In this installment of What We're Listening to, Engadget's weekend editor Cheyenne MacDonald breaks down the new releases she's been enjoying lately.
Francesca Wexler- I dreamed that I found a red ruby
Every now and then, “the algorithm” does me some good. While scrolling through my instagram feed sometime in the last month, a suggestion for Reel by artist Francesca Wexler popped up, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to her captivating flow. Her style isn’t so easily pigeonholed into a single genre, but it would fit under the umbrella of alternative hip-hop—she once described her work as “psychedelic rap.”
Some songs from Wexler's latest album, I dreamed that I found a red rubyThey have an almost ethereal quality, like its opening and closing tracks, “Heaven on Earth” and “Moonwalking.” The upbeat, catchy “Ain’t I” hits like a sunny day. But there are also darker, harsher moments on songs like “Amphetamine Man” that really show Wexler’s depth as a rapper. I dreamed that I found a red ruby, It is clear that Wexler is an artist who should not be overlooked.
Orville Peck- Stampede
Orville Peck didn't make us wait long for a full album after releasing Stampede: Volume 1 Back in May, the country artist released the full duets album on Friday, and even though it hasn't even been three days since it came out, I can already tell that it will be dominating my most-listened-to songs playlists for the foreseeable future.
Stampede Peck collaborates with country legends and emerging artists alike, and genre-wise, there's a little bit of everything. Aside from the songs I mentioned from the first half, the rest of the album is Stampede brings a ton of new hits, my favorites include “Back At Your Door” featuring Debbii Dawson, “Papa Was a Rodeo” featuring Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, and “You're an Asshole, I Can't Stand You (and I Want a Divorce)” featuring Margo Price.
Honorable Mention:
Street cleaner —I was recently looking for music that sounds like it was straight out of an 80s horror or thriller movie, and Reddit pointed me to Street Cleaner. Well, let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Street Cleaner, whose style is described on Bandcamp as a “theatrical, grungy take on synth music,” has become my go-to artist to listen to when I need to get some work done or when I’m stuck inside.
There isn't one particular song or album that I've latched onto; I just put on the entire discography and let it take me into the zone. Street Cleaner released a few new music In April, however, it's a good place to start listening to music. The artist apparently also made a videogamewhich I fully intend to review.
