The Mighty Lemon Drops, “Beautiful Shame” (1989)
These guys were a name that always went by, but I’ve been loving them a lot more lately, and this track…how was this not an enduring alternative hit? HOW?!! I AM ASKING YOU SPECIFICALLY!!
10,000 Maniacs, “Scorpio Rising” (1985)
I don’t even want to think about how long I’ve slept on this song, but I’m fully obsessed now. There is no number of plays that can make up for lost time. What an absolute burner.
Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe, “What We Are” (2025)
Of course, it’s always amazing what Brian Eno can do with a song, but his power is really on display here.
Sufjan Stevens, “The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out To Get Us!” (2005)
This is one of those songs that is everything that people love about Sufjan with a lot of what people don’t like about him. But it hits me so hard, especially the end bit: “All of my powers, day after day…”
Japanese Breakfast, “Picture Window” (2025)
This one’s on the summer playlist. Obviously.