The Spins

I had something cued up to start this thing with, but I have completely forgotten it. So, be glad? I don't know. Anyway, the long article this week will be about terrible rhymes from excellent MC's. That specification is necessary because it would otherwise become a overly considered takedown of the entire career of the rap duo Nice & Smooth. Why them? Let me tell you a story.

I was in my adolescence, growing up in NW Washington DC. For some reason or another, I was picking up my mom from the train station with my mom's then-boyfriend Tony. We were listening to one of the local rap stations (I think it was Kiss 93.9, because I'm convinced in my heart of hearts that WPGC 95.5 would never play something as whack as Nice & Smooth) in the car, and one of their songs comes on.

In the middle of this rap song (it's called “Hip Hop Junkies” as I would discover much later in life), one of them comes out of the mouth with the following: “I don't beg cuz I'm not a begonia/I dress warm so that I won't catch pneumonia.” Neither Tony nor I had ever heard this before. We cackled and puzzled about how two grown men thought that was an acceptable thing to put in a rap song.

As I would come to learn later once I learned what the song was and who they were, Nice & Smooth suck. People try to tell me that they are nice. They are not. Gang Starr put them on tracks, and they sound like fucking clowns. Their own music is trash. If Nice & Smooth are reading this through some series of events, I will tell you this to your face. They are actually one of the reasons I have the no hating rule on the newsletter.

So, with that now explained, let's get into this week's music.

Jenny Hval, Iris Silver Mint

The Scandinavian songstress brings us one of her most accessible releases in quite a bit. It is still complicated and intricate, but the ideas are more present on the first listen. She's on her own vibe, and I'm glad she's letting us all in on it.

RIYL: Fragrances, Spectrality, Jazz Accents, Kate Bush

Lael Neale, Altogether Stranger

I think that Lael Neale is building one of the more interesting left-of-center pop catalogs right now. Her prior two albums have been beautiful displays of dreaminess and mood, displaying a vulnerability and insight all her own. This album very much adds to her catalog, building on her prior sound while also fleshing it out in new and interesting ways. If you have never heard of her, take some time out of your day to listen to this album. It's only 32 minutes anyway.

RIYL: Dreams, Julia Holter, Minimal Wave

Car Seat Headrest, The Scholars

Will Toledo comes back after a lengthy absence (for him) with a rock opera that takes place on a college campus. It sounds pretentious, and it kind of is. But here's the thing: it kinda rules. He's absolutely on one with his band, kicking out the jams. If you need to experience the power of anthemic rock, you could do worse than this Car Seat Headrest album.

RIYL: Epic rock, Albums with librettos, Thoughtful writing

Mei Semones, Animaru

You will have to trust me on this album. I will describe it, and you will think that sounds dumb. It is the absolute opposite. So, on this album, a young woman sings lyrics in Japanese and English over the accompaniment of bossa nova guitar, jazz, math rock, and indie pop. Oh, and there are strings too. Her voice is great, standing up well against the many elements in her twisty, complicated songs. I found this album to be utterly fascinating, especially when I came in with no expectations.

RIYL: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Cibo Matto, Weird but pleasant trips

Men I Trust, Equus Callabus

This is the second of the two albums the band announced for this year. The first album was much more folk influenced than this new set. The second set touches more on 90s R&B, 80s sophisti-pop, and more electronic sounds. The album is a bit livelier in terms of pace, but it still has the dreamy vibes that this band is known for. If you are interested in what the young people are jamming on or just need some excellent vibes, you should start here.

RIYL: Haircut 100, Prefab Sprout, dream pop, Spotify's Bedroom Pop playlist

Model/Actriz, Pirouette

There are albums that require a modicum of faith. This is one of them. When I turned it on, I was extremely close to turning it off because I wasn't feeling it. But, instead, I let it ride. I was glad I did. It won me over in the end. It has this interesting gothic/industrial energy, and the vocals of Cole Haden are dynamic and compelling. As with many things, trust the process.

RIYL: Drab Majesty, Dark corners, Associates, Xiu Xiu

I’m not going to sit here and front that everyone reading this newsletter is looking for rap recommendations. I know this. So, with that said, I’m going to have a separate section on occasion called the Rap Corner. If you need flows in your life, here are a few joints to listen to. Otherwise, take a quick zip past this for the closing.

Mike & Tony Seltzer, Pinball II

I have been deeply enjoying this collaboration between Mike and NY producer Tony Seltzer. Seltzer’s lexicon is very different from Mike’s, but being the gamer that he is, Mike switches up his flow to fit. Honestly, it’s nice to hear Mike getting a little sexy and a little thug, connecting to his local drill scene a little bit more. I think that this volume is better than the previous one, but they are both absolutely worth your time.

RIYL: Earl Sweatshirt, Backwoodz Studio, Cash Cobain

Boldy James & Realbadman, Conversational Pieces

If you think that you work hard, Boldy James works harder. This is his sixth tape this year, and it’s only May. More important than the sheer output, this is one of his best tapes of the year. Him and Realbadman know each other well, and Realbadman gives beats that let Boldy just sit in the pocket and rip. Truly two master technicians.

RIYL: Rico Da Yung OG, Veeze, Babytron

Westside Gunn, 12/Heels Have Eyes

Gunn’s having an absolutely excellent start to his year. Heels Have Eyes is the new five-song sampler from the Griselda mastermind, and he doesn’t need more than 10 minutes to remind you that he is one of the best rappers in the game right now. “EGYPT” is one of the best tracks I’ve heard from him in a minute, and if that weren’t enough, there’s a remix with Doechii and she goes hard. In addition, since dropping Hitler Wears Hermes from his mixtape series title, he’s been on a real flier. On February’s 12, Gunn brings on regular collaborators Estee Nack and Stove God Cooks, and they all just rap their faces off. Also, shout out to Brother Tom Sos, who I’ve never heard before but absolutely goes. Extremely pleased with his work.

RIYL: Mach-Hommy, Conway the Machine, Tyler

So that’s what’s up with the Spins this week. Like I said, terrible raps from good rappers will be coming to you on Saturday. And if you think that I’m talking out of my ass about Nice and Smooth, the following is a video of “Hip-Hop Junkies.” You can come to your own conclusion. It will be this: A.C. is correct. This track is trash.