Playlist Odyssey

Home
Playlist Odyssey

Come Along With Us In A Discovery Of
New Tunes; Classics And Everything In Between!

Whether you want to Dance, Ponder or Discover obscure artists, we have some awesome Spotify playlists for you!

16/11/2024

Claire Rousay is one of my favorite ambient composers and this is perhaps my favorite work of the L.A.-based composer.

In Northern California, we have been consistently in fall weather and the magic of season feels so present. Falling leaves, squirrels scampering and my personal favorite, the cold and damp mornings.

Even the mundane tasks of taking out the trash or folding laundry while looking outside felt magical while listening to this album the last few days ❤️

Last pic: y he gotta take my yoga mat????

13/11/2024

On the song “Calypso and Cain,” I felt transported. By its cosmic-sounding, almost lullaby essence and the wonderful storytelling the singer invited you to hear. This felt like an Americana tale.

On the song “Grenadine,” I also felt transported. This time perhaps by a time machine of when The Killers were one of the biggest bands in the world.

On the song “South Pole,” I was yet again transported. This time it felt like I was back in high school and I was immersed in discovering 1960’s rock bands I learned about in Guitar World Magazine.

I don’t think this approach works too well for many bands or artists who very much intend to create a spectrum of sounds from very recognizable genres. But I think what sets “Help Yourself” apart, is that these songs are written with such conviction of melody, storytelling and composition.

With Hidden Gem albums so hard to come by these last several weeks, I was so happy to be immersed by this album and a band I will enthusiastically follow on IG to see what’s to come!

Last pic: Harry Styles crochet!!!

10/11/2024

There is such mesmerizing orchestration within Arcade Fire’s sound. As one of my favorite bands of all time, perhaps the most captivating aspect of their music was just how BIG they sounded.

Obviously, this band sounded like an orchestra because there were definitely enough regular members to make a small symphony. But I think it was their willingness to defy musical conventions, especially with non-conventional band instruments, which helped them further stand out in the 2000’s indie scene.

A huge part of that is violinist Sarah Neufeld, who not only stood out because of her signature instrument but was one of two women in a prominent position in the band. Second was Richard Reed Parry, whose repertoire of instruments shifts from guitar, bass, celesta, keyboards and even accordion.

As an instrumental album, “First Sounds” amplifies this vigorous experimentation to shine through. Heightened by Montreal cellist Rebecca Foon, this album is so cryptic and carries the listener through with such tension and brooding anticipation.

Like Oliver Coates and Colin Stetson, artists whose albums I have spoken of recently, there is hardly a chance to capture moments of repose... there is conflict and embattled peace throughout. It’s still so beautiful and in a weird way, does allow for tranquility if you’re willing to nestle against the harshness of it.

Last pic: Double boba to cure post election depression

08/11/2024

The concept of the double album has a particular mystique in music. “The Wall” by Pink Floyd, “The White Album” by the Beatles or “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” by The Smashing Pumpkins are some of the most critically-praised albums in history and are hallmarks of distinguished artworks I was always aware of as a fan of music.

As a listener, there is this heightened expectation of artistry and perhaps of critical analysis needed to take in such a breadth of work. And that is understood beforehand. The comparison I draw is watching a Tarantino or Scorsese film, which should automatically signal to the viewer that this is not your ordinary movie-going experience.

Mount Eerie’s “Night Palace” felt immense when I first listened to it. The lo-fi grandeur and dynamic nature of how it was employed felt so moving. The poetic meanderings felt natural and struck me as universal in their pondering.

In a week that included Donald Trump’s re-election, there was a natural desire to hide myself away and get lost in something. In a serene way, I think I will associate this album with this conflict. It allowed me to transport and dissipate in a way that was comforting.

Last pic: Squirrel!!!

06/11/2024

Like many, I feel powerless. But I just want to provide a shoulder of support for the dismay in the music community today.

