Weekly Report No. 5 🫡🎶
Bunch of music discoveries from this week - Royel Otis, Skinshape, Yasmina Sadiki, Gotts Street Park, Hazlett | MC #65
Hey,
How are you this week? I for sure had a lot on my plate, and felt emotionally overwhelmed these past couple of days. The weather here wasn’t helping with its greyness, occasional rain (the snow is gone 😢), and unpleasant temperature swings (from -3 to +5°C), but I managed to finish almost everything I needed.
When my inner batteries are low I usually seek warm, soothing, and atmospheric sounds, and I think today’s Weekly Report is showing that. Anyway, I hope you enjoy these additions to the Weekly Report Playlist, which you can follow / hit ♡ button (Save to Your Library) on Spotify:
Onwards!
▶️ Royel Otis - "Fried Rice"
Last year I got seriously addicted to their "Oysters In My Pocket". This year I’m all into "Sofa King" from RO’s debut album of the same title. I think this song may suffer the same fate, and I will listen to it over and over again. It’s a yummy, simple, and warm dose of indie music. Also, I love the fact that the title is an ode to a South London pub where the Australian duo often worked on their lyrics and sounds. The Fried Rice dish has just gained a new dimension 🫶🍚🎶
▶️ Skinshape feat. Andy Platts - "The Longest Shadow"
The whole Skinshape’s new album "Craterellus Tubaeformis" (2023) is lit (and named after an edible mushroom 🍄), but this song resonated with me the most. Andy Platts's vocals here are fire, almost Marvin Gaye-ish 🔥. I adore such atmospheric, playful vibes that can skillfully combine psychedelia, funk, and trip-hop elements. I hope you’ll enjoy it at least half as much as I do.
▶️ Yasmina Sadiki - "Bleed Out"
If I had to use only two words to describe this song, I would choose these two: smooth, and sensual. It’s my first time listening to Yasmina Sadiki. She’s a fresh and independent artist from Sydney. The way she blends here elements from hip-hop with alternative jazz and neo-soul feels awesomely refreshing. Her soulful vocals give me chills ✨ It's over 4 minutes of pure pleasure.
▶️ Gotts Street Park feat. Pip Millett - "Got To Be Good"
I find Pip Millett’s vocals here absolutely phenomenal, and kind of reminds me of Lianne La Havas. "Got To Be Good" is definitely my favorite track from Gotts Street Park’s amazing debut album "On The Inside" (2023). The lyrics and melody combo is deeply moving, genre-hopping, and extremely vibey. Ooof and the chorus is so infectious that means lots and lots of repeat plays for me 🔁.
Got to be good
Got be better
Wanna be steps up
From what I'm feeling now
I wanna feel good
Better
Than what I'm feeling now
▶️ Hazlett - "Stolen Seasons"
It’s like a much-needed hug for the soul ✨. Hazlett is a Sweden-based, Australian-born artist who I wasn’t familiar with. I fell in love with "Stolen Seasons". Each time I listen to it I feel like I've emerged from somewhere warm and cozy, destressed and recharged. If you’re into such soft and mellow sounds right now, I think you may enjoy his whole new album "Goodbye to the Valley Low" (2023).
And that’s almost all for today. One more thing, tho:
Thanks for reading, and listening. I hope you enjoyed this selection. Let me know what resonated with you the most, or what discoveries you’ve made yourself this week
Have a nice weekend!
Until next time,
It seems each week you expose me to 5 new bands and artists! I consider myself voracious in my new music discovery, but clearly it's just the tip of a giant iceberg.
Like Mark, I liked tracks 2 and 4 best. Probably the retro, up-beat vibe connected most. I did play the Skinshape album, but none of the other tracks were at the same level as "The Longest Shadow." It was more reggae folk. I think you found the best song. Gotts Street Park also grabbed me, but again, playing the album, "Got To Be Good" stands out as the best song.
Five lovely selections here Stygi! I’ve been very much leaning into soft and soothing music this week as one of my close friends lost his battle with cancer and I’ve kind of dipped back into the depression I thought I’d managed to leave behind in 2023. But I know this too shall pass. And in the meantime I’m finding comfort in music. I voted for #2 but also really resonated with #4 and #5. I’ve added all three albums to my “Late 2023” playlist for further evaluation. Too late to be considered for my AOTY list this year but they may end up being “2023 Misses” by the time my 2024 AOTY list rolls around. Thanks for the great musical selections!