Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – Oct. 19

Kurt Baker, Lotic, Shakka, Namesake, aldn, Lil Migo, Patrick Phillips

Clockwise from top left: Kurt Baker, Lotic, Shakka, Namesake, aldn and Lil Migo.

This week we feature the surreal discordant sound of Lotic, the playful antics of Shakka, as well as Lil Migo, Namesake, aldn and Kurt Baker.



aldn, “n2o” — The thumping bass, 8-bit melody and snapping garage drumming on “n2o” evoke the energy of Anamanaguchi circa 2010, when they scored the “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Videogame” soundtrack. A somber song about huffing nitrous oxide, more commonly known as doing whip-its, the lyrics tell the tale of someone struggling after developing tolerance with the drug.

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Shakka, “No Problem, Fam” — We all have that one relationship we kind of regret in hindsight, but was fun while it lasted, right? Well, Shakka is certainly having one of those right now. He sings about a girl he’s seeing and just enjoying the moment—even if he’s catching the red flags as they pop up. The plunking synth percussion paired with snaps and claps make this a slow jam you’ll be bobbing along to for hours on end.



Kurt Baker, “Yeah? Yeah!” — This retro-styled garage track comes with its own switchblade comb and leather jacket. Kurt Baker, making his second appearance in Tuesday Tracks, wails on his guitar as he decries love following a heartbreak, with the youthful exuberance one would expect from someone who just kicked off a new relationship. Perhaps being in a relationship can be overrated? Sometimes you need to rock to the beat of your own drum… yeah? Yeah!

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Lil Migo, “Rumors 3” — The ominous piano open is swapped out with a wailing guitar solo as the bass and snares pick up on “Rumors 3.” Lil Migo pops off on how those around him have used deceit and aggression to try and get money out of him, either through seduction or intimidation. However, Lil Migo clearly isn’t falling for any of it anytime soon. He expresses his caution following the wolves dropping the sheep’s wool.



Namesake, “Population” — This punk jam from Namesake is a working-class cry of frustration amid the current wave of ongoing resignations. If you feel frustrated at the system of economic disparity as the rich get richer while the rest of us starve, “Population” is right up your alley.

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Lotic, “Always You” — The pulsating electronic percussion paired with asynchronous harp and horns on “Always You” highlights the emotional intensity Lotic is enduring. It’s surreal and captivating, like undergoing a trance from an emotionally charged fever dream.



Tim’s pick: aldn’s “n2o” delivers its glitzy exterior with bombastic production that makes it feel like a perfect party track, served alongside a deep, cutting irony from the poignant lyricism. Blending garage rock with electronica has been a solid formula for great jams for late nights of deep contemplation, or your next get-together.

Follow editor Tim Hoffman at Twitter.com/hipsterp0tamus.

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