Usually we long jump into the distant days of yore, but today let’s only lean back slightly, gently brushing against the more recent past to visit a few stellar albums from the first half of the year. Just a quick trip to distract us from the immediate here and now. Depending on where you live, your present situation might include unquenchable wildfires, unbreathable air, uncoolable heatwaves, or (in my case) unarkable floods.
Yikes, right? I didn’t even mention the Florida cocaine sharks.
So perhaps we should take a few moments to lose ourselves in vibrations and imaginations. Let’s round ’em up.
Lil Yachty – Let’s Start Here.
I’ll happily admit to being wrong. In fact, I want to be wrong. I want as many great albums as possible existing in the world, and it’s actually more fun when it’s someone you didn’t expect to produce one of these albums who produces one of these albums.
Who would have predicted Lil Yachty? I’m fairly certain, nooobodyyyyy.
After years as a sort of bubblegum rap, novelty act, Lil Yachty has produced a dark, atmospheric album with the kind of tripped out, druggy vibe that early Funkadelic and middle period Sly Stone used to have. It’s an ambitious and risky record, and that should be rewarded. Extra points for bringing electric guitar back into R&B and Hip Hop. Even more points for the prog-rock keyboards. Groovy stuff, indeed.
Love ’em or hate ’em, these guys really know their way around a pop song. It feels like they’re experimenting with their sound a little more, adding small elements of late 70’s and early 80’s yacht rock, jazz fusion, and synth funk here and there. The brothers are admitted fans of Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson and you can hear the influence on occasion. If you’re going to be influenced by people, those are two pretty good ones to choose.
Short and snappy summer songs.
Look at that album cover. This is advanced level country. We’re talking twang, fiddles, pedal steel, and a voice that’s not unfamiliar with the burn of cheap whiskey and cigarettes. If you already like Waylon and Merle, then by all means proceed.
Rookies beware, however. I want you to discover and enjoy country music, but I don’t want you to get hurt if you’re riding the bull for the first time. Y’all catch my drift?
1 2 3 o' clock 4 o' clock Rock 
I’ve always liked Jonas Brothers’ “Sucker”. He sounds a lot like that Plan B guy (don’t know his real name). I looked the other two up on Youtube (not a Spotify-er), and like the sound of Colter Wall.
I’m glad you enjoyed Colter Wall! I grew up with country music, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
I don’t mind it at all. 😁
Parts of “the BLACK Seminole” have a Pink Floyd feel!
Yeah, it’s really got some of that mid-70’s prog-rock sound! That was one of many pleasant surprises about the album.