New Music, New Adventures 2025 #12
Plus, the debut of a new series: Palangeau Park
I’ve moved up the day I’m releasing this particular weekly series since I finished my Teaching Reflections memoir and I’ve got a LOT of film reviews to post!
Socially this past week included a great dinner with our neighbors Beth, Paul, Matt, and Angie. While three of them visited us in Palm Springs, it was nice to be back in the ‘hood with some of our besties. Also, my brother Jeff and his wife hosted his 59th birthday party on Saturday. It was a wonderful time as the three of us hadn’t been together in over a year and a half.
I also began my annual spring clean-up in our yard, which consists of a garden and forested area. Years ago, I did a series of videos in which I followed the progress of that year’s garden with our dog Dillon. Now that I am fully retired, I decided to start that series up again (minus Dillon who passed in 2018.) I’m debating whether I should post this series separately each week or include the epidoses in this one. I’d love your thoughts! For now, here is the introductory episode of the new Palangeau Park: Gardening and Maintaining an Acre and a Half. (Let me know what you think about the title too!)
New Music from Contemporary Artists that Everyone Should Check Out:
Slingshot (Fusion Version) – HENGE
This one is great fun! The techno quirkiness of the delivery reminds me of Devo. The band is from Manchester and have been together since 2015. The sci fi video combines the song with another track Hypersleep which takes the energy down quite a bit but it’s worth checking out. You can watch the whole thing or stop at the 3:30 mark.
Stevie & Sly – Young Gun Silver Fox
Made up of British singer-songwriter Andy Platts and American instrumentalist Shawn Lee, I went big for these guys two years ago with their Ticket to Shangri-La album. Two of its songs made my Top Ten of 2023. Last year I saw them put on an incredible, highly energetic, live show at the Troubadour in L.A. The music they’ve been making combines 70s era soul with the best of yacht rock. This new song pays homage to Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone, suggesting that their upcoming album may have even more soul and funk than ever before.
3D Printer – The Dream Eaters
I’ve been enjoying the output of this duo, made up of New York-based Elizabeth LeBaron and Jake Zavracky, for the past year. They released an album last year, We Are the Dream Eaters, and several singles since then. This new one sounds like it could have been a hit by The Human League or Animotion in the 1980s. While the chorus features the silly-sounding lyrics, “I’m gonna 3-D print my body with my 3-D printer” diving further into the song it’s clear that LeBaron is singing about the freedom she should have to do anything with her body. It’s an interesting and very pop sounding approach to one of today’s high-powered political issues.
Running – Johnny Delaware
I was unfamiliar with Johnny Delaware, who has lived in various parts of the U.S. and Mexico, until very recently. He released the album Para Llevar late in 2024. Running is a guitar-driven, introspective song from it about having a lover that treats him right yet he’s still running and “never satisfied with anything.” Haven’t we all been there? Delaware is a great find!
Link to my 2025 Playlist
What do you think? Which do you like?
I think you should do the garden as a separate series as the music stands alone and will appeal to people who are into finding new music. The garden could appeal to different interests. I also loved seeing the “retro” clips with Dillon and think you should include more of them periodically since your Substack audience probably didn’t see those earlier posts. Loved the video for Stevie and Sly!
It’s a good day anytime YGSF releases something.
Also loving the 3D Printer track! Just the boost I need this afternoon. Thanks for getting this on my radar.