Blisspoint Podcast

Join us as we talk about the 16 best albums of the year in our third annual album of the year GAUNTLET where we duke it out (superfluously and humorously) over the best music of the year. This episode discusses the semi-finals and finals. Lianne La Havas by Lianne La Havas (8) vs. Run the Jewels 4 by Run the Jewels (12) Miles by Blu / Exile (6) vs. Pass Like Pollen by Cartalk (15) In-progress ranking: ? ? ? ? The Baby by Samia (1) Armour by Boneflower (3) No Pressure by Logic (10) Visions of Bodies Being Burned by clipping. (13) Melee by Dogleg (2) Chewing Cotton Wool EP by The Japanese House (4) Monsters by The Midnight (5) Drag Me Down by Cabal (7) Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers (9) Hannah by Lomelda (11) Lament by Touche Amore (14) Impenetrable Cerebral Fortress by Gulch (16)

Join us as we talk about the 16 best albums of the year in our third annual album of the year GAUNTLET where we duke it out (superfluously and humorously) over the best music of the year. This episode discusses the first and second rounds. The Baby by Samia (1) vs. Impenetrable Cerebral Fortress by Gulch (16) Lianne La Havas by Lianne La Havas (8) vs. Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers (9) Chewing Cotton Wool EP by The Japanese House (4) vs. Visions of Bodies Being Burned by clipping. (13) Monsters by The Midnight (5) vs. Run the Jewels 4 by Run the Jewels (12) Melee by Dogleg (2) vs. Pass Like Pollen by Cartalk (15) Drag Me Down by Cabal (7) vs. No Pressure by Logic (10) Armour by Boneflower (3) vs. Lament by Touche Amore (14) Miles by Blu / Exile (6) vs. Hannah by Lomelda (11)  

The best possible way to end the year (both the calendar year and our normal podcasting schedule) is to sit down and just belt out a good cry. We're talking the ugliest cry you can imagine: sniffles, groans, blankets, ice cream, the terrible new Lifetime movie featuring Colonel Sanders; you know, the good stuff. Some other good stuff: Japanese Metalcore, tripping balls, and S A D music. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3pDuXee Highlighted Singles Jahari Massamba Unit - "La Closerie (Pour Provost) glaive - "eyesore" Highlighted Shout-outs Yukon Blonde - "Vindicator" Amelie Siba - "Dye My Hair" AOTWs Aesop Rock - "Spirit World Field Guide" Graupel - "Fade Away" / "Bereavement" (2018)

We're not saying "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls is one of the greatest songs of all time but we're not not saying that. What we are saying, however, is covering the Goo Goo Dolls seminal hit "Iris" is a surefire way to get us all hot and bothered. Some other things to get us hot and bothered: winding down the year, dark & sexy house/pop, and zipper fuzz. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32Tqb2F Highlighted Singles Phoebe Bridgers / Maggie Rogers - "Iris (Goo Goo Dolls Cover)" N. Kerbin - "A Boy and a Man and a Satellite" Highlighted Shout-outs Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol - "Burger Babes...FROM OUTER SPACE!" tiny deaths - "If I'm Dreaming" AOTWs tricot - "10" Ela Minus - "acts of rebellion" Hachiku - "I'll Probably Be Asleep"

Look: it's not the job we would've wanted, but it's probably the job we deserve. What job is that, you say? It's writing the theme music for the end of the world, silly! Duh! And don't ask what it sounds like; we're not done yet. Some other things that may not be done yet: disappointing quarantine collabs, singer songwriters flexing, and trading some snoozers. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3ekq98w Highlighted Singles Shelly - "Steeeam" Sydney Sprague - "steve" Highlighted Shout-outs Honorary Astronaut - "EP 001" Riley Pearce - "Maybe I Can Sleep It Off" AOTWs Sinai Vessel - "Ground Aswim" Ishan - "If I Never Hit Land"

Say it with us: S-L-O-P-P-Y. Does that sound weird to you? Like weird in the way that questions all your thoughts of how things are pronounced and spelled? Just us? Okay, fine then. Keep your secrets. Some other secrets: strange instrumentals, surprise System of a Down talk, and solving the Lonely Island problem. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/2I2EnP9 Highlighted Singles System of a Down - "Protect the Land" / "Genocidal Humanoidz" Arlo Parks - "Green Eyes" James Ivy - "Sick" Highlighted Shout-outs Adrianne Lenker - "songs" / "instrumentals" Souvenirs - "Love for the Lack of It" AOTWs clipping. - "Visions of Bodies Being Burned" Petey - "Checkin' Up On Buds"

If there's really anything left in 2020 to be surprising, we surmise it might be Phoebe ruling over her serfs with an iron fist. We're not sure it could possible be true, but ... what if it was though? What could you possibly do against a talent like that making you get her coffee faster? Some other things that might be true: a super secret surprise from Paul, an excellent Claud single, and post-hardcore bliss. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/2FKsFbf Highlighted Singles Claud - "Gold" girl in red - "Kate's Not Here (Day Wave & Lawrence Rothman Remix)" The Mountain Goats - "Picture of My Dress" Highlighted Shout-outs Machinedrum - "A View of U" Matt Berninger - "Serpentine Prison" Beabadoobee - "Fake It Flowers" AOTWs Touche Amore - "Lament" Slow Pulp - "Moveys" Molassess - "Through the Hollow"

Step right up, and feast your eyes! A man with the highest-pitched laugh you've ever heard will attempt to laugh and rap at the same time! Danny Brown's carnival ride has arrived; join in on the fun or reap the FOMO. Some other things to reap: nursery rhymes, a cool synthetic songwriter duo, and bare-bones punk. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/34gtj8H Highlighted Singles Jimmy Edgar - "GET UP (feat. Danny Brown)" Middle Part - "& Cry!" Highlighted Shout-outs Laura Jane Grace - "Stay Alive" Jonsi - "Shiver" Sylvan Esso - "Free Love" AOTWs Idles - "ULTRA MONO" Hannah Georgas - "All That Emotion"

