I Knew You'd Like It

Here's a better home for "What I'm Listening to Lately"

The year is 2018. It’s a Wednesday morning, and I’m replying to an email chain with my personal pick for “Best Song of the Week.” There’s nothing too out of the norm on this day, except for the (fortunate) fact that so much good music has released that I’m actually struggling to choose just one to write about.

Fast forward to present day. I’m once again sitting here on another Wednesday thinking about how much good music I’ve been absorbing lately. The difference this time is, I’ve finally accepted the concept of writing for myself. Now have the freedom to choose and write about as many songs as I’d like. Over time, the published blurbs transitioned into quick shares of What I’m Listening To Lately via IG Stories. In the last year, so many people have told me—unprovoked, at that—how often they look forward to me sharing what I’m listening to at the moment because they usually walk away with something. As someone who loves learning about people through their own playlists and song choices, I appreciate that.

Without the pressure of deadlines, I tend to listen to music differently. I barely feel the urgency to rush to new releases, I get to them when the time is right. So this is less of “Best New Songs of This Week” and more of a highlight of the songs I’ve personally been enjoying this week.

• Masego - “Unhinged”

  Masego has been quiet for a minute now and I’m so happy to hear he’s back. Sometimes artists really just have to live life to even have things to inspire creation, so I won’t even fault him for that. However, what I will get on him for is making the best part of the song—at the 2 min mark—also the shortest part of the song! The sentimental breakdown feels similar to how quickly your mind can drift off into old memories in the middle of a good time. I could listen that part alone on a loop for hours.

• NESTA - “Your Love Alone”

  Let me start by saying this entire EP is less than 15 minutes long and not a second was wasted. I love it from top to bottom but I’m gonna focus on the title track for now. This single sums up everything you need to know about NESTA—it’s got a steady groove you can’t help but rock to and lyrics that read like a sweet love letter. It feels good, and that’s all I ask for these days.

• monte booker ft. Mereba - “b 2 b”

  After years of providing the foundational sounds for artists like Smino, Ravyn Lenae, JID, and many more, monte booker finally released his debut album ‘noise (meaning)’ and this track with Mereba literally grabbed me. The bass on this is so intense—I still don’t even feel like I’ve heard this song at its full potential—but pairs so well with the softness of Mereba’s voice.

• anaiis - “Moonlight”

  Back in 2021, anaiis first caught my attention when she released “cry in your sleep,” a collaboration with Chronixx. (Big shocker I know!) Thankfully the algorithm brought her back into my view with her new album ‘Devotion & The Black Devine’ and what I’d consider its standout track, “Moonlight.” If you visualize albums as big family trees like I do, this track is absolutely a cousin of ‘A Seat at the Table.’

• MoRuf ft. Fousheé- “Love From Afar”

  If I ever said anything crazy about the state of New Jersey, just know that this album actually made me feel bad about that. ‘MOOLODIC: Hotep Luxury’ feels like both a reintroduction to MoRuf and an ode to Jerz. “Love From Afar” encapsulates many of the factors that make him who he is: lyrics depicting a person who wears his heart on his sleeve for his community and of course, there’s Some Jazz Playing in the background.

• Friendship Baptist Church Mass Choir - “My Search is Over”

  Let’s go back to 1998 and take it to church real quick. I’m not ashamed to admit that I don’t know enough about Gospel music (unless you want to consider Reggae) and have been trying to change that. The title feels like an ironic sign from above because this is literally EXACTLY what I’ve been searching for. I immediately had to add it to my comfort playlist. Learning that the breakdown at the 3:30 mark is actually a spin on Joe’s 1993 track “I’m In Luv” only made me love this performance even more.

• Leon Thomas - “Baccarat”

  Leon Thomas? That’s my choice for Grammys Best New Artist if you ask me. We know he’s been working since he was young but the run he’s been on since 2023 has been incredible to watch. Even with “Mutt” still getting countless spins on the radio, he came back with more music and I’m so thankful. Specifically for “Baccarat.” He takes out his lovesick frustration in the lyrics and then takes it up 5 more notches with a Guitar Hero-worthy solo to close out the song.

• D’Angelo - “Smooth”

  In the past month—yes, it’s somehow been 4 weeks already—I’ve listened to and watched so many performances by D’Angelo. Interestingly enough one song I can’t seem to get enough of lately is “Smooth.” Maybe it’s the cool jazz club feel of that walking bass line and piano. Maybe it’s giddy crush feelings in the lyrics. Or everything. Out of my entire catalog re-listen, this one keeps floating around my head.

• Tayc - “Il s’appelait Tayc”

  A random holiday watch of Netflix’s French mini-series ‘Christmas Flow’ back in 2021 unexpectedly turned me into a fan of Tayc. Without understanding a lick of French, he’s held my attention for several years now and I’m happy to hear him back with more. Context clues from his music video—and Google translate—lead me to believe his new album is the end of an era and the start of something exciting. Either way, I’ll be here cluelessly boppin along.

• ROZZZQWEEN - “When In Rome”

  Finding an artist “too early” often gives me the best and worst feeling. The excitement of discovery is wonderful but I’m also impatient and would love to hear more, immediately. I love when a new voice completely stops me. This is another magical algorithm find from an artist I plan to learn more about.

• Chronixx - “Keep On Rising”

  There’s a lot to be said about Chronixx’s long-awaited return, and I actually already said it here. So I’ll spare you this time but this song is definitely holding my hand at the moment.

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If you’ve scrolled this far, I’d love to know what you currently have on repeat—new or old. And to make it easier for whoever may be reading this, I put all the songs (and quite a few more) in a playlist, with a title inspired by a text from my mom.

Hope you enjoy 🤎