Welcome to Episode 47 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 2, Joey has picked the most obvious choice for 4 middle aged dads, Brat by Charli XCX. It is impossible to ignore the critical response for this album so we all dive headfirst into the first Charli album that any of us has experienced. And it's a belter ... but I am pretty sure it will also divide opinion.

This month, in Part 2, Spin It or Bin It, the theme is simple ... 'New Music' (tracks released since 01.05.24. However, one of us picked a 49 year old track. Take a listen to hear him justify this decision.

Part 1 | Charli XCX | Brat

With a whopping 95% score on Metacritic, this album has had a massive impact from critics right across the music press's broad spectrum of publications. It's 15 tracks with an average length well under 3 minutes. And it has some serious weight behind a savage combo of pure pop punches. But there is WAY WAY more to it that sugar-coated pop prettiness as we get stuck right into.

• Listen to the album here.
• Watch some videos here.
• Want to know what Charli means to the world of pop this podcast is gold.
• Want to know more about the making of the album, listen to this one.
• And read this great article with Charli.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | New Tracks

Every 3 months (or so) we pick to do 'New Tracks' which we define as being released 2-3 months before our podcast record date (01.05.24). We've got 4 interesting tracks this month. We've got two very different female sole artist indie tracks, one undeniable piece of piano driven, laid back housey, post-club loveliness and of course something French from David.

• David chose 'Le Sud (Latin Version)' by Nino Ferrer, Guts, Patchworks.
• Guy chose 'Method Actor' by Nilifur Yanya.
• Nolan chose 'God gave me feet for dancing' by Ezra Collective fear. Yazmin Lacey.
• Joey chose 'My Name on a T-Shirt' by Odie Leigh.

See you on Episode 47 ...

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 45 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, David bravely returns to the scene a previous crime on our podcast. He brings the second St. Vincent album to a group of people who historically have not reacted well to St. Vincent. Wow. How might this one go? In all seriousness, this is a very different experience to 'Daddy's Home' and a really good chat about the good, the not so good and our collective love of Pop Reggae.

This month, in Part 2, Spin It or Bin It, the theme is 'Crying in Aldi' or 'music that makes you cry'. As the theme suggests, things got pretty emotional.

Part 1 | St. Vincent | All Born Screaming

I think the full continuum of emotions or lack of emotions is expressed in this review. David brings unconditional love for St. Vincent plus a thinly veiled threat that his wife might tell us off again if we say mean things. The rest of bring various thoughts and ideas to the table that range from the inquisitive to the annoyed.

• Listen to the album here.
• Watch some videos here, including the Jimmy Kimmel live performance.
• We reference the Tape Notes podcast (and also videos) which delve into the making of the album . This is seriously informative and entertaining discussion. Take a look at it here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'Crying in Aldi'

The most 'in' of 'in jokes' is that Joey often cries to sad songs while doing the big shop in Aldi. He's been banned from 3 stores now and is considering to switching to Lidl. In support of our brother, we've all been researching which songs make us cry and testing them out in various big-box supermarket chains.

• David chose - 'Already Dead' by Beck.
• Nolan chose - 'Basket' by Dan Mangan.
• Guy chose - 'Magnificent' by Elbow.
• Joey chose - 'My Girls' by Animal Collective.

See you on Episode 47 ... where 4 old guys talk about Charlie XCX. What could go wrong?

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 45 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we dive right into the deep-end of 'Only God Was Above Us' the new album from TINH favourite (at least 3 of us) Vampire Weekend. This month we're in the capable hands of Nolan who has introduces the album and guides us through some key questions and an interesting conversation. In Part 2 we play Spin it or Bin It with songs that are all. 'a little bit country'.
Part 1 | Vampire Weekend | Only God Was Above Us

My god Vampire Weekend can write a song! And this album really proves that. We answer (or at least attempt to answer) some big questions - is this best Vampire Weekend album? How do you pick a favourite track when they're all so good and do such different things.

• Listen to the album here.
• Watch some videos here.
• Awesome interview by John Kennedy that we reference constantly ... here
• Buy some stuff or some tickets here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'A little bit country'

Country is massive in 2024 ... and Guy hates it. So, what other theme could we choose? The clue is in the title, the tracks only have to be 'a little bit country'. 4 Track playlist of our chosen tracks is here.

• Guy chose - 'Bittersweet, TN' by Kevin Morby and Erin Rae.
• Nolan chose -'Candle' by Buck Meek.
• Joey chose - 'One of these days' by Bedouine
• David chose - 'Cant Let Go' by Lucinda Williams

See you on Episode 46!

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 44 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we wrestle with the 2nd album from Yard Act titled 'Where's My Utopia?'. This month we're in the capable hands of Guy who has been a Yard Act fan for some time, choosing their debut album as his Album of the Year in 2022. 66.6% of the team agree with him but 33.3% of the team has found the album more of a struggle.

Part 1 | Yard Act | Where's My Utopia?

Yard act are an interesting proposition, they are perhaps the most knowingly Northern band since Oasis. They seem to be everywhere and it's tough to find someone who doesn't like them. They are very clearly 'Post Punk' but their definition of what this means has changed somewhat with this album. We ask the standard quesiton, what did you expect and what did you get plus questions about

• Listen to the album here.
• Watch some videos here.
• Buy some stuff here.
• Buy some tickets to see them live here.
• Read some stuff here and listen to some pods here and here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'Spoken Word'

Given the AOTM is Yard Act, we chose to look at our favourite Spoken Word tracks. And 3 of us actually chose a Spoken Word track ... one of us chose something else but let's leave that and let us know if you agree with me that it was not Spoken Word. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.

