Weekly Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5m45si6INt3sZHW0Nfdv6i?si=oqm2rYcDQUyNhS6IFi7_9Q 

Jacob’s picks 

1. BROCKHAMPTON – “COUNT ON ME” 
2. Cannibal Corpse – “An Experiment In Homicide”
3. Cannibal Corpse – “In the Midst of Ruin”
4. Portal – “Esp Ion Age” 
5. Kero Kero Bonito – “Fish Bowl”
6. The Cure – “A Thousand Hours” 

“COUNT ON ME” by BROCKHAMPTON is an infectiously uplighting tune with remarkable contributions from A$AP Rocky, SoGoneSoFlexy and Matt Champion. Rocky’s is in prime form, Champion weaves in and out of brilliant rhymes and the chorus may be one of the best in BROCKHAMPTON’s discography. 

Cannibal Corpse’s album “The Bleeding” is legendary for a reason, and tracks like “An Experiment In Homicide” exhibit why. The riffs are mid-paced and menacing and vocalist Chris Barnes turns in one of his best vocal performances across the album. Fast-forward to 2017, “In the Midst of Ruin” is one of Cannibal Corpse’s best modern-day tracks. The riffs are intricate while still maintaining its extremity and the solos are fantastic. 

Portal blends death metal, black metal and dark ambience together in a frightening fashion. “Esp Ion Age” reeks of sheer cosmic terror. The riffs take a more avant-garde approach while the vocals seem to be something from an alien life-form. 

Kero Kero Bonito tells the story of a pet fish and its life within a fish bowl. The song is such a quirky concept, like most of the songs that came from this era of Kero Kero Bonito, but its bubbly production and cuteness in the song’s execution make it an adorable experience. 

For those familiar with The Cure, they know what they’re getting with “A Thousand Hours.” Melancholic production that is meticulously crafted, potent lyrics and a vocal performance from vocalist Robert Smith all combine to tug at the heartstrings. 

Jamie’s picks

1. Lil Baby – “The Bigger Picture”
2. Kreayshawn – “Gucci Gucci” 
3. Glass Animals – “Heart-Shaped Box” 
4. Lil Uzi Vert – “The Way Life Goes”

“The Bigger Picture” by Lil Baby will always be relevant and important ever since it dropped shortly after George Floyd’s death. After the video of Chicago police shooting Adam Toledo was released last week, it’s important to replay this song and stand with others to fight for what’s right. 

“Gucci Gucci” is the complete opposite of having lyrical integrity and has no value as far as meaning goes, but that’s what still makes it a bop a decade after it first released. It’s playful, funny, catchy and a good song to play when you want to laugh at anyone who’s against you.

The Glass Animals do not take away from Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box,” but instead put an indie twist on it. This cover came out when the pandemic first started and musicians were releasing covers from home, so the vulnerability of that time comes through, and it’s clear that isolation nurtured this cover.

Lil Uzi was right. You do get over it. “The Way Life Goes” is always a great reminder that you are not the same person as you were yesterday, let alone a month or a year ago. You will always find another life to live, as he says, and as you get over things and the world keeps turning, you realize your life is entirely yours to change.