Minted: Weekly Music Selections - Post Punk (December 20, 2024)
Discover this week's curated selection of eclectic grooves and dynamic discoveries in Minted, your weekly music discovery playlist. From Beck's genre-defying soundscapes to Viagra Boys' raw energy, each track offers a sonic journey to enhance your week.
- 🎧 Featured Genres: Post-punk, darkwave, modern soul, Latin-inspired beats
- 🌟 Mood: Energetic, reflective, nostalgic
- ⏱️ Duration: 1 hr 8 min
Listen to This Week's Playlist
Note: This playlist updates weekly. For permanent access to this week's selections, use the individual song links below.
This Week's Selections
"No Sex For Ben" – The Rapture
From the album "The Music of Grand Theft Auto IV"
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The Rapture, pioneers of the early-2000s dance-punk movement, earned fame with hits like "House of Jealous Lovers." But "No Sex For Ben," produced by the legendary Timbaland, shows a funkier, more experimental side of the band. Released as part of The Music of Grand Theft Auto IV, the track blends groovy basslines with edgy percussion for a standout, genre-blurring vibe. I've always been a fan of The Rapture's House of Jealous Lovers as a party rock anthem from my college dance days. But they're a band I haven't really explored beyond that one hit, so this marks the beginning of my exploration.
"Girls & Boys" – Viagra Boys
From the album "Welfare Jazz"
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Swedish post-punk provocateurs Viagra Boys made waves with their satirical, chaotic energy on Welfare Jazz (2021). "Girls & Boys" encapsulates the grimy brilliance of the album, blending jagged saxophone riffs and gritty vocals into a raw, raucous anthem. This album has been the unexpected hit in my rotation this year. There's something beautifully filthy about it, an intriguing mix of grit and charm.
"Black Tambourine" – Beck
From the album "Guero"
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Beck’s 2005 album Guero marked his return to the playful, genre-mashing sound of his Odelay era. "Black Tambourine" shines with funky beats, kaleidoscopic samples, and his unmistakable vocal style. Beck is falling back into my rotation these days. He's one of those artists we all know is incredibly talented, but how often do we actually sit down and listen to his albums in their entirety? Then again, do we even listen to any albums in full anymore?
"Calling It" – Automatic
From the album "Signal"
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Los Angeles trio Automatic broke through with their 2019 debut Signal, a minimalist post-punk masterpiece. "Calling It" combines icy synths, driving basslines, and detached vocals for a gritty, futuristic sound. I can listen to just about any song from their album, and it's an instant hell yes for me. This track wrapped up the gritty driving set I needed to start my day on the right note.
"As Soon As You Can" – Twin Shadow
From the album "As Soon As You Can"
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Twin Shadow, aka George Lewis Jr., blends synth-heavy melodies with soulful storytelling. "As Soon As You Can" sees him stripping things back to focus on graceful minimalism and understated production. Twin Shadow proves just as capable of delivering gritty, energetic tracks as he is at showcasing minimal, graceful, soulful production. This single has me eagerly anticipating his next album.
"Eyes & Mouth" – The Smile
From the album "Cutouts"
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The Smile, a side project featuring Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, pairs Afro-jazz rhythms with haunting guitar work on "Eyes & Mouth." Anytime I hear Afro-jazz percussion that feels like a callback to Tony Allen/Fela Kuti-era grooves, I'm in. Combine that with vocals and guitar work of Radiohead, and you get a magical combination.
"Lucid Girl" – Thee Sacred Souls
From the album "Got a Story to Tell"
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San Diego’s Thee Sacred Souls are reviving old-school soul with a modern twist. "Lucid Girl" is smooth, romantic, and drenched in nostalgia. Hold my beer. I need to make a 15 point turn in my low rider.
"Tártaro" – Buscabulla
From the album "EP II"
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Puerto Rican duo Buscabulla captures the dreamlike qualities of Caribbean nostalgia on "Tártaro." From their critically acclaimed EP II, this track layers dreamy synths with rhythmic percussion, offering a blend of introspection and movement. I have a playlist made up entirely of Latin-based or influenced music, and this track—along with the next one—has been on repeat this week.
"Cruzando el RĂo" – Mexican Institute Of Sound
From the album "Distrito Federal"
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Camilo Lara’s Mexican Institute of Sound is a masterclass in genre fusion, blending cumbia, hip-hop, and electronic beats. One of my favorite song structures is the slow build, done so well by tracks like LCD Soundsystem's Dance Yrself Clean, Postal Service's This Place Is a Prison, or even Ravel's Bolero. This track nails that dynamic journey. Mexican Institute of Sound absolutely rocks this vibe.
"Tieduprightnow" – Parcels
From the album "Tieduprightnow"
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Australian electro-pop outfit Parcels continue to deliver immaculate disco-inspired grooves. I’m just going to say it: every Parcels album is what we all wished the last Daft Punk album had sounded like.
"After Dark" – Mr.Kitty
From the album "Time"
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Dallas-based darkwave artist Mr.Kitty delivers moody, synth-driven nostalgia on "After Dark." Darkwave goodness making me feel peak millennial emo this week. Guilty pleasure, no shame.
"Vaster Than Empires (featuring Alan Sparhawk)" – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
From the album "Vaster Than Empires"
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Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, award-winning composers known for their haunting film scores, create a deeply immersive experience with "Vaster Than Empires." I will always love Trent Reznor—especially now that he's channeled his talents into film and television scoring. The production quality here is jaw-dropping. Even if you don’t understand what he’s doing, you feel it.
"Faust" – Kit Sebastian
From the album "Enkaz"
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Kit Sebastian blends Turkish psychedelia with 60s pop influences to craft something both nostalgic and unique. Growing up with boomer parents who loved '60s American pop has left me with a soft spot for tracks like this. It's deep nostalgia for me, even though I'd never heard it until recently. Highly recommend.
"about her. again." – Son Little
From the album "aloha"
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Son Little’s stripped-down soul that occasionally veers into modern, psychedelic renditions reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix. Okay, it's not quite Hendrix, but the flanging and phased-out production give it that vibe. Feels good.
"Like The End" – James Blake
From the album "Like The End"
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James Blake has long been a master of blending minimalism with emotional resonance. "Like The End" is hauntingly beautiful, capturing his signature mix of melancholia and lush production. I've been a fan of James Blake for years, and I fell even more in love after seeing him live at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Incredible.
"Cantares" – Buscabulla
From the album "Cantares"
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Another stunning track from Buscabulla, "Cantares" taps into the duo’s ability to blend dreamlike melodies with deeply rooted Latin rhythms. It’s an essential piece in my ever-growing Latin-inspired playlist.
"light dark light" – Fred again..
From the album "light dark light"
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Isn't this beautiful? Pritikin has dominated my mind ever since I saw his Boiler Room DJ set. Sure, that might make me a Boiler Room basic bitch, but I don’t care—it’s phenomenal.
"Purple Snowflakes" – Say She She
From the album "Purple Snowflakes / This Wintertime"
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Say She She ushers in the holiday season with a gorgeous cover of "Purple Snowflakes." It’s warm, nostalgic, and brimming with the kind of charm that makes December feel magical. A perfect addition to any holiday playlist.
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