This week’s Today’s Top Tune highlights work from Grammy-nominated StarRo. We get a taste of Alejandro Escovedo’s enticing new collection of songs and a preview of Gabriel Garzón-Montano‘s debut album. And we warm up the holidays with Icelandic/Swedish duo My Bubba and the late great Sharon Jones.
Monday, December 19
StarRo: Kakurenbo (feat. Chara) from Monday
Tokyo-born StarRo is a modern-day renaissance man who can now add a Grammy nomination for his re-mixing chops to his list of accomplishments. The LA resident curates culture from high art to street, whether working on fashion collaborations or live performances alongside Flume and Anderson .Paak. We hear the depth of his sound on Kakurenbo, featuring Chara.
Tuesday, December 20
Alejandro Escovedo: Heartbeat Smile from Burn Something Beautiful
If you’ve ever been to Austin and seen Alejandro Escovedo walking down the street, you’d notice that everyone greets him – so many people that you might mistake him for the mayor. He’s also a unifying force on the musical landscape. His newest album was co-produced and co-written by R.E.M.’s Peter Buck. Heartbeat Smile is an unstoppable track propelled by drummer John Moen (The Decemberists) which soars with vocals by Kelly Hogan (Neko Case).
Wednesday, December 21
Gabriel Garzón-Montano: The Game from Jardín
Speaking of The Game, Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Garzón-Montano says, “We all play the game. We can make the best of it and we can make the worst of it. I wrote this as a reminder not to take myself so seriously. It’s easy to grow solemn and boring! This song says be brave and show your joy and give your love. Have a heart like a tangerine. You don’t have to lose the game.”
Thursday, December 22
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings: 8 Days of Hannukah from It’s a Holiday Soul Party
We’ve lost many important artists in 2016, including our beloved Sharon Jones. But she lives on in her music and has left us with 8 Days of Hannukah, an ode to the Festival of Lights, to keep our holidays bright.
Friday, December 23
MY BUBBA spreads warm feelings with a new Christmas song the Scandinavian folk duo has for just the season. Champagne Drops conjures a mood we all long for during the holidays, that of cocooning at home with loved ones. We wish you the happiest of Holidays!