I’m a proud ally and want to make it well known how I feel. This music community and the majority of the music we appreciate here is built on the backs of those who identify as LGBTQIA+, women and those who support progressive causes.

I love you all!

04/11/2024

With Charli XCX’s “Brat” remix album, Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromokopia” and Coldplay’s “Moon Music,” there was no shortage of big albums by big artists in October.

But, I wasn’t the biggest fan of any of them. Perhaps I am in end of the year mode, but all these listed albums felt so dense and very, very niche. I also had COVID, which knocked me out for essentially two weeks and yes, this blog suffered.

Yet, there was some excellent music I added to my playlist.

Bon Iver’s magical “SABLE” EP carried my imagination all month, Wild Pink’s “Dulling The Horns” will most likely be a Top 10 Below Radar AOTY and Geordie Greep’s “The New Sound” alongside Chat Pile’s “Cool World” provided some well needed heaviness to balance out my 2024 playlist.

In my non-vocal category, Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s “NO TITLE...” provided some great political discourse and Oliver Coate’s “Throb, shiver, arrow of time” brought this cinematic levity I have adored these past few weeks.

I will begin in earnest to start my 2024 year-end lists, which sort of feels surreal. 2024 has felt like a pivotal year in music and could very well be a cornerstone for the decade ahead in terms of cultural impact. I’m sort of sad to see it go!!!

But let’s collect some great music in November!!!!

02/11/2024

Oh, how I love grunge. The early 1990’s genre feels like heavy music’s last, most significant artistic expression and signifies such raw energy.

As a child of the 1990’s, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Tad and several other satellite bands influenced my musical tastes like no other period genre. Not only do these bands ramp up my blood pressure, but pierce my artistic heart because of the depth of expression.

Chat Pile’s “Cool World” feels so much like grunge, but adds its own twist through more modern heavy metal to rock movements. The incredible fuzz of distortion met with the cathartic vocal howling growls felt so immediate yet lingered with a haunting connection.

I have spoken a lot on this blog about the lack of heaviness in Playlist Odyssey, so it is always refreshing to add a band like Chat Pile to my playlist!

So, this album came out during my COVID departure but upon listening to albums in preparation for my The Month That Was, I just had to give “Cool World” my “Love.”

Last pic: We’re World Champs, baby!!!!!

29/10/2024

Perfume Genius, the project of singer-songwriter, poet and artist Mike Hadreas, is truly brilliant. “Set My Heart on Fire Immediately,” their 2020 masterpiece, will easily be included in any of my All-Time Favorite lists for Playlist Odyssey.

So, when I got a notification on my YouTube for Perfume Genius’ collaboration with Fashion Club on the video “Forget,” my ears easily perked up. Upon first listen, “Forget” has become one of my favorite songs of the year and without a doubt, will be included in my Top 100 songs of 2024.

Much like Perfume Genius, there is such a tender frailty in Fashion Club’s aura and the harshness of the music accentuates the drama and stakes of heartbreak and/or introspection. “A Love You Cannot Shake” has been on my radar since this video was released a few months ago and met the expectations I placed on the Hidden Gem album.

Yes, this album threads a line from the sound and internal explorations pioneered by Perfume Genius. Yet, the authenticity of Fashion Club’s expression and brilliant collabs with perfume Genius and Julie Byrne sparkle through to create a special work by an artist I will forever be excited for.

Last pic: Look at this otter cup lolololol

25/10/2024

A few weeks ago, I had mentioned there is nothing in the music world that sounds like Colin Stetson. The Canadian-American saxophonist’s menacing world and distinctive breathwork into the recordings are truly horrifying.

I think much of this comes from the fact that Colin Stetson is a composer for multiple TV/Film and distinctively has a sense for how drama can be evoked within a score so fluently. Especially when there are no vocals to draw the lines, music is obviously so powerful. This can also be said for Atticus Ross/Trent Reznor or Nick Cave/Warren Ellis, whose scores have become iconic.

After listening to London cellist Oliver Coates’ “Throb, shiver, arrow of time,” I’d draw that comparison to Colin Stetson and build upon this theme of having that composer’s storytelling ability.

