CUZ I LOVE YOU (!) ... : THE ALBUMS, 2019.

01/STELLA DONNELLY/BEWARE OF THE DOGS

Whenever some lowkey ridiculous action made by a man made me shout “WHY THE MEN?!” up in these streets (which happened quite often in 2019), I returned here to listen to her. I came here to listen to her put men being reckless and out of pocket in their place with her ferocious humor and stinging put downs. I returned here to her and this brash, sharp-witted album like they were friends I could lean on and count on to put a smile on my face.

Beware of the Dogs is the debut album from Welsh-Australian singer songwriter Stella Donnelly where toasts to the assholes will not be had. “You grab me with an open hand, the world is grabbing back at you”, she sings in the opening track’s hook (on the breezy yet pointed Old Man), and then proceeds to clap back sharply over the course of the album’s remaining 12 tracks. With Beware of the Dogs Stella stunts like a 90's alt-rock God, puts a middle finger to the face and a hand up to say “stop talking, you’ve had your say”. It’s calm and steady when the time calls for it (see Mosquito & You Owe Me); always direct and clear; and witty as all get out (see album highlights Season Greeting’s & Watching Telly - especially her sly delivery of the line "god loves his children... but god loves men... JESUS CHRIST(!)"). Strong-willed and in your face (see Boys Will Be Boys and the title track), Beware of the Dogs is a highly relatable, take no prisoners alt-rock gem that stings while giving you a smile (and there for you whenever you find yourself asking  "why the men?!").

KEY TRACKS:

SEASON'S GREETINGS



BOYS WILL BE BOYS







BEWARE OF THE DOGS 



02/SOLANGE/WHEN I GET HOME

03/VAMPIRE WEEKEND/FATHER OF THE BRIDE

04/ARIANA GRANDE/THANK U, NEXT 

05/CATE LE BON/REWARD

06/TORO Y MOI/OUTER PEACE

07/TYLER THE CREATOR/IGOR

08/HELADO NEGRO/THIS IS HOW YOU SMILE 

09/JUAN WAUTERS/LA ONDA DE JUAN PABLO

10/LANA DEL REY/NORMAN FUCKING ROCKWELL!

11/JENNY LEWIS/ON THE LINE

12/DANNY BROWN/UNKOWHATIMSAYIN?

13/CHARLI XCX/CHARLI

14/BILLIE EILISH/WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

15/SHARON VAN ETTEN/REMIND ME TOMORROW 

16/BIG THIEF/TWO HANDS

17/JAIMIE BRANCH/FLY OR DIE II: BIRD DOGS OF PARADISE

18/FKA TWIGS/MAGDALENE

19/BRITTANY HOWARD/JAIME

20/JESSICA PRATT/QUIET SIGNS 

21/BAT FOR LASHES/LOST GIRLS

22/DEERHUNTER/WHY HASN'T EVERYTHING ALREADY DISAPPEARED?

23/ANGEL OLSEN/ALL MIRRORS

24/ADA LEA/WHAT WE SAY IN PRIVATE

25/BECK/HYPERSPACE

CUZ I LOVE YOU (!) ... : THE SONGS, 2019.

01/TORO Y MOI/FREELANCE 

Decked in Patagonia, head to toe, he’s not sure if he’s hip or if he's getting old. Meanwhile the music coloring these thoughts is busy giving you a definite answer: Tired? No. Still one of the suavest cats behind the boards? Yes. Freelance is a bubbling, groove laced disco funk track with an old soul and its eyes on the future that sets you in a trance instantly, arriving ready for the floor. “People tend to listen when they see your soul”. And when they hear it and feel it in their bones. And on Freelance Chaz gives it up and lets loose in order to provide a soulful groove for the masses that feels timeless.



02/VAMPIRE WEEKEND & STEVE LACY/SUNFLOWER 

03/LANA DEL REY/NORMAN FUCKING ROCKWELL 

04/WEYES BLOOD/SOMETHING TO BELIEVE

05/JUAN WAUTERS/A VOLAR 

06/JENNY LEWIS/DOGWOOD 

07/ARIANA GRANDE/IMAGINE 

08/TAYLOR SWIFT/LOVER 

09/BEYONCE, WIZKID, SAINT JHN, & BLUE IVY CARTER/BROWN SKIN GIRL

10/TYLER THE CREATOR, SANTIGOLD, A$AP ROCKY, & JERROD CARMICHAEL/NEW MAGIC WAND

11/BILLIE EILISH/BAD GUY

12/ROSALIA, J BALVIN, & EL GUINCHO/CON ALTURA

13/STELLA DONNELLY/TRICKS

14/SHARON VAN ETTEN/SEVENTEEN

15/HELADO NEGRO/SEEN MY AURA

16/BRITTANY HOWARD/STAY HIGH

17/J BALVIN, BAD BUNNY, & MR. EAZI/COMO UN BEBE

18/BAT FOR LASHES/KIDS IN THE DARK 

19/JAIMIE BRANCH/SIMPLE SILVER SURFER

20/ESTHER ROSE/SEX AND MAGIC

21/DEERHUNTER/GREENPOINT GOTHIC

22/CATE LE BON/SAD NUDES

23/BECK/CHEMICAL

24/FKA TWIGS/HOME WITH YOU

25/BATTLES/FORT GREENE PARK

CUZ I LOVE YOU (!) ... : THE ALBUMS, 2019.

