CAN I SCREAM?
Welcome to the first issue of Hella Vibes, a weekly zine focused good songs and the sentiments attached to them. This is the first issue, and with it, the first playlist.
Refused - New Noise
Beastie Boys - Right Right Now Now
BRONCHO - Class Historian
Divine Fits - My Love is Real
HAIM - Now I’m in It
The Armed - Blessings
Vince Staples - Big Fish
Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone
Andrew W.K. - I Get Wet
Julien Baker - Turn Out the Lights
I remember when I first heard Dennis Lyxzén wail “Can I scream?” and hoping he would never stop screaming. My body was electric and I wanted to break everything. Such is the power of music. “New Noise” seemed like the best way to kick this thing off—the closest thing this zine has to a mission statement (and who doesn’t love a good build up?). Seems unfair that people are still trying to catch up to Refused’s progressive blend of punk, metal, jazz, and electronica more than 20 years later but here we are, in 2020, in need of a new beat.
This seems especially timely because I’ve been trying to find a place for “Right Right Now Now” for the last week and a half. Like MCA, I too am over the U.S. attacking other nations. To the 5 Boroughs aged incredibly in hindsight—it’s tight, focused, and lithe. The 808s hit hard, right in your chest, and you can’t help but smile while Mike D raps about being an Iron Chef. We should all be so lucky to live in the moment and achieve such culinary dominance over our enemies.
Way back before COVID-19, when live music was a thing, I saw BRONCHO open for Joyce Manor and pre-cancellation Brand New in Oakland, CA. I remember two things vividly: Thinking they had a dumb as dirt name and that their live show had the kind of fuzzed out approach to power pop everyone’s been chasing since Weezer’s debut. “Class Historian” has a little bit of everything; a nonsense ear worm hook, big new wave chug, and a sugary chorus that’s a little too earnest to slack off. It’s a good reminder that initial impressions are deceiving. I’ll admit thinking the Divine Fits were going to be a waste of time back in 2012 but those twinkling synths won me over on this tension ballad. Dan Boeckner is the real talent in Wolf Parade and his chemistry with Spoon’s Britt Daniel somehow brings out the best qualities of their full time bands, while adding a more ominous “city-at-night” crawl. That Divine Fits record needs a sequel in the worst way. Given the way Rick Rubin produces stuff in 2020, I’m willing to lend my services.
Can we talk about the HAIM sisters though? Fresh off their Pitchfork BNM, “Now I’m in It” absolutely goes—fluttering electronics, staccato delivery, and compressed to hell drum machines. It’s the kind of song that feels like they’re moving past something, on their own terms. One of my friends noted the breathy Wilson Phillips feel and it’s hard to argue otherwise. There’s a layered quality to the songwriting on Women in Music Pt. III that makes this release feel as open as their confessional lyrics. I’ve been spinning it since yesterday. Do yourself the favor and check the whole thing out.
If the rumors are true, a new album from The Armed is imminent. In the meantime, it’s important to remember how truly blessed we are to have a song like “Blessings.” Share with your grandma.
Vince Staples’ flow on “Big Fish” is as buttery as that bass line. My only complaint about Big Fish Theory is that the album is too short. It features two interludes over its 37 minute running time. I wish Vince would have expanded on this style a bit more. Seems like that album is going to be an underrated one in his catalog, kind of like Humbug for the Arctic Monkeys. Admittedly, I was never a big fan of the Arctic Monkeys until my wife showed me “Cornerstone” and that song changed everything. Alex Turner spins a hell of story with a kinky twist. It’s the perfect marriage of guitar chime and drift, as meandering as his search for creative companionship.
“I Get Wet” is also sexy, just a different kind of sexy. Enthusiasm is sexy.
Closing it out, I guess when you’re done being sexy Julien Baker reminds us that sometimes the hardest thing to do is be with yourself. The only thing more frightening than this hellscape timeline are the parts of us that are always there, in the dark, and unspoken. You can’t outrun who you are, so take the time to check in and be kind to yourself and others. We all need it.
Originally published June 27, 2020 as part of Hella Vibes.