Every week, I listen to the all the records in the Tidal “Suggested New Albums” carousel. Every album gets at least two tracks from me (not counting an intro). If I like the two tracks, I listen to the rest of the record. If I don’t, I move on to the next. Most artists put their best tracks up front, so I figure if I don’t like the first two enough to keep going, then I might as well move on. And that’s how I pick my songs of the week. If it’s not in that carousel, then I don’t get to hear it (apart from a random Prince single now and again!)

So… songs of the week for the release date of 7/24/2020

• Artist: Taylor Swift
• Song: “Betty”
• Album: Folklore
• Genre: Pop
• Notes: Well, I mean, what good would this be if I didn’t put a new track from a surprise Taylor Swift record in here. The album is what you make of it – a whopping 16 tracks of mellow pop/folk-ish records that meander along harmlessly. It’s a weird record where none of the songs are bad but I felt like I had spent hours and hours trying to get through it.

• Artist: The Naked and Famous
• Song: “Sunseeker”
• Album: Recover
• Genre: Indie Electronic
• Notes: Recover is the 4th record from New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous and is filled with catchy pop and electronic tunes, though a bit long with 15 tracks.

• Artist: Neon Trees
• Song: “Nights”
• Album: I Can Feel You Forgetting Me
• Genre: Pop/Rock
• Notes: Shit, this is like a 2020 version of a Kenny Loggins soundtrack tune from the mid-80s. So addicting.

• Artist: MisterWives
• Song: “whywhywhy”
• Album: SUPERBLOOM
• Genre: Indie Pop
• Notes: Between Neon Trees and this, I am hearing 80s pop influence everywhere!

• Artist: Logic
• Song: “GP4”
• Album: No Pressure
• Genre: Rap
• Notes: My 11-year old son says that Logic is “trash” and “done with” – so I guess it makes sense that his 44-year old Dad still likes him. Logic, you on the Dad circuit now.

• Artist: Sarah Reeves
• Song: “Heart First”
• Album: Paradise
• Genre: Pop
• Notes: This 31-year old singer who looks like she’s 16 has always been a contemporary Christian artist but it seems like she’s decided to crossover to the dark side and become a pop artist now. And this 4 song EP is a great start.

• Artist: Jim Gaffigan
• Song: “Moose – Canadian American”
• Album: The Pale Tourist
• Genre: Comedy
• Notes: There aren’t too many comedy records that end up in the recommended carousel but I’m happy to see this one as I think Gaffigan is an incredibly funny and unique comic. The album is filled with tracks about different countries – the first part being all about Canada – and it’s funny as hell, eh.