02/SOLANGE/WHEN I GET HOME

When I Get Home is Freedom.

It is serenity, and at peace.

When I Get Home is Black Excellence.

It can't be washed away.  

("Not even in that Florida water!")
 
It is American Beauty.

HOUSTON.
Chopped and Screwed.

When I Get Home is BLACK.

BROWN LIQUOR,
BROWN SUGAR, 
BROWN FACE. 

BLACK SKIN,
BLACK BRAIDS,
BLACK WAVES.
 
And down with ya. 

Things imagined made real.

It's hip hop;
Booming, cosmic
Rhythms and the blues.

When I Get Home simmers softly at a steady pace with words and melodies floating thru the air like blunt smoke, reaching high and filling the space all around you.

It's a stunning piece of art the stresses the importance of decompressing while celebrating the art of collaboration. Especially with those on the same wavelength as you.

It's a fresh press,
Smooth,
Shimmering,
And Luxurious.

When I Get Home is the vessel, free.
Encouraging us to shine bright. 

KEY TRACKS:

WAY TO THE SHOW



ALMEDA




BINZ



03/VAMPIRE WEEKEND/FATHER OF THE BRIDE

04/ARIANA GRANDE/THANK U, NEXT 

05/CATE LE BON/REWARD

06/TORO Y MOI/OUTER PEACE

07/TYLER THE CREATOR/IGOR

08/HELADO NEGRO/THIS IS HOW YOU SMILE 

09/JUAN WAUTERS/LA ONDA DE JUAN PABLO

10/LANA DEL REY/NORMAN FUCKING ROCKWELL!

11/JENNY LEWIS/ON THE LINE

12/DANNY BROWN/UNKOWHATIMSAYIN?

13/CHARLI XCX/CHARLI

14/BILLIE EILISH/WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

15/SHARON VAN ETTEN/REMIND ME TOMORROW 

16/BIG THIEF/TWO HANDS

17/JAIMIE BRANCH/FLY OR DIE II: BIRD DOGS OF PARADISE

18/FKA TWIGS/MAGDALENE

19/BRITTANY HOWARD/JAIME

20/JESSICA PRATT/QUIET SIGNS 

21/BAT FOR LASHES/LOST GIRLS

22/DEERHUNTER/WHY HASN'T EVERYTHING ALREADY DISAPPEARED?

23/ANGEL OLSEN/ALL MIRRORS

24/ADA LEA/WHAT WE SAY IN PRIVATE

25/BECK/HYPERSPACE

CUZ I LOVE YOU (!) ... : THE SONGS, 2019.

02/VAMPIRE WEEKEND & STEVE LACY/SUNFLOWER

As Father of the Bride makes its descent into the final stretch, a ray of light appears. It appears briefly, for about two minutes and some change, here and then gone. While here it brightens the festivities and gently grabs you by the shoulders, asking you to loosen up a little and stand beneath its rays. Bathe in its magnificent glory: Steve's slinky guitar play; that whimsical backbeat and chorus of funky gibberish; the serene intertwining of voices; and that funky, sunlit groove. Sunflower is pure joy that comes through and enraptures you. Here and then gone, making a lasting impression.



03/LANA DEL REY/NORMAN FUCKING ROCKWELL 

04/WEYES BLOOD/SOMETHING TO BELIEVE

05/JUAN WAUTERS/A VOLAR 

06/JENNY LEWIS/DOGWOOD 

07/ARIANA GRANDE/IMAGINE 

08/TAYLOR SWIFT/LOVER 

09/BEYONCE, WIZKID, SAINT JHN, & BLUE IVY CARTER/BROWN SKIN GIRL

10/TYLER THE CREATOR, SANTIGOLD, A$AP ROCKY, & JERROD CARMICHAEL/NEW MAGIC WAND

11/BILLIE EILISH/BAD GUY

12/ROSALIA, J BALVIN, & EL GUINCHO/CON ALTURA

13/STELLA DONNELLY/TRICKS

14/SHARON VAN ETTEN/SEVENTEEN

15/HELADO NEGRO/SEEN MY AURA

16/BRITTANY HOWARD/STAY HIGH

17/J BALVIN, BAD BUNNY, & MR. EAZI/COMO UN BEBE

18/BAT FOR LASHES/KIDS IN THE DARK 

19/JAIMIE BRANCH/SIMPLE SILVER SURFER

20/ESTHER ROSE/SEX AND MAGIC

21/DEERHUNTER/GREENPOINT GOTHIC

22/CATE LE BON/SAD NUDES

23/BECK/CHEMICAL

24/FKA TWIGS/HOME WITH YOU

25/BATTLES/FORT GREENE PARK