Though I have yet to dig into the numerous scores credited to Coates, the burgeoning lists of soundtrack credits is enough to understand how special this artist is.

Last pic: That’s Tupey’s pouch!!! lol

21/10/2024

If we weren’t officially in the fall season, then Bon Iver’s “SABLE,” has just taken us there.

As with many indie, folksy loving music fanatics, Bon Iver holds a special place in the echelons of this genre or what perhaps can be described as a creative movement. Justin Vernon’s iconic forlorn vocals are on such display and that saxophone on “AWARDS SEASON” may be one of my favorite moments of 2024.

After spending a week out because of COVID and my typically active lifestyle being shut down to a standstill, this EP feels like a micro soundtrack of quietly starting up again. I say this because like many great “sad” projects, there is this very reserved resiliency in what can be seen as a depressed state.

Last pic: COVID SUUUUUUUCKS

11/10/2024

As of 3 days ago, Gaza health authorities added 39 dead to the already estimated 42,000 Palestinians who have died as a result of Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Nearly a year after Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by the United States and several other nations, attacked Israel, the conflict continues to bear its most tragic results on innocent civilian populations and expands a devastating humanitarian crisis in the region.

Music, especially in the mainstream, has done a poor job in reflecting or protesting the crisis humanity faces (perhaps this is a United States bias). In many ways, the modern musical discourse is internally driven and reflects an emphasis on the “me.”

This is not a damning criticism, because when you read headlines like these everyday... I mean what can one say, write or sing to combat such cataclysmic woes.

Perhaps that’s why Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s album hits so well. There are no vocals.

The album’s atmospheric swells meander across the symphony of post rock balladry. It’s a gorgeous record on its own with little context. But with such a staggering preface, the listener can’t help but say “oh, f**k.”

Perhaps we are past the days where “Blowin’ in the Wind” can encapsulate the plight of humanity. Maybe the post rock haze says it better than anything can right now.

Last pic: Squirrel lol

09/10/2024

The recurring thought while listening to “The New Sound,” the solo debut of the former Black Midi frontman, was how good would this be live.

I had the great fortune of attending a Black Midi concert two years ago with Black Country, New Road and it was furious, loud and utterly mesmerizing. I still remember how my body buzzed for hours afterwards. While obviously not the same setting, listening to this album multiple times felt like low-dosed buzzing.

Much like the progressive sonic spiral that is Black Midi’s sound, Geordie Greep’s debut is soooo wild to take in. It’s a difficult listen in many ways and if I’m being honest, I couldn’t tell you if it all worked.

But for as wild as it was, there were so many moments where I was like “that was cool.”

Perhaps that’s all this album is... pretty damn cool.

Last pic: My daughter is a Daisy!!!!

08/10/2024

The template for a modern rock n’ roll artwork, in my opinion, exists through the lineage of Bruce Springsteen most fluently. Regardless of whether you can pin it to the genre “rock,” the influence of The Boss’ unique storytelling and Americana embrace sonically continues to pop up in modern music.

Most notably this year, Zach Bryan’s amazing “The Great American Bar Scene” feels ripped out of Springsteen’s storybook, both sonically and as a concept. The Killers, Bleachers and even aspects of MJ Lenderman’s latest work reinforce this great influence.

It’s not a stretch to connect Wild Pink’s “Dulling the Horns” to this lineage as well. Heightened by the alternative embrace of a more disdained distortion sound, sprinklings of Springsteen-esque saxophone or piano just sound so good.

Lyrically, there just seems to be so much vivid storytelling that I couldn’t help but keep jumping back to this album all weekend. In the same way I became invested in the stories told about “The Great American Bar Scene,” I found myself wanting to understand more and more.

Just a stellar way to start October!!!

Last pic: Man, I love “The Martian.”

