What I've Been Listening To (October 2024)

October was actually a busier month for music releases than I anticipated. So, it’s time for another What I’ve Been Listening To. 

Ache In My Tooth by Flowerovlove (October 11): I was first recommended Flowerovlove’s music by my co-blogger, Adri, and since then I’ve gone on to check out more of her music. Last month, she released an EP called Ache In My Tooth, which included the single Breaking News. It was an airy, sugary Pop EP about love and relationships with a bright aesthetic. I liked this one, and I look forward to seeing what Flowerovlove does next.

Clancy by Twenty One Pilots (May 24): Admittedly, it took me entirely too long to listen to Clancy, considering it was one of my more highly anticipated albums of 2024. But, anyway, it is what it is. Did I like Clancy? Yes, and by a lot, actually. I’ve been following along with the lore/story being told, since Blurryface, and this album felt like a nice wrap-up to the journey, and it was done in Twenty One Pilots usual style—a genre mashup. Some of my favorite songs included Overcompensate, Backslide, Next Semester, and At The Risk Of Feeling Dumb, just to name a few.

Symphony of Lungs (BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall) by Florence + The Machine with Jules Buckley (October 25): Symphony of Lungs is Florence + The Machine’s new live album with Jules Buckley and an orchestra. I wasn’t expecting it, but I love it! And, it was nice to revisit the band’s 2009 album, Lungs, with this performance.

Megan Act II by Megan Thee Stallion (October 25): Megan Thee Stallion released a deluxe edition of her album, Megan. Titled, Megan Act II, this version added an additional thirteen tacks to one of my favorite rep albums of the years. And, I had as much fun listening to this one as I did the original. I also liked the features too: Flo Milli on Roc Steady, a remix of Mamushi with Twice, another collaboration with Spiritbox on TYG, and Neva Play with BTS’s RM.

Brat and it’s completely different but also still Brat by Charli XCX (October 11): And, the Brat train continues. It’s not the deluxe, no, we already got that, instead Brat and it’s completely different but also still Brat it’s the remix album. And, for the most part, I enjoyed this version of it too. It’s Brat but a rework of the formula, which offered another way to experience the album as well as some great features. After all, Charli XCX worked with artists like Troye Sivan, Tinashe, Caroline Polachek, Kesha, Billie Eilish, Shygirl, Bladee, BB Trickz, and more.

New singles and songs on my playlist: On Your Knees and Don’t Mess With The Messer by Grace Jones, Supernatural by Frost Children featuring Haru Nemuri, Pull Up by Internet Girl Featuring Maglera Doe Boy, RIP by Qveen Herby, and Frankenstein by Qveen Herby featuring Tech N9ne.

Music Monday (304): Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek

Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: I've been listening to the Charlie XCX's remix album, Brat and it's completely different but also still brat. One of my favorite songs is Everything is Romantic featuring Caroline Polachek.

What are you listening to this week?

I Listened to Brat by Charli XCX

I’ve listened to Charli XCX’s music since the True Romance days in 2013. So, I was moderately looking forward to her sixth studio album, Brat, which was released on the seventh of June. And then on the tenth of the month, a deluxe version—Brat and It’s the Same But There’s Three More Songs So It’s Not—was released under a very ironic title. And with that, welcome back to the music minded corner of Our Thoughts Precisely!

Brat was bold, loud, and full of hyper and electronic pop club friendly beats—for example Von Dutch, 360, Apple, and Club Classics, among others. Those aspects of the album were fun and, essentially, the kind of music you can move to. They also showcased the inspiration behind the album, which I’d read previously was pulling from “London rave.” While songs like I Might Say Something Stupid and So I slowed it down by a notch, and they were among some of the most vulnerable tracks on Brat. 365 closes the initial album with lyrics and a beat recycled from 360, but remixes it enough so while it was a full circle moment, the track still stood on its own.

On the other hand, Brat and It’s the Same But There’s Three More Songs So It’s Not adds Hello Goodbye, Guess, and Spring Breakers to the original track list. The three songs were fine, and complemented the album.

All in all, Brat was a pretty solid album for me.

Music Monday (292): Charli XCX, The Spiritual Machines

Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: I've been listening to Charli XCX's new album, Brat. One of my favorite songs is 360.

Adri: Unfortunately, I haven't been keeping up with music releases from my favorite artists. That's how I missed the release of The Mirror and the Dancer by The Spiritual Machines. It quickly became one of my favorite songs.

What are you listening to this week?

I Listened to Crash by Charli XCX

 

Charlie XCX is one of those artists where I know that whatever they put out, it’s probably going to be a good listening experience. With features including Rina Sawayama, Christina and the Queens, and Caroline Polachek, Crash—Charli XCX’s 2022 album—finds it stride and keeps it as it bops along to beats that can feel somewhat familiar without losing the edge that makes them enjoyable. 

Crash feels like a love letter to Pop and Electro-Pop, reminding me of some hits from the early 2000s. But Charli XCX puts enough of a spin to these sounds that makes the album current while it visits the past. It was a good combination, and it suited the vocals and lyrics.

The titular Crash drops right into the album, while Twice closes out the track list on a memorable note. Some of my favorite songs include Yuck, Lightning, and Beg For You featuring Rina Sawayama. Overall though, I really liked what Crash offered, and I know I’ll have this album on repeat for a while.

