#awkward exchange

Alex Lahey, “Awkward Exchange”

Intro to Alex Lahey week

It’s a fun little guitar riff. Super light, really playful.

Then wham.

“Awkward Exchange” soars.

The backing vocals hover and radiate. The guitar zooms and adds a little bit of tension. It’s a simple lyric sheet for sure, but she imbues the basic moment with such drama. Robyn’s “Be Mine!” comes to mind as a peer.

"Awkward Exchange” is a snapshot of finding yourself in front of your ex, when suddenly every dream you’ve ever had of telling them off slips away and you find yourself speechless. And the song is usually so focused, but then there’s its most repeated line: “I need you to go, but I want you to stay.” So much of the song sounds disdainful, but something more sinister lingers. And of course there’s the line that makes the song: “Now you’re outta my bed/Get outta my head!”

Then after its second refrain, it takes it back down before it lifts “I need you to go, but I want you to stay” and it’s “whoa-oh-oh-oh/oh-oh-oh”s skyward, those sorts of wordless lyrics the signature of I Love You Like A Brother.

Some deride this sort of thing, but I find it indelible in the right hands, and Alex Lahey’s are the rightest; whether the non-words are about millennial social anxiety, lack of self-care, or the days bleeding together.

In fact, these sorts of whoa’s eased my own woes back in 2012 when Celebration Rock came out. I Love You Like A Brother was the next album to scratch that sort of itch, although I spent 2017 working full-time at a Barnes & Noble. I’m still floored by Alex Lahey, certainly one of the 2010s’ most unjustly unsung artists, and her capacity to capture millennial anxiety and directionless while still emphasizing the thrill of youth.

“Awkward Exchange” may not be her finest song outright (mighty fierce competition), but it’s the apotheosis of her approach, the instant when the anxiety boils over.

***

Howdy, folks. I’m Joey Daniewicz. I’m a 29-year-old Minnesotan who’s spent his mid-twenties stanning this music. I’ll be writing about Alex Lahey’s songs and albums this week. Hope you read and enjoy!

Written by: Maddie McVey

This year has been popularly declared “Twenty Gayteen,” and it’s clear to see why with so many great LGBT songs and albums being released. To celebrate, here’s a playlist of LGBT artists - many of whom are up and coming and deserve to be on your radar.

Hayley Kiyoko - He’ll Never Love You (HNLY)

We can’t make an LGBT playlist without including the girl being christened “Lesbian Jesus” by her fans! Hayley is on the path to becoming the first mainstream lesbian popstar in America - and she’s doing it one female-pronoun song lyric and wlw-themed music video at a time.

PVRIS - Same Soul

This incredible band is fronted by lesbian Lynn Gunn, who is always open to talk about her sexuality. She recently posed for Playboy to take a stand for all expressions of sexuality and to celebrate androgyny and different body types.

Kehlani - Honey

When this bisexual goddess dropped this next song on our playlist, girls swooned across the globe. Kehlani has only become more open about her sexuality as her career has gone on and often vocally supports other LGBT artists.

Kim Petras - Heart to Break

First gaining media attention for being one of the youngest people to undergo gender transition, years later Kim is back in the public eye for her vocal talent and super fun songs. The German singer is on course to make a splash in the scene and could possibly become the first mainstream trans popstar.

Years & Years - Sanctify

After literally “years and years” of waiting, this electro-pop band finally returned with the above song last month. Gay frontman Olly Alexander proudly puts his sexuality on display in the band’s music, writing songs prominently featuring male pronouns.

Halsey - Strangers

After her career skyrocketed in a matter of only a few years, Halsey was able to get a song featuring an honest portrayal of bisexuality on the mainstream radio with “Strange Love.” She also has another bisexual anthem in “Strangers,” which she made sure featured another bisexual girl, Lauren Jauregui, on accompanying vocals.

Alex Lahey - Awkward Exchange

This lesbian alt-rocker wrote a fantastic debut album full of songs that are relatable no matter your sexual orientation. Hailing from Australia, hopefully Alex can make just as big an impact promoting her catchy tunes in the States.