Though I've only been with her for a few years now, it feels like my girlfriend, Daisy Ridley (you know the one, the girl from Star Wars) might be immortal. She keeps bringing up things that she never could have experienced when she looks as old as she does. Like for example, over dinner the other night, she was comparing the 1854 London cholera outbreak to the Coronavirus pandemic, and I just looked at her and was like, "What?" and she just smiled and laughed and went back to eating. Some other things to ignore while laughing: beautiful autumnal EMO SEASON IS BACK, some on-brand country and synthwave, and a surprising Billy pick. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3l4Hlkv Highlighted Singles Chris Stapleton - "Starting Over" Immortal Girlfriend - "Friday Night" Highlighted Shout-outs Spillage Village - "Spilligion" A$AP Ferg - "Floor Seats II" AOTWs Into It. Over It. - "Figure" Cartalk - "Pass Like Pollen"

Emo Billy is not the fondest of the emotion most of us know as joy. You could say he might describe it as poison or death. Though, in light of the dread around us, the man might be on to something. Some other things to which Billy might be on: RIP EVH, disappointing pop punk, and beautifully unanimous indie pop folk. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3kwmGFC Highlighted Singles Pelican Motel - "Like a Ghost" Slow Pulp - "As It Is" Highlighted Shout-outs Movements - "No Good Left to Give" Knuckle Puck - "20/20" AOTWs Lomelda - "Hannah"

Picture this for me, if you will: a dark room, lit only by the stark ambience of a computer screen and constantly flickering, flittering digital lights. A soft pitter-patter of rain taps against the window, and suddenly, the nostalgic tones of the darkest '80s timeline erupt from the computer speakers. Billy, fresh out of the shower, sobs softly as the kick drum violently rattles his house and he stretches his meaty arms upwards, revealing his favorite The Midnight shirt. All is perfect in the world. Some other weirdly descriptive moments: Disclosure raking in fistfuls of cash, a perfect pop AOTY contender, and a surprise Fleet Foxes album. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3mCqmYq Highlighted Singles Adrianne Lenker - "anything" Wyldest - "Seastroke" Highlighted Shout-outs Disclosure - "ENERGY" Hotel Garuda - "The Tension" Ian Wayne - "Risking Illness" AOTWs Fleet Foxes - "Shore" Samia - "The Baby" OSees - "Protean Threat"

Forgive us as we transition to a new way of recording that doesn't rely on a oft-tantrum-having bot. There's a few hiccups here and there like not being able to clap because you're so nervous about being on time. We won't name any names, but there's certainly one of us that is much less coordinated than the other two. Some other coordinations: indoor emo, a monologue on gout and its treatment, and a promising solo debut. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/2QqIOnU Highlighted Singles: Into It. Over It. - "We Prefer Indoors" Sasha Sloan - "Lie" Highlighted Shout-outs: Nas - "King's Disease" Kllo - "Maybe We Could" Duckwrth - "SuperGood" AOTWs: Bully - "SUGAREGG" Cut Copy - "Freeze, Melt"

For all the terrible things to survive the '80s, we would've never expected poor Rick Springfield's relationship with Jessie's Girl to have lasted. Unfortunately for him, he made the wrong choice but maybe you could say he deserved it? Some other terrible things to have survived: the music industry's take on copyright infringement, song sequels, and a choice Billy rant. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/34w8ub2 Highlighted Singles: Napalm Death - "Amoral" Coheed and Cambria - "Jessie's Girl 2 (feat. Rick Springfield) Anderson .Paak - "CUT 'EM IN (feat. Rick Ross)" Highlighted Shout-outs: The Killers - "Imploding the Mirage" The Front Bottoms - "In Sickness & In Flames" Maya Hawke - "Blush" AOTWs: Year of the Knife - "Internal Incarceration" Japanese House - "Chewing Cotton Wool EP"

Portlandia: a weird comedy modern classic. Imagining what laughscapes the two stars of Portlandia could think up in 2020 is an impossible exercise, but one that could use a new theme song. We think might've found one, so hit us up if you're bringing the show back I guess. Some other things we've found: a Snoop Dogg co-sign, another Metalcore comeback, and some group favorites that are getting a bit long in the tooth. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/33LRD3K Highlighted Singles: Chika - "U Should" NOVACUB - "Change Your Mind" Highlighted Shout-outs: Washed Out - "Purple Noon" AOTWs: Madeline Kenney - "Sucker's Lunch" Misery Signals - "Ultraviolet"

NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS, DO NOT DRINK FROM BILLY'S CUP. He definitely prefers to revel in your continued, slow demise as you slowly ruminate over and over in your head whether or not his golden chalice has, in fact, been poisoned. Some other poison cups: hardcore that makes you want to put your head through a brick wall, another fire Freddie Gibbs track, and some hauntingly beautiful, guitar-forward indie pop. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/2Cl3Zoc Highlighted Singles: Machinedrum - "Kane Train (feat. Freddie Gibbs)" Barely Civil - "Box for My Organs" Highlighted Shout-outs: Land of Talk - "Indistinct Conversations" AOTWs: Gulch - "Impenetrable Cerebral Fortess" BRONSON - "BRONSON"

Ever the hard worker, Paul can get ... let's say a little uppity ... when it comes to talking about retirement. Especially when it comes at the cost of one of his least favorite rappers of all time. All of this is just to say: live your life, make good choices, and retire early; no pressure, bruh. Some other good choices: No I.D. running the boards and the show, Spotify hijinks and bamboozles, and some bureaucratic apocalypse shop talk. NOTE: We ran into some recording bot issues during the episode, so there is some echo and cutting-in & -out present in a couple places. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/304aG6Z Highlighted Singles: Jaga Jazzist - "Tomita (Edit)" LAVE - "Dissonance" Thee Oh Sees - "Dreary Nonsense" Michael Kiwanuka - "Final Days (Bonobo Remix)" Highlighted Shout-outs: Kamaal Williams - "Wu Hen" Shiver. - "See the Light" AOTWs: Protomartyr - "Ultimate Success Today" Logic - "No Pressure"

