Music: 2022, a 63 minute review
Hi,
I had the time of my life in Paris in 2022 riding a bike around listening to music. And this is a recap of a few of those great moments in music. I've created a short and sweet playlist, and a few words and links for context below.
The playlist is here: PTB.PARIS: 2022, a 63 minute review with cover art by beisik.
Dive in. And enjoy.
I hope you have a prosperous 2023.
Very best,
Parker
You can find me on Twitter at @boomcat.
PTB.PARIS 2022: a 63 minute review: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ptb-paris-2022-a-63-minute-review/pl.u-q44JFVJ50r
Dramatic Sunset
AEVA
The first record is "Dramatic Sunset" by AEVA, mixed by Kelly Lee Owens for Apple's Early Hours (DJ Mix) series. While the record isn't from 2022, the close-out of the set and the discovery of AEVA are. I think DJs are the unsung heroes of creating culture and are the absolute best way to be introduced to new music — developers in their own right. A few 'musts' to check out are the records on AEVA's Singe "Dramatic Sunset" and the recently released album, "Lay 2000."
If you haven't heard Kelly's music before, I know her as an artist before DJ. There are a few records, "S.O," "Arthur," and an epic 17+ minute piece called "Birds" with Prins Thomas that are worth falling in love with.
There is something about dreaming and it becoming real I can't put my finger on, and DJs have led me to this temptation.
Additional listening:
AEVA
Dramatic Sunset - Single
https://music.apple.com/us/album/dramatic-sunset-single/1215085786
AEVA
Lay 2000
https://music.apple.com/us/album/lay-2000/1656703233
Kelly Lee Owens
S.O
https://music.apple.com/us/album/s-o/1499173580?i=1499173581
Kelly Lee Owens
Birds (Prins Thomas Diskomiks)
https://music.apple.com/us/album/bird-prins-thomas-diskomiks/1499185677?i=1499185724
Dandelions
oqbqbo & Scandinavian Star
As the lockdown bore down on us in early 2020, my friend Max sent me a DJ Mix called "In The Garden of Good and Evil II." When the mix got to "Rei" by oqbqbom, the absolute serenity of the mix touched me — it reminded me of this new unknown world we were all sitting in. I implored Max to send it to Apple Music via Apple's DJ Mix distribution platform, Platoon. And it was one of the first mixes we released. Not only was oqbqbom new to me, but so was the label Posh Isolation. I have followed their releases since then, and this new record from oqbqbo & Scandinavian Star evokes the same sense of aloneness present in Max's mix that draws us all together.
Additional listening:
Max Alban
In The Garden of Good and Evil II (DJ Mix)
https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-i-dj-mix/1549340700
This Heats
Visual Aid
I've released several albums and EPs with the singer and songwriter of Visual Aid, Josh Caldwell. His ability to see what is in front of us and put it into lyrics that the listener can see and feel is profound. He has released mix tapes since we were kids, and he always put these little ditties between the records... this is one of them.
His first release as Visual Aid is called "This is Permanent," and if you have spent any time in LA, or were touched by the first Latin Playboys record, listen. Listen.
"Until You Don't" is the record that got me. It comes later.
Additional listening:
Latin Playboys
Latin Playboys
https://music.apple.com/us/album/latin-playboys/358071026
No Counterfeit
Emeka Ogboh
This is my favorite album of 2022 — it sounds like a life well observed and lived from start to finish. And this record is just a small sample.
I don't know what to say other than thank you, Emeka. Thank you. And thanks to everyone at Ostgut Ton for turning me on. This is an album worth taking the time to listen to from start to finish without interruption.
Here is a review at RA: https://ra.co/reviews/35016
The album:
Emeka Ogboh
6°30′33.372″N 3°22′0.66″E
https://music.apple.com/us/album/6-30-33-372-n-3-22-0-66-e/1632208199
RT2
DJ Plead
This record kicked off the Balenciaga playlist by Acid Arab on Apple Music. DJ Plead is a force. And this record, and the album, sit in the middle of two records on this playlist I think of as the sound of now.
I want to leave this here, but I can't.
On the heels of Demna's Balenciaga Winter '22 show, then seeing the glowing Acid Arab collab next to what I can only describe as the pieces Demna made for and with Ye and Kim at Balenciaga's store in Paris is when the calling to work with Demna, Balenciaga and Kering hit me like a ton of bricks. If the group trusted their lead to work with both Ye and Kim and Acid Arab, I, for a moment, many moments, thought, 'wow wee,' this speaks to me. My mind kept drifting... And all I could think was, "how do I sign up to help and be a part of this artistic revolution?"
I was warned about Kanye over the years, as this wasn't the first time I was inclined to lean into what I was feeling. And here I was trying to "sign up" just two days prior to Ye walking Demna's Balenciaga show this fall. I was told, point blank, "Parker... it's over. I don't think your desire is based on a reality you want to have anything to do with. It all ends this week. And it only gets worse... Now eat your pizza while I watch and fast..."
What I wasn't warned about is what would come next for Demna and Balenciaga... "lost and beat up..."*—Kanye West *describes the moment to a "t." I can't defend any of it.
