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Photos: Wild Ones @ Kung Fu Necktie 4/19

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  • Friday, April 20, 2018

Photos from last night. Wild Ones kicked off the second night of their tour in Philadelphia.







Second time seeing them, and they were just as great as the first. Danielle (the lead singer) has the most amazing energy on stage, you just want to smile the entire show. Check out their music and see if they're coming to a town near you HERE
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VMP + MilkBoy Presents: The Spins ft. Arctic Monkeys

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  • Friday, April 13, 2018


To everyone who came out last night to join our little listening party we threw, thank you! Seriously, you all are amazing. To those who missed out... HOW DARE YOU?!

Kidding... not really, but also... you missed a really great time. 


So last night I was FINALLY able to host 'The Spins' in my hometown, Philadelphia! The Spins is a World Wide Listening Party, thrown by 'Vinyl Me, Please', where vinyl lovers come together to share a couple of drinks, listen to music and celebrate the VMP Record of the Month. It's an event thrown one night, each month, in several different cities. 


Now for the past two years, I've been fortunate enough to host this kick-ass event in Brooklyn. But all good things must come to an end. I got a big girl job and moved back home to Philly. Despite that slight detour, I've been dedicated to bringing this event back to the Philly region. Now I have tried for MONTHS (with zero luck) to have a Spins here. Seriously, no venues ever emailed back or they were not interested. 

True Story: I even had a venue agree to host but then they burned down the next day.

I've never given up on trying. But then out of nowhere my prayers were answered and there was a light at the end of the tunnel, Milkboy on South Street agreed to let us host. Milkboy on South Street is the brainchild of Milkboy Studio owners Tommy Joyner and Jamie Lokoff. The location is part bar, restaurant and music venue, which made it the best fit for the monthly event. So last night, after two years The Spins was back in Philly!



I was able to meet tons of Philly VMP members and jam out to the record of the month we were giving away which was: Arctic Monkeys' 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'.
 After being a member for over 4 years now it was great to meet other members IRL. Here are some the of photos I took throughout the night.








The general conscious was that last night was incredible and the Philly crowd loved it. It was a packed house by the end of the night, and we had a lot of happy campers go home with records.
Now if you missed out on the event last night, no worries, the goal is to have The Spins back in Philly permanently on a monthly basis. Keep your eyes peeled, fingers crossed and I'll see you all at the next one.
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Queen of Jeans Album Release Show at Underground Arts

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  • Monday, April 2, 2018

What a whirlwind weekend this was. 

Between the array of great new music released on Friday, and the incredibly stacked bill at the Queen of Jeans show this Saturday, my ears were blessed all weekend long. 


I was also fortunate enough to be able to interview Miriam "Miri" Devora, leading lady of Queen of Jeans, prior to their set. I'll have that interview coming later in the week. In the meantime, I'll fill you guys in on this past Saturday evening at Underground Arts, and share with you some photos from that night.

Harmony Woods
 Harmony Woods kicked off the Female-Fronted event that evening. But can we back this up for a second first. I have to tell you all that my night started with me walking up to front woman Sofia Verbilla, asking " Hi, are you Harmony?" It was obvious I went into the show with zero knowledge of the opening acts, but left thoroughly impressed and a fan of both. 


Harmony Woods
Verbilla's vocals were reminiscent of  Hayley Williams (think 'All We Know Is Falling'), they were equal parts beautiful and haunting. It was clear that after having been touring for the past couple of months the group was a solid well-oiled machine. The only way I can describe their sound is to say:
 You know when you were in high school and you were filled with angst? The first time you longed for someone who didn't even know you existed? Those moments when you were 17 and thought you had it all figured out? That's Harmony Woods. By the end of their set, nostalgia and emotions had flooded the entire room. I was completely in awe, a part of me wanting to hear just one more track before they packed up for the night.