04/10/2024

For the first time ever (I’m pretty sure), I did not fall in “Love” with an album by an artist/band with over 1 Million monthly listeners on Spotify. This rare occurrence feels that much more glaring considering just how much stellar music we have been given by some of our biggest artists/bands in 2024.

Obviously, the two noticeable absentees were Katy Perry’s “143” and Lady Gaga’s companion album to the latest “Joker” movie, “Harlequin.” TBH, I didn’t hate Katy’s latest album... but I was nowhere near “Love” to post about it. And while I always love to hear Lady Gaga’s iconic vocals, “Harlequin” very much felt like a covers project of classic standards that I could not fully get behind.

Yet, September felt incredibly replete with music for me.

MJ Lenderman’s “Manning Fireworks” could be a Top 5 AOTY in my Below Radar category, with Naima Bock, Efterklang and Kaeto providing depth in this category which has been pretty quiet.

But my biggest buzz came from my non-vocal, ambient category. Three of the albums I posted about this month will most likely be Top 10 AOTY’s in this category, with Nala Sinephro’s “Endlessness” becoming my clear frontrunner.

From a personal standpoint, the music year feels concluded enough to start compiling my year-end favorites. Not that I won’t keep posting about new music releases, but it feels like the first AOTY posts will be coming sooner rather than later lol.

bye!!!!

02/10/2024

There is something so special and unique about the vocals of Casper Clausen, an independent singer-songwriter as well as the lead singer of Danish band, Efterklang.

While I have so many favorite modern female vocalists, there are few male singers who can melt my emotions in the same way as Billie Eilish, Anna B. Savage or Norah Jones.

Coupling Clausen’s vocals with the surreal blend of atmospheric balladry and this electronic pop jovialness, Efterklang is one of my favorite Below Radar bands. “Things We Have in Common” uplifts with such sonic grace and connects with these tender lyrical insights.

Additionally, the usage of Mabe Fratti and Beirut for several songs on this album, just further accentuates my love for this band and their creativity.

Last pic: I’m really into pillow covers now! I think it’s so cool to change the whole feel of a room with new throw pillows, but do so by just changing covers lol.

01/10/2024

I started off this month posting about the fabulous “Manning Fireworks” by MJ Lenderman, a passionate expression of frailty brought forth through the sonic lens of this unique twangy Americana and dirty alternative.

It seems only fitting to fall in love with the latest Trace Mountains album, which sort of reinforces this stellar marriage of sounds and lyrical ponderings. As someone who grew up revering the gospel of Neil Young, this sound just feels so special when done right.

I think Trace Mountains, a true Hidden Gem at 36.7K monthly listeners on Spotify, is one of the few artists/projects which nail this sonic essence.

For anyone impressed by MJ Lenderman’s stellar debut, I highly recommend digging into Trace Mountains special catalog and specifically, the song “Lost in the Country” (Easily a Top 100 song in my Odyssey thus far).

Last pic: 63 is as good as it gets!

30/09/2024

Naima Bock’s “Giant Palm,” the title track from her 2022 debut album of the same name, represents a moment in life where I felt at peace giving over to the currents of tumultuous life.

Fatherhood, professional advancement and the state of my health felt like an insurmountable hill. When I could allow myself, I felt at peace saying “f**k it, I’m not in control here.” I wish I gave myself more of those moments then.

When I listened to this song, the lyrics and forlorn trembling of Naima’s vocals felt like a companion in this endeavor of struggle and of course, this feeling of allowing myself the grace to be helpless.

“Life’s Giant Palm lifts me to the sky/
And for a while I forget that I cannot fly/
So I float high, high above it all”

I will always appreciate Naima Bock for providing the soundtrack for this slice of life.

So, now as a widowed single father beginning to look out on the existencial horizon and the inevitable professional future, perhaps I need another Naima Bock album to help me out.

“Below a Massive Dark Land,” like the English singer-songwriter’s debut, is a gorgeous portrait of humanity. I found myself just floating away to her voice and the frailty of the forlorn atmosphere she has created.

Last pic: Checkers just getting a bit of sun lol.

