may mirage
“I just want everybody to have a good time. I really do.”
typically, april showers bring may flowers. but boy, did it rain a lot this past month (literally and metaphorically). to quote the classic Johnny Nash song, “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.”
as of late, i’ve been reflecting on the word “mirage” and the concept of illusions being broken. when i get fixated on words, there’s often a song i can attach to that experience.
i have so many lyrics on my mind that i could weave them together to tell you a story about this current chapter of my life. so you already know i made a playlist. read on to explore all the music i listened to this month, with a few videos added in for visual stimulation.
new releases
Oscar Jerome — The Fork
title track is a standout
JonoJono — As We Wither
The ‘80s would approve
Velvet Trip — Glimmers (EP)
a simple and momentary bliss
pencil — Bohemian Clutter (EP)
the title drew me in
André 3000 — 7 piano sketches
love the Met Gala tie-in
Model/Actriz — Pirouette
slinky when it’s not mercurial
DOPE LEMON — Golden Wolf
always a fun time
PinkPantheress — Fancy That
*sings* “it’s like what??”
Xavier Omär — HunnyMoon Mountain
one of his best works
Kadeem Tyrell — KT.FM
it’s worth the listen
Goya Gumbani — Warlord of the Weejuns
“one hand washes the other!”
Kilo Kish — Negotiations (EP)
she always gets my attention
Cautious Clay — The Hours: Morning
i love the hour-by-hour concept
spill tab — ANGIE
can’t wait to play again
Deradoorian — Ready for Heaven
my avant-garde art pop queen
Stereolab — Instant Holograms on Metal Film
sounds like a kaleidoscopic sunshine
Aminé — 13 Months of Sunshine
it didn’t really captivate me
Rico Nasty — LETHAL
a cute and angsty listen
Your Grandparents — The Dial
their style truly excites me
Miso Extra — Earcandy
i will play this again
Reuben James — Big People Music
whew, i feel like dancing
Smerz — Big city life
they are just so cool
ganavya — Nilam
her voice could move mountains
Mourning [A] BLKStar — Flowers For The Living
“the living is the truth!”
lavender — we’re having a barn dance
i see the vision
Oddisee — En Route (EP)
a longtime favorite re-emerges
Léa Sen — LEVELS
more relatable than i realized
Erika de Casier — Lifetime
this is my #1 play of the month. with every release, i grow fonder of Erika de Casier’s music. on Lifetime, her tasteful approach to production is expertly matched with idiosyncratic and poignant lyrics (a true staple of her sound). also, her sleek visual aesthetic just adds to the cohesiveness of the work.
my five-word summary: wow, she just gets me!
music to look forward to
Leikeli47 — Lei Keli ft. 47/ For Promotional Use Only (6/13)
Natanya — Feline’s Return (EP) (6/13)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra — CURSE (EP) (6/18)
BAMBII — INFINITY CLUB II (6/20)
U.S. Girls — Scratch It (6/20)
HAIM — I quit (6/20)
Lorde — Virgin (6/27)
Indigo de Souza — Precipice (7/25)
Nourished by Time — The Passionate Ones (8/22)
Joy Crookes — Juniper (9/26)
let’s run that back
Jean Dawson — “Bubba”
Beach House — “Master of None”
Sanders Bohlke — “Serious”
No Age — “Eraser”
required listening to know me
Demon Days by Gorillaz
this month’s collectible of choice is Demon Days, the second studio album by Gorillaz. i have anticipated this day for a few years, as written below in a “Music of My Life” feature:
sights to see
Black Sitcom Boyfriend Tier List
Cree Summer x Shan Boodram
Solange x Neneh Cherry x Angèle x Yukimi | A Creative Roundtable with CHANEL
Mourning [A] BLKStar — “Letter To A Nervous System”
This is your second chance.
may mirage: the playlist
the notes: acceptance, freedom, broken illusions, taking chances, intuition, re-alignment, return to self, “que será, será.”
this is a TREASURE TROVE i will be combing through many of these and just saved your May Mirage playlist!! i love the idea of connecting different lyrics into an interweaving web that forms something even more personal. thank you & i appreciate you sharing. :')