By Chloe Stiens.
Bass bass bass! Also, it’s finally getting warmer…
This week’s playlist can be found at the top of the “Spring ‘24” Spotify playlist, attached here:
The Flying Burrito Brothers, Just Can’t Be
- On their 1971 eponymous album, the first without Gram Parsons.
- If I was going on a long drive in summer, this is what I’d play with the windows down. Maybe I’m listening to it as wishful thinking (it’s freezing in Paris)! I like the mixolydian modal influence, and the bass.
ENNY, I Want
- You may know the South-East London rapper’s song with Jorja Smith, ‘Peng Black Girls’, also from 2021. The second verse slightly reminds me of Little Simz’s ‘Woman’… I’d love to hear them on a track together.
- Again, I love the bass on this song. It fully explores the potential of a synth bass, in both its bouncy tone, and wide range.
Led Zeppelin, Good Times Bad Times
- Another windows down song, this time from 1969.
- John Paul John keeps the bass moving in quavers or semiquavers throughout, complementing the sporadic drum fills. It really takes off in the guitar solo after the second chorus.
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek, Nem Kaldi
- My new favourite song, by multinational band Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek. There is a great article by The Guardian that talks about their creative process that spans national borders, that you can read here: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/24/grup-simsek-band
- The group call their music Antonalian folk. Here, you can hear the influence of Turkish music, as well as psychedelic rock. Like Arab music, Turkish music uses modes that include tones outside of the Western conception of harmony (such as ‘half-flats’, which can be heard here in the vocal line and solo instruments. I particularly enjoy the timbre of the bağlama, a kind of lute.
Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, II MOST WANTED
- New music by Beyoncé, featuring Miley Cyrus. I wouldn’t necessarily call this country, but its influence can be felt. Cyrus’ husky voice perfectly complements Beyonce’s smooth tone.
- There are no drums in this song, just bass! This allows the song to maintain its acoustic feel, while keeping it rhythmically grounded.
Marvin Gaye, What’s Happening Brother
- This song, from Gaye’s 1971 album What’s Going On, tells the story of a soldier returning from Vietnam, and getting used to how life has changed since he’s been gone.
- Here, you can really hear the influence of jazz and funk in the chord progression, which is constantly shifting tonal centre, and in the syncopated bass.
Control Machete, Comprendes, Mendes?
- From the Mexican hip-hop groups 1997 album, Mucho Barato. I like the trumpet-mute sample, and the bass slide.
Julia Jacklin, Don’t Let The Kids Win
- From the Australian indie-rock artist’s 2016 album of the same name. The simple guitar chord accompaniment complements the poignancy of the lyrics.
- My brother already doesn’t think I’m cool, sorry Julia.
The Pixies, Ana
- Again, I really enjoy the tonal instability here, as well as the counterpoint between the multi-tracked vocals and lead guitar.
Art Tatum, I Cover The Waterfront
- A version of the jazz standard (composed 1933), by one of the greatest jazz pianists, Art Tatum. Here, you can hear the influence of stride players like Fats Waller.
Photo credit – The Flying Burrito Brothers, Spotify