REVIEW: LADY GAGA-CHROMATICA

4/5

Chromatica For The People.

Pop is in a perfect place right now. Even locked down in quarantine. Where we are at least not keeping socially distant from our dance moves which may ensure that everyone else stays at least 6 feet or more away from us always and not just during this terrible time in 2020's planet pandemic with COVID-19. It's time to share something infectious that we all want to catch. A Gaga reborn. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta went to Hollywood like Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand with Bradley Cooper for the classic 'A Star Is Born' storied remake, and had an Oscar hangover for the Academy Award for Best Song from a motion picture in the scoring soundtrack depths of 'Shallow' (you "woah, ho, oooh" know the one). Which no cap, capped off the most incredible run for the 'Five Foot Two' Netflix documentary maker. Following going 'Cheek To Cheek' with a crooner in the legend of Sinatra, or Gaga's 'Star Is Born' father, for some old standards with Tony Bennett (covering Nancy Sinatra's 'Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)' like white boots and killing it like Bill), with her most personal like a tattoo album to date, the family matters of 'Joanne' (hey girl like a Florence and the Machine, we could give you a 'Million Reasons' why that album is an absolute classic, but all we needed was one for it to stay on rotation until even now. How has it been four years since we came to this 'Diamond Heart' mama, John Wayne? I guess time went a little bit faster). But now for her sixth set (or seventh seal if you count the classic 'Born' soundtrack which you should. The pop selling star half of that movie seems to have had some more track by track inspiration here), pops Warhol goes back to the 'Artpop' dance floor early days of her monster 'Fame' like 'Paparazzi', or the fact that she was just 'Born This Way'. Now how's that for a 'Poker Face'?

Just dance. Because if 'Joanne' was Stefani's most personal project to date, 'Chromatica' is Gaga's most cinematic. All the way down to the inspired instrumental interludes, self-titled and straight out of the same moviemaking songbooks as the starlet who already said hello to Hollywood with a scene stealing waitress helping Joseph Gordon-Levitt along the black and white road for a sequel to 'Sin City' like her 'American Horror Story'. But when it comes to the American dream look at what this dame to kill for has found like Jackson Maine. If you didn't think the artist that has done it all like Prince could do it again, or take it back to her out of this world roots then what planet are you on? Because Lady going Gaga for the radio like the Queen she is has just invented a whole new one with fans already boldy going and writing fiction for it like seeking out new lives and civilisations. Even corona can't stop 'Chromatica'...a place we all may wish to live on one day like 'Interstellar' if we can't all just stay the hell at home right now and dance around in our Pj's with a hairbrush to this...what's wrong with this writer doing that, hey? Throwing it back like every day was Thursday to some dystopia and android themes and some competition terminating artwork that feels like it was made in 2049. Blade running to New York's Electric Lady studios, the stellar Gaga hits her whole new stratosphere with her last two albums being just as conceptually good and sound as her rookie and sophomore diamond double. Health, healing and happiness over all our haunting hardship is found in electric MGMT dreams like an Empire Of The Sun in this 'Replay', like a '1000 Doves' and a record you should just play from the opening wonderland found down this rabbit hole from 'Alice', all the way to the "party like B.C." 'Babylon' for this hot pink, candy haired singer. A warrior in metallic neon that blinds like the bright, big city Times Square lights on this towering records "new decade, new standard", new year. In the new sine wave of this mathematical symbol for sound, that plays like the art, pure pop can and has always been. All 'Alien' studs and spikes like 'Mad Max' for the fun of this Furiosa following her atomic blonde era.