28/09/2024

The backlash Katy Perry has received on the “143” album release cycle has been fascinating to watch... in the same way it’s morbidly fascinating to watch a vehicle accident on the side of the road.

As a fan of music culture, I’m always interested in how albums are brought out into the public sphere and how artists give up their creations to praise, manipulation (especially in TikTok/Reel culture) and criticism. “143” has definitely succumbed to the latter.

Obviously, Dr. Luke’s involvement and the incredibly misguided release of “Woman’s World,” an outdated feminist anthem produced by an accused ra**st, doomed this whole cycle. But the criticism laid bare toward Katy has been building for years and it really feels like the momentum has caught up with the pop icon.

This post explores the backlash “143” received and some of the factors as to why.

I am so truly lucky to have got the opinions of three amazing music review accounts: — — . It’s accounts like these which make the music review community so special to be a part of! Please give these folks your love and a follow!

Take care!!!!

Address

Website

http://www.playlistodyssey.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Playlist Odyssey posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Playlist Odyssey:

Videos

The Week That Was came and we’re here thinking about… @lordemusic has us running on ‘Solar Power’; @nickfromislands has us traveling to ‘Islomania’; @betweenfriends shows us the meaning of friendship; and @hermusicofficial let’s us know ‘We Made It’ Along with songs from the artists mentioned above, be sure to check out the #spotifyplaylist with a great tune from @chloefoymusic #lorde #lordemusic #islands #her #betweenfriends #chloefoy #pop #popmusic #popmusician #newmusic #newmusicalert #newmusicfriday #newmusicrelease #music #musician #musicblog #musicislife #listen #listentothis #listeningtomusic #read #musicarticle #bandsofinstagram #love #instagood #instagram

How is it June??? Oh, well... let’s reflect on The Week That Was! @jbrekkie is simply marvelous; @matsor has us wondering ‘WTH is ‘Changephobia’’; we ‘Show Up’ and give some love to @samiatheband ; and @lexijayde takes us to ‘Newbury Park’ Be sure to check out the #spotifyplaylist inside the article with songs from the artists above and more from @stubbornheartuk and @hello_marina_allen #japanesebreakfast #jubilee #rostam #vampireweekend #samia #lexijayde #newburypark #newmusic #newmusicalert #newmusicrelease #music #musician #musicblog #playlist #playlistspotify #playlistcurator #singer #singers #singersongwriter #singersofinstagram #read #readthis #love #instagood

We are excited to introduce our latest weekly article segment: Love, Like, Pass. While we admire the effort and attention to detail of grades, numerical ratings or lengthy reviews... we wanted to do something a bit different. It’s simple, we listen to a minimum of 25 new albums and 5-10 EPs weekly and we obviously have our favorites and not so favorites. So, we are simply placing each new release in the following categories: Love - We Highly Recommend; Like - Worthy of a Second Listen; Pass - We Won’t Be Taking a Second Listen. A #spotify link to each release will be included in the article, so you can make ur own opinion and define ur musical odyssey. #newmusic #newmusicalert #newmusicalert🚨 #newalbum #newep #albumrelease #albumrelease #albumcover #playlist #playlistcurator #curator #music #musician #musicrecommendation

Read about The Week That Was for us here at Playlist Odyssey! @dojacat and @sza have us enthralled with ‘Kiss Me More’; @monlaferte has a voice on another level; @ballake.sissoko has us drifting away; and @ragnboneman bops with ‘All You Ever Wanted’ Be sure to check out the #spotifyplaylist we created for the week, which also features songs from @mf_tomlinson @__flyte__ and @perryserpamusic #dojacat #sza #hiphop #hiphopculture #rap #rapmusic #dancemusic #monlaferte #monlafertefans #chile #chile🇨🇱 #spanish #music #musica #música #newmusic #newmusicdaily #newmusicalert🚨 #newsongs #musician #singers #singersongwriter #listen #listentothis #playlist #playlistcurator