Ganksthiving
In light of the tumultuous news surrounding the time of this writing, I decided it would be best to begin this month’s MOTM with some happy thoughts. Here we go: imagine a lake. In that lake is an island! Upon that island, we find a tree. This tree is swaying, swinging, and not worrying about its upbringing. It really is quite a carefree tree. On its branches are bunches and bunches of none other than cauliflower! Such cauliflower has the power of sunshower of the hour to make others scour while sadness is devoured. What a flower! Now, the tree stands strong while those onlookers look long upon the song coming from the sound of gong found on the tree’s ground. With every pound, those looking look around, but nothing is to be found on this earthly mound.
I’m sorry. That just devolved into me write-rapping. I think I have a problem. I’ll stop immediately.
Anyways, the Cam-elot Castle and I have decided to divvy up the focus of this month’s MOTM on multiple topics. First, here’s his take on pippity popping rising Swedish artist Yung Lean’s new album.
Yung Lean - Stranger Jonatan Leandoer Håstad, better known as Yung Lean, is a rapper hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. Honestly, I wasn’t very familiar with Yung Lean’s previous work before diving into this album. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this project. With some gnarly bangers like “Skimask” and “Iceman”, as well as softer numbers to appease the sadboysTM , such as “Yellowman” and “Agony”, one of the most beautiful tracks on the record, this album is very versatile. It’s a good listen if you want to get hyped, but not too hyped, or if you’re a sadboy/girl/whateverTM in your feels. Overall, Stranger is a very spice-e record that is definitely worth checking out. I’m feeling a strong 8 to a light 9 on this tape.
Thanksgiving is one of the best times of the year: you get to be at home with your family, eat a bunch of food, and miss school for a hefty amount of time (and use they hefty plastic bags after all that ensuing eating, amirite?????). However, the one area Thanksgiving is truly lacking in is thematic music. While the holiday season receives entire albums from popular artists about Christmas time, Thanksgiving bops gets little to no recogniton. A true case of criminality, if I do say so myself. Yes, the counterpoint may be brought up that the holiday season encompasses a variety of holidays from a multitude of cultures and is therefore more celebrated. But regardless, I still consider the disparity between Thanksgiving and Christmas time to be quite the case of “mad disrespecc on main man’s name.”
THOUGH, reader/listener, never fear. For we have been developing a mixtape of wonderful Thanksgiving-themed songs for whatever needs you may have in this upcoming week of festivities and consumerism. Here are a few select songs from the tape. Also, if you want to check out more, look up the playlist “Ganksthiving” on Spotify.
Bing Crosby - I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For In this piece, Crosby sings about how even though he doesn’t have great material possessions, he’s still thankful for the one thing almost all of us take for granted: our bodies. While it may be a bit ableist (“I’ve got eyes to see with/Ears to hear with/Arms to hug with”) because, you know, blind/deaf people and amputees, the core of Crosby’s message is to just be grateful for what you have, no matter how little it may be.
Mac DeMarco - This Old Dog DeMarco delivers a more contemporary sound on this track, which is about remembering the good times you’ve had with a loved one. He sings about how while his “love may be put on hold”, he’ll never forget all the good things he’s experienced with this person. We should follow DeMarco’s example, and be thankful for the good times.
Eugene McDaniels - The Parasite
Oh man, this song is something special. Coming in at 9 and a half minutes long, this song starts off innocently enough (They landed at Plymouth/With a smile on their face/They said “We’re your brothers/From a far away place”), but a few minutes in, things begin to turn dark. McDaniels details the racist attitudes the British had toward Native Americans and the terrible things the British did to them. The track crescendos into what ultimately becomes screaming, representing the Natives’ screams of terror as the British invaders did unspeakable things to them. Happy Thanksgiving!
Tribute to Lil Peep
On November 15, Gustav Åhr, better known by his stage name Lil Peep, passed away at 21 from a suspected fentanyl overdose. In an interview with Noisey in July, Peep said his moniker comes from his mother, with whom he was particularly close: “My mom has been calling me Peep my whole life. That's how I got the name.” Peep was known for pioneering a unique sub-genre, consisting of emo textures and lyrical themes blended with hip-hop-influenced beats and vocal styles. His lyricism often mentioned mental illness, depression, suicidal thoughts, and drug abuse. Peep was a sharp songwriter, and Jon Caramanica of the New York Times said his creativity made him “one of the most promising artists in the current generation emerging from SoundCloud.”
During his career, Peep garnered a large cult following, and often played at sold out venues to audiences of teenage fans. Although he believed the music industry and press largely didn’t understand his art, Peep said, “the kids get it.”
Sarah Stennett, a representative of First Access Entertainment, a company that had worked with Peep since last year, stated, “I do not believe Peep wanted to die. He had big goals and dreams for the future which he had shared with me, his team, his family and his friends.”
Stennett also said she has spoken to Peep’s mother, saying, “she asked me to convey that she is very, very proud of him and everything he was able to achieve in his short life. She is truly grateful to the fans and the people who have supported and loved him.”
