Shuffled Selections: January 22-28

Last updated on: January 30, 2017 at 5:04 am by Benjamin Griffin

Shuffled Selections: January 22-28 2017-01-30T05:04:20-08:00 Benjamin Griffin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ok, so I’ve calmed down from last week – sorry for that attempt at high concept anger. Back to focusing on new music! This week, I’ve chosen some far more familiar artists who will all (hopefully) have some exciting albums coming out this year. Enjoy!

Pay Attention Selection of the Week

Father John Misty – “Pure Comedy”

This is not hyperbole: I think Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty, is prophetic. A sarcastic misanthrope, a salacious romantic, and a slick-witted storyteller, Tillman went from a career as an overly earnest, soft spoken folk artist (and one time Fleet Foxes member) to a louder than life lounge singer Lothario seemingly overnight. But, rather than abandoning the earnestness, he used his newly minted persona to start speaking honestly without shying away behind cliché and metaphor and it has been remarkably disarming and refreshing. From the drug fueled kaleidoscopic adventure of Fear Fun to the dour intimacy of I Love You, Honeybear, Father John Misty’s particular brand of lounge act troubadour might not be to everyone’s liking – in fact, it might make you outright uncomfortable with its sincerity. But if prophesy is anything, it’s unflinchingly sincere. Although he has concerned himself largely with themes of self-awareness and companionship, he has dipped his toes into the political and social with previous scorched earth anthems “Holy Shit” and “Bored in the U.S.A.” Even from those titles you might assume they’d be on the nose and, well, you’d be right. But what seems trite on the surface will surely get under your skin quick with their righteous anger and resigned apathy. Promising more along this line, Father John Misty will return this year with his newest album Pure Comedy and, if the lead single of the same name is any indication, it ought to be a great shattered mirror look into our current state of affairs. Holding up the maddening hypocrisy of a seemingly suicidal creature terrified of its own mortality and trapped by its unexamined certainty, I will warn you now that “Pure Comedy” will not make you feel good. But, prophesy isn’t meant to – it’s supposed to scare you shitless, slap you in the face, and wake you up. And that’s just what Father John Misty aims to do. Well, either that, or give us some tunes for dancing on the ashes.

Bleak Brutality Selection of the Week

Mastodon – “Sultan’s Curse”

As far as I’m concerned, any time is a good time for more Mastodon but, in this climate in particular, I’m real ready for their brand of earth rattling rawk. The Atlanta sludge-prog metal heavyweights will be returning this year with their 7th studio album Emperor of Sand, another thematic album that explores the band’s experience of cancer and chemotherapy through the lens of a man banished to wander a desert wasteland and confront death. Although this theme has me chomping at the bit for more, I will admit that lead single “Sultan’s Curse” leaves me a little wanting. I’m not convinced Mastodon could make a bad track per se but I am now certain they can make a mediocre one. Although blistering and brutal as all their best work before, this track feels just like that – what they’re done before. Now, this hasn’t stopped me from listening to it on repeat, mind you. I just hope that the rest of the album finds them stretching out a bit more (hey, it happened on their previous record despite its lead single so I have faith).

Forever the Best Hats Selection of the Week

Jamiroquai – “Automaton”

Look, for you, Jamiroquai might only be that guy with the funny hats and that awesome video. And while you’re not wrong, I’m here to tell you that you are missing out (on more than just fun hats). The acid funk Stevie Wonder devotee has been making some of the absolute best grooves of our generation for decades and, in my opinion, is criminally slept upon. I, for one, have been desperately struggling to remain patient awaiting the follow up to his utterly masterful 2010 album Rock Dust Light Star and will FINALLY be rewarded this year with Automaton. On the first single, it sounds like Jamiroquai is ready to shake the dust off and get back to it, bringing his usual flair for robotic theatrics and spaced out funk hard and heavy. More along the lines of the electronically dazzling Dynamite than the full band sound of Rock Dust Light Star, the track sizzles with heavy synth and pulsating beats before exploding into a Technicolor chorus of 80’s-esque delirium. I really can’t wait for more but, even if this track doesn’t get you, seriously go check out Rock Dust – it is a truly joyous gem of an album.

Hey, There You Are Selection of the Week

Missy Elliot – “I’m Better” (feat. Lamb)

Missy Elliot has been flying low for over a decade now with her last proper release being 2005’s The Cookbook but that’s not to say she hasn’t stayed relevant. Every so often, she’ll reappear unannounced and drop an incredible single – and then disappear with about just as much explanation. Now, with the release of her newest single “I’m Better” coming just a year after her last (the Pharrell featuring “WTF”), it almost feels like we might get an album any day now. Here’s hoping – we’re better for it. This time around, Missy eschews her usual Timbaland assisted bounce and dives right into trap. The sparse beat hits hard and Missy’s flow is as smooth as ever – plus, she always knocks it out of the park with her videos. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait for the next rap trend for another taste.

Sexiest Selection of the Week

Alina Baraz, Galimatias – “Pretty Thoughts”

Y’all, some tracks just get to you. Some tracks you just want to keep on repeat until they fill the entire room and become your every breath they are just that good. This track is one of those for me. A combination of artists formulated over facebook, California singer Alana Baraz and Danish producer Galimatias have honestly created the sexiest song of the year. I mean, I know it’s early but just listen – who’s gonna top that? Washed out, down tempo beats carry Baraz’s sultry voice on their oceanic waves and drift you dreamingly along in a lush haze and, like the fleeting tryst it concerns, is over far too soon. This is by far my favorite discovery in these past couple of weeks and, after exploring their lovely debut EP, I can’t wait to see what they do for their full length.

Previous Post

January 26, 2017

At Sundance: THEIR FINEST

Next Post

February 1, 2017 #KillerSerials: THE PATH, S2, Eps. 2-3

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Classics DVD Film Music News Pop Culture Events Print Sports Television Uncategorized Video Games

Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I saw the Promised Land from a mountain but was not allowed to enter it. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Caleb Moses Joshua Aaron