Now Playing: November 2021

Our November 2021 edition of Now Playing includes lots of new musical discoveries and even sports—which may be a first for this blog series?

J.H.

I don’t know if I’ve really listened to anything other than Lana del Rey recently: her most recent album, Blue Banisters, the dazzlingly-nostalgic NFR!, the heartbreakingly-honest Born to Die. I’ve tried many times to explain the magic of Lana, and I think the best way to put it is that there’s a persistent, perpetual ache in each of her songs, no matter their subject or beat, pulling and pervasive, echoing something we all hold but seek to hide.

Tim Raymond

I watch a lot of football. I love it. I am fascinated by kickers and how they dress and comport themselves. I can't imagine the pressure they feel. Recently, Justin Tucker broke the record for longest field goal, and I was really happy for him. He can sing opera in multiple languages, and this tickles me to no end. I'm a Philly fan, anyway, and they stink. Sometime soon my kicker short story will be out in the world.

Sam Herschel Wein

As October ends, I put the Kim Petras Halloween album back on its shelf until next year (though "In the Next Life," that absolute hit, MUST stick around for some time longer!!) and move through some of the newer, electronic, party vibes that November brings. I've discovered a new artist, Magdalena Bay, who has this song called "Secrets (Your Fire)" that was truly just ~made~ for my brain. It makes me so happy!!! I'll put some Cobrah on after that, get my hips moving, and dance my way through November, my favorite month :)

Charles Brown

A good friend of mine (shout out Spencer) started a Twitter thread where he tweets music he likes (can I plug? Find it here: https://twitter.com/cultofspencer/status/1402310811289210880) and put me on to Terry Presume. I went through the thread backwards so I heard “None of This Alone” first and then “ZaZa and Some Runtz,” and I can’t get enough of either. Each has made its way onto separate Spotify playlists, and each has been on repeat at least once in the last month. And then I discovered “Did Me Wrong” and more recently “Act Up,” and I’m a believer. Terry Presume is special. His style is unique, and his songs are a vibe – go listen!