Staff Pix: 11/11

The Milk Crate staff’s favorite tracks of the week, presented with blurbs worthy of a promotional sticker on a jewel case. Tune in Fridays from 2-3 EST to the Staff Pix radio show.

Karenna Umscheid

She’s a Liar by Little Fuss

Local band Little Fuss’s latest single is bursting with underground energy and lively beats. The production perfectly amplifies the fun and real lyricism, laced with a 2000s edginess and stellar, rich vocals from lead singer Olivia Martinez. The band’s inventive storytelling laments on anxiety and a mental spiral - inspired by the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” through verses that sing “I just took a hit of my worst desires/now my eyes look kind of burned and/the room’s on fire/but I’m playing it cool/in the corner like I’m used to.” From the gorgeous light humming matched with drum beats at the start, to each whispery interludes sandwiched between electric instrumentals, “She’s a Liar” is a spunky sick hit from a band climbing up Boston’s local music scene. 

Stephanie Weber

girlfriend by hemlocke springs

“girlfriend” is hemlock springs’ second single ever. It accompanies her first single released this year, titled “gimme all ur luv.” “girlfriend” was available for listen on November 2 and immediately trended on TikTok about a week after the release date. The song follows her bubbly personality and musical sound with ethereal lyrics and sound. The song starts with the lyrics “You say, ‘I want to be your girlfriend’ / It wasn't really in my plans,” going on to describe this toxic relationship she’s getting into. The second lyrics explain that this protagonist “I'll treat you like you are a carry on (carry on, carry on)” and “My kindness is of a false pretense.” hemlocke springs tells us that just because we have a crush on someone doesn’t mean we should always be in a relationship with them. “girlfriend” is a pretty simple song lyrically, with no rhymes and the three-line chorus ending in “girlfriend,” “girl,” and “girlfriend.” The bridge has been the one part of the song that’s trended on TikTok. The bridge in particular is excitable and fun, emanating her fun personality in the song. With 23,500 followers on Instagram and about 600,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, I’m very excited to see what hemlocke springs releases in the next few months.

Farah Rincon

Lamb (feat. Porches) by Coco & Clair Clair

On Friday, November 4th, Coco & Clair Clair released their second album, "Sexy," after their five-year-old (and very first) album, "Posh." The album’s title lives up to its musical standards, being that it truly does have a playful, "sexy" sound to it. Previously released songs such as "Cherub" and fan favorite "Pop Star", take part in the album as well, accompanied by ten other tracks. Coco & Clair Clair have mastered the art of mixing elements of bedroom pop with lo-fi hip-hop and birthing their unique, youthful, and flirty music for their fans to dance to. A particular track that can be used to represent the overall sound and "sexiness" of this album is their ninth track, "Lamb," featuring Porches. The indie-sounding acoustic guitar chords, lofi drum patterns, and baby vocals complete the lighthearted, frisky vibe of the song. "Lamb," an abbreviation for Lamborghini, also has catchy lyrics: "Hopping out the Lamb' with my man, my man / Dancing in the club with my friends, my friends / Nothing's really changed, I'm the same as always." More or less, listeners of CoCo & Clair Clair can confide in them to produce an easy-going, fun track to party to or play in the car with friends. The musicians continuously produce a fresher sound while keeping the nostalgic bedroom pop beats that became popularized in the late 2010s.

Anne O’Leary

Die For You- Joji

“Die For You” is the third song off of Joji’s third studio album Smithereens that was just released last week. Smithereens also features the popular track “Glimpse of Us” that blew up on Tik Tok a few months ago. “Die For You” is a meloncholy post breakup ballad where Joji wishes his past lover that they are getting the happiness they deserve, but he would still do whatever he could for them, with lyrics, “I heard you’re happy without me/ And I hope it’s true/It kills me a little, that’s okay/ Cause I’d still die for you/ You know I’d still die for you.” Die For You has already amassed 15 million streams on Spotify but still rings true to the general themes Joji sings about, unrequited love, breakups, and loneliness. This is a great track for those still stuck in the breakup blues, but past the anger stage, wishing for hope to come. 

Patrick McGill

Dirt by Y2K Feat. JPEGMafia

Though he’s been largely in the background producing for a variety of pop-rap artists since his 2019 hit “Lalala”, electronic musician Y2K clears his own, more danceable, path with JPEGMafia on “Dirt”. Starting with flickering synths and ambient swells before going into a breakbeat extravaganza that continues for the rest of the duration, what really sets this track apart is the sound. Nothing is overproduced or formed to be bombastic. Despite their relentless usage, the sampled drums feel spacious and well recorded, as if you’re actually in the room unaware of their probably synthetic origin. What this creates is a fun, groovy, tune that still has hidden darknesses and a lack of the pop sensibility that Y2K has shown to be well equipped at. With Peggy’s stream of consciousness lyrics and wavy flow acting as another musical layer than average feature, we get a track that shows Y2K not only to be a producer with unexpected musical variety but also a solo artist worth looking out for.