Of all life's most important questions, one we can't quite find a good lead on is whether The 1975 makes music explicitly for teens. Sure, you may have adult friends and family that are into them, but does that mean they're teens living in an adult's body? Do teens understand that the music maybe isn't for them? Does The 1975 care? Some other import life questions: hardcore-based Dad jokes, too many good EPs to handle, and an unsurprisingly surprising AOTW pick. NOTE: We ran into some recording bot issues, so there is some echo present in a couple places throughout the episode. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3jN2O1D Highlighted Singles: Chong the Nomad - "Take Two" Touche Amore - "Limelight (feat. Andy Hull)" Open Mike Eagle - "Neighborhood Protection Spell (Lana Del Biden Nem) Highlighted Shout-outs: Skullcrusher - "Skullcrusher EP" Dos Monos - "Dos Siki EP" Cub Sport - "LIKE NIRVANA" AOTWs: Lianne La Havas - "Lianne La Havas" Taylor Swift - "folklore" Blu / Exile - "Miles"

In a Very Special Episode (TM), Billy cannot stop winning. The more his power grows, the more albums he'll be able to force into our yearly AOTY competition, which can only lead to disaster. The boy is on top of the world, but we can't quite let his ego get out of control now, can we? Some other ego busters: forest techno, Billy embracing the strange, and some Stevie Nicks-inspired country.   Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/393G7S1   Highlighted Singles: Lomelda - "Wonder" Joe Vann - "Shuffle Around" Highlighted Shout-outs: Margo Price - "That's How Rumors Get Started" Fakear - "Everything Will Grow Again" Apollo Brown / Che Noir - "As God Intended" AOTWs: The Beths - "Jump Rope Gazers" Phoxjaw - "Royal Swan"

No fooling around today. Here's some stats: 90% of independent venue owners, promoters, and bookers say they will have to close permanently within the next few months Concert industry stands to lose ~$9 billion 62% of American artists (across all disciplines) are unemployed 90% of National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) members do not have enough savings to last more than six months without govt assistance; 55% can last without concerts and federal help for up to three months nivassoc.org   Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/301xK58   Highlighted Singles: Sufjan Stevens - "America" Tender - "CDWYR" Highlighted Shout-outs: Haim - "Women in Music, Pt. III" AOTWs: nuvolascura - "As We Suffer From Memory & Imagination" The Midnight - "Monsters"

*Taps the conductor stand with wand* "Okay, everyone! Please, all together this time: *ahem* She's the WooOooOrrrRsttt!" On this day, July 15, 2020, we commemorate Jean Ralphio in all his glory by inducting Chromeo, the band, into the Jean Ralphio Hall of Fame! Some other hall of famers: LiveNation sucking unsurprisingly, another missed Roosevelt opportunity, and pastoral cinematic folk music? Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3epzMC9 Highlighted Singles: Doves - "Carousels" Roosevelt - "Sign" Anderson .Paak - "Lockdown" Highlighted Shout-outs: MIKE - "Weight of the World" Wallflower - "Teach Yourself to Swim" Protest the Hero - "Palimpsest" AOTWs: Bibio - "Sleep on the Wing" The Ghost Inside - "The Ghost Inside"

Thank God the Coronavirus has quarantined Garth Brooks and his competitive country to his studio or otherwise we'd be dealing with a whole different kind of pandemic, if you catch my drift. Some other things you may want to relegate: electronica with more texture than a bag of chips on top of a sandwich, Instagram concerts, and another early Album of the Year candidate. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3fOAdGs Highlighted Singles: Samia - "Fit N Full" Night Tales - "About Us" Highlighted Shout-outs: Modern Nature - "Annual" Memorex Memories - "Life of Riley" AOTWs: Phoebe Bridgers - "Punisher"

Quick: what do Pink, Rage Against the Machine, and the Alchemist all have in common? If you guessed "Puns" you'd be all the way correct! We dissect the idiocracy of Twitter under the watchful gaze of the lord of language, Mr. Pun himself. Some other puns: our first Billy-Paul tandem, big surprises, and carnival people? Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3dOy9gY Highlighted Singles: Shambles - "Subsun" Boy Pablo - "Hey" Gorillaz - "Friday 13th (feat. Octavian)" Highlighted Shout-outs: Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - "Alfredo" Momma - "Two of Me" Flatbush Zombies - "now, more than ever" AOTWs: Jeff Rosenstock - "NO DREAM" Currents - "The Way It Ends" Covet - "Technicolor"

RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4 RUN THE JEWELS 4(?)!  Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/2AcwAe4 Highlighted Singles: RUN THE JEWELS 4 - "RUN THE JEWELS 4" Highlighted Shout-outs: RUN THE JEWELS 4 - "RUN THE JEWELS 4" AOTWs: RUN THE JEWELS 4 - "RUN THE JEWELS 4"

(Aspiring?) Soundcloud rappers: why work on your flow and pen game when you can just sit in a room with us for an episode and have us tear you to shreds over something you enjoy? It's a fun time, we swear! C'mon, don't leave yet, we're just getting started! Some other things you might enjoy: underground/lo-fi RAPS, more '80s synthpop & synthwave, and some of the most pleasurable emo you'll ever hear. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3bGZaBg Highlighted Singles: Preservation - "North Bridge (feat. Navy Blue)" Kowloon - "Paradise" Highlighted Shout-outs: Retirement Party - "Runaway Dog" Gleemer - "Down Through" AOTWs: Wailin' Storms - "Rattle" Choir Boy - "Gathering Swans"

Album release cycles are getting a bit greedy with your time -- 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and more -- but is the squeeze worth the juice? We seem to unanimously agree with a big, fat, resounding, "No!" Some other things that might be greedy with your time: AC/DC cover bands, a jonesing-good time, and breezy, summery pop. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/368MtxM Highlighted Singles: Slowthai & Kenny Beats - "MAGIC" Old Pine - "Temporary Love" Highlighted Shout-outs: ACxDC - "Satan is King" Day Wave - "Crush" Moses Sumney - "Grae" AOTWs: Buscubulla - "Regresa" Jonesing - "Jonesing"

