Songs of 2020: Q2

As we close out the second quarter and first half of a troubling year, I've compiled another playlist of essential songs from the past three months.

Widowspeak - "Money"

Widowspeak have shared a new track and announced their fifth album, Plum, out in August via Captured Tracks.

Beyoncé - "BLACK PARADE"

Leave it to Queen Bey to throw down the mic at the last minute and cement today as a major milestone in this new Civil Rights Movement.

Sault - "Wildfires"

Not much is known about the UK group Sault, but after sharing two releasess last year, they've returned with their debut full-length album. Untitled (Black Is) couldn't be more of the moment and leaves a truly stunning first impression.

Noname - "Song 33"

Noname has shared her first solo track of 2020 and it's a song that demands all of our attention, now.

Shamir - "On My Own"

Shamir has shared a new song called "On My Own" from an upcoming, untitled record, due later this year.

Neil Young - "Vacancy"

Neil Young's "lost" album Homegrown is still on track to be released June 19, years after being a shelved. A week before its expected release, Neil has shared another "new" track from the record.

Blitzen Trapper - "Masonic Temple Microdose #1"

Portland, Oregon's Blitzen Trapper are set to release a new record in September and have shared the second single from the album.

Leon Bridges - "Sweeter"

Leon Bridges has shared a new single that speaks to the current times. It features Terrace Martin and is worth your attention.

Run the Jewels - "walking in the snow"

Killer Mike and El-P, the duo known as Run the Jewels, have released their fourth record a few days early. Stream it and obtain your copy for free now.

10 Years | 10 Shows in Brooklyn

Today marks ten years since I became a resident of Brooklyn and even though this blog started when I moved to Manhattan in 2006, this still feels like a monumental time in my life. Sharing new music and talking about the live music scene in New York has been one of my favorite hobbies for over a decade and had brought me such a strong connection to my community. Writing about live music halted for me (and everyone else) in March and, I'll admit it, posting a list of my favorite shows feels a bit strange. However, as Lana Del Ray said, "I miss New York and I miss the music. Me and my friends, we miss rock and roll. I want shit to feel just like it used to." The disappearance of live music has been extremely tough for me over the past few months and thinking about a concert-less future can at times seem unbearably depressing. While I recognize that is very much a first world problem, the impacts on my mental health feel real. Nothing could turn around a bad day like seeing live music. The world is changing drastically, but I still hold on to these memories and will cherish them all forever. Here are ten shows from the past ten years that all happened in the borough I now call home.