Picking up Shinies

Metric - Help I'm Alive: My brother was listening to a lot of Metric while I was visiting, and, look, this song's one of their most popular for a reason.

Sprint - Trickle Down: While my brother and I were putting together some baby furniture, we let his Apple music algorithm go, and it spun off of the riot grrrl-esque groups he'd been listening to. From the minute the song opened with "Has anyone ever tried to explain trickle down economics to you in a bar?" I cracked up.

Pom Pom Squad - Spinning: I hate it when algorithms get it right, but I guess it's better than getting it wrong. Anyhow, this was recommended to me because I've been listening to a lot of SASAMI, and it was correct. They're an all-woman indie rock group bursting with "navigating your 20s" energy in a way that plays as endearing and nostalgic to me (not in my 20s). Also having a lot of fun with "Street Fighter."

T.O.P - A SMALL, FILTHY SHOW WINDOW: I've been sitting with T.O.P's album more. It's just nice to see him come back to music without even really an attempt to do something idol-esque, and instead do something firmly artistic and vulnerable. T.O.P has a great flow in his rap (the steady, driving rhythm of the chorus is why I use it for strength training in the gym), but the emotion of this song is what gets me.

SHINee - Spoiler: SHINee kick going strong. Their harmonies never fail to hit. Though the beginning of it will have you asking, "Sherlock (Clue + Note)"!?

Bonnie Pink - Do You Crash?: Been on a bit of a Bonnie Pink kick since last month. There's also just something very summer afternoon about a lot of her 90s work, which leans a little folkier with less slick production.

Ichon - Pas Facile: I found this account on instagram (@mindyossi) that recommends so much great music from around the world, and I hit it off with this Cameroonian-French r&b/rap artist immediately. This song is really beautiful and melancholy. I think it'll be on my rotation for a while. I still have to look through all of Mindy Ossi's recs though because her taste is great!

Ichon - LA BEAUTÉ DES MAUX: I usually try to only share one song per artist on these lists, but this funkier, poppier song really showcases Ichon's range.

Satellite Lovers - Natsuno Tsuduki: I think the thesis really is I just like a lot of 90s Japanese music. This was another Mindy Ossi rec, and it really is delightfully jazzy and summery.

NMIXX - Crescendo: When JYP lets NMIXX make songs that are sonically interesting and show off their vocals, they're one of my fave newer k pop girl groups.

LUCY - Chameleon: Groovy, anthemic, awesome violin usage, vaguely anime-opening-coded. It may be a b-side, but it's classic LUCY.