 Anika Pyle of Katie Ellen
Next up was Katie Ellen, an Alternative/Indie/Pop/Punk quartet from Philly. Leading the group was Anika Pyle, a force to be reckoned with. She spoke of the process of writing an album. Saying it takes about a year to write a record, about another year to record it, and then once an album is released... you're no longer in that state of mind you were in when you originally wrote lyrics. Pyle had the task of transporting everyone back into the head space she was in when she wrote the album Cowgirl Blues. If I wasn't already crippled enough from the Harmony set, Katie Ellen finished me off. Weaving in and out of tracks about love, life and imperfections, the set was brilliant. (Even with having a friend of Pyle's filling in on the bass for the evening.)  

Katie Ellen
Towards the end of their set Pyle, gave a beautiful speech about how we should be remember to be kind to one another, build each other up instead of tear one another down. It was short, sweet and message she felt everyone should hear before they ended their set with 'Sad Girls Club'.

Queen of Jeans
Last up on stage was hometown favorites, Queen of Jeans. You could feel the excitement and love for this band bouncing around the room. 

Miri ( & 1/4 of Patrick) of Queen of Jeans
Miri had mentioned to me, before the show, that she always gets nervous before she preforms. Watching the set, you would have never known. Her vocals that night were phenomenal and it was if the band had come into their own. The were comfortable with one another, it was as if they had nestled into their own groove. Which is not surprising after this past year they've had with touring, releasing their first record and being signed. 

Each member of the band brought something to the table that made the performance spectacular as a whole. Matheson Glass and Nina Scotto, the band's guitarist and bassist, brought harmonies to the stage during the a capella portion of the set, that left the room wonder-stuck. Patrick Wall, the band's drummer, was the steady heartbeat of the quartet throughout the evening. And Devora completely outdid herself on vocals that evening. It was the same band we've seen on their self titled EP, but with more to prove and more to say.

Queen of Jeans

Queen of Jeans' music is all too familiar, in the sense that it nostalgic, taking influence from the 60's and 90's. But what gives the band it's ability to stand out in the crowd is the way to bring together these influences and cultivate it into their own sound. Ending the set with 'U R My Guy' was cherry on top for the evening. A clear crowd favorite from the new record, and it showcased Devora giving it her all vocally. All of their grinding and working hard had paid off with an album release and a packed room of family, friends and fans showing admiration for the band. If this is any indication of what's to come, Queen of Jeans has a lot more in store for us.
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New Music Friday

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  • Friday, March 30, 2018

It's Friday and you know what that means, there's an obnoxious amount of new albums headed towards your nearest record store and digital streaming services. I don't know if today was "Lets Drop Gems Friday" but I am not complaining. Here's what to look out for... 


'Expectations', Hayley Kiyoko's debut album, is first on the list of albums released today that you should take a listen to. Kiyoko encourages those who check out the record to listen to it from start to finish, as she intended it to be heard. This record seems like a long time coming from the former Disney Star who is carving out a name for herself in pop music. Listen HERE




Kacey Musgraves' third studio album 'Golden Hour' dropped today. If you need to be convinced to take a listen to the album, just watch her perform a single from the record 'Slow Burn' on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I was sold after the first note. Watch it HERE


the weeknd my dear melancholy thatgrapejuice 600x600 The Weeknd shares surprise new album, My Dear Melancholy,: Stream


The Weeknd's new album, 'My Dear Melancholy,' dropped at midnight. *Inserts joke about The Weeknd dropping a record on Friday* With hosting only 6 tracks, some are confused as to if it's album or just an EP. Take a listen to the new album HERE




Queen of Jeans Debut record 'Dig Yourself' was released to all streaming platforms. If you want Dreamy, Beachy, Nostalgic vibes you've found the right album. Take a listen to the band's new record HERE



Image result for amen dunes freedom


There's been quite the buzz around the new Amen Dunes album 'Freedom'. Being noted as one of the best records released this year thus far.  I just ordered a beautiful clear and blue pressing of the record that should be arriving next month. Until then them I'll be listening to the record HERE



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*Throwback* Weezer's Pinkerton Unboxing

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  • Tuesday, March 27, 2018






About two years ago I unboxed and discussed Vinyl Me, Please's May member release - Weezer's Pinkerton. Enjoy!

