13 Beats of the Week: 11/6/2020

Miller Downer, Managing Editor|November 7, 2020

  1. “iMi,” by Bon Iver – Justin Vernon continues to impress with electronica and multi-instrumentality on “iMi,” a single off of his most recent album i,i. Considered a culmination of all of his previous styles, the 2019 tour de force is definitive Bon Iver, making it a good entry-point listening.
  2. “Confessions,” by Sudan Archives – Emerging as an avant-garde violinist, Sudan Archives proves to be a new cutting-edge talent that incorporates powerful vocals and boom-bap lofi beats alongside traditional musicality.
  3. “Untitled,” by Kate Bollinger – Virginia-based Kate Bollinger has consistently impressed with her laid back and beachy approach to bedroom pop.
  4. “Come to Atlanta,” by Faye Webster – Faye Webster proves that country twang has a well-deserved presence in the current pop zeitgeist, filling a specific niche of folk and bluegrass and presenting them to the pop radio at large.
  5. “Old Bone,” by Wet – Hailing from Brooklyn, Wet is unarguably a poetic and powerful force where the muffled and whispered lyrics are the most important facet of the music.
  6. “Rewind – Echo Mountain Sessions,” by Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso has long been a radio name, but their deep cuts and live sessions deserve the same respect as their more poppy productions.
  7. “Far, Far Away,” by Whitney – Pop-folk collective Whitney is famous for its use of lo fi production to emphasize the moodiness and poeticism of their tracks—“Far, Far Away” is a sufficient example of a typical Whitney progression.
  8. “No More,” by Layth & Jet – Richmond’s own Layth is a local act that deserves all possible attention in his revolutionary and free-flowing vocalization over progressive neo-R&B productions.
  9. “SHALLOW (PPL SWIM IN SHALLOW WATER),” by Saya Gray – Saya Gray is a largely enigmatic Japanese / Canadian musician and visual artist, producing intimate and emotional singles that deserve to make larger ripples in the singer/songwriter scene.
  10. “Out Getting Ribs,” by King Krule – Archy Marshall is a multi-talented, grim and witty Londoner that has been a name-brand in general underground music for almost an entire decade at this point, occasionally wandering from lush tearjerkers to psychedelic soundscapes. “Out Getting Ribs” aptly fits in the former of the two.
  11. “I’m Glad Youre Doing Well,” by Cottonwood Firing Squad – Independent, unique and incredibly vulnerable, Cottonwood Firing Squad highlights the solo efforts of Billi Rodriguez, a California native with a knack for folksy songwriting.
  12. “White Lights,” by Joseph Stingley – Another enigmatic name that lacks description, Joseph Stingley features his own vocal talent over a barebones piano on his track “White Lights.”
  13. “Heart of Glass,” by Blondie – Blondie formed during the huge new wave rush of New York City in 1974, rubbing elbows with similar groups like Talking Heads. “Heart of Glass,” some argue, is the most successful and impressive Blondie track, incorporating elements of disco and British Invasion rock and bringing them to the forefront of the American music scene.