Many things to listen to, and maybe get us closer to a truth:
Acid Arab's Playlist
Balenciaga
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/acid-arabs-playlist/pl.c0dcb7172a4840a1854fad5f2c972ec8
DJ Plead
Relentless Trills
https://music.apple.com/us/album/relentless-trills/1572290198
Demna's Playlist
Balenciaga
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/demnas-playlist/pl.40244cced613499790a456952deaf5c1
Balenciaga's playlists on Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/curator/balenciaga/1522937422
GL
Hagop Tchaparian
The cover photo of this EP and the others in the series for the LP "Bolts" are by Atiba Jefferson. I know Atiba as a member (the photographer) for The Goat & The Occasional Others of Los Angeles. About a year ago, I was on the train in Paris and saw a dude with a Baker skateboard, and I flashed him the cover of "The Goat Speaks," an album I helped release at Topspin with Tim Anderson, an 'Occasional Other,' and of course, we traded numbers.
This record comes from the label Text Records founded by Kieran Hebden, aka Four Tet, and it sounds like an eight-hour ACID ARAB basement session condensed into three minutes. It reminds me of how the Kinks and my bandmate Josh Caldwell write psych-rock: short and to the point.
The campaign of singles leading to the album was super rad to watch. Hats off to everyone involved.
Tim Anderson is now making music as part of Highland Park Sleep Collective: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/highland-park-sleep-collective/1460730985. They create super radical ambient records and put on frequent events if you are in Los Angeles.
Additional listening:
Vintage Synth Museum
Highland Park Sleep Collective
https://music.apple.com/us/album/vintage-synth-museum-ep/1642434515
Bang Bang
Off The Meds
"Hey! Errr... " And we at "Bang Bang" by Off The Meds.
This is, bar none, my favorite record of 2022. And I am indeed off the meds following the insertion of 13 screws and a titanium rod into my tibia and fibula. Nothing more to say than I am pretty sure I imprinted the map of Paris in my mind riding a bike to this record until I couldn't.
5Ft7
Tonstartssbandht
Yancey Strickler published a playlist of inspirations, and I discovered this insane record. A day after listening, Josh of Visual Aid sent me their latest album, "Petunia." And then, when I sent the record to Ian Rogers, he said I was one of many that had sent this to him 'just this week.' Zane Lowe always said, "when you discover and love something, and then others tell you, pay attention." This is one of those new to me in 2022, but not from 2022.
I dream of all my friends living in and making art in my little LA bungalow. If you are interested, get at me.
Additional listening:
Inspo (playlist)
Yancey Strickler
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/inspo/pl.u-DdXaT9yqG5
Petunia
Tonstartssbandht
https://music.apple.com/us/album/petunia/1602626581
Not music, but related:
Metalabel
https://twitter.com/metalabel_xyz
co---matter
https://twitter.com/co_matter
A+A
Eternal September
This is a collaboration between Avalon Emmerson and Anunaku I had on repeat for many months. 2017 was an insane moment in music, and Avalon released two of the most insane basement records from that time on Whities 013, so I am always floored to hear her new works.
I can't put my finger on it, but this fall, I felt like the world reached a new plateau, and there wasn't a visible event horizon on where we were all headed. This narrative is ages old, might just be a reflection, and this record speaks to this feeling.
Additional listening:
Whities 013
Avalon Emerson
https://music.apple.com/us/album/whities-013-single/1585308140
BHUKA (feat. Kamohelo)
Axel Boman
All I have to say about Axel Boman and 2022 is, "HOLT SHIT!" So many records. So many hours of insane bliss. Just listen. Listen to the albums from start to finish. And if you love them, go straight to Studio Barnhus. You can't go wrong with pink elephants, Bella Boo, and these incredible sounds.
The records and albums from 2022!:
Luz
Axel Boman
https://music.apple.com/us/album/luz/1614238472
Quest for Fire
Axel Boman
https://music.apple.com/us/album/quest-for-fire/1614246352
Velvet Pony Trax 11, Pt. 2
Axel Boman & Ellinor Jackson
https://music.apple.com/us/album/velvet-pony-trax-11-pt-2-single/1653382364
Solar Storm (Markus Suckut Remix)
Rebar
As a huge fan of dub techno, this goes a little fast, but I love it, and I discovered Markus Suckut through this record. And I haven't looked back. Wow.
His body of work leans techno and is massive:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/markus-suckut/386672284
Creative Source (feat. DJ Falcon) [ABSOLUTE. Neon Energy Remix]
Braxe + Falcon & Alan Braxe
This is another sound I just kept hearing and fell in love with this year. I don't know what to call it other than, "... it's 3 AM; let's go..." Jamie XX and SHM also had stand-out releases that would fit right in the cut with this record.
Additional listening:
LET'S DO IT AGAIN
Jamie xx
https://music.apple.com/us/album/lets-do-it-again/1615358362?i=1615358367
Can U Feel It
Swedish House Mafia
https://music.apple.com/us/album/can-u-feel-it/1618145588?i=1618145756
PTB.PARIS: Hi-Fi Dancing Plants - Spring/Summer 2022 - Paris, France (playlist)
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ptb-paris-hi-fi-dancing-plants-spring-summer-2022-paris/pl.u-Xg8RH8WKRk
Until You Don't & Lincoln Heights
Visual Aid
And one day, we will all wake up... to the sounds of L.A.
Additional listening:
Atypical Daydream (podcast)
Josh Caldwell
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/atypical-daydream/id1646907297
Apple Music Playlist:
PTB.PARIS: 2022, a 63 minute review