60's 'Star Trek' video vibes on the relentless lead single 'Stupid Love' are on an epic, euphoric energetic level of a 'Bad Romance' that had like Haim this writer dancing round his apartment in quarantine, whilst eating yoghurt and wondering why he's still single. As a matter of fact those 'Women In Music' (Part III. Hash-tag, 'WIMPIII') sister act warmed up to the sensational second single off this chrome and pink paint before they taught their latest 'Little Of Your Love' Zoom dance class, a lesson for this lockdown (it's crazy what you find on Instagram live at 4am in the morning, zoning like Katie ('Thinkin' 'Bout You') when you need to get to sleep and looking at your phone always helps with that). "Rain. On. Me." lead singer Danielle lip synced along to Gaga's spoken call and response trademark that is back with avengance with the pride of her own song (and have you heard Haim's latest half albums worth of songs off what is already certified as a California classic? What did we tell you about the place pop is in?) for this monster Gaga and Grande collaboration to a cult music video that Philip K. Dick couldn't write a better treatment for. Just two Italian American girls taking over Times Square with this N.Y. weather report. "Water like misery" coming down in these turbulent times as Arianna Grande tells it like it is. Singing, "living in a world where no one's innocent/Oh but at least we try/Got to love my truth/Not keep it bottled in," which was wrote weeks ago, but could even serve as the most apt response to Lana Del Rey's now infamous Instagram post that mentioned her 'Don't Call Me Angel' (or follow me anymore) 'Charlie's Angels' soundtrack co-star like Miley Cyrus. Oh a year after Cyrus' latest classic and 'Norman F###### Rockwell', Lana has another album coming this Summer like we told you about the place this great genre and gender is in. Now if you didn't think that was pop domination in dominatrix, then how about a "come, come, unwrap me" 'Sour Candy' pop with the only Korean act that could possibly dethrone K-Pop juggernaut BTS' reign in the brilliant BLACKPINK, outstanding in the, "if you wanna fix me, let's break up right now" opening to the long awaited collabo as Gaga sings, "I'm hard on the outside, but if you see inside". And if you thought that was long awaited or pop dominant collabos don't get bigger, or more anticipated than that, then just wait until like a Grammy Eminem you hear the best Elton John feature in Fall Out Boy years with the One World Together game changer from the 'Sine From Above' sign. It all multiplies for this 'Enigma' who is anything but a 'Plastic Doll'...but what a record on one of her most cohesive sounding sets yet. This, "this is my dance floor, that I fought for", 'Free Woman' is about to free the world singing about today's issues of LBTQ rights and gun violence like she always has...because they've always been today's issues. Lord knows we need voices like hers now more than ever. A born to electric run Springsteen who once saxed it up with the late, great Clarence Clemons, born this way. All before they call '911' on the best beat yet for the emergency of this songs personal and profound urgency, as she gets at her most honest and heartfelt, "Turnin' up emotional faders/Keep repeating self-hating phrases/I have heard enough of these voices/Almost like I have no choice/This is biological stasis/My mood's shifting to manic places," dancing through the medicated pain. Have 'Fun Tonight' and don't, "numb the flame", because as Lady Gaga puts it best, "take me home/take me to wonderland". So forget YouTube (unless it's for these cinematic music video accompaniments), this is one rabbit hole you want to tumble down Alice. Welcome to 'Chromatica'. "Now dance mother######s!" TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Stupid Love', 'Rain On Me (Feat. Ariana Grande)', 'Sour Candy (Feat. BLACKPINK)'. 

MIXTAPE REVIEW: AGUST D: D-2

4/5

A Spoonful Of Suga. 

Like a gust of wind, BTS star Suga runs down a hallway of scrawled shadows facing doors that look like there about to be closed to his past. Before kicking in the one at the end of the corridor and revealing he's about to run off a B.I.G. stage. Thousands of hoodie notorious fans holding up flashing camera phones like passers-by to the scene of a crime. All to capture this image of an idol in change for the 'Shadow' interlude and inspired video trailer to the K-Pop juggernauts latest 'Map Of The Soul: 7' seventh seal. One that came out of the February gates of 2020, but now locked down in quarantine seems a thousand years ago and a million miles away. Breaking glass like new ground and dropping mic's like he did with a walkaway, two-finger peace kiss on the groups SNL, live in New York like Saturday night performance of the D.J. Steve Aoki assisted trap that's going to have you throwing cakes like a nice day for a white wedding. Suga with some salty raw rhymes proved that between R.M.'s monster rap 'Persona' intro or the 'Ego' of your hope, my hope and J-Hope in closing he could more than hold his own when it came to this magnificent seven. And now wrapping up another mixtape with the black and white Adidas artwork style of 'D-2', the hardcore rapping alter-ego alias of Agust D is back in late May, months before August. Proving that just like R.M's moving '.Mono' playlist that pours from 'Seoul' to 'Tokyo' like 'Forever Rain', or J-Hope's remake and video take of 'Chicken Noodle Soup' with a soda and a Becky G assist on the side with all those California chicken cars bouncing like Snoop and still 'Dre, Suga has the sugar and spice to be his own star. He's just that nice.

