WRMC Radio Roundup: Mid-March Mixtape

Have your Spotify playlists become stale? Is your weekly mix just not cutting it? Maybe it’s time to branch out and listen to something new. The Executive Board of WRMC, Middlebury College’s radio station, has selected a wonderfully wide range of albums, spanning time and genre, for your listening pleasure. Check back each week for a new set of recommendations. 

 

*RIYL: recommended if you like

Tech Director’s Pick – Maddie Van Beek ’22.5

Album: “Hey u x” – BENEE

Genre: Indie Pop

RIYL: Mallrat, Gus Dapperton, Still Woozy, Lorde

Blurb: New Zealander BENEE followed up her TikTok-famous single “Supalonely” with a full-length album, “Hey u x,” in late 2020. It’s sincere, fun and star-studded, with features from Mallrat, Gus Dapperton, Grimes, Lily Allen, Flo Milli, Kenny Beats, Bakar and Muroki.

 

Creative Director’s Pick – Pia Contreras ’22

Podcast: “How to Save a Planet” - Gimlet

Genre: Society, Environment, Science 

RIYL: Drilled, Timber Wars

Blurb: Hosted by Alex Blumberg and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, “How to Save a Planet” is great for anyone who is even remotely curious about climate change. In each episode, the hosts explore a new topic related to the climate crisis — from the truth about recycling to kelp farming to electric cars. Even if you don’t like podcasts and hate the planet, the theme song alone (original music by Peter Leonard and Emma Mungard) makes the show worth listening to and earns it a spot on this roundup.

 

Music Director’s Pick – George Werner ’21

Album: “Roses” – The Paper Kites

Genre: Indie, Folk Rock, Atmospheric

RIYL: Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear, Iron & Wine, Bon Iver

Blurb: For whom are the “Roses” in the Paper Kites’ newest album’s title meant? Perhaps it is a reference to the wistful love songs that dominate the album, but I suspect the album is above all else meant to honor the concept of the vocal duet. Every track has a different guest singer, each of whom shines in their own right. As a whole, the album reminds me of driving on an empty highway at 2 a.m. as you grow tired and feel the world around you start to blur. It is certainly worth a listen if you are in the mood for a slower, quieter album.

 

General Manager’s Pick – Rayn Bumstead ’21

Single: “Materialistic” – Remember Sports 

Genre: Indie Rock, Pop Punk 

RIYL: Bully, Forth Wanders, Diet Cig 

Blurb: SINGLE ALERT! Get excited for a new Remember Sports album by listening to this single! “Like a Stone,” the band’s fourth album, is set to be released April 23. 

 

Creative Director’s Pick – Chad Kim ’23.5

Single: “Trophy” – Crumb

Genre: Ethereal, Indie, Dream Pop

RIYL: Mild High Club, Drugdealer, Post Animal

Blurb: Maybe it’s been a minute since you last gave Crumb’s EP “Locket” a listen, but fret not! Crumb has returned with its new single, “Trophy,” a pleasant reprise of a familiar dream sequence that will facilitate your self-dissolution goals. Their fully-realized sound pairs well with late night walks and sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool.

 

Social Media Manager’s Pick – Jose Morales ’22

Single: “Leave the Door Open” – Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)

Genre: Soul, Pop

RIYL: Kali Uchis, Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak

Blurb: “Leave the Door Open” isn’t necessarily underground, but this new collaboration from Bruno and Anderson hits hard! Their vocals mold beautifully under a grand and smooth production that has me excited for future projects. They go by the name Silk Sonic, which is fitting given their delivery on this track.