MEET THE EXEC BOARD: JORDANA SOLOMON (’20)
by Jordana Solomon on August 15, 2017
Posted in: Uncategorized
Hell hello, I’m Jordana (she/her) and I’ll be one of your Music Directors for this year. I’m from a tiny town near New York City and am a general fan of most tiny things, as well as lemons, poetry, and of course ~music~. I’m stokkkkkkked to be part of WRMC exec this year and am humbly thrilled to search far and wide, through gigs and gutters, garages and galleries, even the occasional grandma (if she got really good taste), to find you all the best new music out there!! Lemme know what you’ve been listening to, and check out my top EPs and albums of 2017 so far!
But first, here are 7 artists who’ve played a big role in my 2017 who you should check out if you haven’t already:
Pinegrove
Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Whitney
Willow
Leon Bridges
Daniel Caesar
Julia Jacklin
Aaaaaaand here are the Albums!!!
Michael Nau, Some Twist
This latest release by the once-labeled Cotton Jones is no disappointment after the first album under his new name, Michael Nau. With his understated, easy voice and happy melodies, this series of songs radiates mellow summer energy.
Top Tracks: Good Thing, I Root, How You’re So For Real, Light That Ever
RIYL: Mac Demarco, Kevin Morby, Whitney
BROCKHAMPTON, SATURATION
Kevin Abstract’s R&B-meets-trap-rap collective’s new album boasts a number of hard beats with well written verses and addicting melodies. The groups cool aesthetic and boy-band-esque flair bring an interesting perspective to a type of hip hop one can get easily lost in, and their pride in the diversity of their members informs many of the lyrical and musical choices in the album. While it is a long tracklist, and many of the songs don’t have anything radical to offer, there are a few standout tracks that are quite rare and bump this album to one of my favorites this year.
Top Tracks: GOLD, FAKE, FACE
RIYL: GoldLink, Jazz Cartier, Saba
Steve Lacy, Steve Lacy’s Demo
It is almost unbelievable that this EP is the first solo project of an 18-year old artist, nonetheless that it was produced almost exclusively on an iPhone. The Internet member created a truly easy listening experience, with each track combining a funky beat and lowkey lyrical accompaniment to form a soulful summery blend of music. At only 6 songs and 13 minutes total, this is a perfect compilation to check out if you only have a short amount of time, and will leave you greedy for more.
Top Tracks: Ryd, Dark Red, Some
RIYL: Syd, Anderson Paak, Daniel Caesar
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound
The rising Americano bigshot is back this year with another solid album, turning out less rock-heavy than expected, which is just fine with me. Always bringing strong lyrics and a range of musical emotion and melody, Isbell continues to explore his own struggles with addiction and love as well as expands his focus to societal issues, as in “White Man’s World.” If you’re looking for country-meets-rock-meets-folk-story-filled-acoustics this is the album for you.
Top Tracks: Tupelo, White Man’s World, If We Were Vampires, Chaos and Clothes
RIYL: Dawes, Ryan Adams, Patterson Hood
Loyle Carner, Yesterday’s Gone
This young British rapper brings a super comfortable sound with his voice and lyricism, as well as an impressively eclectic group of tracks, showing a maturity that is unexpected for such a young artist. With catchy hooks, a relaxing, self-reflective flow, and surprising uses of jazz/soul guitar and horn elements, Carner brings a captivating new voice to British rap.
Top Tracks: Damselfly, Ain’t Nothing Changed, Stars & Shards, NO CD
RIYL: Rejjie Snow, Subculture Sage, Jay Prince
John Mayer, The Search for Everything
Say what you will about wine moms and their John Mayer obsessions, but this album is pretty solid stuff. Whatever your thoughts about his personal life, Mayer makes some damn catchy music, which aligns with his admitted bloodthirst for creating hits. While I’m not blown away by this album, it is an impressively pleasant, feel-good line of songs with classic one-liners and tuneful choruses, and I don’t yet have too much shame to recommend a listen to at least the top tracks below.
Top Tracks: Still Feel Like Your Man, Love on the Weekend, In the Blood, Moving On and Getting Over
RIYL: Jack Johnson, Brett Dennen, Bahamas
Jay-Z, 4:44
After a long hiatus, Jay-Z’s return to the forefront is not disappointing, with an album packed with evidence of growth and reflection, both emotionally and musically. Aside from the (apparent) honesty within the lyrics, the rap legend’s flow itself feels more mature and focused, offering a balance of restraint and unfiltered emotion to create a diverse collection of songs unlike anything he has previously created.
Top Tracks: Smile, Caught Their Eyes feat. Frank Ocean, 4:44, The Story of O.J.
RIYL: Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole
Mac Demarco, This Old Dog
The mellow, light series of songs is a lulling summer album if I ever heard one. Although it does become quite monotonous soundwise by the end, the easy flow of the tracks and seamless, quasi-platitudinous lyrics make this album pretty perfect to listen to as background music, with some standout jems in the mix to return to over and over again.
Top Tracks: My Old Man, This Old Dog, Baby You’re Out, Still Beating
RIYL: Father John Misty, Kurt Vile, King Krule
SZA, Ctrl
All I can say is that if you haven’t listened to this album in its entirety you need to stop what you are doing and go do that.
Top Tracks: Doves in the Wind, Drew Barrymore, Normal Girl, 20 Something
RIYL: Jhene Aiko, Khalid, Frank Ocean
Kendrick Lamar, DAMN
See above and follow instructions.
Top Tracks: YAH, ELEMENT, LOYALTY, GOD
RIYL: J. Cole, Chance the Rapper, A$AP Rocky
Last but not least, some of my top songs this year in a playlist just for you!
