The Sampler Platter: VOL. 1
Welcome to The Sampler Platter, a collection of singles from every end of the spectrum meant to create a choice charcuterie board of sounds satisfying tastes of all kind.
This series will highlight songs that I currently have in heavy rotation with the hope that someone else finds the enjoyment that has inspired me to share the following selections.
Enjoy.
Benny the Butcher — One Way Flight (feat. Freddie Gibbs)
To say Griselda Records has had a prolific year would be an insult to even the most obvious understatement. With homerun after homerun, Benny the Butcher has stepped up to the plate and sent a bomb to deep left field with Hit-Boy lacing the perfect pitch for Benny to kiss it goodbye. Not to mention Freddie Gibbs gives yet another exceptional appearance and this track is truly a collection of cheat code raps.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Kevin Morby — Campfire
As the title suggests, Kevin Morby has perfectly captured the ebbs and flows of finding yourself lost in the trance of a campfire. From the flame ferociously engulfing the logs and leaves you’ve so carefully arranged as the sun sets on the horizon to the final embers flickering back at you as the trees change colors in the dark of night, it all makes sense. The perfect Fall soundtrack has arrived.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Omar Apollo — The Two of Us
Short and sweet and meant to be played on an endless loop until you realize it’s time to go to sleep. It feels as though Omar has summoned the spirits of the Motown era R&B juggernauts to craft this infectious little medley. With a simple refrain crooned repeatedly, the incredibly groovy instrumental is allowed to sweep you up in its cloud of euphoria and ascend you to a sweeter place that you’ll never want to leave.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Ameer Vann — Keep Your Distance
While the title itself is a message we all should live by during these trying times (wear your masks people), disregard this completely when it comes to putting this song in every playlist you have. I’m still recovering from the initial thump of the 808 upon first listen in my car. Ameer continues to flex his abilities outside of BROCKHAMPTON and they continue to impress me.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
James Blake — I Keep Calling
James is back in his “dancey” bop bag, and I for one welcome it with open arms. The bounce provided by the EDM rhythm pulsating throughout the entire track leaves you in a dancing trance while James glides just above the surface giving you those signature notes that you’ll never come close to hitting. It’s always fun seeing an artist return to a lane they have already mastered and have some fun with it.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Yola — Hold On (feat. Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile & Natalie Hemby)
If you choose to visit any song on this list, please let it be this one. Yola has delivered something utterly beautiful that everyone should experience and soak in the uplifting and powerful energy on showcase here. Seriously, this one has given me a sense of new hope in a major way. Oh, and that powerhouse of a feature list harmonizes this track directly into heaven.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Touché Amoré — Feign
Did somebody order some screamo? Probably not, and calling it that grosses me out too, but man oh man is this good. Touché Amoré has a knack for implementing extremely catchy riffs and vocal melodies into this genre without sacrificing any of the guttural ferocity that comes along with it. The lyrics here feel like this is the only way they could ever be delivered, and hearing it all come together leaves me with such a pleasant whiplash every time.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise — Our Song
RKS out of nowhere! Giving a little nod to Randy Orton there because getting hit with this track is exactly what that felt like. It’s always a pleasant surprise when RKS drops and this is no exception. Everything they do great is on display here and polished into such an enjoyable single. ‘Our Song’ sounds like the band taking all of the ideas they’ve presented in the past and packaging it in its most accessible form yet.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Lil Loaded — Narco
If aggression and insatiable hunger had a sound, this would be it. My heart goes out to the microphone that had to sit there and capture this without flinching. I also can’t imagine the engineer had any critical notes for Lil Loaded after he recorded this song. There are those occasional bangers that can completely transform your mood into unwavering confidence no matter the situation, and this is one of those.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Gus Dapperton — Medicine
This song is having an addiction that you know ends with devastation but insisting on giving yourself one more hit with the mounting realization of what you’ve done inching closer and closer. I cannot stress enough how impeccable the buildup is in this song. The way Gus constantly increases his emotion while the instrumental slowly builds in increments behind him is something that never leaves me anything less than astounded.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Role Model — Going Out
If there was ever a bop to perfectly capture the dawning of sad boy season and the guidelines of surviving a global pandemic all at once, it would be this one. Role Model has proven that he can consistently take simple lyrics with a straight-forward structure and turn it into a hell of a fun time. There’s not much to say about this one other than I would be hard-pressed to find someone that doesn’t have a good time with it.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
tobi lou & MIA GLADSTONE — Notice Me
While I have you all gathered here today, can we all agree to give tobi lou the roses he deserves and turn him into the superstar he is destined to be? Thank you. Now that that’s settled, tobi lou is back, and go figure, he has dropped another extremely catchy and earworm of a single. How high does this man’s batting average have to be before everyone collectively agrees he’s great?
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Rex Orange County — New York State of Mind
Concerts are hard to come by these days, so I’ve been indulging myself with live albums living in a false reality lately. Rex has ever so graciously given us a new one to enjoy (along with a documentary on YouTube that I highly recommend), and this cover of a timeless classic is a great way to feel that sweet warmness that only live music can provide. Until they come back, this is a fine alternative.
Listen here on Apple Music and Spotify.
Well, that’s all I have for you today folks. If you’re reading this I hope you got an ounce of the enjoyment that I’ve been getting out of these songs.
Until next time.
