The Godlike Setup

1. There Stands the Glass - Conway Twitty
   An absolute classic. This track was originally popularized by Webb Pierce but its been covered by tons of musicians. CJ Ramone, who replaced Dee Dee in the monumentally famous punk band The Ramones, even dropped a cover of this one. There’s something about this track that just makes sense to me; even though its about heartbreak, something about cracking a cold one after a tough day resonates with the Bear

2. Interior People - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
   This cut off the most recent KGLW record showcases them at the height of their psycho-rock power. The melody is catchy and the vocals are spacey, the synths and keys are mirrored by the guitars and the analog drum tracks help to keep the track grounded and accessible. I always find it fascinating how Gizz can oscillate between thrash metal, narrative driven garage rock, and psychedelic rock all while maintaining an incredibly high standard of quality. I want to live in the Gizzverse

3. Lately - Lionel Boy
   Man talk about a driving in the rain song. The lo-fi vibe and the relaxed vocals of this one off his 2020 EP Who is Dovey? certify this one as the Sleepybear Driving Track of The Week (TM). Just make sure that there are some gray clouds and a light drizzle going for the full effect

4. I’m So Tired - Fugazi
   If Lately is the Driving Track of the Week (TM), then this track is the Lying Face Down in the Bed Track of the Week. That’s a bit too wordy actually… Gimme a sec, I’ll figure this one out. This jam off Fugazi’s penultimate LP showcases one of the most beloved aspects of punk music; the raw and unadulterated expression of deep sadness. Sorry to lay this one on you in the middle of the list, but I promise, with every low comes a high

5. Roadrunner - Migos
   I listened to all of Culture III so you don’t have to. The main problem with the Migos is the fact that each member, Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff, all need full length verses on every song, I think in order to avoid another Joe Budden/DJ Akademiks confrontation situation. This one is a relatively quick hit with a banging beat and a catchy hook. I have to say though, the similarities between this song and Need It (featured on Inter-Planetary Beans) can’t be overlooked. Still fire though!

6. Heroine - Dutch Disorder
   An extremely close second place entry for Driving Track of the Week (TM), this banger is an absolute fever dream. I have no fuckin clue what language is being spoken on the one (could be French?), and the garbage disposal-esque noises make this one a perfect Euro-techno-industrial cut. The delicate little pings intertwined with the Stomp-reminiscent drum track at the end of the song round this one out as a must play at your next kick back. Hit this dance for extra points with the ladies

7. Nobody Special - Hotboii feat. Future
   Orlando stand the fuck up! Hotboii comes off the blocks hot (haha) on this ATL Jacob produced track, mentioning a coterie of female interactions and situations, maintaining that none of them are truly special. And then right when you think the track couldn’t get any more disrespectful, the Don of Disrespect kicks the door down and annihilates this joint. At least Hotboii recognizes his toxicity by the end of this one. Another fire in the whip hitter

8. These Days (Live) - Gregg Allman
   One of my first ever playlists featured the original These Days, preformed by the Chelsea Girl Niko. The song is about self reflection, and the idea that sometimes we get into grooves where we lose ourselves. This one’s about failure, and the fear of failure, and about loss and the general listlessness that sometimes rears its head when feeling down. Please don’t confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them…

9. All Things Must Pass - Cultura Profética
   Another cover to round out the list this week. This reggae rendition by Puerto Rican outfit Cultura Profética is actually one of many covers off of a 2013 compilation called Hemp! A Reggae Tribute to the Beatles, which boasts 3 hours worth of tunes. The original song was actually overlooked by Lennon and McCartney during the Get Back rehearsals, which is actually bewildering to me. I hope this one leaves you feeling a little bit more rested and whole then when you started this weeks playlist

When you find that perfect setup, where your keyboards the perfect height, and your mouse has enough room to maneuver, and you’re looking straight ahead at your monitor, and you got enough room for your coffee cup, you can’t let that shit go man. Even if it just so happens that your setup is in the middle of the forest. Ride that baby till the wheels fall off. See you next week

Sleepybear

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