Do you like reading our notes in this table? Or would you prefer a cleaner list and leave the descriptions up to your own imagination? Let us know in the comments!
| Song | Artist | Year | Pick | Genre(s) | Willis Notes | Gregg Notes |
| Colomb | Nicolas Jaar | 2011 | Willis | Ambient Electronic, Microhouse, Downtempo | I came across a hypnotic, monotone song called “Space is Only Noise if You Can See” from his first album “Space is Only Noise” and was intrigued by the ambient exploration of negative space. This song has vocoded French phrases reminiscent of Daft Punk and a catchy rhythm that is almost danceable. The vibe could be a soundtrack to a moment. The meditative groove is made from claps ,clicks, echoes. A minimalist approach to rhythm demonstrating Less is more. | What a way to set us off on our way! Nick Jaar is an electronic genius, and IMO is often overlooked in the IDM universe. This album is a start to finish classic. |
| Listening Wind | Talking Heads | 1980 | Gregg | Ambient /Psych /Dub | Wow, this would have tripped me out if I heard it on a Walkman headset in 1980. Just thinking about all the layering of sounds to make this song on studio equipment of that era is impressive – yet it seamlessly blends together to make a thick instrumental sound. David Byrne’s vocals never really impressed me, but his weird artistry is something un-matched and worth experiencing. “Mojique thinks of days before Americans came” Most of the artists on your list this week are creating mental bookmarks for me to spend more time listening to. | From their genre warping classic “Remain in Light”, this song almost predates what Nicholas Jaar was doing in ‘colomb’. Considering this was recorded in 79, when nothing else sounded like it, you can’t help but admire what this band achieved (while still producing hits). Brian Eno’s hands are all over this, which is why the ambient atmospherics are as prominent as any of the instruments typically used. The genre term “Alternative” didn’t arrive until the 90’s, but to my ears, this was truly alternative to everything else at the time. |
| Her | The American Dawn | 2024 | Willis | Dream Pop / Indie Rock | Mysterious, minimal information to find about this artist who has created an interesting ripple in the waves. Only 2 songs released, credited to Isaak Wesley Isbell. Social media pages show some photos of a blonde surfer, random Bruce Lee movie still frames, Camel cigarette ads, and various Americana imagery. Also minimalist in sound, the tiny little keyboard rainfall in this song caught my attention and brought me to somewhere else, like in a music video. Apparently 59M other people on YT feel something also. And there is a fanbase making music videos for this song that range from Lost in Translation to Anime or someone casually walking through a brush field. | Never knew of this til now. It has bedroom pop elements, some soft classic rock, but also has a Cigarettes after Sex quality to it. Very easy listening (in the good way), but there’s also some subtle pscyhedelia in there too, giving it a gothy spaghetti western feel. I really really dig this. I will add it into rotation for sure. |
| Streets of Your Town | The Go Betweens | 1988 | Gregg | Jangle Pop /Indie rock | This song is refreshing and upbeat. The guy/girl vocals make this song unique, especially the “Shine” backing vocal. The acoustic guitar solo is a solid example of doing more with less. I recall the name of this band during this era, but that’s it. I bet many of their songs would fit well in a mix tape. I am curious how well the jangle holds up to my ears within a whole album – and intend to find out. | Another of the major “underground” 80’s indie bands, after featuring Straitjacket Fits and realizing there’s a whole subculture’s worth of artists we haven’t spent enough time highlighting on the DD. Again, formed in the late 70’s, you can draw a direct lineage of this sound to bands like The Smiths, The Clientele, Lemonheads, The Church, etc. Though mostly unknown, it’s really incredible to hear how these songs stand up compared to so many 80’s bands of the era. It could’ve come out in any decade, 60’s through the 2010’s. The guy/girl harmony vox is a very modern sound, and this band does it expertly here. |
| Motionless | BUDAYA | 2014 | Willis | Dream Pop | A duo from Mexico that I learned about from a small record shop in Boston. It’s an interesting power of connection to music through the simple physical experience of going to the store and talking about a record with someone, compared to just clicking on links. Most of their work is in Spanish, however they have a 4 song EP with English tracks. This song has an innocent charm and upbeat groove that appeals on a basic level. Like a lite version of The XX | Upon the first 3 seconds, I knew I’d love this. The keyboards come at us in 3 different ways, setting up a trippy, 80’s sounding R&B song. So much of that slick 808 style production from that era has come back around to music recently, but considering this was 2014, it feels like they were ahead of the pack. It’s like The XX meets the 80’s. |
