interlude.replay.01

Tracks from Dasutt, Potatoi, and Ryan Beatty feature in this week's recommendations

This post is part of an ongoing series. Every so often I will check in on and introduce my top listened to songs of the year (not necessarily favorites released in the year), and see if they continue to be in the list when year end ranking lists get published.

I contemplated whether to publish playlists on here. My habitual overthinking, and indecision on what would be interesting for readers and commenters continues to have me question what I would even post. What would be the purpose of interacting with a playlist, especially as I historically fail at maintaining and updating my own? (I am evolving on this! Maybe in the future I may share a couple I made ).

I also use Apple Music, whose algorithmic playlist options are a bit dry. However, one fun aspect of Apple Music is that I can access my Top 100 songs playlist (known as Replay) throughout the year. From the end of January, updating every Sunday, users can see just what songs they’re obsessively listening to on a loop for a week (ahem), and how the list changes over the year.

Since there is no way to track where the songs rank over the course of the year without taking excessive screenshots, I thought it would be fun to introduce sets of 3 tracks at random, especially those that may not be featured in my usual album posts. Will these tracks even be in the playlist by the end of the year? Or will they climb up the chart?

The first iteration of these piece brings you tracks 44-46 (as of Sunday, June 23, 2024).

44. Life! - Dasutt (다섯)

I actually cannot say enough about this EP. K-indie band Dasutt’s third EP, For the Person Who Think Like Me, released earlier this year and soon became part of my constant rotation. The 5 songs flow so well together with a nod to 2000s indie. Life! is the most upbeat track on the record, with plucky guitars and an airy melody that gives you a pep in your step. While the other songs are a little bit more sad in tone and delivery, it is an overall easy listening EP.

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45. Evening Glow - Potatoi

Potatoi, the solo moniker for Wave to Earth bassist John Cha, released his first solo EP earlier this year. Featuring 7 throwback style indie tracks, it was a great introduction to his solo work. Interestingly, Evening Glow was a track on the full band’s first full length album (Flaws and All, released in 2023), but was the only track on the album written by Cha. I thought it was an interesting inclusion to the solo project but I always love to experience different stylistic approaches to songs and see different interpretations.

I arguably like this version better than the full band Wave to Earth one (you can evaluate for yourself). Both versions create a dreamlike experience for the listener, but this version feel a bit more raw. Vocally a little bit higher and dreamlike as well, I like that both versions give me two different mental images of an ~evening glow.

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46. Ribbons - Ryan Beatty

The lead single and opening track from last year’s album Calico, Ribbons is a soft and vulnerable thesis statement about themes of love and isolation explored through the rest of the album. I love the folkier style of music and the way the instruments build up to the end of the song, with an elegant ebb and flow of the harmony.

I had the chance to see a late night set by Beatty at the Governor’s Ball After Dark series earlier this year and truly, what a treat it was. As it becomes more rare to catch artists in small, intimate settings these days, it was so fun to see him sing live with beautiful arrangements and instrumentations. As I previously was considering seeing him open for Maggie Rogers this fall at Madison Square Garden, it was an honor to be able to attend this! A small clip of Ribbons live for you:

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What songs are you guys really into these days? Fellow AM users, share a 3 song run from your playlist in the comments as well! Users of other platform - leave a comment with the songs you have been listening to a lot and expect to see in your end of year lists.

Thanks for tuning in.