The Plug’n Play: September (‘20)
September 30, 2020
You can listen to the full playlist on Apple Music, Spotify, or Tidal
With the conclusion of September, we are officially out of summer, and now entering the final quarter of the year. There’s been some great music released in September, from singles, to EPs, to albums. Virginia natives, Butcher Brown, released their fifth project, #KingButch, a dazzling exploration into the many facets of Black music. Durand Bernarr released his album Dur&, featuring guest appearances from Ari Lennox, Kaytranada, and Anna Wise, showing an extraordinary vocal performance and his irreverent, but always hilarious, humor. Spillage Village, a collective of artists including Mereba, EarthGang, J.I.D., 6lack, Hollywood JB and JurdanBryant, and Benji released their album Spilligion, recalling a time in music in which friendship and the shared joy of making music outweighed the burden of label deals and contracts, and JustFrenchie released a sonically cohesive and well-formed sophomore project with the release of her sophomore project, It’s All Love. September also featured some exciting new singles from Smythe, JeRonelle, Sunni Colón, Saba, and others!
Below are some of our favorite songs from the month, and a bit about why we love them. The first 13 songs were selected by Kevin and the last 13 songs were selected by me, Stanley. We hope you find a song you like, and check out the entire album!
Stanley: Durand Bernarr — Curiosity
Durand Bernarr has spent the past few years serving as a background vocalist for Erykah Badu, anchoring the tenor and baritone sections. Listening to Bernarr’s music, it’s evident his time with the veteran artist has rubbed off on him. Bernarr’s sound and music is reminiscent of an era of Funk and Soul music — he describes himself as Erykah Badu and Rick James getting into a car accident with Little Richard — often displaying his powerful and captivating vocal abilities. Set to the sound of a solid backbeat, big snare drum, and slapping bass line, Curiosity shows the singer in his element, weaving in and out of melodies!
Stanley: JustFrenchie — Home
On September 9th, JustFrenchie, a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter, released her sophomore project, It’s All Love, an EP that traverses the peaks and valleys of romantic partnership, healing, and self-love. Though just 17 minuets, the EP has an incredible amount of depth. Sonically, the EP is consistent, as songs easily mesh into each other. On Home, JustFrenchie tells a familiar story: getting into an argument that got so bad neither party was on speaking terms. In the process, JustFrenchie doesn’t absolve herself in the conflict, or the other party — I know I can fly off the handle/yes you can be hard to handle. But in the end, the tension set up in the beginning of the song is resolved in the refrain — it’s about 2 AM, and I just want you to come back home.
Stanley: Butcher Brown — 1992
On September September 18th, Virginia-based band, Butcher Brown, released their 5th project, #KingButch. #KingButch shows the band’s versatility as composers and musicians, effortlessly melding the worlds of Funk, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Soul. On 1992, the band gives their interpretation on what can be considered an extension of Nu Wave, the popular brand of R&B from the early 80s. 1992 is undeniably funky and a standout from their new album
