The Plug’n Play: May (‘21)
May 31, 2021
You can listen to the full playlist on Apple Music, Spotify, or Tidal
Below are some of our favorite songs from the month, and a bit about why we love them. The first 12 songs were selected Kevin, and the last 14 songs (or 15 including 1 additional, Spotify exclusive song) were selected by me, Stanley. We hope you find a song you like, and check out the entire album!
Stanley: Little Simz — Woman
When Kev sent me this song, I’m pretty sure I played it 3 times in a row — it was that intoxicating! Earlier this month, Little Simz, the MC hailing from London, released the second single from her forthcoming album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. The song, Woman, features fellow Londoners, Cleo Soul, and production from Inflo, and the soulful sound London has come to be known for over the past decade or so.
We’re very much looking forward to the release of Little Simz’s album in September!
Stanley: Sons of the James (Featuring Calvin Present) — Love’s In Need of Love Today
For my portion of the playlist, I picked two covers — Lucky Daye’s interpretation of Marvin Gaye’s Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) and The Sons of the James cover of Stevie Wonder’s tune, Love’s In Need of Love Today. Thematically, both of these songs fit the contemporary moment in their own unique, and prescient way. In particular, what I like about The Sons of the James’ cover is their ability to reinterpret the melody, while also making the song feel like a jam session — some friends simply getting together to play one of their favorite Stevie tunes.
Stanley: Flanafi with Ape School — Gjuijar
Flanafi — the musical disguise of one Simon Martinez, who has played with artists including Jazmine Sullivan, Marsha Ambrosious, Kiefer, and others — offers a sound that exists outside of the parameters of genre and expectation. Flanafi’s latest offering, The Knees Start To Go, comes in collaboration with Ape School, the occasional recurrence of Michael Johnson, who has played with Lilys, The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, Daedelus and Holopaw. Together, the two find each other as worthy co-pilots in a splendid exploration of sound and rhythm.