Quarantine death metal is on the rise and we're all for it. Branch out a bit with some band name you can't pronounce and start punching some walls. You're gonna' like the way you feel; that's a Blisspoint guarantee. Some other things on the rise: some metalcore we all can agree on, The Nostalgia Pendulum (TM), and not saying thing if you don't have anything nice to say. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3bsS2Ja Highlighted Singles: BADBADNOTGOOD - "Glide (Goodbye Blue, Pt. 2)" The Ghost Inside - "Aftermath" Highlighted Shout-outs: Umbra Vitae - "Shadow of Life" Diet Cig - "Do You Wonder About Me?" AOTWs: altopalo - "farawayfromeveryoneyouknow" OTR - "Lost at Midnight" Car Seat Headrest - "Making a Door Less Open"

Fiona Apple has released what is surely to be the greatest album ever created and assembled; music can no longer be improved and as such should be eradicated. We're only being slightly ironic here (you should find out for yourself!) but here are some other things that maybe shouldn't be eradicated: burly guitar rock, stylistically unexpected pop, and random shows on Netflix you've never heard of. Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3asNLnQ Highlighted Singles: Skullcrusher - "Places/Plans" girl in red - "Midnight Love" Khruangbin - "Time (You and I)" Highlighted Shout-outs: Fiona Apple - "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" Dance Gavin Dance - "Afterburner" Conway the Machine & The Alchemist - "LULU" AOTWs: Rina Sawayama - "SAWAYAMA" Hazel English - "Wake UP!" Elder - "Omens"

Do all wives dream of acrylic nails and Payless Shoes cashiering jobs? We'd like to know, honestly. Some other dreams: a remote live show (!), a "rascal" flexes a bit more, and Thundercat performing the fusion dance (pun intended). Full Playlist: https://spoti.fi/2XF6AS7 Highlighted Singles: Washed Out - "Too Late" Phoebe Bridgers - "Kyoto" RMR - "DEALER" Highlighted Shout-outs: The Mountain Goats - "Songs for Pierre Chuvin" Cabal - "Drag Me Down" Sparta - "Trust the River" AOTWs: The Kraken Quartet / Adobo - "Backdrop EP" Amtrac - "Odyssey" Thundercat - "It Is What It Is"

We ain't April foolin' around! Picnic Disco does, in fact, exist -- I guess if you believe what Billy says. Some other April Fools that may exist: The Killers miming The Boss, like father Palladino like son Palladino, and a good ol' fashioned Billy-Jordan-Paul emo agreement. Playlist: https://spoti.fi/2Rj7tMf Singles of the Week: Greg Puciato - “Fire for Water” Flume - “The Difference (feat. Toro Y Moi)” Lazerpunk - “Power (Donbor Remix)” Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes - “Lift Off (feat. Rocco Palladino)” The Killers - “Caution (feat. Lindsey Buckingham)”     Dos Monos - “Rojo” Shura - “elevator girl (feat. Ivy Sole)” Waistline - “Cut It Out” RTJ - “Ooh La La (feat. Greg Nice / DJ Premier)” / “Yankee and the Brave” Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - “She’s There” Gleemer - “TTX” Shout-outs: “I Let It In and It Took Everything” by Loathe “Celestial Nighthawk” by Blackbird Belle “Martyrs Prayer” by Elcamino “You’ll be fine” by Hot Mulligan “RUDEBWOY” by CJ Fly “Purple moonlight pages” by R.A.P. Ferreira “Sister” by Ultraista “You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere” by the Districts “Underneath” by Code Orange “Sixteen Oceans” by Four Tet “Slow Dance” by Aseul “Greyview” by Invent Animate “Death Throes” by Motives “Bruise” by Lizzy Farrall New Releases: “Truth or Consequences” by Yumi Zouma “Every Bad” by Porridge Radio “A Written Testimony” by Jay Electronica AOTW: “Armour” by Boneflower “Melee” by Dogleg “We Are Sent Here By History” by Shabaka & the Ancestors

In honor of National Women's Day, we're really out here talking about some sweet ass music you can take home to your Mom, so she can take it and put it up on the fridge with your art project from 30 years ago. Some other things your Mom might be into: classic Metalcore, cookie monster vocals, and Queen Gaga. Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3cPpn2g Singles of the Week: Daywave - “Starting Again” Elder - “Embers” Chicano Batman - “Color my life” Phoebe Bridgers - “Garden Song” GAGA - “Stupid Love” Car Seat Headrest - “Can’t Cool Me Down” Duck Sauce - “Get to Steppin” Dixie Chicks - “Gaslighter” Haim - “The Steps” RMR - “Rascal” Shout-outs: “Thermal Memory” by NVM “The Price of Tea in China” by Boldy James / The Alchemist “Color theory” by Soccer Mommy “Suddenly” by Caribou “Swig EP” by Free Throw “The Funeral Pyre” by Kvaen “Ecstasy EP” by Disclosure “Simulcast” by Tycho “Fearmonger” by Beneath the Massacre “Fire & Fury EP” by the Overcoats New Releases: “Here, online EP” by Worst Party Ever  “Full Hand” by Kevin Krauter AOTW: “The Death of Me” by Polaris “Man Alive!” by King Krule

