september star
you’re a shining star, no matter who you are
wassup y’all? welcome to another monthly roundup full of music, fashion, and more. i know that for the last couple of months, i didn’t really give any thoughts on the music i shared.
as the year winds down, i’m reserving some energy and saving the in-depth music writing for my favorites lists in december. but i still want to be able to come back to these monthly roundups to keep my first impressions in mind so i included more of my reflections this time. if it seems a little stream of consciousness, it’s because my thoughts collage like mood boards more & more these days.
without further ado, let’s get started with a recap of what i listened to in september.
newest releases
Corinne Bailey Rae — Black Rainbows
she never ceases to amaze me and i love it when she goes highly conceptual like this.
Angel Bat Dawid — Requiem for Jazz
put this on if you wanna think about some real life shit from an emotive Afrofuturistic perspective.
LAYA — Bet That
picture it: a bad bitch revenge scene with the aesthetic to match. this album is prime for that occasion; also, one thing LAYA gonna do besides mesmerize us with her voice is pull off a LOOK!
GAWD — Cathedral City
a sweet collection of black femme empowerment anthems, recommended if you like LAYA.
Eartheater — Powders
a strong contender for my year-end list, like how could i not with the “Chop Suey” cover?
Vagabon — Sorry I Haven’t Called
this is a long awaited follow-up to 2019’s Vagabon. on her newest album, singer Laetitia Tamko unearthed these flirtatious alt-dance tracks from the vault and we will all be more grateful for it.
Cleo Sol — Heaven and Gold
with two inspirational albums out in one month, Cleo Sol always seems to know when we need her most. divine timing from the voice of an angel.
Tirzah — trip9love…???
she’s been the one because her projects from 2013-2014 are just as fresh as her latest.
Tinashe — BB/ANG3L
an alt-R&B/pop icon coming to collect her flowers, steadily but surely. she’s been worth the wait.
Teezo Touchdown — How Do You Sleep At Night?
i’m curious to see where Teezo Touchdown goes from here, because there is definitely a consistent vision. the album is decent! it just kinda feels like we got a glimpse of brilliance with some minor reservations…like he’s saving some tricks and treats for the future.
James Blake — Playing Robots into Heaven
James Blake interpolating “Beautiful” by Snoop Dogg and Pharrell? it wasn’t on my yearly bingo card, but i’ll absolutely take it.
Yussef Dayes — Black Classical Music
a powerhouse debut solo album that offers exactly what the title describes…file under music to show people who think “Jazz is Dead.” Dayes is proof that jazz is evolving like it always has and that it’s evolving how it needs to in this season.
Sirens of Lesbos — Peace
Peace is: thoughtful and genre-defying with stellar features. but it could be a little bit longer because i enjoy relishing in their intergalactic sonic universe (guess i’ll just put it on repeat).
Devendra Banhart — Flying Wig
if anytime was prime for Banhart’s signature contemplative folk-rock, that time is NOW.
muva of Earth — align with nature’s intelligence
an album full of affirmations to keep your spirit warm as the weather cools down.
Bakar — Halo
this album reminds me simultaneously of adolescent optimism and angst, punctuated distinctly by Bakar’s raspy tone.
Steven Bamidele — Summing Up
put this one on to dance and reflect on life while in your kitchen. it’s delightful.
Modern Cosmology — What Will You Grow Now?
across the six tracks on this project, there’s a lot to contemplate — some themes lighter than others. perhaps you will be able to answer the question prompted by the album’s title once you make it through the nearly 40-minute run.
Animal Collective — Isn’t It Now?
AnCo has been so instrumental to everything i love about music that they could probably put out a recording of a trash bag ruffling in the wind on a highway and i would still entertain it. that’s not to say this album isn’t great because they generally don’t disappoint…but i was gonna listen either way.
Little Dragon & April + Vista — Slipping into Color EP
a future soul collaboration that makes so much sense, but i didn’t anticipate it at any point in time. it’s quite the harmonious melding of minds.
Yeek — Future Reference
not sure how i missed this last month, but it’s always nice to hear from Yeek.
METTE — METTENARRATIVE
part of me believes that this was made for the runway and i’m here for it.
Loraine James — Gentle Confrontation
as suggested by the title, this album provides balance of seemingly opposing forces to create an explorative electronic soundscape. tap in!
theMIND & Vooo — Coffee Grounds EP
if you have 10 minutes to spare, listen to this. i don’t think you’ll regret it. it’s almost over before it really begins.
Azamiah — In Phases
a debut ambient jazz project out of Glasgow; i’m intrigued and i want to know more.
Say She She — Silver
there’s a universe where i only listen to this dreamy album full of 1960s-inspired girl group harmonies and pop sensibilities, while wearing mod dresses and my makeup like Donyale Luna. maybe that universe exists this Sunday?
upcoming albums i’m excited about:
Sen Morimoto — Diagnosis
Tkay Maidza — Sweet Justice
Sampha — Lahai
Shabazz Palaces — Robed in Rareness
sights to see:
Dolly Baby on the cover of Wonderland, photographed by Axle Joseph.
Imaan Hammam for Schiaparelli SS241
Tkay Maidza for Wonderland, photographed by Bethany Vargas.
Adwoa Aboah’s house tour for Architectural Digest is a maximalist daydream, rich with character and personality.
what else i’ve been up to:
traveling out of the country for the first time (Punta Cana, i will be back!)
saying farewell to an elderly furry friend (RIP Bear — hope there’s more doggie CBD and less thunder in heaven 🤍)
curating a fall capsule wardrobe (or at least trying in my own maximalist way)
getting back into Pinterest
making a TV/computer out of my iPad with the help of an external monitor2
adding new music to my vinyl collection (including the 15th anniversary record of Santigold’s debut!!)
reading Octavia Butler because she was way ahead of her time
polishing my jewelry
watching thrift hauls and closet clean-out videos on YouTube
playing Good Pizza, Great Pizza — a pizza making simulator
september star: the playlist
the playlist notes: sunshine, champagne in the day, leaves falling, spiderwebs, tobacco, all-inclusive, disco balls, milkshakes at night, the color red.
(september star: the playlist on apple music)
just a preview of the fashion month mixtape that’ll come out in october.
speaking of TV, we’ll likely circle back to what i’ve been watching next month.