ListenUp
Snoop Dogg’s top funk albums, Anna Lunoe’s liberating PrivateJam, Danny Brown and more in our look at music this week
Thelonious Monk: Paris 1969
A never before released concert film and audio recording of Thelonious Monk’s late-career concert at the Salle Pleyel in Paris will finally be made available to the public on 25 November from Blue Note Records. Monk, a self-taught musician, was 52 years old at the time but balanced the quartet with two new young members—17-year-old drummer Paris Wright, and student bassist from Berklee, Nate Hygelund—for a fresh performance. In this NPR stream, listen out for Monk’s attraction to dissonant harmonies and unusual rhythms that he subtly slips in, and the way he almost attacks the piano recklessly but with allure.
Francis and the Lights: Like a Dream
In advance of their 25 November EP drop, Francis and the Lights have released a magical new video for their smooth lead single, “Like a Dream.” In one take, charismatic frontman Francis Starlight dances his way, with signature style and fluid moves, through a vast crop field. The track is sweet and gentle, with a buoyant brilliance that is perfectly matched by the video’s whimsy. While Francis has been a pioneer for new ways to deliver and consume music, this is a flat out demonstration of his musical mastery.
Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler: You Don’t Own Me
Australian-born, LA-based DJ, producer and vocalist Anna Lunoe just wrapped her US tour with The Weeknd and a release of the songs she played, and now delivers this week’s #PrivateJam. “Since reaching adulthood, I refuse to re-watch movies. No matter how much I loved the movie, I just can’t justify the time spent on the re-watch. There is, however, one exception to this rule: The First Wives Club,” says Lunoe, who also just unveiled her new song, “Breathe.” She explains why her slightly guilty pleasure, “You Don’t Own Me” as sung by the cast, is so perfect: “Goldie, Bette and Dianne Keaton? What a dream team!”
Danny Brown & Mndsgn: Sweeney Song
Everything Detroit’s hip-hop veteran Danny Brown drops is worth a listen. Teaming up with Philadelphia producer MNDSGN, Brown released “Sweeney Song” as a part of a new project by former hip-hop blogger Sweeny Kovar (known for his heady hip-hop site Classic Drug References). Kovar ditched the digital world and is going full-on analog, releasing three seven-inch vinyl singles and a zine. “Sweeny Song” is classic Danny Brown, his charisma shining through on each bar over MNDSGN’s lazy organ-tinged beat.
Snoop Dogg: In 3 Records
West Coast OG rapper Snoop Dog could never lose the street cred he so deserves, but his recent foray into reggae left many thinking the hip-hop legend has lost his edge. Leave it to London’s beloved radio host Benji B to remind everyone why we should still bow down to his doggy style by bringing Snoop on to share his three favorite Funk records, which are Rick James’ Bustin’ Out, The Clark Sisters’ You Brought The Sunshine and Bootsy Collins’ Hollywood Squares. Tune in to the full two-hour show to hear more on these as well as an array of top sounds from artists like Banks, Jeremiah Jae, Sampha, Chance the Rapper, Theo Parrish, Logos and more.
ListenUp is a Cool Hunting series published every Sunday that takes a deeper look at the music we tweeted about that week. Often we’ll include a musician or notable fan’s surprising personal interests—#PrivateJam exposes their musical guilty pleasure.