BTS-with all due respect for all the love they've brought yourself-this is not. Tones of traditional temples begin the definitive, dynamite 'Daechwita' single that as soon as its signature sound kicks in takes everyone's head off like the thumbs up Gladiator battle royal like video that really draws swords and all sorts of arms. And don't those two sparring ARMY soldiers look familiar? All between the iconic temples and rich regalia of this South Korean's country as his traditional and street side (complete in a classic car doing donuts like Kendrick Lamar said it was 'Alright') go to war in a vivid video that feels like a movie for these Big Hit boys who make clips like cinematic trailers for their record. 'Daechwita' samples military music of the same name on the lead firework from this surprise release like a changing of the guard that you can feel through the speakers. This ceremonial King with subjects bowing before him, walks the swagger saying, "whose the king/whose the boss." Notice I didn't say, "asking!" There's rumors this is a thumbs down diss track. If it is. Then there's no mercy who it's for. Found in translation these lyrics to go state, "Shut up, yeah, you calling me a pup, yeah/ I was born a tiger," and "remember my name/ All s###-talk they got no game/ Off with their heads." Swing. Slice. No dice. If this is a chess move to all the Suga and BTS haters it's checkmate. But as Agust D has denied musket shots fired in the past here's a parting one, if you feel attacked, he doesn't care. That's your problem. Triggered. BANG! He doesn't give a f### like the expletive directed towards you in the following just as tough track that previously bleeps everything else out. 'What Do You Think?'

'Moonlight' comes before in middle of the night perfect opening. And just like the Oscar awarded movie of the same name by the Academy, its worthy of an award no matter what your envelope reads. Sounding like the classic hip-hop this Korean rap God must be used to, before the rap monster leader RM himself joins him on the sublime 'Strange' hot potato like a Honne or 'Old Town Road' remix collaboration. If 'Daechwita' is 'D-2's' version of 'Map Of The Soul 7's', 'Louder Than Bombs', then this is the 'Respect' scratches of that and 'UGH'. Ugly beautiful as Agust brings that 'Shadow' distort rap back as RM counters, "People talk/'My feed explains me'/No matter how much money is in your grasp/Everyone's a slave to this system." '28' continues this age appropriate theme for the coming of age rap star. Before the standout 'Burn It' featuring MAX rap rocks over guitars like a Lil' Wayne 'Rebirth' on a mix playlist as perfect as the fellow middle of the night Drake 'Dark Lane Demo Tape' vibing like South Korean singer Katie zoning at 4AM, 'Thinking' Bout You'. Like the 'Blinding Lights' of The Weeknd, the future of music like once in October's very own Canada, is in South Korea. You only have to hear the 'People' as this Joker asks "why so serious" like Heath Ledger. Or the Drizzy drip of 'Honsool', complete with Houston chip and screw like an 8Ball or MJG. This one reads an outlook that is more than so good for an artist who even amazes on the inspired interlude 'Set Me Free' like he does in shadows, but this time on a laid back tip. Tip your straw caps to him, because adhering to traditional BTS themes, before knocking it out the park with Kim Jong...Wan of NELL that is for the beautiful 'Dear My Friend' dedication in closing, its clear this devoted and committed to his craft man has as much heart as he does hustle. BTS are a global phenomenon, but when it comes to Suga's, Agust D moniker he is the only idol truly able to shake up their world with his wildcard influence that's always coming up with a winning hand. Thanks to a 'Daechwita' dominanting banger that you've never heard before from Bangtan, this snake charming, boa constrictor trap music, cobra coiled flow, venom spitting, scarface Suga is a Seoul survivor in traditional dress about to change the game again. Medicine to the modern mainstream. It's going down. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Moonlight', 'Daechwita', 'Burn It Feat. MAX'. 

REVIEW: LO-FANG: NEAR OTHER WORLDS

4/5

Worlds Apart. 

