Wednesday, June 24, 2020 | Summer typically sounds like splashes at the pool, kids screaming as they chase ice-cream trucks and new songs about young love hitting the airwaves. This year is … well … different. But whether it’s the latest beats from the streets or surging noise complaints, today’s Daily Dose has you covered on all the sounds of summer. |
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| | | 1. Protest Music “By design, in these trying times, I’m just tryna provide a vibe,” raps Wale on the stunning new single June 5th that brings a beat to the marches and relatable, hit-you-in-the-soul lyrics like: “My daughter seen the murder on cellular phone.” Speaking of soul, the new H.E.R. (pictured) single, “I Can’t Breathe,” brings a smooth beat, but speaks forcefully to white America in the spoken-word bridge: “We are fed up eating your s— / Because you think your so-called ‘Black friend’ / Validates your wokeness and erases your racism.” |
| 2. OZY’s Weekly Playlist A catchy summer bop, “Tipsy” by sister duo Chloe x Halle, pairs harmonies with poppy beats, making it the perfect track to play as you dance around your house. We’ve got this and so much more on OZY’s weekly Spotify playlist. Reply to this email and let us know what we should spin next week, then check back to see if your pick made the cut. |
| 3. New Releases The rock quartet Hum stunned fans yesterday by dropping, out of nowhere, their first album in 22 years. Was it worth the wait? Other new summer albums we’re enjoying: RTJ4 by the Atlanta hip-hop duo Run the Jewels and How I’m Feeling Now by pop star Charli XCX. |
| | 4. Make a Splash at Your Fourth of July BBQ Buy your Reset America gear now to get it in time for the Fourth of July and show a new kind of patriotism — one that meets the moment. All profits go to the racial justice organization of your choice, so now you can do good while looking good. Get yours from the OZY store today. |
| 5. A Moroccan Trap Pioneer When you turn on Moroccan trap star Issam Harris’ latest video, “Nike,” it’s best to throw all conventional expectations out the window. There’s no joyful rapping trumpeting the legendary sports brand, or images of high fashion. Instead, “Nike” pays tribute to Moroccans’ obsession with branding everything they own — from tires to djellabas — that has nothing to do with the product itself or even knowledge of the brand. The Daliesque work, Harris’ first indie video since signing a massive deal with Universal Music France last year, is markedly different from his earlier work, trending on YouTube at No. 2 in Morocco upon release. And the 27-year-old is just getting started. |
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| | | | 1. Supergroup Everything was big in the ’80s: the hair, the shoulder pads and the collaborations. Such was the case in 1985, when Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross and more than 40 other A-list recording artists came together to sing “We Are the World.” The cause: African famine. Streams for the iconic tune recently surged for its 35th anniversary — as the world faces another moment that calls for unity. With music streams down in the early days of lockdowns, more listeners were turning to the familiar. Eager for a dive into more of the newly popular jams of today, from Ed Sheeran to nu-metal group Disturbed?
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| 2. Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss Deprived sports fans have been binging classic games for months. It’s time for us to revel in classic summer concerts. Phish, for example, is streaming old shows once a week and directing donations to charity. But why stick with active bands? Track down The Who’s iconic 1970 Live at Leeds album (available on Spotify) and focus on quite possibly the drumming G.O.A.T., Keith Moon. Known as “Moon the Loon” for his drunken exploits, and as a double kick-drum maestro on stage, Moon sounds like he has eight arms as he assaults the drum fills on songs like “Happy Jack” or comes crashing through an eight-minute extended “Magic Bus.” Air-drum along. You know you want to.
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| 3. A Libertarian’s House on the Prairie Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories of growing up on the American frontier have been beloved for generations. But did you know that the lessons contained in those books — molded by her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane — have directly shaped today’s libertarian-tinged conservative movement? This week’s episode of Flashback, OZY’s chart-topping history podcast, connects the dots in surprising ways. |
| 4. The Classical Music Legend Breaking the Mold Pandit Jasraj doesn’t act like someone who’s had a minor planet named after him. The legendary 90-year-old Hindustani classical vocalist, whose namesake can be found between Mars and Jupiter — is the first Indian artist so honored, joining a galaxy of stalwarts like Mozart, Beethoven and Pavarotti. Yet in addition to the planet, a constellation and a piece of the moon, Jasraj has decided to etch his name into the history books with a move revolutionary in its simplicity: writing down what he does.
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| | | 1. Boom! Crackle, Crackle, Crackle Does every night sound like the Fourth of July in your neighborhood? You’re not alone. This year, firework complaints are soaring nationwide. Complaints were up 2,300% in Boston and 400% in Pasadena, California. Jersey City, New Jersey, even created a new police unit to tackle the problem. Experts say boredom is a factor in making people want to watch stuff explode, and with many localities canceling Fourth of July festivities, you can expect to see more backyard pyrotechnics. Just listen to the experts and be careful, people.
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| 2. Nature You’re probably hearing birds more these days, and no, they’re not singing louder: There’s just less noise pollution around, meaning the birds and the rest of the animal kingdom are going to have more sonic power. Fewer cars on roads also means construction crews can remain hard at work, so birds in your area may be drowned out by clanging machinery. And then, of course, there’s …
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| 3. Loud Cars vs. Neighbors Look, we understand tensions are high, but there’s a real epidemic — at least on TikTok — of people confronting car or motorcycle drivers (or at least pretending to) for having loud engines. Check out this woman (let’s call her Karen) as she confronts a bemused motorist: “This is insane! You cannot just be driving this loud car in this neighborhood at all hours!” So what’s driving you nuts this summer? Relax with some Bob Marley, reply to this email and let us know.
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