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)
Concert Manager’s Pick — Lily Kanady ’23.5
Show: Bathtime with Champ — Mondays at 10 p.m.,
That Sucked, My Turn — Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
Album: “Swimming” — The French Kicks
Genre: That feeling just after it stops raining in the middle of the day
RIYL: The Walkmen, Voxtrot, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Department of Eagles
Blurb: I actually found this band because I stole a couple of my mom's t-shirts before coming to school this past fall. While I was rummaging through her closet like a little veracious gremlin, I ran across a small cutoff, crop top number and thought to myself, “oh, hell yeah.” So, naturally, it’s mine now. It was a French Kicks tee, and I didn't want to self-perpetuate posing, so I gave them a listen and ate them right up. Specifically the album "Swimming." Give them a listen if you're into the RIYL bands, they're pretty rockin.
Concert Manager’s Pick — Jose Morales ’22
Show: Soft Sounds from the Clouds — Thursdays at 10 p.m.
Album: “Simple.” — IDK
Genre: Rap, R&B, Electronic, Pop
RIYL: KAYTRANADA, Denzel Curry, Redveil, Mike Dimes
Blurb: This album was a collaboration with KAYTRANADA. Honestly, do I have to say anything else? IDK has a punchy delivery that's smoothed out by KAYTRANADA's bouncy drums and mellow synths. It's a short eight track album including the two intermissions, but all the tracks are well polished and a great listen. Denzel Curry also comes on with a great feature that feels like a B-side from his most recent album “Melt My Eyez See Your Future.”
DJ Pick — Liv Cohen ’23.5
Show: Electric Ben — Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
Album: “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” — Kanye West
Genre: Hip-Hop, Rap
RIYL: Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj, Pusha T, Childish Gambino, Fiona Apple
Blurb: Kanye is controversial but this album is not; the magnum opus of 21st century concept albums, dare I say. “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” features an absolutely insane lineup of collaborators that Kanye personally flew out to record with him while he was in self-imposed exile in Hawaii (post-Taylor Swift VMA debacle). This album is Kanye at his finest: in all of his maximalist glory, weaving a tragic story on the highs and lows of fame. When President Barack Obama calls you a “jacka**” you either flee or prove yourself... Kanye did both. P.S Nicki Minaj deserves a whole lot of credit for carrying on “Monster,” though you can do yourself a favor and skip JAY-Z's verse.
DJ Pick — Charlie Keohane ’24
Show: Witching Hour — Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Album: “folklore” — Taylor Swift
Genre: Indie Folk, Alternative
RIYL: Phoebe Bridgers, The National, Lorde
Blurb: Perhaps one of the best things to come out of isolation was "folklore," an exciting creative departure for Taylor Swift. "folklore" is more stripped down than her previous albums. Still, it doesn't skimp on rich imagery and complex storytelling. This remains one of my favorite Swift albums, and her soft vocals and thoughtful lyrics could win her new fans.
Concert Manager’s Pick — Jose Morales ’22
Show: Soft Sounds from the Clouds — Thursdays at 10 p.m.
Album: “Un Verano Sin Ti” — Bad Bunny
Genre: Latin Pop
RIYL: Rosalia, Ozuna, Rauw Alejandro
Blurb: Bendito needs no introduction. He's been the hottest Latin Pop star since he dropped “YHLQMDLG” in 2020. “Un Verano Sin Ti” brings different Latin genres together to create a sound for Bad Bunny that's exciting and refreshing but also familiar. My personal highlights include “Después de la Playa,” “Otro Atardecer,” “Un Coco” and “Yo No Soy Celoso.”
