Free Form Telephony- March 12th 2021

The amount of new music being released is overwhelming. The task of sifting through it all may feel more like a chore instead of the joy music is meant to bring into our lives.

We may become paralyzed with the endless stream of choice relying instead on the music we already know and love.

Allow me, Charlie Le Fol, to expand your horizons as I wade through the good, the bad, and the mediocre to present you my favorite music.

So, feel free to grow your musical repertoire by adding the songs you love to your favorite playlists, and simply leaving behind the songs you don't.

Youtube Playlist:

Napster Playlist:

Song by Song Breakdown:

Blackberry Smoke - "You Hear Georgia"

The title track from Blackberry Smoke's upcoming album is pure southern rock. With guitar licks reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd and lyrics embracing what it means to be misunderstood this song is a rollicking good time.

"It started with the idea of how people might have a pre-conceived opinion of you because of a thick Southern accent, then expanded into the reality of how some people just seem to have such a hard time getting along, thanks to political or religious views, or simply what part of the country you come from," says frontman Charlie Starr.

Tigirily - "Somebody Does"

Sisters Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh wrote this inspirational country tune alongside long time friend and confidant Zarni Devette. Together these three women perfectly capture the importance of never losing sight of how important we all are to those around us.

“I don’t think people understand how much they mean in this world and how much they mean to other people. But I think now more than ever, it’s nice to have this song serve as a reminder to everyone," says Krista Slaubaugh.

Genesis Owusu - Gold Chains

Born Kofi Owusu-Ansah in Ghana before moving to Canberra, Australia at the age of two, Genesis Owusu describes himself as, "Prince, if he were a rapper in 2020s Australia." Gold Chains tackles the futility of materialism in a poignantly subversive manner.

“Before I started writing music, as a kid, I was writing short stories,” Owusu explains recalling his youth. “And then I was writing poetry, and then I was writing music. My favourite album of all time is [Kendrick Lamar’s] To Pimp a Butterfly, which is a conceptual masterpiece. Creating my album, I wanted to encapsulate that same feeling where this music is intentional. I’m not just making music for the sake of it.”

Ava Max - "My Head & My Heart"

This bonus track from Ava Max's debut album Heaven and Hell explores the disconnect that is often felt between one's head and one's heart within a toxic relationship. If the melody sounds familiar it's because it's borrowed from the Russian 90s banger ‘Pesenka’ by Ruki Vverh!, made popular by the German band ATC with their hit ‘Around the World.’ Here Ava Max brilliantly updates the tune for her generation.

"I think about me now and who I could have been, and then I picture all the perfect that we lived, 'til I cut the strings on your tiny violin," Ava sings.

Throwback: Paul McCartney - "Pipes of Peace"

This Paul McCartney classic extolls the virtues of spreading positivity through music. After all, it is often the music we consume which shapes our worldview. The video is a playful reenactment of a The Christmas Truce, a series of widespread unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front of the First World War around Christmas 1914, with Paul McCartney acting as a soldier in both armies.

“I figured, in the end, when you’re done with all the cynicism, people go back to loving each other,” says Paul McCartney.

Throwback: Yoko Ono - Hell In Paradise

Yoko Ono's 1985 song Hell In Paradise is a reminder that moment to moment we have the choice between living hell or paradise. Now is the time to stand up and verbalize our multi colored dreams!

''So many times the press plays a lot of games with me. One of the games that they played was 10 years of being the `Dragon Lady,` you know. Sometimes I feel that the world is so concerned about those things that they never get into more interesting questions, and it is actually a loss for both of us," says Yoko Ono.

Caleborate - "Soul"

Caleborate's uplifting hip hop track 'Soul' speaks on the virtues of maintaining one's integrity. Dedicated to those who are “seven days a week, always on they grind” and the “takin’ care of their kids on that nine to five.” A reminder to not let others negativity dissuade you from pursuing your dreams.

“I definitely feel like if you’re abstaining from being a part of [rap trends], that’s damn near underground now,” Caleborate muses. “Right now, what people want is to be shocked. Before, I think we wanted to be shocked by talent, but now I think we want to be shocked by anything different and I don’t know why. It’s alienating because you’re one of few.”

Che Noir - "Hunger Games"

Che Noir a Buffalo, New York born rapper spits bars putting her street intelligence on full display. Simply put you ain't achieving your dreams if you ain't putting in the grind.

"Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester are three of the top cities in New York with the highest crime rates. Being affected by that, that played a part in the aggressiveness in my music. As far as the sound, a lot of people tell me it’s like a nostalgic sound we have, but we’ve been doing that sound for years. I grew up listening to a lot of DMX, Foxy Brown, JAY-Z, Biggie, Pac… A lot of these big ‘90s rappers," says Che Noir.

Marshall Law Band - "Reel News"

Ani Difranco - "Simultaneously"

The Red Shadow Singers - "Eagle Song"

Indiajiva - "Abwoon D'bashmaya"