Electrifying. Lo-Fang is still the one you want if you're feeling some affection that's hard to convey. Multiplying like chills, the power he's suppling is exactly what you need right now. Locked down and quarantined in love in times of corona social isolation at arms length from your heart. Losing control? Then the man who famously stripped down and classically cello covered the famous John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John 'Grease' musical number for a Chanel cinematic commercial starring Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen and directed by the 'Moulin Rogue' of 'Romeo + Juliet' director Baz Luhrmann, will help you shape up. Following his bold and beautiful 'Blue Film' dark room portrait as moviemaking iconic as 'A Ghost Story's' 'I Get Overwhelmed', that was so much more than some grease (tell me more, tell me more. Then how about 'When We're Fire', 'Light Year', 'Permutations', 'Boris', '88' and the tile track for your synths dream 808? I know I named almost every track...I was meant to), the man is back an unbelievable six years later when we need artists like him now more than ever. Underrated gems like him, bands like The Jezabels or singers like Natalie Prass and legends like Ben Harper. If 'Blue' was isolated at home, this new film 'Near Other Worlds' goes into the wild to the sorts of woods Bon Iver gets lost in. Put this epic next to all the permutations of the 'Silver' lining of the 'Every Night' E.P. and it's cello version of 'When We're Fire'. This cellist, classically trained musician with pop sensibilities and Hollywood heartthrob good looks with a French twist always delivers je ne sais quoi classics.

Hair and beard blown out like we all are isolated from our barbers and hairdressers right now, Fang gets his teeth into the woodsman nature of the forest for this lo-fi, lowekey classic. Like he did on the 2018 gem 'The Whole Summer', when he originally wanted this album to come out. But this is the first of many in a 'Near Other Worlds' album series mixed and mastered by the man himself as he tweets, "for all the goddamn sonic detectives out there, on the opening track "honing" there's a "txt message sent" sound, it's there intentionally and meant to encourage the listener to focus especially if they were texting whilst listening." Proving on this inspired instrumental introduction that he always is honing his sound, style and the message it's trying to convey. *Puts phone down*. And these type of perfect production fingertips are all over this volumes record like scratches. Just like parts one and two of the epic soundscape in time of the 'Himalayan Singing Bowls In The Hoh Rainforest' that even a million miles away remind this writer of his time at temples in Kyoto and their tones, whilst lost in the translation of Japan, searching and scrawling for a new way to write and make it right. And as these instrumental breaks segue into the outstanding outro in the form of the perfect pair of songs in the yearning 'I Called, You Waited Up' and the Hemingway 'Old Man and the Sea' of the 'Old Boat', this experiential artist is getting his John Frusciante solo album on with his stirring soundscape that's as natural as the real world itself beyond the skyscrapers and smartphones.

Haunting like being woken up in the middle of the night whilst falling asleep to the sounds of 'Every Night', 'Near' is as otherworldly as they come. The strings to the 'Near Other Worlds' theme score this series like the soundtrack it's about to become. Beautifully making its way into the wonderful 'We're Not Different' that truly relates. "Before I could never calm down/Now I can't leave the ground/Weightless but still I can't move/Time less/But that will end soon", Matthew Jordan Hemerlein AKA Lo-Fang sings as he truly center's himself from the man who once sang about 'Animal Urges' (which just for the record there's nothing wrong with. Talk about natural. We all have 'em. I'm having them right not. TMI Tim...TMI). The Fang of the 'You're The One That I Want' singer harsh but hallmark electronic sounds return on 'You're The Friend I Need'. Whilst the soft and soothing sounds of Lo continue on the 'Rainforest Ocarina' sounds and the 'In The Belly Of The Moon' cello intro that harks back to '88'. The belly of the song itself has a beautiful distort from the man who always tried to balance the masculine and feminine aspects of his music for the mainstream or whatever stream his sound would surface on. It's as groundbreaking as it is beautiful like this whole album. Lust like the evergreen ambience of the Amber Hurst-Martin, Carlos Nino, Lucky Paul and Tree Frogs lilypad, "half remembered dream" of the 'Half Moon Glow' complete with goat bleats. "Drink the tea I prepared for you", he sings like Erykah Badu. But it's the jagged edges of 'Silver Peak' that really is the best cut on this single singers hot streak. The album artwork sees a discarded cello on top of some clothes on the grass as this man has au naturale gone al fresco as nature intended, truly being open to a whole new world. But far from his last dance, Jordan rules on a record that isn't an album...its an experience. 'Near Other Worlds', Lo-Fang has just given us the most beautiful album of the year for our time in the most brutal year of our lives. Nothing will sound quite as good as this until the day we finally hear an old friend call our name and we're no longer lost in the woods. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'We're Not Different', 'In The Belly Of The Moon', 'Silver Peak'. 

