#6 March / April 2022 High Rotation Playlist
These are the tunes that have been on high rotation inside and outside the ENCODER Sound Mastering Studio over the last few weeks. Available in playlist form at your preferred streaming service, follow the links: Spotify | Apple Music [If you really love an artist’s music, scoot over to Bandcamp to send them a few dollars more directly].
Snail Mail — Full Control, Lush (2018) — I enjoy the naturalness of the drum recording on this one and the whole tune feels the right amount of DIY. Warm and honest.
Big Thief — Not, Two Hands (2019) — Really love this track, it’s performed with a really “live” energy. The guitar tone choices are lovely, and the guitar solo is that really textural style of playing that explores more than just notes. It’s always awesome when tracks like this break through a little, bringing some grittier texture to the mainstream. The bass guitar occasionally reminds me of kicking a flat football, but in a good way.
oso oso — nothing to do, sore thumb (2022) — This tune really got under my skin, there’s an authentic-ness to the production, and the melody and harmony just seem to catch me off guard. The movement between sections also feels really organic.
Snail Mail — Valentine, Valentine (2021) — Another track from Snail Mail which was a prominent reference for a few projects. I like how the vocal melody hands off to other instruments, leading the listener. The snare sound is really nice here also, it really feels like the drummer is playing hard, not just heavy compression on the kit.
Indigo De Souza — Darker Than Death, Any Shape You Take (2021) — Really full sounding production with nice macrodynamics, the verses coming down enough for the choruses to erupt, all driven by a huge drum sound. Everything is really forward in the mix, it does make for an intense listen.
Ambrose Akinmusire — Henya, The Heart Emerges Glistening (2011) — This tune and the whole album has been a favourite since it’s release in 2011. It was not a direct reference for anything I was working on in the studio, but I threw it in the playlist to break up the indie guitar tracks. Harish Raghavan's double bass sounds huge throughout the record, but particularly on this track it shines. Overall the production on this record is really great, you feel like you are listening to a live band, but then listening closer you notice a few subtle production choice, like panning horns from side to side, layered keyboards, and hefty reverb in some sections. A touchstone for how 21st century jazz could sound.
alt-J — Chicago, The Dream (2022) — Nice blend of styles here. With this pounding club kick and a floating intimate vocal. Reminds me a bit of a Billie Eilish track with prominent bass meeting delicate vocal.
Methyl Ethyl — Neon Cheap, Are You Haunted (2022) — I love the tightness of this track, in songwriting, arrangement, and production. There’s like no dead-air, its filled with groove and melody.
Love to Love — Big Scary, Daisy (2021) — This tune has a lovely, bare-bones groove, with a memorable and interesting melody. It’s presented so warmly, with the vocals soft and upfront. The weight of the orchestral instruments filling in the backdrop into the chorus is so nice.
You Will Never Work In Television Again — The Smile, A Light For Attracting Attention (2022) — Guitar and rhythm driven music that just gets me. I really dig this whole album.
Lost it to Trying — Son Lux, Lanterns (2013) — The sounds are so well arranged and mixed, and the vibe is so deep and complex. Often with music that is this complex I’m a little overwhelmed, but there is this perfect balance here. It really creates a little world of its own.
