Music Love Drought

Gallereah’s Take on the State-of-the-art

Today, I was invited by my colleague to add to a Spotify playlist for our team to listen to in our new office. I realized how removed I was from music genres outside of hip-hop and r&b and immediately thumbed through my mental record box to pick songs that I felt blended well with their rock and alternative. Then, I stopped. Yes, the songs should blend, but they should also be the truest representation of who I am, what I love, and the vibe I bring to the team (keep in mind I am the youngest & might even be the personality hire.) The songs should be black, but what songs?

Secondly, I enjoyed two Summer Walker listening parties this weekend. The first was not mine, but a beautiful, girly, finally-over-it dinner put together but my popular, pretty, nail tech friend. By default, the vibes, food, and wine glass painting took over the idea of actually listening to the album—my group chat debating back and forth whether we should have listened to it before the party or not. So, we had a mixed bag of baddies who already listened and some who were only bombarded with unescapable social media replays of Heart of a Woman.

The next party was at my house—the four of us actually sat and listened. It was emotionally easier than the first two albums, which we ended up listening to anyway. The album was good, just less heart-tugging, more performative, and I’m not sure if that’s what the girlies wanted from Miss Walker. Again, still a good album, we just don’t want to her to actually get over it! Personally, yes. Musically, no! Sonically, it’s a great album, just a little lacking in detail. Still a good album, though.

My friend DJ is one of my favorite people to listen to albums with. We care about vocal stacks, song order, beats, and lyrics. Throughout this year, he’s been sending me songs/albums and I’ve been ducking them. He sent me Che Ecru’s album, almost begging me to listen to it and I didn’t. I still haven’t. I haven’t revealed this secret, but he’s seen the many signs—I am not in love with music anymore. It sounds like artists are going to work and doing their jobs to say they’ve done it.

I rely on the Apple Music News to let me know what’s news and popular, but I haven’t liked any of it enough to add those songs to my daily rotation. MTV in the morning circa 2009-2011 had the HITS. Where do we go now? Even deep diving for music on my own, I’m not falling in love with much.

Current music in my rotation (NOT ENOUGH)

R&B | Odeal, Brent’s new singles, KWN, Kali, Doja, like two of Giveon’s songs, 4Batz’s new album (this is our songgggg iykyk!)

Hip-hop/Rap | All local…Ghoncho, DanLeveledUp, Skola, YG Tek, one song from Cardi B, a few songs from Thug, NBA Youngboy – Shots callin, one song from G Herbo, one song from SoFaygo

Alternative | Olga Myko, JT

Everything else I’m listening to (majority) is old. Is this a sign that I’m getting old? Yikes.

Old music in my rotation (fire, I know)

Hip-hop/Rap | Jeezy - Circulate, Vae Vanilla - Like what I like, Stunna girl like that (with and without JT lol), Shy Glizzy - the hills

R&B | Keyshia Cole - Get my heart back, Summer Walker - Insane & Constant bs, Partnextdoor - Deeper, Beyonce - Otr, Rihanna - Watch n learn, Twenty88 - two minute warning, Jhene Aiko - you are here, Mary j blige - love without a limit

Alternative | Pinkpantheress (all her songs, yum!), Qendresa - Be Mine, The Weekend - Loft Music

Songs for the office playlist

Kelis - Millionaire, Leon Thomas - Lucid dreams, The neighborhood - sweater weather, Cleo sol - In your arms

All of that to say, maybe I’m still in love, it’s just the hard part like when you argue with your boyfriend or your wife is getting on your nerves. I’ve been so happy to witness the recent rise and grammy nominations for Leon Thomas; I’ve cried to the beautiful, Christ-praising ballads from Daniel Caesar, and appreciated that three-piece we just got from Kanye. Just like when relationships get hard, you reminisce and think of better times. So, yes. I added a bunch of oldie-but-goodies to that playlist for my co-workers. I’m not stuck there, I just need it right now while I’m in the music love drought.

P.S. I wrote this before Wale dropped and I just want to thank him for single-handedly saving us from this music drought. I give Summer Walker a little credit toward this as well, streets were dry.

More to come.