discovery Zone

Discovery Zone is a strange one, I'll admit. Her song Fall Apart⤻ (please just don't let the wacky intro turn you away) is what initially attracted me to her work. Shortly after I listened to Dance II⤻, I knew this was something worth sharing. The ethereal chorus of Fall Apart. The bumpin' groove of Dance II. Quite different styles both expertly executed. I look forward to spending more time in this zone of discovery and hope you'll join me in uncovering more material for my library.

Judas Priest

Sort of goes without saying really. I think this was really the first band that I ever liked. My dad played their album Unleashed in the East for me when I was 14 or so and that, I suppose, was when I first started listening to music on my own. Track 7 off the album, Victim of Changes⤻, was the first one he played and I've been listening since then. Their latest album Invincible Shield is just as full of clangers as the albums they released nearly 50 years ago. If I had to pick a song to best represent the new album, I'd have you listen to Trial By Fire⤻. Too many songs to recommend here. When you've been making records for 50 years, it's impossible to list all the hits without going over the character limit.

Buck Owens

Buck Owens and His Buckaroos are an early Country/Western group. Their song Love's Gonna Live Here⤻ is what put them back in my latest playlists. Buck Owens' biggest song is probably Streets of Bakersfield, which is great in its original release⤻ or with Dwight Yoakam in this duet version⤻ with a particularly traditional Mexican instrumentation and style.

Kyros

A prog rock band from the UK with a unique, almost pop appeal. They describe themselves as having an '80s stadium rock' sound, and I'll give it to them. My first taste of them was with the song Rumour⤻. Since this song came out the lead singer has... changed styles I'll say, so the vocals for their newer songs have a different character. A newer song of theirs, Esoterica⤻ is just a solid gold clanger.

NOTE: I understand that, for people who don't listen to prog rock, 7 minute long songs with 2 minute long instrumental intros can be a tad tedious. If you want to get right into it use this link Esoterica⤻. Once you get the sense, please go back and give that intro a listen.

Noelle Sucks

Noelle Sucks is... indie-pop/bedroom pop/occasionally-just-a-girl-with-a-ukulele? I don't do well with genre definitions. Regardless of category, she's dang good. If I had to pick a song to best represent her work, it would be Your Mom Calls Me⤻ or (my personal favorite) Manic⤻. Don't let the age of these videos (and the criminally low subscriber count) mislead you, Noelle Sucks is still dropping tracks every so often.