Halo of Flies

Andrew Bird, “You Woke Me Up!”

A companion piece to Noble Beast, Useless Creatures is an all-instrumental exploration which allows Bird to indulge his more exploratory impulses. As always, everything Bird does is interesting, but this is not one of his more loveable records.

Victoria Monét, “Experience”

Victoria Monét is primarily known for her work with Ariana Grande, which means I know zip about most of her music. I’m very out of touch! But I picked up this album (Jaguar) after it showed up on a bunch of year-end lists, and it’s very pleasant. I also enjoy the kind of electro-funk sounds on this track, I’ll take those any day.

Today’s songs.

Bim Skala Bim, “At Wo’s (Live)”

Mostly, ska bands are really fun live. Dancing is fun! But, you know, live albums are mostly pretty lame. This one is no exception. It took me a depressing number of years to finally figure out that I don’t really like live albums.

(NB: The song in question is at 21:12 in the linked track.)

People Under The Stairs, “Hit The Top”

From Carried Away, a typically solid album from the act. Gotta love this kind of party rap. The lyrics in a typical PUTS song don’t amount to much, but it doesn’t really matter.