Welcome back to Top8. It's still Pride and on behalf of The Alphabet, I am declaring you all honorary queers. See me for your free iced coffee (offer only valid in June and if I am feeling like it). 

Who are your favorite queer artists? Let us know at wtsq.org/contact

(Also, I spent too long on the first review so I kinda had to rush through the rest. I'm not sorry.)

Andrew Adkins - Be Still

I won't pretend to be objective here. If you want objective, go find someone else's music blog. Andrew Adkins is my best friend. I love him and I love these songs. I was present for the creation of at least a little bit of every single one of these songs. I was also present for the slightly cursed incubation of the album. It's called "Vandalia" and it was recorded live right in front of me. I believe it's a masterpiece. 

I could go on and on, but let me talk about just one of these songs – "Be Still". I have never loved living here. I am not an outdoor adventurer. I don't really camp or hike or anything. I hate how hot it gets here. I hate the humidity. I hate how willfully ignorant and hateful so many people are here. I hate how many of those people can't seem to mind their own goddamned business. I hate how many of those people want to kill me. I am not a great West Virginian. I am a city girl. I'd rather be in a cafe than by a campfire. I don't like it here, and I will probably leave for good one day. 

But then I hear "Be Still." And I remember Hurricane, WV when I was a little kid. How dark it was at night and how I'd look up into the stars, while I was walking home from my grandmother's trailer, and feel like I was falling up into them. I remember the lightning bugs landing on my hands. I remember how the honeysuckle tasted when we'd snap off the end and suck it out. I remember my grandmother's garden and the way the tiller felt vibrating my hands as I pushed it along while she watched me carefully. I remember those tomatoes we grew. I remember the woods and the way they seemed to always have some corner or spot I'd never been to before. I remember something sacred that I lost, somewhere along the way.

I have never felt at home anywhere in my life. And usually that's fine. I have never really belonged anywhere. But when I hear "Be Still" I remember Hurricane back before the subdivisions and the good jobs. When my grandmother was still alive. Back before I understood the world on the other side of the property line. I miss something I have no name for, no definition of. I miss something I am not even sure I'd want if I still had it. But I do miss it– the quiet, the stillness.

I am usually supposed to tell you something about the music, the way it sounds, what genre it is, what other things it evokes. And I don't know. I can't really do it this time. This is too close to me. I'll say this, it's a folk song about West Virginia written by the only person I believe when he says he loves West Virginia.

Las Ligas Menores - Éramos Tres

We need more music we can't understand. Las Ligas Menores are from Argentina and they play a kind of indie rock with a heavy dose of melancholy and pavement grey Strokes-ish bounce. "Éramos Tres" is honestly one of the catchiest songs I have heard in ages and I can't even really sing along to it. That's how good it is.

bar italia - Cowbella

I love a band that doesn't always sound like the same thing. Bar Italia is a British act that is all over the place. "Cowbella" has some of the band's usual indie guitar sound, but occasionally verges on Babyshambles sleaze. Which is a good thing. 

Kevin Abstract - Geezer

Kevin Abstract is the dude from BROCKHAMPTON, but you shouldn't hold that against him. "Geezer" is a has some mellow, rolling waves of verses and and a chill as fuck vibe. The lyrics reflect a vulnerability and self-effacing quality that really isn't that common in the genre. Having said all this, it's also an absolute jam. Indie song of the summer contender.

Emma-Jean Thackray - Maybe Nowhere

Emma-Jean Thackray plays jazz fusion that feels miles away from a yacht. "Maybe Nowhere" feels like some of the best mainstream crossover stuff from guys like Robert Glasper. You wouldn't think this is from a white British artist. This has a heavy groove but still feels like music played by people with real chops. 

Space Ghost & Teddy Bryant - Majestic Fantasies

When I heard this, I immediately texted WTSQ's Mya and Brad because I knew they would get the vibe. This is straight up 1987, throwback new jack swing style. It's dancy as hell. It's tightly produced with all the little samples and synths you expect. The bassline is tight. This is just cool as hell. Grab your Starter jacket and get in on this one.

Sea Lemon - Thought for You

Reverb for days. "Thought for You" is bedroom dream pop that's also meant to be listened to in your room. It's dreamy and intimate. Shades of Alvvays here with a little Slowdive thrown in.

Byland -  These Days (Jackson Browne / Nico cover)

It didn't even occur to me that this song titled "These Days" was going to be THIS cover. Certainly not when they come in with the indie rock guitars (think of the guitar sound from bands like The Kills or BRMC). This shouldn't work. But it does.

And this week's extra innings. Just a few other things I am listening to WHICH ARE NOT NEW (except the ones that are). I am doing all queer artists again this week. Happy pride, kids.

Ezra Furman - Slow Burn

Sophie - It's Okay to Cry

Kae Tempest - Statue in the Square

Allison Russell - Persephone

And a playlist with everything.

Thank you for reading and listening.

-emily