Hello!

Welcome to a new episode of In No Particular Order, I’m your host Kane Wilkinson and…

Wait…

Where’s the mic? Why aren’t we recording? How come everything I’m saying is being typed into this post instead?

Bubble gum.

Whoa! Okay, well. This is weirdly cool. I guess we’re doing a silent version…if that makes sense…of In No Particular Order…uhh, well I guess I’ll just continue as normal…Don’t forget to follow INPO online with the handle @INPOPodcast for Twitter and Instagram, and follow Dusty Organ @Dusty_Organ on Instagram and @DustyOrgan on Twitter. That’s so cool, it knew the first one had an underscore!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this week’s brief, silent episode of INPO.

Wye Oak – The Louder I Call, The Faster It Runs

Originally based out of Baltimore, the members of indie rock duo Wye Oak have since drifted to different cities: vocalist/guitarist Jenn Wasner in Raleigh, North Caronlina and drummer/keyboardist Andy Stack in Marfa, Texas. On their sixth studio album The Louder I Call the Faster It Runs, Wasner and Stack approached songwriting a little different, given their situation. Taking turns visiting the other, the writing process was more structured and timed. Which is slightly unexpected, given how wonderfully experimental the new album is at the core. Star-glistened synths, and melodic percussion set the foundation for Wasner’s beautiful voice to fill the remaining space.

The album remains fairly stable and consistent with its electrifying energy, and there’s a lot of character woven into each song, most notably on the lead single and title track. As well, “The Instrument” and “Symmetry” have interesting dynamics. It’s a wonderful album, and for a sixth album, Wye Oak are still stronger than ever and have solid proof.

Stream the album in full on Spotify, and head to their website for more information.

Saba – Care for Me

Care for Me is Chicago rapper Saba’s sophomore album, and there is no sign of any sort of slump. Sadly, the album’s biggest source of fuel is grief – more specifically his personal grief with the loss of his close friend and cousin. Fellow member of the Pivot Gang – their original rap crew from Chicago – John Walt was stabbed to death in February 2017. The incident is mentioned frequently throughout the album, especially on “Life” and “Prom / King”. The latter is one of the most emotionally compelling hip-hop tracks I’ve ever heard. The seven and a half minute track splits into two parts, starting with a recount of their high school prom, before flipping into a darker, heavier half about hearing the heartbreaking news about his cousin’s death.

His roots in the West side of Chicago, a very rough, ghetto, come out on a few tracks as well, sharing stories and his perspective as a young adult trying to dodge the drugs and crime. His ability to lyrical express his thoughts while sounding smooth and articulate is a wonderful feat on the record. Opening track “Busy / Sirens” is a steady stream of Saba expressing his anxiety and his challenges manoeuvring as a young adult through personal relationships and finding his way.

Moments on the record remind me J Cole, and especially the jazz-infused sound of Lupe Fiasco, but the overall vibe is reminiscent of Frank Ocean. The raw, emotionally conscious lyrical content and the downtempo nu-R&B sound makes it hard not to compare. But that’s not a bad thing, Frank Ocean is definitely a leader in the genre, and Saba is doing his own thing, and expressing his own experience, giving Care For Me a personal vantage point.

Stream the full album on Spotify, and head to his website for more.

As always, there are some bonus albums that you should also check out, including:

Hey Ocean! – The Hurt of Happiness

Vancouver indie pop rock trio are back with their latest album.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food

New Zealand’s quirky nu-disco group UMO get funky with their latest album Sex & Food.

Thanks again for listening, I mean reading. I hope you enjoyed the two albums I’ve shared and as always, don’t forget to follow…well, just scroll up and click those links instead since this system seems to be working.

As you know, I’m terrible with goodbyes so, goodbye!

(In No Particular Order was produced and created by Kane Wilkinson. It was written by Kane Wilkinson, editing was by someone with two left feet. In No Particular Order is a Dusty Organ production. It was recorded in front of a giant K’NEX rollercoaster).