Charlie here. First off: if you want to hear me and Allyson DJ, you can scratch that itch by coming to Wiggle Room this Thursday night. It’s free 99 and we’ll be spinning until late. Scroll down for this week’s blog.
Blog time. So many new tracks from NYC friends! 2025 has officially started off very strong. We may be entering an exciting new era of music after what’s felt like a long period of stasis…
“Serenity” - Dan English
I spent a recent Sunday at the Brooklyn mansion known as The Hancock, participating in the reunion of the Dan English Acoustic Guitar Orchestra for a video shoot. Definitely lots of familiar faces in the orchestra, lots of new people, too, and a few people I hadn’t seen since the AGC’s last performances in late summer / early fall 2022. It’s been a long time, and I’m glad Dan and his guitarchestra are back with a vengeance. We played “Across My Jaw” (which came out in November) and this new single, “Serenity.” Despite the lyrical similarity to Seinfeld’s famous “serenity now!!” episode, Dan assures me the song actually wasn’t inspired by that at all. The track builds dynamically, starting in practically a whisper, then peaking with a chorus full of strumming and backing vocals, until the pressure bursts into one of Dan’s trademark tasty electric guitar solos. Then he allows the steam to build again, letting it out more slowly the second time via a string section.
“Make Pretend” - Damon Smith
This guy was the piano wizard of LaGuardia High School circa 2013. As a Drama major myself, I was always kind of in awe of him from afar and barely knew him back then. We became friends years later when we got back to the city after college. Recently he’s become big on IG reels / TikTok for his piano covers, but people are still sleeping on his original music. This advance single is produced perfectly, by fellow LaG alum Griffin Jennings. One of the most interesting aspects of Damon’s songwriting has always been his affinity for creating many different contrasting sections and then somehow putting them all together seamlessly. That skill is on full display here. I’ve had the privilege to listen to Damon’s unreleased stuff — excited for the rest of the songs to drop.
“field day” - country girl
The final track on Maurice’s new EP meet me at the fountain that just came out on FADER Label. I saw him play all the songs last week at Cassette fka Sundown. With this EP, he’s created his own idyllic sonic/songwriting world (accompanied by sun-dappled imagery projected in the live show). This track is a real treat, with guitar, flute, hand drums, and bass each making an entrance. Then yelping background vocals swoop in and it’s a joyous cathartic moment that makes you feel like you’re outside and it’s not the middle of winter.
“Headphones” - EZ Company
The first single from Ezra’s new project. This track’s got guest vocals from Musique Chienne, who sings in a French accent. That fact, along with the delectable synth production, combine to remind me of Air (the highest praise there is). I’ve been lucky enough to listen to the rest of the album, and there’s one song on there that’s so good I wish I had written it. Keep your ears peeled.
That’s all for now. See you Thursday at Wiggle Room for a night of dancing.
Charlie