Its been a minute since my last non-DJ mix or year end mixtape, but keeping up with music is a non-stop hobby. Even when you think you are ahead of the game, the constant quest for your next favorite song can unearth a host of songs you missed. This mixtape is very much a combination of gems I did not find until late 2019 and new efforts I can’t stop listening two in 2020.
Late 2019 finds include the sax-filled mixtape opener from Melt Yourself Down and soul-influenced Monophonics, who bring ample energy on their respective entries. Orville Peck leads the pack of my favorite end of last year surprises with stunning vocals and a fusion of punk and country that seemed right at home next to Sturgill Simpson’s underrated anthem “Make Art Not Friends”. There are plenty of new tracks to be excited about in 2020 though. Algiers brought their own brand of fiery energy on “There Is No Year”, Caribou kept everyone dancing on “Never Come Back”, and Tennis crafted perhaps their catchiest single yet on “Need Your Love”.
After one listen to this mixtape, you’ll surely note how much the bass guitar anchored my listening over the past two months. Jams from the likes of Free Nationals, Kaytranada, Tame Impala, and my personal favorite of the month, Thundercat’s “Black Qualls”, kept the groove going all month long. “Black Qualls” is another example of Thundercat’s expertise in exploring a variety of sounds (funk, soul, and psych rock) in very replay-able fashion.
JayeL Audio 2-10-20 – STREAM (Spotify)
- Melt Yourself Down-Boot & Spleen
- Algiers-There Is No Year
- Free Nationals-Oslo feat. Callum Connor, T.Nava
- Thundercat-Black Qualls (feat. Steve Lacy & Steve Arrington) [Single Version]
- Tame Impala-Lost In Yesterday
- De Lux-Cool Up
- Rex Orange County-It Gets Better
- The Weeknd-Blinding Lights
- Theophilus London-Cuba
- KAYTRANADA-10% feat. Kali Uchis
- Caribou-Never Come Back
- Jessie Ware-Mirage (Dont Stop)
- Little Dragon-Hold On
- Night Moves-Recollections
- The Avett Brothers-Bleeding White
- BAILEN-Your Love Is All I Know
- Sturgill Simpson-Make Art Not Friends
- Orville Peck-Buffalo Run
- Kelsey Waldon-Anyhow
- Margo Price-Stone Me
- Best Coast-Everything Has Changed
- Nathaniel Rateliff-And It’s Still Alright
- Lilly Hiatt-Brightest Star
- Andy Shauf-Neon Skyline
- Joseph-NYE
- Tennis-Need Your Love
- HAIM-Hallelujah
- Leon Bridges-Texas Sun
- Monophonics-Chances
- Laura Stevenson-Living Room, NY
- Oh Wonder-Happy
- Rodrigo Y Gabriela-Battery
- Gary Clark Jr.-Pearl Cadillac (feat. Andra Day)
I’ve also been lucky enough to be a special guest DJ on Ferndale Radio 100.7 FM recently. Though those appearances on the Big and Heavy Sensitive Radio (Friday’s from 5-7p) aren’t recorded, take a listen to the playlists at theses links:
