The Plug’n Play: August (‘22)
August 31, 2022
You can listen to the full playlist on Apple Music, Spotify, or Tidal
Below are a few thoughts on music released in August and a bit about some of the songs we selected. Songs 1 - 14 were selected by me, Stanley, while songs 15 - 28 were selected by Kevin! As always, we hope you find a song you like and check out the larger body of work, be it an album or an EP!
Remey Williams — Complicated (Featuring Childish Major)
I love debut albums. They’re imperfect, but charming; raw, yet honest; and unhampered by expectation. There’s the idea that an artists debut album took their entire life to make, that they’d been accumulating inspiration and skills up to the point of their debut. But maybe more than anything, a debut album is an origin story.
Over the past 5 or so years, Remey Williams has served as the drummer for Summer Walker, producing for others, and releasing his own music, but in early August, Williams released 08105, his debut album and an ode to his hometown of Camden, New Jersey. The album tells Williams’ story, from audio clips of his father, Jimmy Williams, longtime session bassist for The Sound of Philadelphia, to the prayers of his mother. It’s an incredible body of work.
Adi Oasis — Red to Violet (Featuring Jamila Woods)
I love Adi Oasis and everything she does. Her new song with Jamilia Woods, another favorite of mine, is warm and sees the two artists worlds melding ever so beautifully.
Triathalon — Die
I came across Triathalon on a whim. I was scrolling through Apple Music’s new music section and happened to come across them. I checked out one of the songs, and immediately went for the entire album. About midway through the album I yelled at my radio “I’ve been looking for you!”. Triathalon’s latest offering is a sonic breath of fresh air (for me), harmonic exploratory, and texturally exciting (drum programming, guitars, and synthesizers). I’m glad I came across this album!
Kokoroko — Ewà Inú
KOKOROKO, the 8-piece band from London led by Sheila Maurice-Grey, first came on my radar in 2020 with the release of their single Carry Me Home. I was moved by how deeply rooted their sound was in Afrobeat and Funk traditions, carrying a rich sonic legacy, but offering something of their own. On their new album, they pose a question: could we be more? It’s the type of question, and album, to leave you engulfed in their world, coming back time and again.
JID — Kody Blu 31
JID can really sing? Like, not just sing-good-for-a-rapper. Like, actually sing! JID, the Atlanta-born, has long been one of the most gifted lyricists and storytellers in music. But when I heard Kody Blu 31? I had to do a double take! I was completely blown away by his tone and breath control, the clarity in his diction and phrasing. It’s an album well-worth a listen!
