Princess Nokia – Everything Sucks and Everything is Beautiful
They have been out for a few weeks, but this double album release from one of the most relevant artists right now hasn’t be talked about on Counterpoint yet. The albums are meant to oppose each other, with “Everything Sucks” is the more aggressive and intense counterpart to “Everything Is Beautiful” which approaches the subject of childhood and self-love from a position of tenderness. I am more in love with “Everything Is Beautiful”, as it’s a little more my speed, with “Green Eggs and Ham” “Wavy” and “Heart” being both heartfelt and groovy. But I appreciate the pain and emotional release “Everything Sucks” provides, from “I Like Him” and “Practice” to closing with the incredibly vulnerable “Just A Kid”. Being able to put two works by an artist bad at the same time in conversation with each other is rare and says a lot about the artist, especially with how this pair is formated. It’s old news at this point, but if there’s anything current that you should dig into, it’s this.
Caribou – Suddenly
Synthy and funkadelic, as usual, Caribou dropped Suddenly right in time for everyone to vibe out in quarantine. “Home” was fun to boogie to whilst my roommate anxiety re-organized her bedroom and “You and I” made me feel eerily nostalgic and bittersweet. Each track stands out, with songs like “New Jade” (kinda pop) being worlds away from “Filtered Grand Piano” or “Cloud Song”, ambient and mostly instrumental. Filter which is nice especially with a lot of techno and synth music right now is blending together for me. Basically, If you like Mort Garson’s “Plantasia”, this is up you’re alley.
Peach Pit – Black Licorice
Coming back at you with another Peach Pit single apparently. Maybe I like Peach Pit? It doesn’t fit `the brand` but I guess it’s true to my 14-year-old self. However, I don’t like “Black Licorice” as much as I liked “Shampoo Bottles”. Listening to Peach Pit makes me want to be sad, and while that’s usually a good thing, I am not wanting that to be reflected in the music I listen to at the moment, as I am trying to keep to my gloomy room as much as possible.
Megan Thee Stallion – Suga
My friend (shoutout Lea Joseph) sent this album to me while we were holed up in the library getting our asses kicked by an assignment we thought would be easy and boy! oh! boy! it made me wish I wasn’t at the library. “Captain Hook” can make the saddest bitch in the room (me) feel like the baddest bitch in the room. It’s always refreshing to hear a woman talk about getting decent head and making money. It’s hard to feel particularly sexy whilst you are socially distancing, and I think this album does the trick if that’s the mood you’re in.
Honorable Mentions: B.I.T.C.H. and Hit My Phone (ft. Kehlani)