The Music of 2025 So Far Featuring Samia

 I Heard That Noise by quickly, quickly

I Am Digital, I Am Divine by Erin LeCount

10 by SAULT

Bloodless by Samia

This is Samia's 3rd album.  I liked her last album ok and ended up with one of the tracks, "Mad at Me," being one of my go-to songs of 2023.  This album has a different feel to me, and I like it a bit better.  Maybe it's just being influenced by how her last album grew on me as the year progressed, but I found myself enjoying this album.

This album feels like something that was made in someone's apartment with friends as it has a very intimate feel to it with interesting lyrics and good hooks throughout.  It's a real blend of sounds but somehow it all seems to fit together.  

If you are looking for some indie sounding pop that has a bit of a downer vibe to it, then give this a listen.  

MLB All-Star Game

On July 14, 1987, the National League beat the American League in the All-Star Game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.  The score was 2-0 in 13 innings.  At that point, the National League led the all-time All Star Series 37 to 20 (with one tie).  Since then, believe it or not, the National League has gone 7-28-1 in the All-Star Game.  The American League now has the all-time lead:  48-44-2 over the NL.  The AL has also won 10 of the last 11 matchups.

Tonight's matchup is at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia -- the home of the Atlanta Braves.  After two innings, the NL leads 2-0.

Wimbledon Finals

The Wimbledon finals weren't very dramatic.  On Saturday, Iga Swiatek took less than an hour to crush Amanda Anisimova:  6-0, 6-0.  On Sunday, Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in four sets:  4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.  They were both worthy champions, and Wimbledon looks as beautiful as ever.  Now we head to Northern Ireland for this week's Open Championship of golf.

The Music of 2025 So Far Featuring Japanese Breakfast

Tell Dem It's Sunny by Greentea Peng

Midwest Rock & Roll by Ryan Hurd

The Music of Tori and the Muses by Tori Amos

For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) by Japanese Breakfast

A new band to me this is their fourth album in 9 years.  Japanese Breakfast is the solo project of Michelle Zauner who was in the band Little Big League when she split out to do her own thing.  It is a 10 track album that is very consistent and engaging.  I was immediately drawn into the music and the vibe of the album.  I was reading a bit about their music and they talked about the 80's influences, but this particular album feels very 2000's to me.  I hear the song Mega Circuit and I can't help but think of late 2000's Neko Case for instance.  

I am curious to go back and listen to some of her earlier music.  If you are in the mood for a very indie sounding pop/rock album that has a bit of a downer vibe to it then give this a listen.  If you are in the right frame of mind I think someone could really connect with this album.  

Wimbledon Update

Novak Djokovic defeats Father Time and Flavio Cobolli and advances to the semi-finals with a 6-7, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win.  So the semi-finals look like this:

MEN'S SEMI-FINALS:

(1) Jannik Sinner (ITA) v. (6) Novak Djokovic (SRB)

(2) Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) v. (5) Taylor Fritz

LADIES' SEMI-FINALS:

(1) Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) v. (13) Amanda Anisimova

(8) Iga Swiatek (POL) v. Belinda Bencic (SUI)