Lana Del Rey Drops Yet Another AOTY; Black Country, New Road Take Us To The Theatre; Lonnie Holley Creates a Monument of Humanity; and Steve Gunn & David Moore Ease Us To Restfulness
By Joshua Gutierrez - Editor
Lana Del Rey may be the most influential artist over the last 10 years and the release of “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” simply reinforces this.
Now, I am not one of those who is saying this, her ninth studio album, is better than “Norman Fucking Rockwell” or some of her other works. To me, it is kind of like Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Stepper” conversation: “Is it better?”
My answer: “Who cares! It is fucking great.” Her latest album is not only an AOTY contender, but she will most likely land 2-4 songs in my Top 100 Songs list.
Last year, there was hardly a debate on what my Below Radar AOTY would be (actually, I almost Made Hurray For The Riff Raff’s “LIFE ON EARTH”). Black Country, New Road’s “Ants From Up There” was so critically praised across the board that I’d wonder where this band would be if Isaac Woods had not departed and they were able to tour and support the album.
“Live From Bush Hall,” a collection of new material performed -and-recorded live is not going to be my AOTY in this category, but my fondness of this band is just so great that anything released by them would have easily captured my AOTM prize. While I am looking forward to their next studio release, this album is still remarkably fun and showcases their brilliance.
If I had not broken my New Music Discovery into 4 categories, Lonnie Holley’s “Oh Me Oh My” would be my AOTM… Yes, even over Lana Del Rey. The sculpture artist, poet and recording artist’s remarkable album is haunting, peaceful, infuriating and…well, a masterpiece.
I can’t tell you how many times I have listened to the Pure Fire gem of “Mount Meigs,” the Midnight Ponder ballad of “Oh Me, Oh My” and the entire stunning work that made me question my own perceptions of black plight in America.
Lastly, this month marks my inaugural Ambient & Instrumental category and awarding my favorite works in the month.
Renown guitarist Steve Gunn and ambient composer/pianist David Moore’s “Let the Moon Be a Planet” is a perfect inaugural AOTM winner. Already a fa of Steve Gunn, this instrumental work creates a depth of appreciation which gets me excited for his future releases.
Perhaps it was the 5 New Music Fridays, but this his month’s 15 albums are the most I’ve ever cataloged. I’m so engrossed by great music each week that I actually ant a quiet week or two to catch up on my other projects! LOL not really, I will take great music always.
Bye Now!!!!
1 Million + Albums of the Month
Artists With Above 1 Million Monthly Listens On Spotify
Below Radar Albums of the Month
Artists With Between 1M-100K Monthly Listens On Spotify
Hidden Gem Albums of the Month
Artists With Below 100K Monthly Listens On Spotify
Ambient & Instrumental Albums of the Month
Regardless of Monthly Listens On Spotify