In what is now our annual tradition, we're coming in HOT with the best music of the last month or so. It's been awhile. We missed you. Playlist: http://bit.ly/blisspoint-recap-s3-e1 Singles of the Week: It Looks Sad. - “Car” Caro - “Fall Apart” Aoife Nessa Frances - “Libra” Polaris - “HYPERMANIA” / “LANDMINE” Code Orange - “Swallowing the Rabbit Whole” Four Tet - “Baby (feat. Ellie Goulding)” Little Dragon - “Hold On” Gorillaz - “Song Machine: Momentary Bliss (feat. Slaves, slowthai)” Altopalo - “honey” Porter Robinson - “Get Your Wish” R.A.P. Ferreira - “DOLDRUMS” Meek Mill - “Letter to Nipsey (feat. Roddy Ricch)” / “Believe (feat. Justin Timberlake)” CJ Fly - “Show You” Gang Starr - “Bad Name (Remix) (feat. Method Man, Redman)” Aesop Rock - “Rogue Wave” Joji - “Run” Pantha du Prince - “Pius in Tacet” Thundercat - “Black Qualls (feat. Steve Lacey & Steve Arrington)” / “Dragonball Durag” The Strokes - “Bad Decisions” Billie Eilish - “No Time To Die” Trophy Eyes - Figure Eight (feat. Seth Rollins) Hot Mulligan - BCKYRD Hospital Bracelet - “Sober Haha Jk Unless” Charmer - “Slumber” Shout-outs / New Releases / Albums of the Week (in no particular order -- sorry!): The Circus EP by Mick Jenkins Elevator Music for an Elevated Mood by Cory Wong Circles by Mac Miller Lyrics to Go, Vol. 1 by Kota the Friend Seeking Thrills by Georgia Which Way is Forward? EP by Obongjayar Bonny Light Horseman by Bonny Light Horseman The Neon Skyline by Andy Shauf Have We Met by Destroyer Be Up a Hello by Squarepusher Outer Sunset EP by Tycho Texas Sun EP by Khruangbin & Leon Bridges Petals for Armor I EP by Hayley Williams Try Again by ovrkast. Carpet Cocoon by Iceblink Golden Horde EP by Phalanx 2017-2019 by Against All Logic Floral LP by Floral The Slow Rush by Tame Impala Music to Be Murdered by Eminem Marigold by Pinegrove Unlocked EP by Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats I Disagree by Poppy Black by tricot Mystic Familiar by Dan Deacon Likewise by Frances Quinlan Thoughts Aligned by Fight Cloud Honeymoon by Beach Bunny Fmlybnd by FMLYBND The Archer by Alexandra Savior A Beginner's Guide to Bravery by David Keenan Don't Start Now (Remixes) by Dua Lipa Hurry Up and Wait by Dune Rats Night in the Park, Kiss in the Dark by Caveboy After Dark by Essenger Bury the Moon / Satt by Asgeir Brave Faces Everyone by Spanish Love Songs Low Season by Poolside On Circles by Caspian The Black Moon by Holy Fawn  

Join us as we talk about the 16 best albums of the year in our second annual album of the year GAUNTLET where we duke it out (superfluously and humorously) over the best music of the year. This episode discusses the semi-finals and finals. This Wild Willing by Glen Hansard (8) vs. Four of Arrows by Great Grandpa (12) Everyday / Wild by Tourist (2) vs. Clairvoyant by State Faults (11) In-progress Ranking: ? ? ? ? Why Am I Like This? by Orla Gartland (3) Kiwanuka by Michael Kiwanuka (7) Somewhere City by Origami Angel (13) Until the Tide Creeps In by Penelope Isles (16) Nothing Left to Love by Counterparts (9) American Love Call by Durand Jones & The Indications (10) Work by Holy Ghost! (6) Breakup Season by Future Teens (5) A Different Shade of Blue by Knocked Loose (4) Crushing by Julia Jacklin (14) Hearth by The Valley Ends (15) uknowhatimsayin? by Danny Brown (1)  

Join us as we talk about the 16 best albums of the year in our second annual album of the year GAUNTLET where we duke it out (superfluously and humorously) over the best music of the year. This episode discusses round 2. This Wild Willing by Glen Hansard (8) vs. Until the Tide Creeps In by Penelope Isles (16) Everyday / Wild by Tourist (2) vs. Kiwanuka by Michael Kiwanuka (7) Why Am I Like This? by Orla Gartland (3) vs. Clairvoyant by State Faults (11) Four of Arrows by Great Grandpa (12) vs. Somewhere City by Origami Angel (13) In-progress Ranking: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Nothing Left to Love by Counterparts (9) American Love Call by Durand Jones & The Indications (10) Work by Holy Ghost! (6) Breakup Season by Future Teens (5) A Different Shade of Blue by Knocked Loose (4) Crushing by Julia Jacklin (14) Hearth by The Valley Ends (15) uknowhatimsayin? by Danny Brown (1)  

Join us as we talk about the 16 best albums of the year in our second annual album of the year GAUNTLET where we duke it out (superfluously and humorously) over the best music of the year. This episode discusses round 1. uknowhatimsayin? by Danny Brown (1) vs. Until the Tide Creeps In by Penelope Isles (16) Everyday / Wild by Tourist (2) vs. Hearth by The Valley Ends (15) Why Am I Like This? by Orla Gartland (3) vs. Crushing by Julia Jacklin (14) A Different Shade of Blue by Knocked Loose (4) vs. Somewhere City by Origami Angel (13) Breakup Season by Future Teens (5) vs. Four of Arrows by Great Grandpa (12) Work by Holy Ghost! (6) vs. Clairvoyant by State Faults (11) Kiwanuka by Michael Kiwanuka (7) vs. Album by Artist (10) This Wild Willing by Glen Hansard (8) vs. Nothing Left to Love by Counterparts (9)

This is a safe space for all you Coldplay fans out there; you're beaten and have been the butt of jokes for the last decade, but Blisspoint is here to tell you that COLDPLAY IS GREAT! Some other things you shouldn't be ashamed of: the Fillmore Silver Spring's sound, Madeon (we guess?), and sexy Single of the Year contenders. Singles of the Week: Deadmau5 - “SATRN” Dayglow - “Listerine” Phoebe Bridgers - “(Tom Waits Cover)” Mark Ronson / Anderson .Paak - “Then There Were Two” Destroyer - “It Just Doesn’t Happen” The Weeknd - “Heartless” / “Blinding Lights” Wye Oak - “Fortune” Great American Ghost - “Prison of Hate” Squirrel Flower - “Headlights” Dangermouse and Sparklehorse - “Ninjarous (feat. MF DOOM)” Shout-outs: “Home” by Billy Strings “OOFIE” by WIKI “Everyday Life” by Coldplay “I Feel How this Night Should Look” by Psychemagik “New Hell” by Greet Death New Releases: “Good Faith” by Madeon “Sophie EP” by Arlo Parks “Mahal Kita” by Hikes AOTW: “Somewhere City” by Origami Angel “Planet Hearth” by Calibre