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Queen of Jeans - "U R My Guy"

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  • Friday, March 9, 2018

Queen of Jeans - Photo from Facebook
COMING IN HOT! A NEW SINGLE FROM QUEEN OF JEANS! TAKE A LISTEN:


 
When trying to explain the sound of South Philly's female fronted band, Queen of Jeans, one would say (according to bandcamp) they're a "2016 revival of a 90s throwback to the 60s". As confusing as that may sound, it's terribly accurate. Yesterday the band released their second single titled "U R My Guy", from their upcoming debut album 'Dig Yourself'. The album, releasing March 31st, will be pressed on a Clear w/ Black, Blue & Green Splatter Vinyl LP pictured below:


Dig Yourself - Photo from Bandcamp

Pre-Order a copy HERE


They're a band I'm constantly wanting to hear new material from. Last summer I had the pleasure of checking them out when they came to Boot and Saddle and opened for Palehound last summer. They closed out the show with a cover of Aaliyah's 'Are You That Somebody' and I was sold. If you know me you know that Aaliyah is my GURL, and I'm very critical of anyone that attempts a cover. They drew me in with hypnotic harmonies and their self proclaimed "crockpot pop". After the show, I managed to nab a copy of their Self-Titled EP that night on this beautiful Pink and Baby Blue Splatter paint pressing.


I remember being surprised that it was a colored pressing when I got home that night, which was a delight. Paralleling my evening I saw them preform, they were a present surprise, and a band that puts on one hell of a show.  I suggest you take a listen to the new single, and find out when you can catch them when they come to town. The tour kicks off in Philly with an album release show on 3/31 at Underground Arts and to find the remaining dates head over to their site.
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Ayalèw Mesfin - Hasabe (My Worries)

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  • Wednesday, February 28, 2018


Happy Last Day of Black History month Y'all 

Let me put you on to this beautiful release from Vinyl Me, Please. The February Record of the Month 'Hasabe' also known as 'My Worries' is the first official compilation of Ayalew Mesfin's music. In the 70's Ayalew, an Ethiopian Funk legend, was jailed and banned from creating music. He was seen as a threat to the country's communist regime, his music along with Ayalew was locked away. Now after more than 40 years, his music is now being released to the world thanks to Vinyl Me, Please.
 
Coming home to the slightly marble looking raspberry pressing was a delight. Everything about this package is spectacular. From each track having been pulled from Ayalew's own collection of singles, to the in-depth photo booklet and liner notes. You can tell that the contents of this month's record were thought out. Spinning this for the first time I focus mostly on the emotions it invoked. Not because I had no clue what Ayalew had been singing (which was valid), but because I wanted to be fully submerged into an album generated in an entirely different era. One of my favorite tracks from the album is probably Libe Menta Hone (My Divided Heart). It's a track so funky you can't help but to bob your head or move your feet. To be honest this entire compilation is captivating. 

I am appreciative of the fact that a record like this, which holds so much historical and cultural value, was released on Black History Month. Looking back at past VMP releases for February, 'Hasabe' shares great company. Main Source's 'Breaking Atoms' and Big Bill Broonzy's 'Big Bill Broonzy Sings Folk Songs have been the releases years prior. These releases have shed light on albums that have been overlooked yet culturally significant. Sure, they could have just dropped some ol' regular degular shmegular (shout out to Cardi) hip-hop release, but they didn't. For black history month for the past three years, they've put time and effort into these releases, and they have been handled with TLC.

As a member month becomes exciting to see Vinyl Me, Please try and outdo themselves. Check out their site here if you haven't already.