| Care For You | Wolfsheim | 2003 | Gregg | Darkwave /Electronic /Goth Wave | I still remember when you chose “Once in a Lifetime” way back at show #9, I was struck by the familiar 80’s style vocals, yet still a highly distinctive sound. It’s like he sings with a very controlled, nasal-yet-pleasantly resonant waver. Lots of swagger. Love this song. Dynamic sound of the 2000’s bassline and synth hits, but vocal delivery from the 80’s and a downtempo groove. Headphone experience is a 10/10. Car at night will be next. The production flows well into the next song. | A band that feels as if they existed next to Depeche and the Cure in the 80’s, showing very little signs of modern styles. The production is nuanced and appropriated for headphone listening, but it’s also quite danceable and sounds great on car speakers. I first heard them at Aldo’s Goth/New Wave/Industrial night, and ran up to the DJ to ask who was playing. This song has come up recently, and I immediately earmarked it for the DD. I think you’ll like this. RIYL: Depeche, Cause & Effect, OMD, and Pet Shop Boys. |
| Paradise (Not For Me) | Madonna and Mirwais | 2000 | Willis | Electronic, Ambient Pop, Downtempo | I heard the Mirwais release of this song on HFD and was confused at first, assuming it was from Madonna’s album Music, and it took a little bit of research to understand that they both released their own versions of this collab. My favorite Madonna album that I never got tired of repeating in the CD player on long drives. This song oozes, undulates, and grooves in a way that was bold and unique. Still to this day, listening now – I can’t believe it’s 26 years old. | One of my all time fave Madonna songs! My friend Kat heard this on her first day of listening, and went out of her way to mention how excited she was to hear it. This is a lowkey masterpiece. Originally a Mirwais song, that featured a digitized robot vocal, and later released on Madonna’s “Music” album, with her vox overdubbed. This is the best version. The beat always excited me – as it’s very trip hop. That bass drum thump is so thiccccc. |
| Like Smoke (Ft. Nas) | Amy Winehouse | 2011 | Gregg | Psych Soul /Retro Soul /Hip Hop | I love the combo of bluesy jazz and hip hop here. Her voice is perfectly framed by the backing band and book-ended by Nas interesting rhymes like “Yo, this recession is a test, it’s affectin’ my complexion, misdirection’ my affection, my concerns of bill collections” Just about all of her career snuck under my radar (which was basically off) and all I know about her is the tragic ending and her fans at a loss. This compels me to go watch the biopic and dive into her entire catalog & various performances. | So much love and respect for Amy. My heart breaks when I think of how troubled she was, and it makes it even sadder that we can plainly hear the heartache all over her catalog. This song was unfinished when she passed away, but they produced it and added Nas’ verses to make it complete. The combo of his voice weaving in and out with hers is just disarming and beautiful. I hate that we lost her so young, because she was a treasure. |
| Birthday | The Sugarcubes | 1987 | Willis | Post-Punk, Alternative Rock, Avant Pop | Hip Hop fans have If “In Da Club” by 50 cent as a birthday song, and alternative music fans have this one I didn’t know the B-side of this single had the Icelandic version of this song. I wonder if people have memories of the first time they ever heard Bjork sing the way she does, because it felt like a revelation to me hearing a shrieking wail sound so pleasantly rebellious, confident, and abstract, yet contained. | The first time I ever heard Bjork’s voice was with this song. I have to admit, this was their best song – and I almost wish we got to hear another album with Bjork as the frontperson of a band. She’s a genius as a solo artist, but hearing her fall in line with other artists is truly a joy. This song is nearly perfect. The drums are tribal, the guitars are warped sounding, and Bjork sings with a soulfulness that sounds like she’s JUST discovering her voice’s power. A1 level alternative classic. |
| Silent Pictures | Mouth Ulcers | 2026 | Gregg | Goth Rock /Alternative /Post Punk | I couldn’t agree more that the guitars are at the forefront here, striking a fine balance of gritty noise, a spacious environment, tense/manic rhythm, surf-rock guitars, and dark (grey) emotion in the vocals. I wouldn’t have guessed this to be a new release at all based on theme, content or production. Even though the structure is pretty straightforward, it’s taken me several listens to work through all the different aspects – whether it’s the drum work, guitar work, or deciphering the lyrics, or the transitions between effects and segments. | I got super excited last week when I discovered this song. It has felt for a while like things are going to start veering back towards a more guitar-based sound in modern popular music. Rock has been dead for so many years, it’s only a matter of time before the flavor returns, and hopefully in the form of something fresh & new. This song calls to mind 80’s goth-centric rock (ala The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division, Ministry, Echo & The Bunnymen, etc). The guitars are up and the vibes are high with this one. It lacks a true “hook”, but the song stands on its own regardless. I’ve been desperately seeking more music that sounds like this, and I’m now hoping the flood gates will open. |
Follow these links to listen to these songs (without us talking) on the following platforms:
