The Wrap-Up (11/5-11/12)
The Wrap-Up brings you the week's biggest music news. This time: new music from Earl Sweatshirt and Bob Dylan, news about Vampire Weekend, and more!
1. Earl Sweatshirt has “Nowhere2go”
The last Earl Sweatshirt project was 2015’s I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside. This past Thursday, however, he dropped “Nowhere2go,” which sounds nothing like his previous work. The tune layers Earl’s rhymes over a soulful backing track with a distorted beat. I didn’t see this coming, but I like where it’s going.
2. Bob Dylan’s Latest Installment of the Bootleg Series
Every so often, Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan graces us with an official release of some unofficial music. This week, he dropped the cleverly titled More Blood, More Tracks: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 14. It has previously unreleased takes on hits, as well as some deep cuts, from Blood on the Tracks. The slowed-down version of “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” offers a completely different experience than the album cut.
3. Your Nominees for the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Every year, some of music’s finest storytellers join the legends in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The list of 2019 Nominees just came out, and it looks like it’ll be very tough to narrow down. By December 17th, three will be chosen from the list of 24 artists who have a “notable catalogue of hit songs” and have published for at least 20 years. It includes the creative forces behind the Monkees, the illustrious Missy Elliot, and Cat Stevens (a.k.a Yusuf Islam). My top choice is John Prine, who’s had a fantastic solo career and works with artists like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and John Denver.
4. Confusion Abounds over New Vampire Weekend Album
I almost gave up hope for a new Vampire Weekend album after frontman Ezra Koenig’s foray into anime with Neo Yokio. Thankfully, Koenig is back with the band, touring and recording new music. At one of their summer shows, Koenig announced that they had finished recording their new album. GQ released a statement saying that the wait would soon be over, and Vampire Weekend would release their fourth album in 2019. Since then, the article was taken down and the statement revoked. I suppose we’ll have to wait until the band appears on GQ Live on December 8th for further information.
5. John C. Reilly Lays Down Some Bars
Oscar-, Tony- and Grammy-nominated performer John C. Reilly has really done it all. He’s driven race cars, acted as a porn star, and brought Stonewall Jackson back to life. His versatility increased this past week when he appeared on Sway in the Morning to lay down some sweet bars.
4. Confusion Abounds over New Vampire Weekend Album
I almost gave up hope for a new Vampire Weekend album after frontman Ezra Koenig’s foray into anime with Neo Yokio. Thankfully, Koenig is back with the band, touring and recording new music. At one of their summer shows, Koenig announced that they had finished recording their new album. GQ released a statement saying that the wait would soon be over, and Vampire Weekend would release their fourth album in 2019. Since then, the article was taken down and the statement revoked. I suppose we’ll have to wait until the band appears on GQ Live on December 8th for further information.
5. John C. Reilly Lays Down Some Bars
Oscar-, Tony- and Grammy-nominated performer John C. Reilly has really done it all. He’s driven race cars, acted as a porn star, and brought Stonewall Jackson back to life. His versatility increased this past week when he appeared on Sway in the Morning to lay down some sweet bars.