Two musings in one month. Who would’ve thought?! Father John Misty announced a new album this week entitled Mahashmashana along with tour dates for the fall. He also released a song from the album called “Screamland.” After a couple of listens I am torn about this song. It starts with a classic Father John Misty vibe—downtrodden lyrics with an empty, contemplative atmosphere. The song quickly builds into a crescendo of lo-fi static and Misty howls the title of the song. It sounds ok but reminds me more of early 2000’s Linkin Park than anything else. Is he trying to get Transformer movie money?

In late July Father John Misty released a greatest-hits album that included and brand new song called “I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All.” I didn’t pay much attention to this song honestly as I felt Misty had portrayed the lyrical content in this song much better elsewhere. The contemplative song “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain” has similar themes about time. The Disney allusion and beautiful backing instrumentation lend more to that topic than the up-tempo ragtime(ish) of this new track. It is interesting to see a song more self-reflective about the music industry but when Misty has tackled much more personal topics it doesn’t hit as hard. Every Joe-schmoe sings about the music industry, but it is rare to hear an artist sing so intimately about his marital struggles. I know I am being a little too critical. These songs aren’t bad by any means but remembering how much I loved “Pure Comedy” and “Funny Girl” as lead singles, it does leave me a tad disappointed.

For those who don’t know, I am a huge fan of Japanese city pop. A genre of music that dominated Japan in the 70s/80s, city pop can be described as a melding of American funk, disco, and R&B. It creates this beautifully optimistic music and I could write an entire article about Japan’s post-WWII mood and how it contributed to this music. In recent years it has become more popular as YouTube’s algorithm seemed to push this music on unsuspecting youths. Check your kid’s computer they could be listening to city pop!

Anyway, I got a TikTok recommending this American artist, Ginger Root, who has been making city pop with an indie flare (let’s say). Last week Ginger Root released an album called Shinbangumi and I had to listen. I must’ve been in a foul mood the first time I heard it because it didn’t move me. All the parts were there (albeit with slightly rougher instrumentation for the indie-inclined) but it just wasn’t tickling my brain as much. It reminds me of Little Dark Age by MGMT or Light Upon the Lake by Whitney. How Ginger Root alters his vocals is reminiscent of those albums. Tonally those albums are much different. I think Little Dark Age works so well because the quirky vocals are juxtaposed with unsettling instrumentals (see the song “She Works Out Too Much”). On Shinbangumi I think the vocals prevent Ginger Root from achieving some form of city pop realness. Maybe that isn’t the goal though. It does feel like a more modern take on the genre. I will say the instrumentation is starting to grow on me. The momentum of the drums and bassline on “Better Than Monday” is superb and extremely catchy. While I have my reservations, I think Shinbangumi is solid overall.

My last spotlighted album for this week is Floating Points’ Cascade. Floating Points is a British electronic musician/DJ who first made waves with 2015’s Elaenia. I’m a particularly huge fan of his 2021 Jazz/electronic fusion album, Promises. Honestly if you get anything out of this musing, go listen to Promises. It is stunning. Cascades is more in line with Floating Points’ normal electronic music but it is just as enthralling. On the electronic music spectrum of ravey EDM (ie. Zedd/Fred Again) to super nerdy ambient IDM (ie. Aphex Twin) this album sits in a happy middle ground. There are insanely bombastic club bangers like the first three tracks. “Vocoder [Club Mix]” is a true stand-out. A seven-minute jolt of adrenaline that is most definitely a “club mix.” The rise and fall formula so popular in EDM is alive and well on these tracks but there are also the ethereal blips and boops of IDM interspersed. It is a truly happy marriage.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention FKA Twigs’ new song, “Eusexua.” How does she do it every time? Magdalene’s lead single, “Cellophane” was a standout and one of my favorite songs of 2019. “Eusexua” is equally as impactful. Beautifully crafted whispery lyrics with bone-chilling electronics. There is a great rise and fall in the electronic music here as well. The juxtaposition between the loud background and Twigs’ soft singing is so indicative of love. Quite poetic. Being so in love that you create new words is wild but this song makes it seem necessary. I cannot wait for the album to come out. Long live the skullet.

besos,

Jonny’s Songs of the Week:

• Father John Misty - I Guess Time Makes a Fool of Us All

• FKA Twigs - Eusexua

• Ginger Root - Better Than Monday

• Ginger Root - No Problems

• Floating Points - Vocoder [Club Mix]

• Floating Points - Birth4000

• Chama - Arca & Tokischa