soundscape 002
welcome to the inner workings of my mind
this letter was written in the wake of post-full moon clarity. i wouldn’t say that i’ve been experiencing writer’s block or a creative freeze, but i spent the past few weeks prioritizing rest and being mindful of my output—allowing answers to find their way to me with ease. following this respite, i better understand the way forward. since i’m slightly behind my own schedule, paid subscribers can anticipate the seasonal collective reading and monthly content preview to arrive this weekend.
with February being a shorter month, i didn’t listen to as much music as i usually would. yet, many of the albums that did make it to this list were enjoyed with fervor and admiration. 4 days into March, i’m already working on an upcoming collectible feature and future soundscapes. the inspiration never stops, even when the work is being done behind the scenes. in the meantime, i hope you find something new to listen to via this second installment of soundscape!
music i missed last year
AKA finding out about tunes that might have made my 2025 year-end lists had i heard them earlier. this featured section will be highlighted throughout the springtime.
Swami Sound & gum.mp3 — State of Emergency
i didn’t want this one to end
Nujakasha & Hunter Rose — REMEMBER? (EP)
“let love happen to you!”
Nori Kai — Wistful Thinking
flows seamlessly from rapping to singing
Ninajirachi — I Love My Computer
adds a new dimension to “Computer Love”
Dojo Cuts — Never Have I Ever
something soulful in that Australian water
Genevieve Artadi & Norrbotten Big Band — Another Leaf
a lively and engaging robust sound
they are gutting a body of water — LOTTO
RIYL: SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE, YHWH Nailgun
wet leg — moisturizer
last year’s hype was warranted
Backxwash — Only Dust Remains
gritty raps about addiction and liberation
WHATMORE — WHATMORE
RIYL: Brockhampton, AG Club, Sen Morimoto
A$H. — Low Key
cutesy R&B for glamorous divas and lovergirls
new releases
tracking music from the current calendar year, which will help me build my mid-year and yearly roundups in advance. most albums include a summary of up to seven words, but my #1 play of the month is explored with more depth.
Jordan Ward — BACKWARD
he’s moving in the right direction
Anna Leone — ‘Til the World Ends (EP)
melancholy singer-songwriter tea
Kareen Lomax — ijan (EP)
RIYL: Jazmine Sullivan, amindi, Alex Mali
Geologist — Can I Get a Pack of Camel Lights?
the hurdy-gurdy steals the show
Katzin — Buckaroo
this is my kinda indie rock party
Déyyess — Would You Go Down On A Girl? (Deluxe)
RIYL: Renee Rapp, King Princess
Slut Intent — Slutworld
all-female punk bands have my heart
Charlotte Day Wilson — Patchwork
fabulous features from some of my faves!
Brent Faiyaz — Icon
he’s firmly in his loverboy era
alt-summary: second favorite play this month
Momoko Gill — Momoko
an airy debut illuminating a rising star
Tiana Major9 — November Scorpio
RIYL: Joyce Wrice, India Shawn, Sinéad Harnett
VRITRA — Husk (EP)
billed as a 6-part tragedy
WILLOW — petal rock black
get lost inside these vocal runs
Yellow Days — Rock and A Hard Place
guttural soul-wrenching wailing over funky beats
alt-summary: “play that funky music, white boy!”
Choker — Heaven Ain’t Sold
worth the wait!
Terrace Martin — PEACE
the second installment in a four-part suite
Shintaro Sakamoto — Yoo-hoo
something swanky to soothe the spirit
Coco & Breezy — Free (EP)
meditative and empowering
Sideshow — TIGRAY FUNK
actually the main attraction
Inner Wave — SEE YOU WHEN I GET BACK
RIYL: Triathalon, TOPS, HOMESHAKE
GENA — The Pleasure is Yours
this is my #1 play of the month! when Liv.e and Karriem Riggins announced that they were teaming up, i knew the result would be fire. The Pleasure is Yours is delightfully soulful in all the ways i anticipated—this is an album that warrants repeat listening and will age nicely over time.
my seven-word summary of The Pleasure is Yours is: turn the volume all the way up!
music to look forward to
ELUCID & Sebb Bash — I Guess U Had To Be There (3/13)
Nubiyan Twist — Chasing Shadows (3/20)
rum.gold — Is There Anybody Home? (3/27)
Tom Misch — Full Circle (3/27)
Courtney Barnett — Creature of Habit (3/27)
Justine Skye — CANDY (3/27)
Thundercat — Distracted (4/3)
Yaya Bey — Fidelity (4/17)
Gareth Donkin — Extraordinary (4/24)
_BY.ALEXANDER — the decoupling of the nuclear family (5/1)
Lykke Li — The Afterparty (5/8)
Dua Saleh — Of Earth & Wires (5/15)
Laura Misch — Lithic (6/5)
Jalen Ngonda — Doctrine of Love (6/5)
let’s run that back
MS MR — “Hurricane”
Methyl Ethel — “Drink Wine”
Steady Sun — “Lover Knows”
Brent Faiyaz — “Trust”
Moses Gunn Collective — “Shalala”
sights to see
SALIMATA — “Supastar Livin”
Spilata — “The Cuntiest”
soundscape 002: the playlist
the notes: a series of inner monologues, auditions for the talent show, star anise, a heart-shaped box, pineapple soda, variety shows.
February was a short month- but so much music was released!
I love that you are working backwards and forwards! There is a lot I missed last year, and I keep adding to my 2025 playlist! And it’s impossible to keep up with everything released! Wet Leg was my favorite of 2025! The only other artist on your list I’ve listened to is Willow last week and I enjoyed it! Will definitely have to give a lot of these a listen!
Deep appreciation