Music Monday (194): Charli XCX, Lecrae, Tori Kelly, Soul Central

Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: I wanted to share another one of my favorite songs from CRASH. Constant Repeat is so good. The whole album is a vibe, and I've had it on repeat. 

Adri: I'm currently listening to In-Ten-City by Soul Central. I  didn't realize that there was an instrumental version.

Andrea: Hi all! This week I'm listening to I'll Find You by Lecrae featuring Tori Kelly. Have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

Music Monday (193): Charli XCX, Beyoncé

Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: I'm currently listening to Charli XCX's new album, CRASH. Move Me is a phenomenal song, and it's one of the best from the album.

Andrea: Hi all! This week I'm listening to the King Richard soundtrack. Check out Be Alive by Beyoncé. Have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

Music Monday (171): Charli XCX, Ultra Nate, Erykah Badu

  Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana:  Over the weekend, I was listening to a couple of new songs by a handful of my favorite artists. The best of the bunch was Good Ones by Charli XCX.

Adri: Hey, this week I'm listening to some of my favorite songs by Ultra Naté. The songs are Gone Like Yesterday, Desire, and This House.

Andrea: This week I'm listening to On & On by Erykah Badu.

What are you listening to this week?

Music Monday (91): Charli XCX, Sky Ferreria

   Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: I’m currently listening to Charli XCX’s new album, Charli. One of my favorite songs from it is Cross You Out featuring Sky Ferreria.

Upcoming Music I'm Waiting For: Second Half Of The Year

Listen, there have been a lot of good albums released in the first six months of the year. Despite how many I’ve already listened to, there are many more I’ve yet to get to. I’m looking forward to the second half of the year and all the music that’ll be coming out before January 2020. Some of my favorite artists are back with new albums to be released sometime in 2019, and oh man, I’m so excited.

(**Note: “current singles to listen to from” = songs that are available to listen to from the upcoming albums.**)

lll by Banks 

Banks is back. It’s been about three years since The Altar was released, and I loved that album. Of course, Banks released two singles in 2017: Underdog and Crowded Spaces. Those were really good on their own. However, I’ve wanted another full album: a follow-up to The Altar. And it’s happening. Luckily, the wait won’t be too long since lll comes out on July 12, 2019.

Current singles to listen to from lll...

• Gimme

• Look What You’re Doing to Me

Charli by Charli XCX 

With songs like You (Ha Ha Ha), Take My Hand, and Black Roses, Charli XCX’s True Romance album is one of my favorite releases of 2013. Admittedly, I haven’t kept up with some of her more recent music. However, her new album, Charli, has caught my attention because of the collaborations with Lizzo, Troye Sivan, and others. Charli releases on September 13, 2019.

Current singles to listen to from Charli...

• 1999

• Blame It On Your Love

Sunshine Kitty by Tove Lo 

Out of all the music on this list, Sunshine Kitty is the album I’m most looking forward to. I have Tove Lo’s first three albums. She’s an artist I consistently listen to and buy music from. I am beyond excited for Sunshine Kitty. There’s no release day yet, but it says 2019. So, I have my finger’s crossed that the wait won’t be too long.

Current singles to listen to from Sunshine Kitty

• Glad He’s Gone

Halsey 

You know, I’ve listened to both of Halsey’s albums—Hopeless Fountain Kingdom and Badlands—and I’ve liked them. So, I’m looking forward to Halsey’s next album (No name or release date yet).

There are, of course, many other albums coming out between July and the end of the year. However, these are the main ones I’m waiting for. What upcoming music are you waiting for? Or, what are some recent singles, albums, or eps you’ve listened to?

Music Monday (47): Charli XCX

   Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Today, I want to talk about one of my favorite albums: True Romance by Charli XCX. I believe I mentioned this one before but recently I was listening to it again. True Romance was the album that introduced me to Charli XCX’s music. Even now, a couple years later, I still love it as much as I did the first time I listened to it in 2013—it’s hard to believe that it's already been four years. Between the vocals, lyrics, and catchy beats, True Romance is just good album to listen to on repeat. As such, my first pick is Grins. Oh gosh, I love this song a lot…

My second pick is Black Roses, also from True Romance. I think this is my top favorite song from the album and I remember a time when I would listen to it on repeat. Even now, when I listen to Black Roses, I get the urge to sing along...

Have you listened to any music by Charli XCX? If so, what are your favorite songs?

Music Monday (24) Janelle Monáe & Charli XCX,

   Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: My first pick this week is Cold War by Janelle Monáe. I feel like I’m always mentioning Janelle Monáe, but she has released a lot of great songs that I just want to talk about. I also listen to The Electric Lady and ArchAndroid albums often, so I was bound to talk about her music again. So, Cold War, yeah, it’s a fantastic song.

My second pick this week is Take My Hand by Charli XCX. I first heard of her back in 2013 when her True Romance album came out. And let me tell you, I used to listen to that entire album often and on repeat. I don’t know why I stopped listening to it for a while. It’s only recently that I started listening to True Romance again and remembered why it’s one of my favorite albums. As for Take My Hand, well, I love this song so much. It’s one of the best songs from the album. There are other great songs too like Black Roses, Nuclear Seasons, and Lock You Up.

What are you listening to this week?