Summary

The article reflects on the author's top music picks for the week, including tracks from Phoenix, Jawbreaker, Geowulf, I_o, and Tycho, while also paying tribute to Mary Wilson and acknowledging the 10th anniversary of Rebecca Black's "Friday."

Abstract

In the midst of a frigid upper midwest winter, the author shares their personal sanctuary through music, offering a glimpse into their "Heavy Rotation" with a list of five songs that have provided solace and inspiration. The lead track "J-Boy" by Phoenix sets the tone with its electro dirge that transforms into a vibrant discotheque sound, resonating as a sigh of relief. The article nostalgically revisits Jawbreaker's "Boat Dreams From The Hill," a track that encapsulates the essence of the mid-90s for the author. Geowulf's "Saltwater" offers a beachy vibe, symbolizing the ocean's healing properties. The inclusion of I_o's "Audio Dust" pays homage to the late artist's contribution to the house and techno scene. Lastly, Tycho's "Dive" is praised for its ability to maintain focus amidst distractions. The author also touches upon the cultural impact of Rebecca Black's "Friday," reflecting on the unfair criticism she faced and inviting readers to share their current favorites.

Opinions

The author expresses a deep appreciation for Mary Wilson's impact on music, both on and off the stage.
"J-Boy" by Phoenix is described as a standout track that offers a refreshing escape, likened to a sigh of relief.
Jawbreaker's 1994 album "24 Hour Revenge Therapy" is revered for its timeless quality and its ability to evoke the atmosphere of the era.
Geowulf's "Saltwater" is seen not just as a song fit for a beach commercial but also as a metaphor for healing and rebirth.
The author feels a sense of loss and admiration for the late I_o, recognizing his talent and the impact of his music on the running playlist genre.
Tycho's music is valued for its instrumental nature that helps the author concentrate while writing.
There is a sense of reflection on the public's reaction to Rebecca Black's "Friday," suggesting that the song might be secretly liked by many and that the backlash against Black was unwarranted, especially considering her age at the time.
The author invites an interactive dialogue with the audience, expressing a genuine interest in what others are listening to.
Gratitude is shown towards the contributors of The Riff for their role in making the platform a great community for music enthusiasts.

Music

This Week’s Heavy Rotation #5

Sonic Hygge

A quick note: The world lost Mary Wilson this week. A founding member of the Supremes, Wilson spent her later years earning a degree and becoming a relentless advocate for artists. I wrote a brief story here, but her impact on music (onstage and off) can’t be overstated.

It’s officially “ice on your eyelashes” season in the upper midwest. Every time my car starts feels like a victory. Sometimes it even warms up before I get where I’m going. These subzero temps mean lots of time indoors, and lots of chances to escape — at least for a minute — through the Sound Machine.

Spring’s comin’, but it sure doesn’t seem like it. While we wait, here are my top 5 of the last week.

J-Boy- Phoenix

The lead track of the band’s sixth album is my favorite on the record. In a review, Pitchfork noted “J-Boy” begins as a sputtering electro dirge that sounds like it’s running out of batteries. But that’s merely the dingy, back-alley entrance to a dazzling, neon-lit discotheque whose doors swing open and whisk you in at the 10-second mark.”

Singer Thomas Mars kicks those doors open with a big sigh. And for me, that’s what this song is- a nice sigh of relief.

Boat Dreams From The Hill- Jawbreaker

Some albums permanently wed themselves to a certain time/place in your life. I don’t think anything captures where I was i— or life on the west coast — in 1994 quite like this does. The entire record is fantastic, but I just felt like listening to this one a lot this week. Blake Schwarzenbach's lyrics paint a vivid picture of big dreams colliding with cold reality.

Boat on a hill, never going to sea Anchored to a fixer upper’s dream This boat is beat, never going to be a boat now Thirsty, sees the sea from high on ice plant

I don’t have a boat on a hill (literally or metaphorically), but the band sure made it seem relatable.. 24 Hour Revenge Therapy turned 27 this week and sounds as good now it did in 1994. We should all be so lucky.

Saltwater-Geowulf

You may have seen this in a commercial for Corona Beer. If any song can capture the lazy days on a beach, it’s this one. That said, I’ve always thought the lyrics were more about healing and rebirth, which for me is exactly what the ocean does.

Audio Dust- I_o

Last week’s running playlists had a lot of House and Techno on them. This was on all of them. This was a new artist for me, and I was sad to see I_o (aka Garrett Lockhart) had passed away this past November.

Tycho-Dive

I’m easily distracted. Music with good words usually takes me off course and down rabbit holes. I’ve been listening to a lot of Tycho while writing lately. It’s upbeat yet somehow keeps me focused.

CODA: It’s nowhere near my rotation, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that today (2/10) marks the 10th anniversary of Rebecca Black’s “Friday” being released. A frequent pick on most “worst songs ever” lists, it also has 149 million views on YouTube as of this writing. Love it or hate it, few songs evoke such opposite reactions. Like many people, my first reaction to hearing this was to point and laugh. Later on, I wound up not much minding it.

I’m willing to bet a whole lot of people like it a whole lot more than they’re willing to admit. I also think a lot of the blowback Black received was unfair — after all, she was just a kid when it came out. People go viral today for worse.

What’ve you been listening to this week? I’d love to hear it!

As always, thank you to the great writers at The Riff for making this page such a great place to be.

This Week’s Heavy Rotation #4

“Just play that music!”

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