The only thing better than ripping old batteries out of remote you never use is making history, but sometimes history-making just ain't in the cards. Some other things that could make history: Billy seeing Taking Back Sunday twice (almost), our new favorite emo band, and late contenders for Album of the Year. Singles of the Week: Pusha T / Swizz Beatz - “No Patience” Tame Impala - “It Might Be Time” Dua Lipa - “Don’t Start Now” Dogleg - “Fox” Andy Stott - “Versi” Lucy Dacus - “Fool’s Gold” Shout-outs: “Sonic Citadel” by Lightning Bolt “There Existed an Addiction to Blood” by Clipping. “Pang” by Caroline Polachek “Anicca” by Teebs “Jesus is King” by Kanye West “The Undivided Five” by A Winged Victory for the Sullen “Athena” by Sudan Archives “Super Enthusiast” by A Winged Victory for the Sullen New Releases: “All Hail” by Norma Jean “[USA]” by Anamanaguchi AOTW: “Nothing Left to Love” by Counterparts “Four of Arrows” by Great Grandpa

Some days after a long day of puns, all you want to do is draw a bath. Ain't nothing better. Some other things you may want to fill a bath with: Billy making history, Julien Baker good first impressions, and indecisive emo bands. Singles of the Week: Julien Baker - “Tokyo” Harry Styles - “Lights Up” Jacques Greene - “For Love” Great Grandpa - “Bloom” AMA - “Slip” Caribou - “Home” Matt Berninger / Phoebe Bridgers - “Walking on a String” Frances Quinlan - “Rare Thing” Shout-outs: “All Mirrors” by Angel Olsen “Illiterate Light” by Illiterate Light “Crush” by Floating Points “Heavy Lifter” by Hovvdy “Dimly Lit” by From Indian Lakes “Closer to Grey” by Chromatics “Nothing Hurts Forever” by New Moon “Meant Well” by Parting Ways New Releases: “The House With No Doorbell” by McCafferty “Let the Sun Talk” by Mavi “Juice B Crypts” by Battles AOTW: “Wild” by Tourist “uknowhatimsayin¿” by Danny Brown

Everyone knows that Will Smith invented rap music. Just like everyone knows the Beatles invented music. Any other opinions: let me show you the door. Some other things Will Smith probably invented: the Igor persona, sasscore, and the queen of future pop. Singles of the Week: Cattle Decapitation - “One Day Closer to the End of the World” Soccer Mommy - "Lucy"  Kublai Khan - "The Truest LOVE"  Dansu - “State of Mind” Sonia Maral - “Tell Me What I Know” Teebs - “Studie (feat. Panda Bear)” Wiki - “Eggs” Caroline Polachek - “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings” Hikes - “extra mile (feat. The Kraken Quartet)” Gang Starr - “Family and Loyalty” Hemlock Ernst / Kenny Segal - “Down” Shout-outs: “Jaime” by Brittany Howard “Birth of Violence” by Chelsea Wolfe “All My Heroes Are Cornballs” by JPEGMAFIA “Oncle Jazz” by Men I Trust “SOUND AND FURY” by Sturgill Simpson “Civilization I” by Kero Kero Bonito “Unluccy Luccy Kid” by Sheff G New Releases: “The Correlation Between Entrance and Exit Wounds” by SeeYouSpaceCowboy “Djinn” by Lingua Nada AOTW: “Shaped by Fire” by As I Lay Dying “Charli” by Charli XCX “Stars are the Light” by Moon Duo Thanks, Blisspoint

Bet you can't blink before one of us says "gentrified" ... Hah! Got 'em. Already said it. Join us all as we shake hands and greet one another while saying it together. Some other neat things you might want to say together: gothic circus concerts with a bunch of 12-year-olds, Paul goes to a concert without us, and learning about bummer pop. Singles of the Week: Anamanaguchi - “Lorem Ipsum (Arctic Anthem)” Guerilla Toss - “Plants” Sasami - “Take Care” Grimes - “Violence” Danny Brown - “Dirty Laundry” Turnover - “Much After Feeling” / “Plant Sugar” The Comet is Coming - “Lifeforce (Part II)” Homeboy Sandman - “Far Out” Denzel Curry / Slowthai - “Psycho” Shout-outs: "Fear Inoculum" by Tool “The Highwomen” by The Highwomen “Ley lines” by flor “K-12” by Melanie Martinez “IDKWIDH” by Patternist “The Blue EP” by Death Cab for Cutie New Releases: "Saves the World" by MUNA "Mirrorland" by EARTHGANG AOTW: "Breakup Season" by Future Teens "Forever Turned Around" by Whitney Thanks, Blisspoint

We're back! Sorry we missed an episode; 'tis a tragedy unbecoming for your beautiful ears. On your right, next to the timeless, depressing classic, "The Little Engine That Could", we have the saddest little moshpit where 3 boys who love to hurt so good are taking it out on other people. Folks, take pictures because this is literally the smallest and saddest moshpit you'll ever see. Some other sadder and littler things you should check out: some classic Pinegrove, some crushing death grooves, and another perfectly okay Taylor Swift record. Singles of the Week: Clipping - “Nothing is Safe” Vivian Girls - “Something to Do” Kitten - “Memphis” Big Thief - “Not” Brittany Howard - “He Loves Me” The 1975 - “People” Poppy - “Concrete” Mura Masa, Clairo - “I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again” Pusha T - “Sociopath (feat. Kash Doll)” Bombay Bicycle Club - “Eat Sleep Wake (Nothing But You)” Beabadoobee - “She Plays Bass” Pinegrove - “Moment” Shout-outs: "Other Girls" by Lillie Mae "Thrashing Thru the Passion" by The Hold Steady "basking in the glow" by oso oso "Face Stabber" by Thee Oh Sees "Infest the Rats' Nest" by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard "GINGER" by Brockhampton "Lover" by Taylor Swift "Wasted Energy" by Press Club "Thoughts" by JackLNDN "Starving Artist" by Bleach Blonde (this is actually from 2013 -- sorry!) "Nobody's Happy." by Dying in Designer New Releases:  "0151" by Night Cafe "Bunny" by Ghost Orchard AOTW: "A Different Shade of Blue" by Knocked Loose "Anak Ko" by Jay Som Thanks, Blisspoint