MIXTAPE REVIEW: DRAKE-DARK LANE DEMO TAPES

4/5

Quarantine's Very Own.

Kendrick Lamar. Kanye West. Jesus Christ?! F### it everybody can get it like J. Cole said on a Yeezy G.O.O.D. Friday track when it comes to Drake's new tape that has the blasphemy to say 'Jesus Is King' flopped. Stinging to tease the 'Scorpion' album follow up coming this Summer. Beefing with everyone like a Saturday Night Live skit. He had ten sips left...DAMN! Everyone except the 'Blinding Lights' thriller of his former OVO product, The Weeknd. The fellow Canuck who is still ruling the number one spot on the charts after all this time (a month these days in music is a lifetime. Especially in lockdown with all other albums from Lady Gaga to Haim pushed back to Summer girl), 'After Hours' on some Michael Jackson walking on the moon giant steps with the good time of his uncut gem. But in Toronto taking care of his 6 like watching it, his former teammate like Kawhi Leonard still has his nose on the keyboard hoping to win for longer like the Raptors now the NBA season is in the refrigerator. And with another Canadian dry, cold as ice that sharp, compelling classic, Drake is back to the old Aubrey dreams that money can't buy. This almost feels like one of his comeback seasons like, 'If You're Reading This...', well you know the rest. Now the man who has better playlists (like the 'Passionfruit' of 'More Life' with the 'Glow' of when all was good with the 'Flashing Lights' of Ye) than albums is back with another one like Khaled. And 'So Far Gone' this is the 'Thank Me Later' breakout star who showed you with 'Views' that 'Nothing Was The Same' like trust issues. Armed with another huge hit that has everyone dancing along-but this time safely at home and not outside their cars with the hand break off now we're no longer in our feelings like, "Kiki, do you love me"-in his laid back 'Tootsie Slide', Drake's making ringtone murder music money like a 'Hotline Bling' dance. So to all those who used to call him on his cell phone, with the whole album on this chilled vibe, "who's bad?"

"How you go vegan and still be beefin" Drake says on the avocado of rap disses on the 'Desires' diamond dancing reunion with Future as they put their really 'Big Rings' back on like Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam. Jumpman, Jumpman, Jumpman. What a time to truly be alive like listening to this 'Chicago Freestyle' featuring Drizzy's new hook dressing of Giveon before watching Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls's ESPN 'Last Dance' on Netflix, like we could this courtside Raptor owners SportsCenter moment with the University of Kentucky all day ("Steph Curry with the shot boy"). The laid back feel of the Pearson pure 'Landed', or 'Time Flies' will make your clocks really do that as locked down in social isolation you look for new ways to chill other than extracting the latest Chris Hemsworth war dog on Netflix. As Drake hits bars as well as Thor's own Rake hammers...well rakes. Sans chorus, but all hooks we feel Captain Canada could do this all day. Let alone the 14 tracks over 49 minutes that in itself feels like the classic concise, full length album he's got coming next season. Now as Future comes back with Young Thing for 'D4L', this sounds like the crime classic Firm of a new Nas, Cormega, AZ and Foxy supergroup down for life. This albu...I'm sorry mixtape playlist as dark and street level gutter as the middle of the '5AM In Toronto' night it feels like has got the look down, like the simple but classic, black hoodie drawstring balaclava pulled photogenic portrait artwork of Drake maintaining that social distancing. Six feet away from the lens with a mask on that's not for you, but the people you care about on this dark night Batman.

