For some reason, we got on the subject of joy on Bubble Wrap this week, only to learn that March 20 is International Happiness Day. Who knew we had such a thing, but it seems like a good idea. We did our part with the uplifting sounds of Chaka Khan, Funkadelic and Bootsy. Otherwise, we especially liked new music from Bellows, Ama, Stats, Drahla and Clinic, which was cheering if not overtly cheerful.
Ama – Hold. Takes you back to the mid 90s with just the barest suggestions of Pavement, Helium, Spinanes. A particular style of croon that seems to be having a resurgence. From Austin.
Drahla – Stimulus for Living. Darkly entertaining post punk rock from Leeds. The vocal is chanted, a la Kim Gordon, with a sarcastic air.
Clinic – Rubber Bullets. First song from Clinic in almost a decade! They’re on about the system and the necessity of keeping in line. Chorus: The best is yet to come. Really?
Stats – Lose It. Dancy pop from the UK, with synths and drum machine and an appropriately British vocal, by turns dour and uplifting.
Iggy Pop – Lust For Life. Music to wake us out of our winter stupor. Spring is here, no matter what else may be going on.
Cass McCombs – Sleeping Volcanoes. Folk pop from a self-declared cultural nomad who’s been all over the world in quest of his art. Nice song, though.
There was more. Read on for all the details.
March 20, 2019
International Happiness
Rufus and Chaka Khan – You Got The Love
Ama – Hold
Bellows – The Tower
Sam Cassidy – Dallas
Harvey Scales – Dancing Room Only
Disneyworld – Waiting For Monorail
Dazz Band – Swoop (I’m Yours)
The Feelies – Invitation
The Feelies (1960s group) – Look At Me
Black Puma – Fire
The Evasions – The Wikka Wrap
Bootsy Collins – Landshark
George Clinton – Body Guard
Iggy Pop – Lust For Life
Drahla – Stimulus For Living
Clinic – Rubber Bullets
Funkadelic – Better by the Pound
Bootsy – What’s Wrong Radio?
Stereolab – Vonal Declusion
Stats – Lose It
Janet – Got Til It’s Gone (Ummah Jay Dee’s Revenge remix)
D’Angelo – Brown Sugar
Ten Fe – Won’t Happen
Cass McCombs – Sleeping Volcanoes