HOT HALF DOZEN 4.30.24

215 songs and albums submitted this week for review

Something ‘bout You, single by Maggie Szabo. Sabo is turning out pop hits almost faster than I can keep up. A journeywoman songwriter with an inborn sense of beat and melody and lyrics, she has given us a song that hits all the bases – earworm, fun, intriguing, and with just the right level of complexity to make it interesting but not complicated. Stream on all major platforms.

Funeral 2.0 single by Paty Cantú. A major Mexican talent born in Houston, Cantú combines futuristic production with a hard-hitting, real voice in this anthem for women who have escaped a toxic relationship and gone on to thrive. High energy, but full of subtle hints and details. Sooo listenable. Spanish. Stream on all major platforms.

All Borm Screaming, a single by St. Vincent.  Annie Clark (St. Vincent’s real name) is a mystery wrapped in modern music.   The self-produced All Borm Screaming takes you inside your head and then into outer space, all the time keeping you grounded in an intense reality with tough beats. The ten songs on the album are each an exploration and testament to her fascination with sound and its ability to shape thoughts and emotions, not an album to put on in the background, and not an easy listen, but full of rewards. Stream on major platforms.

Novela, album, by Céu. Sometimes jazz, sometimes soft samba, sometimes pop, all very, very listenable. A Latin Grammy and Grammy winner, the Brazilian songstress mixes soul. Reggae, hip hop, jazz, and the rhythms of Brazil into an experience that makes you move and sing. Portuguese and English, Stream on all major platforms.

Long Time Honey, single by Fox and Bones. Portland’s dynamic folk duo, Fox and Bones, comprised of Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort, blend Americana, CW, and personal angst in this gut-grabbing single. With a hand clapping, foot stomping beats and Vitort’s razor-sharp voice tells a familiar story. Stream on Spotify. 

Tears in My Eyes, album, by Anthony Geraci. Sometimes you just want some down-home blues and this album more than fills the bill. Every element clicks – Geraci’s vocals and piano. the guitar solos, the slow-moving blues drum, and the storybook lyrics. This album checks every box for blues fans and music fans of all kinds.  Stream on major platforms.

BONUS

Only Luna Knows, album and cookbook by Giulia Milante. Both are a treat you don’t want to miss.