I haven't posted in about 6 months — last one was here.
I hate when people apologize for not posting. I haven't been posting here for various reasons. Whatever.
I have no segue, but I will say this: I enjoy generalizing. O.K., cool. Done.
My musical tastes have been deteriorating at a significant rate over the past year. A lot of pop music, bro. I don't mean to say that we have all traded in our obscure pocket bands, and given into the seductive accessibility of musical populism, no. I just think the two have finally, after a good three decades or so, come a little closer together. We have moved on from the self-seriousness of music that was seemingly taking forever to get over itself, and have come to a time that can only be described as post-post-post-post (etc). It'd be interesting for someone to chart out the 'Best New Music' on Pitchfork from 2003/2004/2005/ in comparison to the 'Best New Music' from 2009/2010/2011. I'm looking at you, analytically-aware-music-nerd-masters'-students.
QUICK EXAMPLES, YO: Beyonce can make 'Best New Track', and rappers can name their record I'm Gay.
All the while free-range-organic-beardos collectively shake their heads. Goodbye, Seattle.
Bring on Top 40, bring on up-and-coming weirdo rappers (see Danny Brown/ASAP Rocky IMMEDIATELY, please), bring on slowed-down Britney Spears Salem records. Bring it on, bro.
The elitism that used to unite the blogs of yore no longer exists. Why? Because your 12-year-old brother gets his music there. In the face of living in an internet world where anonymity seems non-existant, musicians are naming their groups/acts/bands titles that your little brother can't google. Look at any witch house name. Emoticons are ruling the internet.
QUICK EXAMPLE #2, YO: The Weeknd. This mish-mash quasi RnB 'mixtape' smashed the internet with a tweet and some reputable internet backers. We still haven't seen an interview. Rumour has it they turned down a two page spread in Vice. Their second show was OVO Fest. Their first sold out in hours. Fuck, I'm digressing.
We are in an era of music where it is acceptable to play Aaliyah and Usher next to some obscure Nguzunguzu record. Blame either your 12 year old brother, or DIS Magazine, but doing so is beside the point.
The point here? Fleet Foxes blow.
Here's what I am listening to. You should too.
Follow me on Twitter for tweets about mall people and hood rats. TWITTER.COM/ASTANIEL