Words DAMON MCMAHON
1. Rae Sremmurd, “No Type”
Hands down my favorite thing I’ve heard all year. Dudes’ vibe is so refreshing. Super cocky in a super mellow way. Feel like it’s re-appropriating aggression and turning it into something else, like it’s more tough to have fun or something. So good. Could, and do, listen to this on repeat.
2. Bobby Shmurda, “Hot Nigga”
People give him all kinds of shit but they’re just jealous. I also listened to this song on repeat on tour this year—every time I got to wi-fi—and drove my bandmates crazy, who hate this shit. I love how minimal it is, and it’s the best intro ever and then when the beat drops it stays minimal and aggressive and reserved, so good.
I’m kind of a YouTube fiend for everything that’s going on in this world, and it’s been funny to watch all the covers of this song kind of mocking him but also unavoidably kind of flattering him despite themselves. Song is pretty undeniable. Oh, and the video rules too.
3. Panoram, Everyone is a Door (Firecracker Recordings)
I was turned onto this record—and to Firecracker Recordings in general—in London at Kristina Records, the best record shop I’ve been to in a while. The Panoram record rules. Really abstract and minimal like a lot of stuff coming out this year, but has this very melodic, positive, clubby, acid/’90s vibe to it as well that I really love. The subtle club vibe reminds me of when I was a kid. Super nostalgic and musical.
4. Iceage, Plowing Into the Field of Love (Matador)
Pharmakon, Bestial Burden (Sacred Bones)
This one’s a little biased as they’re friends’ bands, but regardless, these are two of the best things I’ve heard this year. I love bands that change and I love the direction Iceage are going in. And I love bands that are smart and thoughtful about what they do, and Iceage are definitely that.
Pharmakon I’ve always loved. She is super brutal, believable and smart, and the new record is great.
5. Hank Wood and the Hammerheads, Stay Home!! (Toxic State)
They’re really good. It’s smarter and more musical and also more believable than a lot of similar stuff in it’s world and I’m a big fan.
Amen Dunes will release his latest EP, ‘Cowboy Worship’, on January 20th through his longtime label Sacred Bones. Check out songs from it and his recent s/t-approved ‘Love’ album below…
