I’ve been doing some digging. Taking my music-listening shovel (silver, with little stars and moons) and dipping it into curated playlists and best of lists and TV Series soundtrack listings. My ears want more and more and more, and it feels like there is always an endless supply of new sounds and songs (both new-new and new-to-me) to unearth and fill the room (and all my themed and not-so-themed playlists).

It feels good to have my insatiable music itch back again.

Here is today’s Give Me Five selection. Hope you find something to enjoy.

“Weird Fishes” by Lianne La Havas – from the album, Lianne La Havas (2020)

“In the deepest ocean,
the bottom of the sea –
your eyes,
they turn me.”

I can’t remember where I stumbled on this cover of the Radiohead song, “Weird Fishes”, but I’m glad I fell into it. I’m a lover of covers, and have collected quite a collection throughout my life.

Lianne’s voice is gorgeous. I’m glad this unexpected cover led me to her music. I’m doing that “digging” into more of her music now. If you want to pick up her latest album – on CD and vinyl – or some other “merch” you can find and support her here.

“Mango peeling in the kitchen at night.
Dogs on the street corner start having a fight.
And “If you stop eating tortillas, maybe you’d lose weight”.
“Ave María Prisíma” ’cause I went on a date.
My hometown has a chain-link fence.
A backyard party playing Suavemente.
My cousins and I used to spend our days,
jaywalking to the corner store.”

I discovered Angelica and this song – “It Don’t Hinder Me” – on a Spotify Latinx playlist. This one’s my favorite from today’s five. I can’t stop playing it – over and over and over. I love the music video, too – though I will warn you, it will cause taco cravings (seriously, the cravings are REAL).

You can learn more, and support Angelica and her music here. You can get her album on blue vinyl at Spacebomb Records. I’m seriously wanting one myself.

Angelica was born and raised right around my neighborhood, in the San Gabriel Valley. She lives in Richmond, Virginia now. Fun fact, President Obama picked her song “Jicama” to be part of his end of 2019 song playlist.

“Well, all you have to do is wander,
over fields of dark time.
Where do you find yourself?
Feeling lonesome?
Do you reckon your body and your mind?”

I heard “September Fields” for the first time last night, in the film Swallow. As it was playing, I made a mental note to go seek out the song later. I love the Seventies feel it has. It reminds me a bit of Carole King (a lost track off her Tapestry album maybe). There is a lot of hope in this song. A lot of finding yourself and dancing with yourself vibe that I’m really vibing with right now.

I’m realizing now that Frazey is from The Be Good Tanya’s, who I always really loved.

You can grab yourself a copy of Indian Ocean – on CD and Vinyl – or one of her fun tee-shirts, here.

“Well easy, easy,
there’s no need to take that tone.
Well easy,
I’m on the telephone.
Man, just leave us alone.”

“Easy Easy” is track one of King Krule’s 2013 album, 6 Feet Beneath the Moon. I think it was the first song of his I ever heard – in my car, my younger daughter playing DJ. I remember thinking he was older than he is, and less ginger.

His latest release, Man Alive!, is on my to-listen to list. I’d expect there may be a track from it on a future Give Me Five or Playlist soon.

You can support King Krule by going here and picking up an album, or some merch.

“The droning engine
throbs in time
with your beating heart.
Sing, sing blue silver.”

The last track on a cover compilation from the early-aughts that I’ve recently re-discovered. Love love love a good Duran Duran cover, and this one is very keen. Fun fact, Simon LeBon (lead singer of Duran Duran) has a cover song on this comp, too (“Magic Bus”, originally by The Who).

I love the engine-like sounds at the beginning of the cover, and the sublime, dream-pop feel of their version of the song. Its so dreamy and delightful – though my heart will always belong to the original.

Check back frequently to see what 5 songs will be added next to the Give Me Five Playlist for January 2021. You can listen as it grows on Spotify and YouTube.