What I’m Listening To (7/16)

Whenever I feel like sharing what’s been on repeat for me lately (local or otherwise), I’ll write about it here.

“Krunk” by Sad Night Dynamite – If there’s any up-and-coming act to watch, it’s Sad Night Dynamite. They evoke Gorillaz comparisons, and for good reason: their incredible instincts for genre-mashing and top-notch production haven’t been seen since “Clint Eastwood” turned the music industry on its head. No one else sounds like these guys.

Their entire self-titled debut album is definitely worth a listen (or many more than that.) This track is a trip-hop leaning party banger with a killer chromatic-slide-down hook. The lyrics might be a bit unsavory, but that’s part of the fun. Get dancing.

“Toxic” by Ashnikko – I’ve been a fan of Ashnikko speaking truth to assholes and reclaiming her worth in delightfully garish pop packaging for about a year now. Her star power is undeniable and her presence is unapologetic. I only see her meteoric rise continuing. The entire Demidevil EP rocks, but this song in particular has been in regular rotation.

One standout line among many: “Call me a f***ing diva / I’m an overachiever.” If you can’t make your own sense of empowerment, Ashnikko-sourced is fine.

“Only Humans” by Ky Vöss – Previously local to Pittsburgh, now an NYC resident, Ky Vöss’ newest single is such ear candy. Delicious, danceable synthpop swirled with robotic vocal effects that repeatedly assert “only humans cry.” Everything she puts out is just fire, and this is no exception.

“Earth is a Black Hole” by Teenage Wrist – Sometimes I stray away from keeping rock music in regular rotation (except on my workout playlist.) Teenage Wrist’s latest album, Earth Is A Black Hole, is the most recent to remedy this tendency. It’s powerful and anthemic and emotionally rich and well-composed, with strong, passion-packed lead vocals that alternately propel the songs forward and open them up with stark sincerity (sometimes both.) This song in particular just slaps.