Songs of the week – Expand your horizons

This week, we at the Lincoln Log Arts and Culture section want you to open your mind, expand your horizons, and find some new tunes. Because what is music all about if not discovery?

1. Bin Liner Fashion – Gilla Band

Gilla Band (formerly ‘Girl Band’) released a new album recently entitled Most Normal, and I have to say, it is not the most normal album. They remained true to their post-punk/hardcore roots while unleashing a vibe that I can honestly compare to some seminal LCD Soundsystem tracks. This specific song, Bin Liner Fashion, features a Xiu Xiu-esque noise instrumental, with lead vocalist Dara Keily talking then yelling then ending with a scream that thunders in your ears. This song is unlike anything else I’ve heard in a long time. If you’re looking for some new sounds, some accessible hardcore, or just something to spice up your Spotify profile, GO LISTEN TO GILLA BAND. They also maintain an awesome political outlook; they are constantly pushing social justice and equity in their music which generally makes for a better musician (cough cough, Ye, cough cough).

2. Diarabi – Vieux Farka Touré, Khruagbin

Look, being able to understand the lyrics of a song is great and all, but expanding your horizons means listening to tracks released outside of the so-called ‘greatest country in the world’, yawn, America… Sometimes the best thing to soundtrack your walk to school or a late-night homework session is some West African ambient indie rock. This song really emulates some Beach House, maybe some Sault, and a little bit of Ariel Pink (ignore January 6th) thrown in there too. Also, despite the popular opinion, I am a huge fan of judging an album by its cover. The cover to this song/album is awesome, with bright colors and traditional Malian artwork.

3. Henna Henna – The Bombay Royale

On the topic of international songs, check this out. If you are a fan of the show Better Call Saul, you might recognize it from the 6th episode of the 2nd season, Bali Ha’i. And honestly, Jimmy McGill driving off in his multicolored car is the perfect scene for this song to soundtrack. It is upbeat, and hyper, and ecstatic. I would love to drive off into the distance to this song. It starts off mysterious, with a man and woman trading off verses, and then at the 1:05 mark comes a thundering drum fill. Two seconds later… the song explodes into a fun jazzy mood booster. I can’t get enough of this song.

4. Aloha! – Main Title Theme – Cristobal Tapia De Veer

Speaking of songs from TV shows, GO LISTEN TO THIS BOP RIGHT NOW. If you’ve seen the show The White Lotus, you already know. This song SLAPS. Probably the best theme song to one of the best shows ever. There are no lyrics, only straight vibezzz😎. Also, White Lotus, go watch that. Go watch that. Go. Watch. That.

5. Bum – Kraus

If you want a song that will literally explode your mind, listen to this.