If there's anything more emasculating than picking a pseudonym that sounds like it could be a cookie company's name (from Scotland), let us know! We'd love to hear your take. Some other things that may or may not be related to creme filling: another classic Billy betrayal, boring flows, and wild bass noises. Singles of the Week: Oh Sees - “Heartworm” Bobbing - “Shrugging Match” Surf Curse - “Disco”  Post Malone - “Goodbyes (feat. Young Thug)” Bon Iver - “Faith” Wilco - “Love is Everywhere (Beware)” Oso oso - “Impossible Game” Future Teens - “Frequent Crier” From Indian Lakes - “No One Else” Charli XCX & Christine and the Queens - “Gone” The Number Twelve Looks Like You - “Ruin the Smile” Bonobo - “Linked” DIIV - “Skin Game” Car Bomb - “Scattered Sprites” Squid - “The Cleaner” Taylor Swift - “The Archer” Shout-outs: "Tears of Joy" by MIKE "All of God's Money" by Various Artists "Tiny Changes" by Various Artists "Tuxedo III" by Tuxedo "Modern Mirror" by Drab Majesty "Dopamine" by Mountain Mover "Brandon Banks" by Maxo Kream "K.R.I.T. Iz Here" by Big K.R.I.T. New Releases:  "Weather" by Tycho "You Can Miss Something & Not Want It Back" by Sunsleeper AOTW: “Bandana" by Freddie Gibbs & Madlib "Work" by Holy Ghost! "Until the Tide Creeps In" by Penelope Isles Thanks, Blisspoint

Please, stop picking on the goblins. Their jobs are very hard and it's really insulting when you just refer to them as the "g-word". Some other words you should consider before using in public: the next indie hit, weird weird weird indie rock (she moves with a porpoise), and a unanimous (kind of) album of the week. Singles of the Week: Black Belt Eagle Scout - “At the Party” Sturgill Simpson - “The Dead Don’t Die” Big KRIT - “KRIT HERE” Joji - “Sanctuary” 88-Keys - “That’s Life (feat. Mac Miller, Sia)” Cuco - “Feelings” Marvin Bagley (yes, that one) - “No Debate” Damian Lillard (yes, that one) - “MARVINNNNNNNN???” Mark Ronson - “True Blue (feat. Angel Olsen)” Hobo Johnson - “Typical Song” Tiny Moving Parts - “Medicine” Amanda Tenfjord - “Troubled Water” Shout-outs: “Jinx” by Crumb “False Alarm” by Two Door Cinema Club “Keepsake” by Hatchie “U & Me” by Tritonal “Schlagenheim” by black midi New Releases:   “How We Got By” by Air Review “Help Me Stranger” by Raconteurs   AOTW: “Clairvoyant” by State Faults Thanks, Blisspoint

We're kicking Billy off the island, so all of his stuff has to go. Name a price or don't -- we don't care, he's just got to go. Some other things you could take off our hands: a flaming hot cheeto return, Jonas Brothers fanboyisms, and death-metal-ified acoustic emo. Singles of the Week: Clairo - Bags Knocked Loose - “And Still I Wander South” Sleater Kinney - “Hurry On Home” Metronomy - “Lately” Sufjan Stevens - “Love Yourself” Charles Bradley - “Lucifer” Freddie Gibbs / Madlib - “Crime Pays” Madeon - “All My Friends” Chong the nomad - “nothing else” Ty Segall - “Taste” Sandy Alex G - “Gretel” Whitney - “giving up” Goldensuns - “Shook” MUNA - “Number One Fan” Tuxedo - “The Tuxedo Way” Shout-outs: “Atlanta Millionaires Club” by Faye Webster “Run Around the Sun” by Sacred Paws “Happiness Begins” by Jonas Brothers “New Songs for Older Problems” by Middle Kids “Nesh” by Citycop New Releases: "Strange and Ever Changing Depths" by Narco Debut "Black Friday" by Palehound "Flamagra" by Flying Lotus AOTW: "Why Am I Like This?" by Orla Gartland "ZUU" by Denzel Curry "Punk Adjacent" by Bloodboy Thanks, Blisspoint

If the Moon is made of cheese, does that mean it has weather? Are there mozzarella tornadoes abound? Or even pepper jack typhoons? Some other weather-like phenomena you should consider: why the Brits are always yelling, how you too can channel your inner Billy, and terrible vitamin-based rap lyrics. Singles of the Week: Lana Del Rey - "Doin' Time (Sublime Cover)" Charli XCX - "I Blame It On Your Love (feat. Lizzo)" Men I Trust - "Norton Commander" Night Cafe - "Please" Shout-outs: "Dedication" by Carly Rae Jepsen "Langata" by Crooked Colours New Releases: "Shouting Matches" by Taylor Janzen "Of Mics and Men" by Wu Tang Clan "Grains of Space" by Thomas William Hill AOTW: "I Am Easy to Find" by The National "IGOR" by Tyler, the Creator "The Falling Man" by Duckwrth Thanks, Blisspoint

WIZARDS EXIST. THEY WALK AMONG US. APPRECIATE AND RESPECT. Some other god-like things you should consider existing/respecting: textural/soundscaping/tasteful synths, vampy weeks coming through with a big disappointment, and figuring out whether Cardi B can actually sing. Singles of the Week: Modest Mouse - "I'm Still Here" Flying Lotus - “More (feat. Anderson .Paak)” Alexisonfire - “Familiar Drugs” Mannequin Pussy - “Drunk II” Stormzy - "Vossi Bop" Ceu de Venus - “Memes” Claud - “If I Were You” The Midnight - “America Online” Shout-outs: "Cuz I Love You" by Lizzo "Blood" by Kelsey Lu "Plastic Jazz" by Le Grand "Violet Street" by Local Natives "Some Place Else" by MorMor New Releases: "So That You Might Hear Me" by Bear's Den "Father of the Bride" by Vampire Weekend  AOTW: "Happy to Be Here" by Barrie "In League With Dragons" by The Mountain Goats "Jade Bird" by Jade Bird Thanks, Blisspoint

