Surprise Music Issue! (Birch Bark #84.5)

The music I've been obsessed with recently

After taking a bunch of time off, I wanted to throw out a quick music issue. If you’re looking for something new to listen to, I hope this will help you out!

Where I’m at Now by S. Raekwon

This one came out of nowhere for me, but I really dig S. Raekwon’s debut record. It’s super chill and I keep listening to it on repeat.

Donda by Kanye West

Amazing cover art, right?

A perfect record? Absolutely not. At 27 tracks covering 104 minutes, there’s no way Donda was going to be on point start to finish, but there are so many highlights that it’s more than worth your time.

Sometimes I Might be Introvert by Little Simz

Different in style from her excellent 2019 GREY Area record, Little Simz has put out another tight set of songs with incredible lyrics.

If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power by Halsey

Using the edited version of the album art…

I have kept wanting to like Halsey over the years, but this is the first one that really clicked with me. Checks production notes…Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross…oh, that’ll do it!

Grapefruit Season by James Vincent McMorrow

And finally, James Vincent McMorrow came in hot with this record this year, which I think is easily his best yet. Just hit play on this one and I can basically promise you’ll be on board within 5 seconds.