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Natalie Prass - "Short Court Style"

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  • Monday, February 26, 2018

Photo from Bandcamp


Natalie Prass is back ladies and gentlemen, with a song that makes me want to get up and dance. Today she dropped the first single, vinyl pre-orders and a new video for “Short Court Style”. The track is from her upcoming sophomore album, The Future And The Past , that drops this summer on June 1st. The single, which feature’s Prass’ soft and soulful voice, feels like a 70’s pop/funk throwback.  I am very excited for this album and upcoming tour she’s going to bless us with. You can also pre-order vinyl on her website, which includes a choice of Bronze or Red pressing in the form of a single record or a bundle:



But back to this video she dropped, it's an absolute delight to watch. Would doesn’t want to watch her frolic in the woods in a green jumpsuit? Thank you Ms Prass for making my Monday morning a whole lot better. Make sure you take a listen and see when she’s coming to a venue near you.

Watch and listen to 'Short Court Style' below.


Check out her tour dates and where you can find pressings of her new album here

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Drunk Unboxing - Moby's 'Play

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  • Thursday, February 1, 2018



"Vinyl Me, Please" Drunk Unboxing - Moby's Play 



Be sure to watch below. Comment. Like + Subscribe!

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Vinyl of the Day: Funkadelic - Maggot Brain

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  • Wednesday, January 10, 2018


     I was fortunate enough to snag this album this past weekend while shopping in Amoeba. It's not something I had actively been searching out for, but it was something I'm happy to come across. When I popped into the soul selection of the store, the goal was if something screamed out at me I would  buy it. Little did I know it would be Barbara Cheeseborough, on the cover of Maggot Brain screaming at me while digging for records.


      Can we talk about an album cover that matches the record so well? This album is timeless. Every time I put it on I can help but shake my head in disbelief at how well it aged, and how I find something else to love about it. It kicks ass. I mean George Clinton is a genius, (and everyone involved is as well of course) the production is superb. I cannot fathom that when this album came out, there were people who were critical of the record. Usually, I would suggest a couple of tracks to listen to but this is something I find is best played from start to finish. No skipping, no interruptions, just an album played how it was meant to be.



     I would describe this album best as funk-rock. It's so much more and very difficult to pin into any one genre. Weaving in and out of each song you'll hear multiple guitars, a keyboard, a cow, a fox and a variety of percussion instruments. I'm not even kidding, 'Wars of Armageddon' holds a mixture of those sounds and some. My favorites from this album, if I had to choose, would be 'Can You Get to That' and 'Super Stupid'. This album like I said this is timeless.  I would love for a another pressing of this to be re-released with something that reflected how crazy this album is. Maybe like a spatter or marble design would be perfect, something similar to the multicolored label it comes with. If this were released today, it would be applauded as innovative and fresh. Its sound is distinct, and I'm happy to have it added to my collection finally.




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Amoeba Muisc

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  • Tuesday, January 9, 2018






Ladies and Gentlemen, I was fortunate enough to take a trip to Amoeba Music this past week. Let me say that it lived up to the hype. Before this mini-vacation, I had asked some ‘Vinyl Me, Please' members, which record store I should visit while in LA. The verdict was unanimous:


Now usually when I walk into record stores I pretty much have the same experience. (I will state this is not all the time, but it does happen more often than I would like.) When I've shopped in some stores, the vibe is usually super pretentious, and I'm so uncomfortable I just leave. I've spent 24 years as a black woman; I know when I'm not wanted somewhere. I will say that Amoeba was none of those listed.

Walking into its Sunset Boulevard location, I initially was impressed by size waking in. The size is comparable to like a BJ's or Walmart. The fact that I was handed a map steps after walking in showed me that this was not your typical neighborhood record shop. I came with a group of friends who had no interest in shopping for Vinyl. The good thing is that the store holds more than just records. DVDs, CDs, Cassette Tapes, Posters, Candy, Dogs, iPhones, Coffee Beans, Ect. I may have fabricated the last few items... but in a store that big I wouldn't put it past them. The crowd inside was just as eclectic as the items the store held. I loved the fact that everyone inside was looking for something different. But you could see that they would find what they were looking for inside the same store. Twenty minutes in, I spotted my friends gushing over their DVD collection, leaving with a bundle of disc.



