Summer Staff Pix: June

The Milk Crate staff takes a break from their sun-soaked summer breaks to select their favorite songs released during the month of June. Listen to our choices for the perfect poolside playlist!

Karenna Umscheid

What Was Mine by Sarah Kinsley

The King herself, Sarah Kinsley, exits June with a new EP, Cypress, and the stunning single “What Was Mine.” The varied instrumentation supplements her lyricism to make this a gorgeous ballad of a black hole-kind of unrequited love, and insurmountable heartbreak. Kinsley’s talent should have her headed to the sad girl music hall of fame, as she particularly strikes a chord with the lyric “What do I do with the idea of you now?” Her EP is a revelation, with genuinely poetic songwriting and her incredible voice; it’s clear that we are living in Kinsley’s kingdom.

Will Ingman

What is Delicious? Who Swarms? by The Callous Daoboys

On the fringes of the metal tradition, unbothered by the trends and conventions of their mainstream counterparts, is a pantheon of mad-scientist musicians, zealously committed to the pursuit of unexplored sounds. But even with that emphasis on experimentalism in genres like mathcore and progressive metal, most artists seem too concerned with paying tribute to the scene’s high elders to chart new territory. It’s a hard line to walk — but not for Atlanta math-metal maniacs The Callous Daoboys, whose seven-piece multi-instrumentalist ensemble more resembles Mr. Bungle than Fall of Troy, and whose members cite everyone from Japanese Breakfast to Simon and Garfunkel as influences. “What is Delicious?...” certainly sounds familiar at points, but the song’s breakneck jumps from genre to genre and changes in tempo and time interrupt any notions of comparison. Few groups have the courage to resolve a lo-fi, moody bridge section with a slap-bass and saxophone break, then to swerve into the song’s most glass-shattering, maniacal breakdown, and that kind of unconventional, slightly unhinged songwriting sets the Callous Daoboys apart from the rest of the modern hardcore cohort. 

Sophie Severs

Loneliness by Ginger Root

Ginger Root’s music is an ode to keeping up the funk. The artist’s discography falls into the same sonic family as Toro y Moi and Vulfpeck, and they self-describe it as “aggressive elevator soul.” Ginger Root (AKA, Cameron Lew) cultivates yet another undeniable groove with “Loneliness.” While the track’s lyrics discuss heartbreak and feeling jilted by the words of an ex-lover, the contrasting melody is perfect for a jovial prance down the street, or a quick dance break after a long day of work. Ginger Root’s next EP, Nisemono or「偽物」is du September 9. As the title of the EP directly translates to “fake” or “fraud,” each song will explore Lew’s own feelings and experiences when it comes to imposter syndrome — especially pertaining to their life as an artist putting music out into the world. Be sure to catch Ginger Root’s Nisemono on September 9, and stream “Loneliness” in the meantime!

Sarah Fournell 

Buick by Raffaella

“Buick” instantly claimed a spot on my list of favorites when I first heard Raffaella perform a sneak peak of the single back in April when she opened up for Maude Latour at the Sonia in Cambridge. I’ve spent my summer blasting it on my drives to my favorite beach, Point Dume, which Raffaella mentions driving to in the chorus. Her sickly-sweet voice is absolutely hypnotizing, reflective of the “sunshine lobotomies” she sings about. Her delivery of the line “I don’t really mind/ If I hurt your feelings/Feeling good’s expensive/Do it all the time” in the bridge is so striking that it forces me to hit repeat time and time again. Read my review of her set at the Ventura Music Hall!

Lily Hartenstein

RUNNITUP by ZORA ft. Myia Thornton

Minneapolis-based singer and rapper ZORA’s debut LP, Z1, is a dynamic introduction to an artist certainly poised for success. As strong as her voice and lyricism holds, the real power behind ZORA’s work is the skill she brings as her own producer. “RUNNITUP” is a standout track, seething with anti-capitalist rage over an energetic dance beat. Having formerly attended Berklee College, ZORA collaborates with graduate Myia Thornton on multiple tracks in the LP; their joint artistry overflows with dynamism, their friendship apparent. The whole project is a cohesive, bright expression of the multitudes of emotion felt at times as turbulent as these.

Julia Norkus

26 by Carol Ades

Sometimes, the realization that you’re a living, breathing person is terrifying. Even more terrifying is the feeling that you need to have all of the pieces of your  life-puzzle put together before the end of your teens. Carol Ades’s “26” embodies all of the existential, romantic and manic moments of your 20s, acknowledging that no one truly knows what they’re doing or where they’re going. Ades also highlights the feelings of being stagnant and burnt out, which come with not only trying to figure out who you want to be, but also while trying to do what the rest of the world expects of you. She carefully articulates this experience with the lines, “I’m not a grown-up but I’m not a kid / It hurts every time that I’m reminded / I’m not dying / I’m just 26,” comparing your 20s to something like purgatory. “26” is an authentic admission that no one truly has it all together, even when it seems like they do. So be kind to yourself — you don’t have to have it all figured out right now.

Carina Pray 

A New Kind of Love- Demo by Frou Frou

British electronic duo Frou Frou (Imogen Heap and Guy Sigsworth) just released “Off Cuts”-- an album of demos and unreleased songs early this month. I first heard this song back when I had Tiktok a while back when it was trending, so it was interesting to see how Tiktok creates such a demand for unreleased music to be released . A New Kind of Love was supposed to be released with their 2002 Album “Details”, but twenty years later it is finally out! On another note, this song really strikes a chord with the feeling of love. Sometimes there’s a misconception of whether you are in love with someone or the fantasy of someone, and the red flags of someone do not show up until after they’ve done something to wrong you. This song beautifully portrays that with the chorus of “Are you falling in love?” or “Are you falling in love with a feeling?”. Sometimes it's hard to tell at the moment but life is all about learning, growing, and when to move forward. This whole demo album’s amazing so check out the rest of it!

Harry Bates

Circles ‘Round The Sun by Tedeschi Trucks Band

Jam band season is year round, but the humid noons and cool evenings of June make it especially ripe for listening. Tedeschi’s smooth hit from their new record I Am The Moon: I. Crescent, released June 3 on Fantasy Records, brings lively band sound to listeners in even the most remote of places. “Circles ‘Round The Sun” blends vocal and instrumental chords to create a work that floats with the Cirrus clouds above. Get lost in this 6 minute easy sound, and take a dip into a vibrant universe of soul-capturing groove!