From Lady Gaga to Gloria Gaynor: What We're Listening to Right Now
LADY GAGA — "Abracadabra" (Interscope) Yes, this one sounds awfully similar to Stefani Gemanotta's heyday hits, but that is not only okay with fans, it feels like what we all need right now. A return to her weirdo banger-babe era makes sense after she's been in movie star mode the past few years. We're one of the few who actually enjoyed Joker: Folie à Deux and to a lesser extent, the retro swing-era-inspired soundtrack, Harlequin, and the chart-topping collaboration with Bruno Mars 'Die With A Smile." But there's a reason those didn't explode the way 'Abracadabra' has. Gaga's dance floor anthems are as infectious as any of the current crop of pop starlets, but they also have a quirky allure that no one else can touch, even without the arty videos. Hypnotic, synthy, sexy and diva-level dramatic, it's got the magic its name implies. Can't wait to hear it in the club and get an earful of Mayhem, the full release, out on March 7.
JARVIS COCKER — "California Dreamin'" (Bandcamp)Speaking of Gaga and Mars, the pair's rendition of The Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin'" at the Grammys was beautiful, especially in the context of celebrating our city post-wild fires. But we love this version, by the venerable Jarvis Cocker (of the band Pulp) even more. It's off of Los Angeles Rising, a benefit comp for Los Angeles fire victims that came out earlier this month. L.A.'s music community led by Kevin Haskins (Love and Rockets, Bauhaus) and producer Nick Launay (Amyl and the Sniffers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) came together for this epic collection featuring Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, Gary Numan, Primal Scream, Devo, Danny Elfman and many more. And Cocker's stripped down take on the classic, recorded in 2020, conveys the complex emotions —loss and love— felt by all of us in Southern California during and after the fires. Get the single and full recording exclusively on Bandcamp. All proceeds go to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
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BRUNO MARS & SEXYY RED — "Fat Juicy & Wet" (Atlantic)It's time to talk about Bruno... Known for his poetic lyrics and melodic romanticism, the singer-songwriter is making fans blush with his latest, a lascivious collab with rapper Sexyy Red that feels like a companion, or rather a f*ck buddy, to Cardi B's "WAP." Topically, it covers the same area anyway. The lyrics will make you cringe and cackle, especially when you realize it's Mars talkin' 'bout gangbangs and good "kitty," but the basslines and groove are good enough to make any frisky-time playlist in spite of, not due to, the dirty talk. And the video —with cameos by his other recent duet dolls, Gaga and Blackpink's Rose— was well timed to Valentine's Day, bringing fun, frolic, and filth to February.DOECHI — "Denial is a River" (Capitol) Doechii's Alligator Bites Never Heal won the Grammy for Best Rap Album this year, and the current single, 'Denial Is A River,' is a perfect intro for those who didn't know her work before the win. The slick and addictive track shows off her gifts for story-telling and her fierce, audaciously authentic flow. The rapper, originally from Florida and now residing in L.A., makes charismatic and conversational tracks worth paying attention to, but they're unique and vibey enough when you just want badass background sounds, too.
FKA TWIGS — "Striptease" (Atlantic) Her work in The Crow revamp last year didn't get the recognition it deserved, but FKA Twigs has always shown her acting chops in her music videos anyway— her clip for "Cellophane" being the most memorable. Her latest. "Striptease" continues the theme of shedding layers, and her attraction to dark subject matter and darker emotions drives the expression. Angelic yet potent, her vocals on her third studio album EUSEXUA shimmer sonically and allude to both internal and external exposure, something she's dealt with a lot, especially when it comes to her past relationships. Experimental and ethereal, FKA's output has a punk rock spirit and a goth soul, something she talked about in our chat for LA mag last August.
WARFIELD — "Kiss Kiss Kiss" (Cleopatra) Justin Warfield is best known as one half of She Wants Revenge, but the L.A.-born and bred music artist has been making multi-genre sounds for decades. With his brand new solo project, Warfield, he's delving even deeper into his death rock roots. Faster tempos, imposing instrumentation, and Warfield's pensive and propulsive vocals make for a post-punk potency that feels fiercely fresh. This ain't your mom or dad's "goth" — because we never called it that anyway. Speaking of which, our kid is an extra in the video filmed at Genghis Cohen in L.A. See SWR at Cruel World this Spring and look for Warfield's full EP, Deathrock Devotionals Vol I on Cleopatra Records later his year.
JUANITA & JUAN — "Aftertaste" (The Red Records)Two Los Angeles music legends —Alice Bag and Kid Congo— join forces for this new project, a Chicano lounge duo that's melodic and groovy but still packs a punch worthy of their musical pasts. Alice aka Alicia Armendariz is best known for her seminal L.A. punk group The Bags (which most will recall from Penelope Spheeris' documentary, Decline of the Western Civilization) while Kid Congo Powers has had an equally formidable career, playing with the Gun Club and The Cramps. The pair's charisma sparkles on this tasty bite from their kitschy, catchy repertoire.
BAD BUNNY — 'Baile Inolvidable' (Rimas) Old school salsa grooves drive the energy of this new Bad Bunny track (which translates to "Unforgettable Dance"), but it's not just the focus on movement that makes it so dynamic. There's a joyful energy here that clearly seeks to celebrate traditional Puerto Rican sounds, from the horns and piano to the harmonic back-up vocals and of course, the percussion. The hip-hop influences of BB's music are nearly non-existent here, and as a Latina who grew up hearing artists like Tito Puente often, this one feels like home. Even non-Latin music fans will enjoy the exuberance and hopefully, learn about a music genre that doesn't often get exposure on the pop charts.
SABRINA CARPENTER & DOLLY PARTON — "Please, Please, Please" (Hollywood/Island)Add Dolly Parton to literally anything and it gets better. While Carpenter's single "Please, Please, Please," became a hit thanks to her patented sass and sex appeal (and possibly her beau at the time, Barry Keoghan, starring in the video) this new take on the track makes for a much sweeter and cleaner rendition— and a truly adorable duet. The extra twang compliments Carpenter's breathy croon nicely as do Parton's harmonies, which do indeed please, and the reference to her actor ex at the end of the video wraps it all up with a wink.
GLORIA GAYNOR — "Fida Known" (Rockin' Robin)
If you've never blasted Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive' after a break-up are you even human? The disco classic might be the ultimate anthem for kicking a bad relationship to the curb and moving on with strength. Now, the two-time Grammy winner is back with a new single, 'Fida Known' another funky proclamation about love and loss, focused on reflection and renewal. It's the first single off Gaynor's upcoming EP, Happy Tears coming this Spring, which also coincides with the recent release of her biopic Robin Roberts Presents I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story, available to stream on Lifetime now.
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