Found in the Shuffle, Part 3
New music is always in bloom
Our perception of the passage of time is a fascinating thing. As children, we waited what felt like a thousand years to get home from a single school day; an eternity to every summer break. Yet as we age into adulthood the clock seems to launch ever-forward with determined urgency, pouring from cracks between our fingers as we desperately try to cup it in our hands…
All that to say: Somehow it’s March already. Yikes.
The first signs of spring are already emerging here. Trees are beginning to bloom; hints of vibrant green emerging from the brown of winter, dusting pollen over everything like volcanic ash — a dreadful sight for those who suffer from terrible seasonal allergies.
Thankfully, there’s music. In a way, it can be just as invigorating and beautiful as nature’s springtime. Albums unfold like fields of freshly bloomed flowers; sounds that rival birdsong, the breeze through the trees, or a stream flowing through the forest, flush with water from an afternoon shower. To discover new music is to experience spring every day.
Here’s a few songs I found in the shuffle this past week.
Luna Li - Bon Voyage
From the album ‘When A Thought Grows Wings,’ this song is the ethereal closer. For fans of Alice Phoebe Lou and Sarah Kinsley, Luna Li’s music would be a welcome addition in your playlist. While the album as a whole wasn’t exactly a hit for me, I enjoy this track quite a bit!
threetwenty - The Light (I Need You)
Neo-soul meets 90s R&B on this track from the husband and wife duo, threetwenty. While they only have a few singles out so far, if this is an indication of where they are headed with their sound I anticipate a solid first album.
Okonski - October
Okonski’s Magnolia, released in 2023, was a favorite that year, so naturally when I found out they were releasing another album I had to give it a listen. Out on February 28, this album departs a bit from the improv-driven Magnolia with original compositions. As a whole, this album is calm and reflective and worthy of a full listen.
The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble - Las Olas
Sitting somewhere between soul-jazz, spiritual jazz and funk is The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble. This track, from their upcoming album ‘Gemini,’ due to be released on March 28, is a great first look (also check out ‘Freddie’ released as a single as well). I think this would appeal a lot to fans of groups like Budos Band, though this is a bit more laid back. Looking forward to giving this album a listen later this month!
Gabriel Olafs - Whale Overture
Gabriel Olafs is extremely prolific, releasing albums almost every year since 2019. His newest release — releaseS actually — are two albums: Polar and Polar (Traveler’s Log). While Polar is fully instrumental, the Traveler’s Log edition features a narrative of space exploration by Rebecca Roanhorse and voiced by Hera Hilmar. An ambitious pair of beautiful neo-classical albums, though quite a bit more desolate than his previous release ‘Orchestral Works.’
Katie Tupper - She Said
Hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Katie dropped into the neo-soul world with a velvet voice and some great singles. While I’ve had this in my playlist for quite some time (over a year), it popped up this week in shuffle and I fell in love all over again.
Hvalfugl - Vekslende Længsel
This Danish trio fuses Nordic jazz with folk with beautiful results. On their sprawling album ‘Bag Vore Øjne Strømmer Drømme Sagte Forbi’ or ‘Behind Our Eyes Dreams Flow Softly Past,’ 25 tracks at near 90 minutes will take you on a bit of a journey. A great listen!
SHOLTO - The Sunrise Fool
If I were to summarize SHOLTO’s latest album ‘Letting Go Of Forever,’ it would be: psychedelic, jazzy, funky retro film score for a film that doesn’t exist. This track, ‘The Sunrise Fool,’ is a perfect example. Turn this on when doing chores around the house to make them a cinematic experience.
Now, your turn: what are some songs you discovered (or rediscovered) this week that resonated with you?