Brian Boylen
Associate Scene Editor
- “Sometimes” by My Bloody Valentine
- “Expectation” by Tame Impala
- “Streaky” by Death Grips
- “Sugar for the Pill” by Slowdive
- “I’m Sleepin’ In” by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Nora McGreevy
Scene Editor
- “Make Out in My Car - Sufjan Stevens Version” by Moses Sumney and Sufjan Stevens: because it’s two of my favorite artists, but in one song together. Two for one.
- “Me and My Friends” by James Vincent McMorrow: because I can dance to it.
- “Pynk (feat. Grimes)” by Janelle Monáe: because of that music video.
- “Slip Away (Mura Masa Remix)” by Perfume Genius: Because I watched the “Eighth Grade” trailer on repeat until I finally realized what song was playing in the background, and then I got emotional all over again. The Mura Masa remix because Alex Crossan heightens the intensity of the song just the right amount, not that it really needed it to begin with.
- “Venice B----” by Lana Del Rey: because Lana is back, baby.
- “Didn’t Wanna Get So Low But I Had To” by Meg Mac: because it makes me happy-sad.
- “South London Forever” by Florence and the Machine: because Florence’s lyrics stun me every time — “With your black cool eyes and your bitten lips / The world is at your fingertips / It doesn't get better than this,” she sings.
Ryan Israel
Scene Writer
- “High” (feat. Elton John) by Young Thug: because it’s an unlikely combination but it works so well.
- “Maria I’m Drunk” (feat. Justin Bieber & Young Thug) by Travis Scott: because it features Justin Bieber rapping.
- “Mo Bamba” by Sheck Wes: because I can’t resist singing along, and because it’s played at literally every single party now.
- “PROM / KING” by Saba: because Saba’s album “CARE FOR ME” is my front-runner for album of the year.
- “Take It Easy” by Archie James Cavanaugh: because it’s great for starting your day on a positive note.
- “Something About You” by Sophie Meyers: because it’s exactly what I think the bedroom pop genre is supposed to sound like.
Margaret McGreevy
Scene Writer
- “It’s a Shame” by First Aid Kit
- “Crazy” by Kacey Musgraves
- “Two Slow Dancers” by Mitski
- “No Hard Feelings” by The Avett Brothers
- “Sick as a Dog” by Hamilton Leithauser
Lucas Masin-Moyer
Assistant Managing Editor
- “J’OUVERT” by Brockhampton: The greatest boyband in the world’s new album went to No. 1 on the charts thanks, in part, to this angry, electronic gem.
- “I Know But I Don’t Know” by Blondie: It’s been almost 40 years to the day since “Parallel Lines” helped define New York cool. “I Know But I Don’t Know” may not be the album’s most famous track, but it captures the feeling of an era.
- “Beach Life-In-Death” by Car Seat Headrest: It’s 13 minutes full of teenage angst with a musical climax about 10 and a half minutes in that’s some of the best music Will Toledo has ever put out.
- “Great” by IDLES: Want to know how British punks are experiencing Brexit? Give a listen to this Bristol bands’ take on the political turmoil on their new album “Joy As an Act of Resistance.”
- “I’m Not There” by Sonic Youth: It’s maybe the best and most creative indie rock band ever covering Bob Dylan, what’s not to love?
- “Tonite (Spotify Single)” by LCD Soundsystem: This re-recorded version of a cut from 2017’s “American Dream,” captures all the energy of the band’s live shows and is endlessly danceable.
- “The Great Beyond” by R.E.M: After watching the incredible Netflix documentary, “Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond,” I figured it’d be worth it to give the song the film takes its name from a listen. The song is just as good, if not better, than the documentary and captures R.E.M.’s 1990s sound perfectly.