Top of The Drop
By Daniel J. Springer
If you are a lover of music, especially of new releases, keep ahead of the curve with Top of the Drop. Each month, Daniel Springer, “Danno,” picks his favorite newly released tunes and gives a heads-up on upcoming albums and EPs that you might want to keep on your radar. — Ed.
Tyler, The Creator – “MASSA”
During the aughts, the mixtape was probably the most effective medium for artists to do any number of things, including pitch proof-of-concept to major labels, even for established artists. Enter Tyler, The Creator’s latest album, Call Me If You Get Lost, the artist’s sixth or seventh album depending on how you count. With DJ Drama in tow, Tyler takes us on what is undoubtedly his most experimental and emotionally open record to date. The album goes from light to shaded and back several times.
Lorde – “Solar Power”
In what is surely the biggest head-turning and racy cover for a single or album this year, the New Zealand-based, Grammy-winning artist is back five years after Melodrama still causing exactly that, but while every pop diva this side of the sun was trying to emulate Lorde’s angst, in the meantime, the artist herself has totally switched it up. “The new LP,” Lorde explained in a statement issued Monday, “is a celebration of the natural world, an attempt at immortalizing the deep, transcendent feelings I have when I’m outdoors.” The title track is exactly like the scintillating free cover art and nature itself: sunny and celebratory, innocent yet sensual. Not to be missed.
Big Red Machine (feat. Taylor Swift) – “Renegade”
For those unfamiliar, you most likely are going to be soon, as Big Red Machine is the collab project between Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and The National’s Aaron Dressner. To announce their upcoming full-length album, they unleashed this beautiful single featuring Taylor Swift (and the latter’s collaborative works of late, not to mention her albums, have been absolutely stellar). The group’s sophomore album How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? drops August 27.
DeRobert & The Half-Truths – “Walk Forward”
This unassuming soul outfit has been around Nashville since 2014, but never have DeRobert Adams and company been as concise and effective as on their latest record, 100 Yard Dash. At just 16 minutes and change, the seven tunes in totality could almost be considered an EP, but the absolutely silky soul and grooves found therein make it unforgettable.
Faye Webster – “Kind Of”
The artist’s fourth LP, I Know I’m Funny haha, dropped June 25, and personally it has been remarkable to read several fans of the record talk about how it is a go-to when in need of some serenity in these still insane Covid-tinged times. If you are looking for an easygoing, languid drive through the ether that is arranged to absolute perfection, this record is it. While it may sound easy and breezy, ask any musician and they will tell you most definitely that it is not.
Eydis Evensen – “Wandering I (Thylacine Remix)”
The Iceland-based classical pianist joined us on our show in the lead-up to the release of her debut album Bylur (meaning “storms” in English) in May, and since release, her profile has seen a massive bump with a fantastic live appearance on “KEXP at Home” and several glowing features in major publications. This is the latest from the record, which is a pensive, building rumination of a remix by French producer and fellow classical artist Tylacine, which just dropped July 9.
Peggy Gou (feat. Ohhyuk) – “Nabi”
In probably the biggest release by a Korean duo in the past few months, superstar Germany-based Korean DJ and model Peggy Gou dropped this cut, “Nabi” (나비, butterfly), in collaboration with Hyukoh lead singer, Ohhyuk (오혁). The tune itself is an incredible bit of slow-burning, 98bpm electronic pop inspired by 80s synth classics and the piano pieces of renowned composer Erik Satie.
Ghost Funk Orchestra – “Brownout (Bayaka Remix)”
While the metastasizing spectral ensemble out of New York run by madman genius Seth Applebaum is both readying to tour for the first time in ages and begin to put together the next chapter after 2020’s brilliant An Ode to Escapism, they teamed up with Italian remixers Bayaka for this wild bass ride through, I do not know, the basement of a haunted house in 1970s Zaire? Any DJs reading this one, do check.
Holy Hive – “Ain’t That the Way”
This band now signed to Big Crown Records first garnered attention for their 2019 Harping EP. Formed in 2015, Holy Hive feature drummer Homer Steinweiss, singer/songwriter Paul Spring, and bassist Joe Harrison. Known for their signature fusion of throwback soul, pop, and folk, this is the lead single to their upcoming self-titled LP, due out September 24. After the output of their 2020 LP, Float Back to You, this is a record to keep a keen eye out for.
Kishi Bashi – “For Every Voice That Never Sang”
Back in February, Morning Edition’s “Song Project” on NPR in the U.S. invited Kaoru Ishibashi, aka Kishi Bashi, to compose an original song for them. The result was this song, which talks of the experience of being an outsider in one’s own country. In the afterglow of the broadcast, the song could only be found in certain less-traveled corners of the internet, but thankfully the song was given a proper commercial release in early July. Check his last album from 2019, Omoiyari, for more beautifully composed material from this artist.
FLDPLN – “Escalator”
This song is the first taste of the artist’s forthcoming record by the same name. Fans of such artists as M83, Bonobo, Pale Saints, and The Midnight will be thrilled to discover the music of Phoenix-based artist Andrew Saks under this moniker (pronounced “field plan”), presenting 11 tracks and, essentially, a whole new world of electronic-based dreampop. Released July 30, Escalator is available via the Sillas Famosas imprint.
July Releases
Lana Del Rey – Blue Banisters (July 4)
Half Waif – Mythopoetics (July 9)
Chiiild – Hope for Sale (July 23)
Samia – Scout (July 23)
Molly Burch – Heart of Gold (July 23)
Darkside – Spiral (July 23)
Durand Jones & The Indications – Private Space (July 30)
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever (July 30)
Watch Out for These
Jungle – Loving In Stereo (August 13)
Davendra Banhart & Noah Georgeson – Refuge (August 13)
Junior Mesa – Cirque du Freak (August 13)
Lorde – Solar Power (August 20)
Villagers – Fever Dreams (August 20)
Big Red Machine – How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last (August 27)
Chvrches – Screen Violence (August 27)
Steve Gunn – Other You (August 27)
The Author
Daniel J. Springer (aka “Danno”) is the creator, host, writer, editor, and producer of The Drop with Danno, broadcasting nightly on GFN 98.7 FM in Gwangju and 93.7 FM in Yeosu between 8 and 10 p.m. Prior to this, he was a contributor to several shows on TBS eFM in Seoul, along with being the creator and cohost of Spacious and White Label Radio on WNUR in Chicago.
You can find “The Damyang Drop,” his monthly collaborative playlist with The Damyang House, on YouTube and Spotify. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter @gfnthedrop