About two hours later, my friends had to pry records out of my hands. I had now spent well over $200 and still didn't want to leave. I felt as though I had only experienced one-fifth of everything that store had to offer. It looks like a place that takes days on end just to eventually see every crack and crevice. Anytime I'm back visiting Amoeba I will be sure to:
  •  1) Bring more cash because their collection of records is so extensive, you'll want to leave with EVERYTHING
  • 2) Spend an entire day just browsing. I feel like I did not get that much time to take in as much as I could have.
My goal this year is to check out more record stores. Anytime I travel to a new city or place I'll be popping into crate dig and feel the vibes. I know you guys are also wondering what I spent 200 dollars on in Amoeba. Being a record collector, you guys know that could range anywhere from 4 to 10 albums. Later this week I'll be uploading a haul of all of the records I got while in LA! Can't wait to show you guys.





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Album of the Day: Fabolous & Jadakiss - Friday On Elm Street

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  • Wednesday, January 3, 2018

January 2, 2018
I preface this with saying I will not accept any slander regarding this album.
 
 
It's day three of the new year, I'm doing really well with this an album a day challenge. *Pats self on back* Today I was going to listen to Gucci's El Gato... but after track two it was looking like it was something I would have to come back to. Nothing wrong with the album, just something I wasn't vibing with at the time. After closing that out and looking for what would be my album of the day, I stumbled on to Fab and Jada’s 'Friday on Elm Street'. Now I had listened to The Breakfast Club interview when these two were promoting the record. A lot of doubt was cast because we had been waiting so long on this to drop. To be honest I had forgotten that they were even still going to release a collab. Me being a longtime fan of Fab and a supporter of any underdog, this was the album I was going to rock out with today.
 
Track one 'F vs J Intro' they set the mood and start the track with horror movie ad libs. This beat can be best described as if a rapper went to a morning radio show to spit a freestyle, they gave them a beat and added an organ to it. Now imagine that and go listen to the track. Was I accurate? Moving on past the first 30 seconds of the track, Fabulous and Jadakiss take a couple bars to introduce themselves as their horror film counterparts. On paper, this album sounds like a terrible idea. Two ol’ heads get together for a collab album and rap as Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. But as an album, it worked out in their favor. I never had any doubt about these two MC’s ability to spit bars, I was just nervous as to how they could pull this off. After finishing the first track and continuing the rest of the album, most of my worries were put to ease.
 
Some of my favorite tracks:
  •            Soul Food (A song my mom and I can both bop to)
  •             Principles  
  •             Stand Up (Remix)
 
In 2017 there was a lot of rap with substance (Jay- Z, Vince Staples & Kendrick) and well as rap without it. No shade, I’m not going to list it but we all know the rap tracks from this past year without substance. This album is for the people who needed to fill the void between the two. Yes of course there’s political and social commentary (‘Talk About It’ & ‘Principles’) on the album, but mostly it’s a throwback to an era when rap lyrics were more focused on wit. In Soul Food fab drops:



We all need a little culture/A little time away from bird ass niggas and vultures/I tell you what you need to hear and not try to insult you/I'm too old to kid you, I gotta adult you/Listen, the shit is getting outta hand/Like fumbles in football, I humbly put y'all/In y'all fucking place, that's my OCD/I give a bitch a little bit, but it's mostly D


Also later in the song Jadakiss spews:
Do something and stop stalling, that's silly (haha)
The bul over there just drawlin', that’s Philly (woo!)*
*(That’s in no way a hot line, I just get really hype because he references Philly slang)
 
