First of all, Soundtrack to My Social Distancing would be a killer name for a pop-punk record. Unfortunately, I am no Mark Hoppus. But since all of us are going to be spending a lot of time at home over the next few weeks, I think we could use some new music in our lives. So fear not: Off Pitch is on the case. Instead of throwing out the usual “desert island”-type list of my favorite albums, which would be records everyone and their grandma has heard, I focused on a particular set of criteria for this list. These albums are engaging and sonically varied. And while not every song is super happy-go-lucky, the overall tone on each album is generally upbeat. It was also important to me that I picked records that are good listens cover-to-cover. You won’t find too much filler on these tracklists. So without further ado, here are some of my picks to get you through your quarantine.
Half The City, St. Paul & The Broken Bones (2014)
Soul definitely isn’t my area of expertise, but boy does this album hit the spot. One thing’s for sure: singer Paul Janeway can belt it out with the best of them. Throw in some soaring horns and a solid rhythm section and you’ve got the textbook definition of feel-good music.
Favorite Tracks:
“Call Me” - A relevant message right now.
“Like A Mighty River” - Try and frown during this song. I dare you.
“Sugar Dyed” - An energetic beat and some cool guitar work make this one of the most exciting songs on the album. Tapping your foot is mandatory.
Superstar, Caroline Rose (2020)
If you want sonically engaging, start with Superstar. Rose pulls out seemingly every synth in the book on this record, and the way she balances all these different textures is damn impressive. Not to mention her ear for melody and sharp, humorous lyrics.
Favorite Tracks:
“Nothing’s Impossible” - The production on here is so rich, and the song sets the tone for the album perfectly.
“Do You Think We’ll Last Forever?” - Love the bassline on here. That little jump in the chorus is such an earworm.
“Back At The Beginning” - One of the best examples of how Rose can push the envelope aesthetically while keeping pop appeal high.
Ventura, Anderson .Paak (2019)
I’m not too familiar with the Southern California lifestyle, but I have to imagine Anderson .Paak’s music is a good representation. On Ventura, .Paak’s fourth SoCal-inspired album, the multi-hyphenate focuses on his smooth yet raspy voice (with a little rapping sprinkled in). It’s a great listen that somehow both relaxes and energizes.
Favorite Tracks:
“Come Home” - When the opener has an Andre 3000 verse, you know the album is going to be good.
“Winners Circle” - Although I love .Paak’s singing, it’s cool to hear him drop some bars. His verse fits this beat like a glove.
“King James” - One of .Paak’s more political songs with a nice little nod to Lebron.
Saves The World, MUNA (2019)
I’ll admit that I’m breaking my own rules here a bit. While the electropop production on Saves The World is fun, MUNA tackles some serious subject matter in their lyrics. That being said, this is a great record with a lot of replay value.
Favorite Tracks:
“Number One Fan” - An absolute anthem about self-support. This one is downright addicting.
“Stayaway” - Again, relevant messaging right now. I love the contrast between the more contained verses and that big, open chorus.
“It’s Gonna Be Okay, Baby” - Don’t we all need to hear this right now?
A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, Sturgill Simpson (2016)
My go-to album whenever somebody tells me they don’t like country. It’s got a dash of that classic country flavor, but the big band instrumentation on here usually wins over the country naysayers. Plus, Simpson’s humor and wisdom is undeniably endearing.
Favorite Tracks:
“Welcome To Earth (Pollywog)” - A very cute opening track directed at Simpson’s newly born son.
“Keep It Between The Lines” - Simpson dishes out some light-hearted nuggets of wisdom on this album highlight.
“In Bloom” - Nirvana like you’ve never heard them before. Simpson manages to keep the cathartic energy of the original while making the song entirely his own.
Mirrorland, EARTHGANG (2019)
Describing EARTHGANG is always a bit of a dilemma for me because of how easy it is to make a lazy comparison to Outkast and leave it at that. And while that comparison isn’t inaccurate, it’s reductive. EARTHGANG makes attention-grabbing, colorful hip hop with a broad range of stylistic influence. Their latest record, Mirrorland, is all the proof you need that these guys aren’t just Outkast clones.
Favorite Tracks:
“UP” - Do yourself a favor and listen to the A COLORS SHOW version.
“Top Down” - Since actually riding around the city with the top down isn’t the best move right now, treat yourself to the next best thing.
“Tequila” - Can’t think of a better combination than T-Pain and tequila.
In all seriousness, the situation we’re in right now is bad news for everyone, regardless of whether or not you get sick. Working musicians, who rely on touring for their income (thanks streaming!), have essentially lost their livelihood in an economy where there aren’t a lot of alternatives. So if you have the means, I strongly suggest you support the artists you love. Buy some merch. Maybe get started on that vinyl collection. Every little bit helps, and I know they’d be appreciative.
I hope this music helps you get through the coming weeks as much as it’s helped me. Stay safe, stay inside, and as always, thanks for tuning in.
Lyle B.