If, like me, you’ve been feeling a confusing mix of anger, depression, and “blah,” it’s time to check out. When Adia Victoria’s essential A Southern Gothic came out a few months ago, I was drawn to the album’s B-side: an intense swirl of hypnotic rock. It called to mind other albums I’ve been enchanted by throughout the years with that same ethos: not so much about getting high, or even using loops, but that intense relationship between the drum and the bass that characterize Southern roots music for me. So I made a playlist of my favorites, for anyone who needs to be called to action while their nerves are soothed.
- Adia Victoria — “My Oh My (feat. Stone Jack Jones)” (A Southern Gothic) — Beautiful, slightly menacing, tragic, and bracing. For me, this song is the exemplar of the album.
- Glossary — “Ghosts in the Vapor” (Long LIve All Of Us) — I fear that Glossary is becoming a fading memory of a scene that is now becoming commercialized, and as long as I have an Internet connection I will make sure people know this album exists because it is one of the most perfect, soothing, and sobering albums ever made.
- Cedric Burnside — “Please Tell Me Baby” (Burnside County Relic) — I instantly fell head over heels for this album, its minimalism and complexity. I have a lot more to learn about blues music and did not realize until I listened to Burnside’s interview on World Cafe that he is the protege and standard bearer for a specific line of blues. At times spooky and sensual, Burnside County Relic
- El Cantador — “My Way” (Translation Wave) — I really don’t know much about El Cantador, and I don’t think the project lasted much longer after this EP. Every so often I return this EP and find it just as fascinating and impenetrable — in a good way — as the first. But “My Way” sneaks into my brain routinely because of its jaunty hooks.
- Sonia Tetlow — “Hook, Line” (Own Way Home) — I pretty much started this blog so I could sing Sonia’s praises. Sonia’s always ventured on the more experimental side, but “Hook, Line” pulls me in with its tenderness and promise.
- Adam Faucett — “Day Drinker” (Blind Water Finds Blind Water) — Flowing along mysterious paths, Faucett’s 2014 masterpiece holds a special place in my heart. “Day Drinker” captures Faucett’s intensity in a brooding, hypnotic capsule.
- Amythyst Kiah — “Sleeping Queen” (Wary + Strange) — Kiah’s long charted her way through a brooding blues tradition. On her debut album, she’s blasted out of the mold into a truly unique sound. She’s the only person I can think of who can cite “Foucault” in the midst of a rock-steady groove.
- Mount Moriah — “Miracle Temple Holiness” (Miracle Temple) — This is another one of my all-time favorite albums. I will be honest — I do not understand this song at all, particularly because I have no direct relationship to Christianity. But I am always swept away by Mount Moriah’s intense sense of mission and compassion.
- Jeremy Squires — “Infinite Chords” (Many Moons) — Squires has been creating delicate, meditative music for almost a decade. Many Moons finds Squires expanding his sound with electronic instrumentation.
- Valerie June — “Stay” (The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers) — I’m just going to say it right now: this is the best album of the year. June often takes advantage of looping to create literal vibrations and introduce them to the universe. If you haven’t had a chance to listen yet, I dare you to listen and see if you still feel Pandemic Fine afterwards. I genuinely think The Moon and the Stars and Long Live All Of Us are the antidotes for all of our spiritual toxins.
I think that following me on Spotify is a thing you can do to make sure you get a new playlist from me every Friday! You can also follow Tuesday Teardrops, a playlist of new and exciting songs that refreshes every — you guessed it — Tuesday! As always, buy music and/or merch directly from the artists because Spotify is a horrible and exploitative platform!
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