This might be my current fave World Party song -
Put The Message In The Box (1990)
youtu.be/udCaa-Ju3dk?si…
This is a time where every band in the UK is aping the Rolling Stones and this isn’t that, a little more Dylan but bringing more pop than Bob would with Byrds harmonies
World Party - Is It Like Today? (1993)
Started as a solo project by Karl Wallinger when he left The Waterboys. This song reminds me of Mollusk/White Pepper era Ween, and I mean that as a huge compliment. Warm/dreamy/but not toothless
youtu.be/0tyLGi2LtlU?...
The songwriter in Commuter, Dave Merenda, later co-wrote Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You” and appears to be deep in the ambient/binaural beats world now.
03.03.2026 17:19 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Commuter - Young Hearts (1984)
This song is in the Karate Kid and the only song released by this group at the time. It’s in big scene at the arcade/mini golf course and has been burned in my memory for 40 years.
youtu.be/wy7_dnXrCZU?...
Mouse on Mars - Diskdusk
Pioneering electronic/IDM duo from Germany. This song from their 1999 album, Niun Niggung, that was their push to include more non electronic instruments and elements.
Scratching my brains itch with delightful clicks
youtu.be/eMtASMo5LDk?...
Strung Out - In Harm’s Way
Simi Valley based punk band who’s been consistently releasing music for 30+ years. this song was on the first Fat Music For Fat People comp.
State of the world has me blasting political pop punk
youtu.be/jXMzjRDQk1w?...
L.A. Takedown - There Is a Drone in Griffith Park
Instrumental group led by Aaron M. Olson (Musical Tracing Ensemble). This epic starts with relaxing repeating guitar patterns, an elevated cinematic chase middle section, and an ambient return to end
youtu.be/UMa0N3hA_i0?...
Larry Saunders - Where Did Peace Go (Alt. version) (1971)
Nicknamed The Prophet of Soul, Larry’s anti-war ballad asks all the right questions. He also had a record called “Free Angela” for civil rights activist Angela Davis.
youtu.be/LHient66q98?...
Being Dead - Muriel’s Big Day Off (2023)
Great band from Austin. They bring together like a 60s surf sound/some Mama and Papas harmonies/weird skronk punk/humor. Such a breath of fresh air.
youtu.be/MlwhbWIoquk?...
Tara Jane O’Neil - This Morning Glory (2014)
Beautiful lilting folk song by legend (Rodan, Retsin) and mystical drifter TJO for the 2014 album Where Shine New Lights on Kranky. Tara’s music is patient and rewards those with patience.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk44...
She was Bolivian ambassador to France for awhile.
The harmony of the stringed instruments mixed with her otherworldly high vocals is such a singular experience.
Luzmila Carpio - Wiph’ Ailitay (1981)
Legendary Bolivian folk artist who sings in indigineous Quechua language. I was first exposed to Carpio by a 2025 remix album by South American modern electronic artists like Chancha Via Circuito and King Coya.
youtu.be/KoBxWykfrxI?...
This one from 1990 existing in that space that Tone-Loc and Young MC carved out in 88/89.
Great horn samples.
This one had a remix from Prince Paul who had just broken thru with De La Soul the previous year
Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. - Psyko Funk (1990)
6 brothers from Carson, California with Samoan heritage. Their long career featured stretches in gangster rap and metal influenced rap. They played their own instruments on some of their records.
youtu.be/Bi3lEFyrsZg?...
When their debut album came out in 2000 the sound/aesthetic was the opposite of glam, it was dark nu metal that treated any glamour or fantasy with homophobia.
What could’ve been
Tsar - Calling All Destroyers (2000)
Living in LA IN 1999/2000 this was the underground band of the moment. Their glam inspired power pop rock opera style shows were a blast and they had a residency at Spaceland in Silverlake.
youtu.be/ip_cO7KhTWA?...
Treepeople - Liquid Boy (1992)
I’ve been a fan of and listened to Built to Spill for 30 years and always knew of Treepeople (Doug from BTS previous band) but never really listened to them until recently.
They are so good. Crunchy!
youtu.be/BJOrGMDJhc8?...
Cate Le Bon - Aside From Growing Old (2017)
If an artist with a bunch of good albums also has multiple strong EPs with some of your favorite songs on them that elevates them to top tier. The Rock Pool EP from 2017 is great.
youtu.be/6s_l6lMxybI?...
username & Marsh Crane - been thru (2025)
The Footwork scene is in the midst of a new wave. username’s from Nashville/Marsh Crane’s from Portland. Both put out multiple albums last year. This is from username’s r’n’b influenced album epiphanies.
youtu.be/MZ1I4xiZG2g?...
He had a ridiculous song called “I’m Supposed to Have Sex With You” that was in the Mark Harmon comedy Summer School that became a minor hit.
youtu.be/8kRW47XuUsw?...
Tonio K - Romeo and Jane (1986)
Fascinating artist - had a band with The Crickets post Buddy Holly, had a punk/new wave hit in the late 70s, lots of acclaim for 80s albums with people comparing him to Dylan (not sure i get that).
youtu.be/zEJ3kQm4OAY?si…
Apples - Try Me (1978)
Band of teenagers from Lagos, Nigeria inspired by the other Nigerian bands at the time playing rock, soul, and Afrofunk.
This whole record has such a warm round bass tone. Like floating in a bubble.
youtu.be/-VB-3BSTDM4?...
Here’s another one from the same album.
youtu.be/ka9T40KQL00?si…
He got a big retrospective reissue last year.
Seeing reviews saying this album is more like unfinished sketches I think it’s damn near perfect as is.
How dare you diminish hard panned digital melodica!
Susumu Yokota - Kawano Hotorino Kinoshitade (1998)
Known equally for his 90s techno under his own name and multiple other projects and his ambient material. This is from an album of recordings from 83-98 that are minimal, human, calm.
youtu.be/BXNV99w2ito?...
The only release in his career, Blair went into real estate and then was tragically murdered in his house in Dallas and the case was never solved.
The song sounds so fresh still - sophisticated and cool. It’s an absolute banger
Arnold Blair - Trying To Get Next To You (1975)
A modern soul/2 step grail for 70s soul DJs. Blair was the office cleaner for Curtom records (Curtis Mayfield’s label). Leroy Hutson had him sing back up on his record and then produced this classic for him
youtu.be/HRLAuIp0-qM?...
Fieh - Inbox (2023)
Indie neo soul/r’n’b from Norway that brings joyful precision and playfulness. They make great albums and their latest album cover is a cool painting of the band at a gas station
youtu.be/XxI0E5OAyoA?...
Chokebore - Coat (1993)
Originally from Honolulu, but moved to LA in 92. I saw this band play twice live - once at legendary all ages club Jabberjaw to like 40 people and once at the LA Forum opening for Nirvana on the In Utero tour in front of 15k.
youtu.be/Ckc7dcDEJ8M?...
Marine Girls - Love to Know (1983)
I got to know this song from Unrest’s faithful cover, but it’s originally the Marine Girls which was a Tracey Thorn’s (Everything But The Girl, solo) early 80s group. Spacious and early signs of Thorn’s soulful vocals
youtu.be/hVoTF_Ld_N8?...
Brent’s TV - Superwoman (1996)
I found this song from a really good sampler from Lookout Records called Heide Sez.
This group was like an Everly Bros/post skiffle with the acoustics/brushes/harmonies in the pop punk scene.cThey did a tour of laundromats
youtu.be/LjtPTDx1ch0?...