As Billy starts to plan out his budget for seeing the Midnight this year (and setting aside rent money to do so...), we begin to plot out our emotional budget for excellent music this year. Some things you may want to account for in your budget: amazing/terrible country-trap crossovers, surprise twists from old favorites, and Phoebe Bridgers being a standout front-woman. Singles of the Week: Noname - "Song 32" Lil Nas X - “Old Town Road (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus)” Courtney Barnett - “Everybody here hates you” King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - “Planet B” Kaytranada - "Dysfunctional (feat. VanJess)" Open Mike Eagle - “Unfiltered (feat. Danny Brown)” Nails - “I Don’t Want to Know You” Tycho - “Easy” Aldous Harding - “The Barrel” Holy Ghost! - “Escape from Los Angeles” JJ Cale - "Stay Around" As I Lay Dying - "Redefined" Shout-outs: Guava Island (Donald Glover movie) New Releases: "The Cure to Loneliness" by Jai Wolf "Ventura" by Anderson .Paak  AOTW: "This Wild Willing" by Glen Hansard "Of Violence" by Town Portal Thanks, Blisspoint

Hey, you may remember us. It's been awhile. We missed you. Some other things you may have missed: music from the last three months (perhaps?).    Singles of the Week (HERE'S WHERE WE'D PUT 'EM IF WE TALKED THRU 'EM ALL): Kelsey Lu -- "I'm Not In Love" Vampire Weekend -- "Harmony Hall / 2021" J Cole -- "Middle Child" King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard -- "Cyboogie" Billie Eilish -- "Bury a Friend" Ariana Grande -- "7 Rings (feat. 2 Chainz)" Pregoblin -- "Combustion" Freddie Gibbs / Madlib -- "Flat Tummy Tea" Terror Reid -- "Buried Alive" Big Thief -- "UFOF Nick Murphy -- "Sanity" Four Tet -- "Only Human" National -- "You Had Your Soul With You" Local Natives -- "When Am I Gonna Lose You" Beast Coast -- "Left Hand" Schoolboy Q -- "Numb Numb Juice" Baroness -- "Borderlines" Lizzo -- "Tempo" Injury Reserve -- "Jailbreak the Tesla" Tame Impala -- "Patience" Phum Viphurit -- "Hello, Anxiety" Modest Mouse -- "Poison the Well"   Shout-outs: "Better EP" by Caracara "Rebirth" by Jon Hill Project "Piano EP" by Yvette Young "Komachi" by Meitei   New Releases: "Heart it in a Past Life" by Maggie Rogers "Sungazer Vol. 2 EP" by Sungazer "Language of Injury" by Ithaca "Gangway for Navy" by Navy Blue "Quiet Signs" by Jessica Pratt "- EP" by Jetty Bones "A Long Red Hot Los Angeles Night" by Blu / Oh No "Grey Area" by Lil Simz "Psychodrama" by Dave "What's Past is Prologue" by Free Throw "In the Dark" by Vok "Letters to Our Former Selves" by Youth Fountain "Sucker Punch" by Sigrid "New Jersey" by Geographer   AOTW: "Assume Form" by James Blake "Phoenix" by Pedro the Lion "EP" by Tangram "Obelisk" by Graham Costello "thank u, next" by Ariana Grande "Elder Mantis" by Black Taffy "Drastic Measures" by Bayonne "This is How You Smile" by Helado Negro "Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1" by Foals "Eastshade OST" by Phoenix Glendinning "PUNK" by Chai "Lux Prima" by Danger Mouse / Karen O "Emulsion" by Anatole "Hi this is flume" by Flume "My Finest Work Yet" by Andrew Bird "Panorama" by La Dispute "Everyday" by Tourist "Blushing" by Copeland "LP3" by American Football "Better Oblivion Community Center" by Better Oblivion Community Center (From 2018) "Oxnard" by Anderson .Paak "Malibu Ken" by Malibu Ken "Crushing" by Julia Jacklin "Beware of the Dogs" by Stella Donnelly "American Love Call" by Durand Jones and the Indications   Thanks, Blisspoint

Join us as we talk about the 16 best albums of the year in our inaugural Blisspoint of the Year series where we give you the lowdown on the best music of the year. This episode discusses the Semifinals and the FINALS(!!!). Sunset Blush by Kississippi (1) VS. effloresce by Covet (13) Single Rider by Jenn Champion (7) VS. DAYTONA by Pusha T (11)

Join us as we talk about the 16 best albums of the year in our inaugural Blisspoint of the Year series where we give you the lowdown on the best music of the year. This episode discusses the round 2. Sunset Blush by Kississippi (1) VS. Boygenius by Boygenius (9) effloresce by Covet (13) VS. Longwave by Bonny Doon (12) Geography by Tom Misch (15) VS. Single Rider by Jenn Champion (7) Lost Friends by Middle Kids (3) VS. DAYTONA by Pusha T (11)

Join us as we talk about the 16 best albums of the year in our inaugural Blisspoint of the Year series where we give you the lowdown on the best music of the year. This episode discusses the second half of round 1. Map It Out by Macseal (5) VS. Longwave by Bonny Doon (12) Future Me Hates Me by The Beths (6) VS. DAYTONA by Pusha T (11) Single Rider by Jenn Champion (7) VS. Dark All Day by Gunship (10) Cranberry by Hovvdy (8) VS. Boygenius by Boygenius (9)

Join us as we talk about the 16 best albums of the year in our inaugural Blisspoint of the Year series where we give you the lowdown on the best music of the year. This episode discusses the first half of round 1. Sunset Blush by Kississippi (1) VS. TRU by ovlov (16) Vide Noir by Lord Huron (2) VS. Geography by Tom Misch (15) Lost Friends by Middle Kids (3) VS. Where I Go When I Am Sleeping by Casey (14) Hope Downs by Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (4) VS. effloresce by Covet (13)