Introduction
Five Songs, 6/30/2021
Five Songs

Five Songs, 6/30/2021

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Gojira, "The Shooting Star"

Technical death band Gojira took a little bit different approach on 2016's Magma, where they actually slowed it down a little sometimes and have things approaching melody at times. It's easily their most accessible album, but they're good enough that simplifying their sound a little doesn't spoil the proceedings. That's not to say it's not a very loud album, but it's not the same kind of insanity as some of their earlier stuff.

Hepcat, "Marcus Garvey"

Beyond sticking to the sounds of the first wave of ska, what sets Hepcat apart from most of the other third wave bands are those vocal harmonies. It's lovely stuff, and makes their songs sound pretty timeless.

McKinley Dixon, "But, Still Tomorrow"

McKinley Dixon's new album, For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her, is getting a lot of attention, and deservedly so. But his previous album, 2018's The Importance of Self Belief (which gives us today's song), is also a tremendous record. His use of jazz and live instrumentation reaches its peak on this, the last track on the record, which is entirely instrumental. So it's not really a great way to hear what he's all about, but come on, this is great.

Tuxedo, "So Good"

It is indeed so good.

Prefuse 73, "See More Than Just Stars (feat. Helado Negro)"

This is from 2015's Rivington Não Rio focuses more on vocal contributions than some of his earlier material, and I'm not sure it's all totally successful. It sometimes feels like some of the glitchier, jumpier stuff is toned down in order to accommodate sounding decent with a singer, but that's not why I listen to Prefuse 73.

Joshua Buergel
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