• Nolan chose - 'SpottieOttieDopalicious' by Outkast.
• Guy chose -''The Revolution will not be Televised' by Gil Scott Heron.
• Joey chose - 'Loosing My Edge' by LCD Soundsystem
• David chose - 'O Superman' by Laurie Anderson

See you on Episode 44!

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 43 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we embrace the truly beautiful, hynotic new album by Helado Negro, called 'Phasor'. Joey (that's me) is running 'tings this month, at least one of the crew loves this album but the other two ... I'm not so sure. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is 'New Music' where we all chose a track from the last 2 months and ask the others 'Spin It or Bin It'?

Part 1 | Helado Negro | Phasor

This is right up my street. It's calming, beautiful, intriguing little gem of an album. It's instantly accessible and a rewarding listen but it is also a gift that keeps on giving. There is a surprsing complexity to the album if you want there to be. But the big questions is 'what on earth do we call it?' Guy suggests 'Cosmic Pop' and I think he's right.

• Listen to the album here.
• Watch some videos here.
• Buy some stuff here.
• Follow him on Instagram here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'New Music (Jan, Feb, March '24)

The theme is nice and simple and always a fun one - new music. Pick a track, any track from the past 2-3 months. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.

• David chose - 'AA Bouquet for your 180 Face' by Saya Grey
• Guy chose -'Spare me the decision' Nation of Language / Cutouts
• Joey chose - 'Right Back At It' by Waxahatchee / MJ Lenderman
• Nolan chose - 'Invulnerable' by K-OS

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 42 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we get stuck right into Integrated Tech Solutions by Aesop Rock. Nolan and I (Joey) think this is one of 2023's underrated albums and definitely a hidden hip hop gem. David is missing this month so we only have to convince Guy! In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is 'Technology' where we all chose a track that we think fits the theme and ask the others 'Spin It or Bin It'.

Part 1 | Aesop Rock | Integrated Tech Solutions.

This one's special (in my opinion). Nolan has always tried to sell Aesop Rock to me but there's so much music and so little time that I never quite got it. That changed in the Autumn when Mindful Solutionism, the lead single from this album dropped. I chose it as a Spin It or Bin It track and won that month. There's another 17 tracks on this album. It's dense, intelligent, socially conciuous, amusing, moving and thought provoking hip hop. Get stuck in if you haven't already.

• Listen to the album here.
• Watch some videos here.
• Buy some stuff here.
• Follow him on Instagram here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'Technology'

Taking inspiration from the album of the month, a really interesting theme of 'technology'. Interpretation was wide open on this one. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.

• Nolan chose - 'Robots' by Landhouse ft. Raddantze
• David chose -'Windpower' by Thomas Dolby
• Guy chose - 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 1' by The Flaming Lips
• Joey chose -'(nothing but) Flowers' by Talking Heads

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 41 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we go deep with Lana Del Ray for the first time on TINH. LDR is one of the industry major players: few move units or split opinions like her. Find out what we think. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is 'A Song for January' where we all chose a track that we think fits the theme and ask the others 'Spin It or Bin It'.

Part 1 | Lana Del Rey | Did you know there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd.

This is album no.9 for LDR and its a whopper. It's got a lot to say and says it across 16 tracks. There are common LDR tropes and new twists on what you might expect. We think it contains some of the best music released in 2023 but is it all good? Can a 78 minute be brilliant from start to finish?

• Listen to the album here.
• Watch some videos here.
• Buy some stuff here.
• A really interesting interview on Billboard can be found here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'A song for January'

Well, that was an odd Episode of Spin It or Bin It! The usual structure goes to the wall this month and it all gets a bit loose. Nolan get's the hump, Joey gets all serious but thankfully David and Guy clean up the mess and no blood was spilled.

• Nolan chose - 'Let me calm down'by Nicki Manaj (Feat. J Cole).
• Joey chose - 'Vamos A Andar' by Silvio Rodriguez
• Guy chose - 'Cocktail Chez Madmoiselle (remix)' by Laurent Voulzy, Yuksek
• David chose - 'Utopia' by Goldfrapp

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 40 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where we usually review an album in depth and play something called 'Spin It or Bin It' ... but not this month.

We're celebrating our big 4-0 in style. It's end of year review time. We select our top 10 albums of 2023 and each pick our Track of 2023.

Part 1 - 2023 Top 10 Albums

We all independently picked our top 10s. We run those choices through a series of deep learning models commonly known as 'Algo Dave' and we create a mathematically generated combined Top 10. We made our selections and recorded this pod WAAAAAY ahead of any body else's lists coming out so we are not influenced by the mainstream musical media (which is why our list looks SO different to everyone else's). We're super proud of our 10 and chuffed to bits that our No.1 is an album that we all love and one that we've loved since the start of the year. No recency bias here my friends.

Part 2- 2023 Tracks of the Year

We each select a track of the year. Simple as that. We explain why it's our track of 2023 and have a little critique of each others choices.

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/