Each week, Audio Taste Test serves up an obscure and independent playlist for your evening, tantalizing your musical palate with flavors from all different soundscapes. Listen on demand here and on 88Nine from 10-11 p.m. every Thursday.
Out of Washington D.C., alt-country artist Camille Blackman starts this episode by taking us into the “kitchen.” It’s a bluesy folk song chronicling a journey with a lover that manipulated her and you can really feel the anguish in her raspy vocals and witty lyricism.
We also have some post-punk blended with surf rock, courtesy of the collaboration between The Drums and 60 Juno. Their high-energy track “Isolation” features rough rhythms and jangly guitars reverberating in the background, making it feel like you’re listening to an echo in an empty room. Almost like you’re … isolated.
Adding some levity to the playlist are Nigerian brother duo Umu Obiligbo with “Anwuli.” It’s centered around a sound known as “highlife,” which originated in Ghana in the 19th century by blending traditional West African rhythms with Western and European jazz influences. I’m always in the mood for a little tropical music, and after hearing this track, I think you will be, too.
Peruvian rock band Turbopotamos swirl English and Spanish lyrics on “Ultra Beba,” which features an iconic Latin rock sound along with ska and rockabilly influences. It’s a unique mix that’ll stir up memories of being at prom, with entertainment provided by a local garage band.
Mellow and hazy, The Far East’s “NYC Dream” has a funky bassline that features retro-sounding vocals on top of a reggae rhythm. It’s a lover’s rock anthem that’ll make you want to walk around NYC sharing a street Belgian waffle with that special someone.
Proving once again that all music is fair game, this episode also includes songs from movies I’ve watched on Netflix. From the Indian courtroom drama and legal thriller Ikka comes “Woh Ikka Hai,” a track as suspenseful and edge-of-your-seat as the movie that follows a lawyer who initially refuses to represent a man accused of murder but completely flips as more juicy information comes to light.
Happy tasting!
Episode playlist
- Camille Blackman, "kitchen"
- Nia Archives, "Vertical"
- Bappi Lahiri, "Rama Rama"
- The Drums & 60 juno "Isolation"
- Umu Obiligbo, "Anwuli"
- Casiopea, "La Costa"
- Dire Straits, "Money for Nothing"
- Avery Catbird, "Petting The Stingrays"
- Turbopotamos, "Ultra Beba"
- The Far East, "NYC Dream"
- Nirosta Steel, "BOSS TRIX (BENNY"S SONG)"
- Vansire & Munya, "More Than Now"
- Mithoon, Vishal Dadlani, Raja Kumari & Sayeed Quadri, "Woh Ikka Hai"
- Pigeon, "Miami"
- Holy Wave, "US 54"