Lily Suckow Ziemer

Hold Me by Hojean

“Hold Me” is the most recent single from R&B artist, Hojean (he/him). Starting with “Small Room” in 2017, Hojean has released 20 singles, with this being the most recent. Furthermore, Hojean announced on Instagram that, “after this track, we’re heading into my VERY FIRST DEBUT EP.” The song is slow with a strong beat that speaks exactly to the title. On the surface level, the lyrics present Hojean offering comfort to another. He sings, “Whenever you're free / Whenever you need / Come hold me.” But as the lyrics “hold me” repeat over and over again, the listener is able to interpret Hojean’s need as well. He’s not just offering solace, but begging for it on his own end as well. “Hold Me” is a beautiful song and sets the tone for Hojean’s upcoming EP.

Lily Hartenstein

Sheepskin by Clifford the Band and Mei Semones

Post-hardcore genre hoppers Clifford the Band collaborated with jazz-influence indie pop artist Mei Seimones to create the melancholic and simultaneously soothing single “Sheepskin.” Since graduating from Berklee, Semones has relocated to Brooklyn, NY, but during her time in Boston was a frequent treasure on DIY show lineups; similarly, Clifford is a staple in the Boston basement scene. The combination of Semone’s tender, jazz-influenced indie pop blends seamlessly with Clifford the Band’s folk-rock stylings. The single is reminiscent of early 2010’s indie, lending a similar effect to The Shins or Death Cab For Cutie: that gentle, forlorn style of vocals over delicate and layered instrumentation sounds comfortingly familiar, until Semone’s Japanese lyrics come in and you realize something entirely new is made.

Anya Perel-Arkin

No Blood, No Needles, Nothing by ash tuesday

I’m usually at a loss on weeks where we write about new releases, but luckily Lily came to the rescue, somehow knowing about my guilty pleasure for midwest emo. Milk Crate actually has a history with Ash Tuesday, so I thought this was a good choice. Her new song, “No Blood, No Needles, Nothing” feels like a warm hug to me— it reminds me of driving to apple orchards with my ex-girlfriend while listening to The Front Bottoms, enveloped by fields of changing trees, or even hiking with my roommate in Montana. It also gives me flashbacks to rainy days in Southern New York, where I was born and raised and spent most days listening to artists like German Error Message and Golden Smog (I love you Jeff Tweedy, I’m sorry I couldn’t marry your son). Anyways, Ash’s lovely voice and pacing guitar clearly bring me back to better moments, and this song is definitely going on the “sad in science class” playlist.

Parker Bennett

Say That ft. Nomi by Mount Kimbie

British electronic duo Mount Kimbie released their fourth studio album MK 3.5: Die Cuts / City Planning last Friday, a double disc that saw the tracklist split between band-members Dom Maker and Kai Campos. Maker’s first half is a lo-fi, sample-heavy collage of underground collaborators, and Campos’ is a tinkling, ambient collection of instrumentals. Altogether, the album ends up feeling somewhat bloated - Campos’ half is fairly tedious - but songs like “Say That” definitely deserve celebration. Produced by Maker, the track is a seemingly inconspicuous collab with relatively unknown Houston singer, nomi, but ends up being one of the most addictive moments in the MK 3.5 tracklist. Over a muffled sample loop, nomi’s sweet pop vocals float out clear as day: “I don’t think you see you how I see who you are.” Her presence is a gentle, romantic flourish that elevates the rather simple instrumental into a delightful feat of electronica. nomi continues to sing about love, spelling out stories of seduction and silent communication between lovers. Then, just as you’re getting nice and comfortable with the song, it changes. The last minute of the track is the undeniable highlight, with an absolutely gorgeous vibraphone orchestration underpinning nomi’s muttered repetition of “say that for me.” It’s a slow-burn of a song, and the build-up happens without the listener even realizing it. The song’s first half doesn’t necessarily signal a change of pace, but the inclusion of one is nothing short of magical, and makes for one of the most loopable pieces of music I’ve heard in a long time. 