Stealing away, it looks like Drake's about to take the game again with these 'Dark Lane Demo Tapes' for your decks. Just like all you need is those eyes and a Parental Advisory sticker to know this Explicit Content is all him. Reel 'em off. The outstanding' Deep Pockets' opener with no holes that come up with anything but lint, paid in full. Word to Rakim. Or the 'Song Cry' sampling 'When To Say When' that pours more into those who think the coolest rap cat since Jay-Z's glass is half full. He was just f###### with you cats, he's got right back. Half empty? Say when! The competition is all gone when it comes to some of his biggest and best new rest like the 'Pain 1993' that takes it back with Playboi Carti. Or his new signature song, 'Losses'. "Lost you to the game I gotta hug that/I was here when you was asking where the love at". The "Sweet" rapper legends like Common made fun for being emotional, still makes that energy epically evoking in electric relaxation on his own quest like Tribe. "I ain't trying to make songs, these are cold facts" says the man who "does it for the grams, not the 'gram". All before talking about the time "Weezy played that s### for me and Kobe on the bus" coming at us 'From Florida With Love' like Laker LeBron taking his talents back to South Beach. All whilst showing us the hope he has to bring Tha Carter back for his sixth set this Summer, building bridges like Nicki and Meek. And how about the 'Demons' collabo with Fivio Foreign and Sosa Geek for a collection full of canon collabos like his 'Not You Too' Make friends with Chris Brown as smooth as the time Breezy went on a 'Papertrail' with ATL King of the South, T.I. for a 'Private Show'? Still it's the declaration of 'War' that ready to end the game like Thanos, ashes to "don't feel so good", 'Infinity' dust is ready to finish us off. The same guy who told you he "wants this s### forever man" off King James' 'More Than A Game' movie soundtrack shows you it really is bigger than all of that as the scorpion still has something in his tail. Ready to strike when the sun is hot. Banding all this together with one tape that's going to leave the rest winding theirs back in like protecting their necks ('Wu-Tang Forever'), as they tape up their bruised egos and knuckles ready to hit back. But right now if this tape is just a demo, 'Dark' mode Drake is in his own lane. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Deep Pockets', 'Tootsie Slide', 'Losses'. 

SONG(S) FOR THE MOMENT: HAIM-I KNOW ALONE/NORAH JONES-TRYIN' TO KEEP IT TOGETHER

4/5 & 4/5

Women Inside Music Pt. II.

Inside friends, before we get into this let me say something. I've been doing a lot of writing recently (OH NO HE'S WRITING ABOUT HAIM AGAIN). It's been my way of dealing with this lockdown, quarantined in isolation all the way in Japan. All without much ways of reaching out if it wasn't for a few, new good friends and the closest and family back home via Facetime and Skype. So in an effort to curb chilling with Netflix, knowing the "chill" part will always have me continue watching (YES I'm still here Netflix) and to reduce the amount of time I'm fighting the temptation to go out more than I should be doing for groceries and exercise (LOL), I've put pen to paper more. Watching films I missed last year whilst in Tokyo in an effort to recommend some for you too during this time staying at home (because I hear the last season of 'Game Of Thrones' wasn't exactly a crowning moment) and also talking about some of the efforts musicians are making to give our Spotify some solidarity whilst we're crawling the walls again and again, going round and round like our favourite song on repeat. But like Marvel (but not maybe most a Marvel fans) showing that real heroes wear scrubs, not capes on this 'Superhero Day', I know who the real people worthy of more than our praise and prayers are. I may be writing what I know here, but the real audience and words belong for to those frontline and essential workers from the hospitals to the supermarkets and all the bus and cab drivers that take us there inbetween. And all of you flattening the curve staying at home no matter how hard it is, or how much it takes. No matter how many times your kid calls your name, or you feel alone because you have no one beside you to do that right now. But I will not cheapen your experience or everyone's dedication for hits and likes. I have a thousand beautiful words for all of you, but what exists in my heart for you is much deeper. So when I write about all associated with everything entertainment just know it's as an expression of escape. When explicitly the real thing that matters like the one closest to you is the ones risking their lives so we still have ours.

