Switches Brew
What the Switched On Pop team is listening to for the week of June 2nd 2024
PLAYLISTS: Spotify, Apple Music
Nate: Joy Oladokun “My Girl”
“My Girl” is one of those songs that has been heard approximately 1 million times and covered by everybody and their mother. So you might think, “what could an artist today possibly have to offer that would make me think differently about this familiar gem?” But as Hanif Abdurraqib told us in his appearance on the podcast last week, Joy Oladokun’s version somehow makes a classic sound fresh again. The delicacy and space that Joy brings to the iconic song defamiliarizes it and makes you hear it in a new light: less celebratory, more searching. A remarkable interpretation.
Brandon: Mk.Gee “Are You Looking Up”
Mk.Gee music is a great mix of familiar tones that hit you right away. “Are You Looking Up” is dreamy, minimal, funky and sentimental. I’m giving his guitar playing 4 stank faces 🥴🥴🥴🥴
Charlie: Fred Again, Anderson .Paak, Chika “places to be”
Fred Again and Anderson .Paak put together a surprising music video that looks like an unsuspecting jam session. Fred Again triggers a sample of Chika’s voice on a drum machine, and Paak drums along. As the drum and bass beat builds up, Paak’s drumming platform starts spinning into oblivion as the song crescendos into oscillating feedback. It is pure fun, and a welcome reprieve from Park’s high concept Silk Sonic pastiche.
Reanna: Mis-Teeq “All I Want - Sunship Radio Edit”
My favorite radio station of all time is 106.7 KGAY, the LGBTQ Palm Springs radio station – so much so that I talked to the program director last year for our gay anthems episode. And whenever I feel stuck in a musical rut, I just throw on a playlist of KGAY classics, filled with bangers like “All I Want – Sunship Radio Edit.” It hits all the right spots: filled with jittery excitement, extremely British, and aided by Sunship, an English producer who is maybe best known for Sweet Female Attitude’s “Flowers,” which PinkPantheress sampled on “Pain.”
Art: Tomorrow x Together “Deja Vu”
My tween daughter recently cajoled me to take her to see Tomorrow X Together (aka TXT), a Kpop boy band with pop-punk and emo leanings. And yes, there was a lot of high-pitched screaming, slick choreography, and trippy videos that looked like CK One ads on shrooms. But their songs have outrageously catchy hooks, smooth harmonies, and earnest lyrics that capture all the feels. If you're in the mood for poppy teen angst, look no further.
Let us know what you’re hearing and what you’re enjoying!