New York City charmer Blonder has been hard at work on a new EP, titled $5. In fact, today is the day you can get your ears on it for the first time, and we’ve got a stream happening. The five track $5 takes you on a journey through sounds inspired by the 80’s, replete with glistening synth and sound effects that perfectly complement the smooth, intense vocals. Heavy beats and a fun, carefree feel are what you will gain from giving this EP a spin, and we highly suggest it for the weekend ahead.
In honor of the release of the EP, Blonder curated a little playlist exclusively for Impose. So, without further ado…
Scritti Politti – Perfect Way
Matty from the 1975 references this song/ band for their last album so it’s a pitfall in a sense but the funky, gritty drums and bass, the solid state chorus on the guitars, and the use of the fairchild just got me so freaking excited when I first heard it. I was with my girlfriend at the time and we were like screaming at how good and beautiful it was. The video is so special too.
The Replacements – Androgynous
I love this song so much and I love how it sits on the album as the piano-driven ballad among otherwise left field references to metal, rockabilly, etc. This song is a story that means so much about freedom, self love and the boundaries the world places on people’s sexuality and gender. This song should make you cry or give you a deeply real sense of humanity.
Frank Ocean – Biking
His melodies are so intricate and the way his vocal is recorded (w/ the insane harmonies everywhere) the whole thing – I just kind of melt. I love Jay Z ‘s verse. I love Tyler’s verse, even though at first I didn’t for some reason. At this point I’ve googled every lyric and it’s just like a masterpiece-level song. It’s got everything: true emotion, it’s so swaggy, excitement, etc. I listened to only that song for about 2 weeks straight in New York and it got pretty crazy.
New Order – Love Vigilantes
Love the end where Bernard Sumner goes really rhythmic on just a few chords it feels so important, like a solo but not in any way, just energy. Very nerdy but you got to love the guitar tone, so signature and just makes ya feel so good.
Alex G – Brick -> sportstar
A few days ago I was in a really intense mood and the only song that made me feel anything was “Brick”. Then I loved the dif mood change for “Sportstar”, a perfect way to make sense of both songs.
Ricky Eat Acid – Nice To See You (johnny gorgeous remix)
This was another song I listened to for like an entire day straight bc it was the only place where I felt like I could buoy my mood. The production is so beautiful and I love the way he used the vocal sample in the way he did. Super catchy, super beautiful.
Miley Cyrus – Rooting for my baby
I first heard this on blonded radio, I’m not gonna pretend I’m mining Miley Cyrus b-sides. Basically this and 1 other Pharrell produced song are included on the deluxe edition of the album. I became obsessed w this song bc of the warmth of the chord voicings and the use of the rhodes and acoustic guitar. I’m also so into the lyrics, they tell this story about a couple that wakes up and the guy is in a tough mood/ a tough place in his life emotionally and so on but it’s from the woman’s point of view. So there’s this fascinating almost Lana Video Games type of resigned sadness about being supportive of her boyfriend. It’s about understanding and forgiveness – and just real life. Go Miley and Pharrel and whoever else wrote the song.
Angel Olsen – those were the days.
I secretly or not so secretly want to make a song w Justin Raised, the guy who recorded this album. The music on my debut EP is so different but there’s this incredible emotional honesty to this song and like a real feeling of relaxation which I never get from a song. This almost has like a boss a nova effect – like melancholy but sweet and beautiful. angel’s voice is so important.
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Keep up with Blonder here, and be sure to catch up on the remaining tour dates!
6/16 Philadelphia PA – Foundry
6/17 Washington DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
6/19 Nashville TN – Exit/In
6/20 St Louis MO – Off Broadway
6/21 Kansas City MO – Riot Room
6/23 Denver CO – Larimer Lounge
6/24 Salt Lake City UT – Urban Lounge
6/27 San Diego CA – Casbah
6/28 Los Angeles CA – El Rey
6/29 Santa Barbara CA – SoHo Music Club