Getting back to it, staying inside like a song Leon Bridges and John Mayer cut in a studio session last year, two more artists have made music last year that fittingly now seem more than appropriate to release in time with us staying inside...together. And it's women like in politics who have been the real role models to idolize right now after all the doctors and nurses and supermarket shop workers and service providers who have the most heart. Legends like Norah Jones and legacy makers like the sisterhood of Haim. Just a few months after releasing her 'Sister' follow up to her 'No Fools, No Fun' album with supergroup Puss N Boots featuring Sasha Dobson, Catherine Popper and Miss Jones (which came just mere months after the bands 'Dear Santa' Christmas EP under the tree), Norah Jones has picked herself off the floor (and us too) working on the solo follow up to last years 'Begin Again' new way to make music and release it following on the hot heels of her 'Come Away With Me' diamond jazz era return in 2016's 'Day Breaks'. Already releasing the call to arms, in this extended distance time, 'I'm Alive' and the honest vulnerability we are all feeling in 'How I Weep' off her June forthcoming 'Pick Me Up Off The Floor' which looks like it may just be one of her biggest albums to date yet. But targeting a co-release, Norah has brought forward the release of her Target edition bonus track 'Tryin' To Keep It Together' on Spotify so we don't fall apart right now. The signature keys of this beautiful ballad start tinkling in haunting harmony as her smouldering, smokey vocal does the same. "Keep it up all the time, ooh ooh/Conversations are empty, ooh ooh/How do we really know, ooh ooh/Tryin’ to keep together, ooh ooh," she sings for all the couples trying to keep it together in quarantine right now. "You be quiet and I'll be quiet too" she says in a moment were like hearts as one we all need to be still.

Women in music are finally getting their day right now like the child of an independent women part three destiny. And with Haim's 'Pt. III' follow up to 'Something To Tell' you distanced 'till June too, the 'Days Are Gone' singers in times like these have something to tell us too. You feel alone? Them too like me. 'I Know Alone' like "loneliness my only friend". Find this in silence like your nights so long, praying a familiar shadow will darken your door. And if you feel you are on the edge, falling forever...go slow. Right now. Right now. As this big three has one thing that will keep you worth the wait once this lockdown lifts with their famous five tracks off a forthcoming album that halfway through, already sounds like a Californian classic and their signature set. After 'Phantom Thread', 'Magnolia' and 'Inherent Vice' legendary director Paul Thomas Anderson directed some Hollywood music videos with his family friends like a one-shot 'Valentine' session and that knowing look from Danielle (the 'Summer Girl' sax strip. The 'Now I'm In It' punch, drunk, stretcher save, car wash cleanse. The camera trick magic and haunting beauty of 'Hallelujah' and 'The Steps' of a lipstick smeared angsty break-up), these rock God's link up with Jake Schreier as they stay socially distant at home at an Allen Iverson laying the Lakers Lue out six feet, stepping over on a Basketball court in the garden like they did like "you and your friends versus me and The Revolution", 'Don't Save Me' video. All for the Gap of an American Apparel pastel t-shirt and blue jeans dance sync that has Haim honing a routine that has them head in hands bored like we can all relate. The sisters slowly scrolling zombiefied through an imaginary phone like sign language. Before speeding it all up to the steps of some Instagram online tutorial for the fans like Danielle has been doing guitar breaks to follow suit like the Emma Stone and family starring video 'Thank You' version of 'Hallelujah' released at Christmas that has so much more importance and inspiration now. Months after the New Year we resolve to never see again like not keeping our resolutions in this 20's that has roared for all the wrong reasons old sport. "I know alone, like no one else does" Danielle sings on the pre pandemic track she wrote after taking many long drives with bottles of Diet Coke as her only company. But now the lyrics, "“Been a couple days since I’ve been out/Calling all my friends but they won’t pick up. Found another room in a different place/Sleeping through the day and I dream the same," take on a whole new meaning we can all share in solidarity. Music like this is medicine on an emotional uplifting scale that can help us get through...at least for now. After a fantastic four tracks with Mr. Anderson in this music matrix prior, it turns out their stay at home grower like all our beards, but still not our hairlines (I see you) right now is their most, "Cause nights turn into days/That turn to grey/Keep turning over/Some things never grow" important. Real music has always been a voice that speaks to what we're really going through in our corner. Let's not shy away from the struggle and in unison sing the blues away as these songs for the moment really speak to what we're feeling as we cherish the moments at home with our loved ones, or alone in reset. For better or worse. TIM DAVID HARVEY.