THE REPORT: 1/23/26
LET’S GO TO THE KWIK TRIP
In Wisconsin, there’s no Sheetz or Wawa or Buc-ees, but there is the Kwik Trip. And finally someone has written a rap ode to the underrated Upper Midwest convenience staple, a place where you can get a 30-ounce fountain drink called a Big Buddy, a 40-ounce fountain drink called a Best Buddy, and a 50-ounce fountain drink called a Mega Buddy. Here’s the crazy thing: The song is great, too, one of the best hybrids of Drain Gang-ish digi-pop and clap-happy Milwaukee rap to date. Tip!
The cover of the new release from the all-star Hudson Valley hardcore unit Crush Your Soul spells out its title using blocks of digital ice. It’s a gesture that is both “hard as hell” and pretty silly, a combination that defines most good tough-guy hardcore. The album ends with a Griseldacore rap song.
Listening to too much plodding shoegaze? Are bands like Crush Your Soul actually starting to crush your soul? I have an easy fix: Lightning Bolt and OOIOO have a split 12” dropping soon. Both units make action rock that is not made for dissociated moshing or jock-style moshing. It’s made for freaking out. I would be uncomfortable telling you just how much I recently paid on eBay for a rare Boredoms VHS. I usually don’t do things like that.
TREKKIE TRAX CREW, umru, nextdimensional “Open!”
Speaking of: Here, a Japanese beat posse enlists a grip of collaborators, both from their home country and not, for a head twister whose wiggly playfulness is just distorted enough to make sure it will never be in an iPhone ad. Famous last words!
More Dan Deacon than The Postal Service, the new ideasforconversations track pushes the indietronica conversation forward, into places that haven’t been seen since those heady days when MIDI grind bands played sets wearing only American Apparel short shorts and extra small shirts representing their middle school’s physical education department.
JOHN’S MUSIC BLOG PRESENTS… THE BONUS THREE (AND ONE MORE)
A perfect 1:52 of lo-fi pop. On K, natch.
French Montana, Max B “Ever Since U Left Me (I Went Deaf)”
The Martorialist thinks that this song is ruined by the Auto-Tune on Max B’s voice, but I beg to differ. Built on not one but two obvious samples, it’s the best hip house song in years.
Tyler, The Creator once described Liim as sounding something like Max B over Stereolab instrumentals. I’m not sure if that’s right, but the guy’s newest song gives the idea a bit more shape.
The brand of blasted breakbeat business that works the best while waiting for the R after dark.
MISCELLANEOUS LISTENING
Myaap “What You Wanna Do”
Karp Self-Titled
Ella Langley “Choosin’ Texas”
DJ Scud Three The Hard Way mix
Charlie Osborne, Worldpeace DMT “Marching Music”
Phantom 45 The Jungle Book mix
Ben and The Blackwell Babies Self-Titled
KARP, DJ Scud and an overpriced Boredoms VHS is no problems, island living.