Julia Norkus

cursive by ghost orchard

“cursive” is just one of the many little sun spots that live on the burst of beauty that is rainbow music, the fourth album from independent artist Sam Hall (née ghost orchard). A song that can be described as nothing other than a backyard jam, “cursive” marries stripped down sounds with the grooviest of picking patterns and suggestions of a pedal steel. While you might hear people say that something sounds like it's underwater, “cursive” and the rest of the album sound like my headphones are plugged into a kaleidoscope. The lyrics are nearly inaudible, but still feel bright and like they’re wrapped in dewy gossamer. Diluted vocals, gentle drums, the sound of birds chirping in the distance—it feels like a song fit for a morning walk around the Public Garden. The album overall sounds effortless and easy to listen to, so even if you don’t understand any of the lyrics, it’s just a nice one to sit back and enjoy the presence of. While its words might not resonate with you, treat it like an old friend you can enjoy comfortable silence with—except this is an album and you get to be the silent one.

Sarah Fournell 

mad at me by Samia ft papa mbye​

“Mad at Me” is a fun, pop anthem with sinister, universally relatable lyrics. The Caleb Wright and Rostam produced track is punchy, fun, and flirty with dark undertones. Sonically, it’s a sharp deviation from the trance-like despair of Samia’s recent work, “Kill Her Freak Out.” But lyrically, the themes are just as scary and desperate. Throughout the song, she begs the question that physically hurts when asked, “Are you still/Mad at me?” Though ultimately by the end of the song, she decides “I don’t wanna know anymore.” “Mad at Me” features a verse from Senegalese artist papa mbye about the self-destructive nature of the question “Are you still/Mad at me?” The music video is just as fun as the beat, with unadulterated joy on full display as Samia’s bikini-clad squad playfully dances around a lakefront.

Farah Rincon

Lamb (feat. Porches) by Coco & Clair Clair

On Friday, November 4th, Coco & Clair Clair released their second album, "Sexy," after their five-year-old (and very first) album, "Posh." The album’s title lives up to its musical standards, being that it truly does have a playful, "sexy" sound to it. Previously released songs such as "Cherub" and fan favorite "Pop Star", take part in the album as well, accompanied by ten other tracks. Coco & Clair Clair have mastered the art of mixing elements of bedroom pop with lo-fi hip-hop and birthing their unique, youthful, and flirty music for their fans to dance to. A particular track that can be used to represent the overall sound and "sexiness" of this album is their ninth track, "Lamb," featuring Porches. The indie-sounding acoustic guitar chords, lofi drum patterns, and baby vocals complete the lighthearted, frisky vibe of the song. "Lamb," an abbreviation for Lamborghini, also has catchy lyrics: "Hopping out the Lamb' with my man, my man / Dancing in the club with my friends, my friends / Nothing's really changed, I'm the same as always." More or less, listeners of CoCo & Clair Clair can confide in them to produce an easy-going, fun track to party to or play in the car with friends. The musicians continuously produce a fresher sound while keeping the nostalgic bedroom pop beats that became popularized in the late 2010s.

Nathan Hilyard

Jazzercise by Okay Kaya

“Jazzercise” is a standout track from Okay Kaya’s newest album, SAP, which arrived on November 4th. The track is a testament to the subliminal, quirky jams Okay Kaya is so adept at constructing. The song opens with wonky guitar swings mixing uncomfortably with a cheerful drum beat, and by the addition of the bass the song has reached a gentle swing and groove. Then she begins, “Have you tried jazzercising your nerves away? / Spandex, lycra, every single day / Polymer-amorous, second layer of skin / Lay there touching it, exalted, spread your fingers and wiggle them.” Okay Kaya’s past work perfectly contextualizes these lyrics, with her signature lyrical focus on the mundane, oddball lanes of life. The song more or less adventures around these simple, well formed sounds and continues to sing on the necessities of jazzercise. Okay Kaya in all of her strange ways has added another unique and unexplained track to her canon of quirk. 

Minna Abdel-Gawad

Bygones by Seeing Double 

New York based band Seeing Double released their fourth single “Bygones” this week. They had massive success with their debut single "Leah" that currently has over 3 million streams on spotify. They originally gained popularity on Tik Tok platform with their series “brushing our teeth to our song Leah until it blows up.” The factor that led to their massive burst of popularity is their retro and psychedelic rock style, strong vocal performance and groovy guitar solos. The band has shared how heavily inspired they are by artists like Fleetwood Mac, The Strokes and Paul McCartney and these inspirations are completely evident in their soulful vocals, gritty guitar pieces and use of three part harmonies. “Bygones” tells the story of a painful heartbreak that is accompanied by a thrashing guitar, belting vocals, and prominent tambourine piece. The song feels like a very natural progression for the band’s discography as it still has the retro elements that everyone loved in “Leah” but explores a new aspect of it with a more hard rock angle to the song. It’s dynamic, energetic and an all around great rock song.

Harry Bates

“We Back” by Charlie Boon Jodie Harsh 

Mixing it up this week — Serving a little SOHO London sound this Friday, with legendary Jodie Harsh adding her own spice to Charlie Boon’s infectious house track.