Midweek Slump Slammers: Roundup #2

We’re back with another set of songs that slam to get you through the midweek slump.

ICYMI: Each week, you can find a handful of tracks here that make me feel… many different things. At the end of the day, some may just be songs I need you to hear simply because I think more people should.

If you have a song that has settled with you in a way you’d like to share, let me know at katiecusack199@gmail.com or via Instagram @kkates_mariee and I’ll add ‘em on each week. Let’s talk about music that makes us feel together.

Happy listening.

“Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” – Iamdoechii

Whoa. This is the stuff. Get into the 90s nostalgia (Junie B. Jones, for F*!# sake!) we all love to talk about, sprinkled with an insane amount of attitude and fiery flow. I recently discovered Iamdoechii and am obsessed. Turns out I’m not the only one, either. Rolling Stone says this song’s been tagged on TikTok 3 million times and racked up 10 million plays on Spotify alone.

It’s easy to see why. The energizing track sets up a scenario in which the rapper is a young student introducing herself to the class for the first time. You know the drill: “Tell us three things about yourself,” blah blah blah. (A teacher of mine once asked, “What gets you up in the morning?” Now THAT’S how you make a teenager sweat.) Iamdoechii’s “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” of a self- introduction feels like Elite (™) word vomit. Like, let me REALLY tell you what I’m about–from my head to my toes. Believe me, it’s worth the hype.

Read more about Iamdoechii.

What it feels like: Being told, “You’re so quiet” at a party by someone you don’t particularly like. Then, unloading to them beyond anything they’ve ever wanted to know so you never have to speak to them ever again. Take a cleansing breath. God, that felt good.

“Bad Bite” – ‘68

I’ve started running again (honestly, including this detail for accountability because, yikes.) and I need to be rushed and screamed at in order to get myself to a good pace. This does the job in a big way. I love a good, loud duo that sounds like they’re just thrashing until they become utterly exhausted. A bit of that too, reminiscent of DFA 1979, is the fun in listening to how much deafening noise two people can really make in the right setting. “Bad Bite” is a nice, fast one from their new album Give One Take One, released March 2021. It’s simple, but it works.

What it feels like: God, remember really loud and crowded shows? It’s sweaty and rough and someone’s probably spilling a PBR on you but you can’t even focus on that right now. Instead, you just feel the drums in your chest, the sound is rattling your ribcage. You can’t hear yourself think anymore, how glorious.

“Heebiejeebies” – Aminé feat. Kehlani

Just a heads up, every week is likely going to include songs you’ll wanna dance real slow and low to in an outdoor setting with your loved ones. I love a romantic jam and the combo of Aminé (if you haven’t heard “Caroline” you have something very fun ahead of you) and Kehlani (flawless discography IMO) is too good to be true. The melody of this song is so soothing, it feels like a vacation.

What it feels like: It’s almost too warm, to the point that everything feels like it’s moving in slow motion. That little breeze makes its way through your hair and you shake off the melting feeling. Stretch, it’ll feel good. Kiss someone you love.

Forwards by Chris Cronin

“Toss Out Everything Old” – Chris Cronin

The guiding piano and gentle vocals make this track feel meditative. Its very title and chorus present as a mantra for restarting a new chapter of life. Shake off what kept you back or made you feel lesser than. There are so many better things ahead you need to clear space for. What a sentiment. Listen to “Toss Out Everything Old” and other centering tracks from Cronin’s new record Forwards, released earlier this week.

What it feels like: You’re driving on an open road. The landscape around you is so flat, if you stopped and got out of the car it would seem that the sky was at your feet. So, you do just that. Bend down and pick up clumps of the dirt, crushing it in your fingers. Let it fall to the ground as it crumbles. Inhale and exhale that cleansing breath.