Angel Haze - Detox

It’s been years since this pansexual, gender-fluid rapper put out an official release, but her 2015 mixtape Back to the Woods is still just as powerful to listen to as it was when it came out. Keep your ears open for new music hopefully coming this year, sure to be just as bold and honest as her material in the past.

Now, Now - SGL

After years without any new music, the indie rock favorites returned as a duo with new songs a full album set to be released next month. One of these new tunes was “SGL,” which features lesbian frontwoman KC Dalager “starry-eyed” and longing for more out of her relationship.

Brockhampton - JUNKY

It is a rare occurrence but when it happens, I am undeniably filled with glee. Believe it or not, once in a while I find myself engaged in an awkward conversation that was not initiated by me.

I was shopping at a small general store with my mother while we were on vacation. When we were ready to check out, the cashier watched my mother and I argue over who was going to pay for the items in our cart. I wanted to pay, and my mother was being stubborn and refused to let me. "Mom, if I didn't offer to pay, you would think I was worthless, but then when I try to pay, you won't let me. Make up your mind lady".

Then the cashier chimed in, "my mother died when I was young". My mother and I immediately began to apologize and offered our condolences (as best as we could on short notice). "Oh no it was a long time ago, I barely remember it." She continued. "One day when you lose your mom, it will be so terrible. You will not believe how bad it will be. It will be one of the worst things you will go through."

I looked over at my mom and she had a kind, yet perplexed look on her face. I am not sure what face I was wearing because I couldn't see it, but I am certain it was somewhere in the "WTF" family of facial expressions. The cashier continued, maybe sensing the strange discomfort creeping over the room, "but you know what, when it happens, it will bring everyone in the family together! It will be a good thing over all."

At this time, she finished ringing up our purchases and we exited. I started laughing once we got to the car. "Mom, she was talking an awful lot about your death. How did that feel?"

"I wasn't sure what to even say about it. I was standing right there".

Through my laughter I managed to speak, "I did watch "Coco" on the plane, but I am not looking forward to your death so our family can be closer together. Besides, I don't believe it would work anyway."

"That was weird". My mom shrugged.

I continued laughing. "It was weird in that it was an awkward conversation that I didn't initiate, AND that a stranger was discussing how both horrible AND great your death will be...whilst you stood right in front of her. That was so bizarre, it was amazing!"

Dryly my mom replied, "I am glad you are enjoying yourself".

I sure did. So much so, I am writing about it now, days later.

http://beyoncemag.nonissue.com/2014/11/06/beyonce-and-jay-z-caught-on-camera-acting-strange-at-nets-game-trouble-in-paradise-yet-again-video/ - #Beyonce

Beyonce And Jay-Z Caught On Camera Acting Strange At Nets Game, Trouble In Paradise Yet Again? (Video)

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton engaged in an awkward exchange with NPR’s Terry Gross on Thursday when the radio host pushed her on her evolving stance on gay marriage.

When Clinton ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, she, like then-candidate Barack Obama, opposed gay marriage. Since then, both Clinton and Obama have both publicly switched their stance on the issue. Gross attempted to clarify whether Clinton’s initial opposition was a “political calculation.”

During their conversation, Clinton responded vaguely to Gross’ attempts to clarify whether the likely 2016 candidate’s position on gay marriage changed at any point, making general points like “just because you’re a politician doesn’t mean you’re not a thinking human being,” and “I think I’m an American, I think that we have all evolved.”

Gross continued to reframe her question, asking whether Clinton, at any point, changed her mind about gay marriage, or whether she supported it personally all along.

“You know, I really — I have to say, I think you being very persistent, but you are playing with my words,” Clinton said several minutes into the conversation. “And playing with what is such an important issue.”

“I’m just trying to clarify so I can understand,” Gross said, but was then interrupted by Clinton.

“No, I don’t think you are trying to clarify. I think you are trying to say that I used to be opposed [to gay marriage], and now I am in favor, and I did it for political reasons. And that’s just flat wrong. So let me just state what I feel like you are implying and repudiate it. I have a strong record. I have a great commitment to this issue and I am proud of what I’ve done and the progress we’re making,” Clinton said.

(Courtesy of HuffPost.com)