That’s a track you bob your head to the entire time because the beat and lyrics are equally fire. The one pull back I’ve heard regarding this album is the fact that it’s past due. If this had dropped after Loso's Way in '09 or '10, I guarantee that would have been a banger. But just because it was released after it was supposed to be, doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a solid record. On the track 'Theme Music' (which samples Marvin Gaye's 'Far Cry') they take a moment to touch on the fact that this "that theme music, some back on your deen music". Essentially calling this album somewhat of a throwback. It’s definitely not the greatest that was dropped of 2017. But it’s still a great record, refreshing and something that is pleasant for any rap fan to listen to. I believe it’s their sort of “Don’t sleep on us” record. If you haven’t taken a listen yet I suggest you do.






































































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Album of the Day: Charli XCX - Pop 2

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  • Tuesday, January 2, 2018


GOOOOD MOOORNING & HAAAPPY NEW YEAARRR!

My goal this year is to listen to one album a day. Last year sucked and I missed out on so much music, because I was just busy or lazy. This year I refuse to let that happen again. I'm back on that New Year, New Me bullshit that everyone else succumbs to. Yeah I know... It's the first of the year and optimism is high. I'm going to ride this wave as long as I can and see how far I get listening to an album a day. Waking up January 1st I was dehydrated and starving, and wanted something that would possibly put me in a better mood. I looked on to Charli XCX's Mixtape Pop 2. I've heard nothing but positive things about this project. I figured why not start my year with something that would uplift me.



Starting off with the opening track Backseat, and I'm like damn this is fantastic. This track alone is a foreshadowing for the structure of the entire album:
  • Bomb ass collabs
  • Bomb ass beats
  • Avoiding the real world, dealing with crippling sadness, and being alone.


We see all of this repeated throughout the entire album. At this point I'm in my kitchen New Years Day, eating leftovers wondering if this really the album I am to start this year with. I was looking for something to uplift me but definitely picked the wrong one to do so. Turns out I picked the right one. When you take a moment to look at the lyrics, there's some real shit she's singing about. On the last song "Track 10" she takes an honest look at being with someone just to feed her own ego:
Sorry, I'm a little scared
But no one ever really cared
I took you for granted
Just a big misunderstandin'
I just wanna spend the night
Fuckin' in your bed tonight
Watch a little TV
I love it when you need me. 

Essentially that's dating in a nutshell in this generation. To be honest I had to face the realization that I picked the perfect album to start the year off right. One that's fire and off the bat better than what you're expecting it to be. Hopefully this is the path my 2018 goes down. No being with someone to feed my own ego of course. But a year of being honest with myself, and having a good time doing so.



Some stand out bangers that you can dance alone to when no one else is watching are:
  • "Out Of My Head"
  • "I Got It" (w/ Brooke Candy, Cupcakke and Pabllo Vittar)
  • "Delicious" (w/ Tommy Cash)
  • "Porsche" (MØ)


Props to her for the collabs, they're all perfection. I personally, would love to have her added to any and every song that's dropped in 2018. Also can someone do a remix of 'Delicious' and Arctic Monkey's 'Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High'? Bc that's a club mix classic waiting to happen. From start to finish this mixtape is a work of art. It's what I wish pop would be in the future if all artist took risk and where true to themselves. She's a great example of an artist that has crossed over to the mainstream yet maintains musical integrity. I guess that's why she released this as a mixtape. With the release of an album, I'm guessing an artist would have restraints and just a whole bunch of nonsense they would have to deal with. With a mixtape it seems like there is more freedom, and she took plenty of creative risks that worked out for her. With a cluster of artist she carves out her own path in pop. If I had listening to this when it originally dropped I would have raved that it was the perfect tape to end 2017. Instead I'm am late to the party praising it in the new year.
Better late than never right?


I'm very happy I started off my year with this gem. It makes me insanely optimistic for everything else I'll be listening to this year. Thanks for reading and I'm excited to be with you all on this ride this year.


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