First of all, welcome back Tigers. Since we last spoke, thousands of songs were released in hundreds of countries across hundreds of genres. Although it is impossible to listen to everything, at WGRE we try to give as many bands as we can an honest listen to find the best new music for 91.5, Your Sound Alternative.
Throughout January, there were freezing temperatures in the Midwest and New England, but the station was blazing with hot new music from all around the world. It took a while, but WGRE Music Director Lauren Wigton and I prevailed, finding several new albums just right for WGRE.
JD Wilkes and The Dirt Daubers, Wild Moccasins and Thumpers stood out, but Canadian singer Michael Milosh caught our ears in familiar ecstasy. Milosh released his fourth studio album, Jetlag, in November 2013 and made its way to WGRE during Winter Term. After a few seconds of playing name recognition, I realized how I knew his name: Los Angeles based R&B duo, Rhye.
Rhye released their debut album, Woman, last April. Each song on Woman represents a celebration of love created by musical masterminds Milosh and Robin Hannibal. Its dreamlike melodies and funk-fusion bass lines make Rhye unique. After hearing a taste of Milosh going solo, it is clear how he influenced the beauty that makes Rhye so wonderful.
Just like Rhye's Woman, Milosh's Jetlag sounded beautiful. His angelic vocals and melodies flutter over strong instrumentation, pushed by jazz, funk and Afro percussion. Milosh's soothing voice makes each song a new dream where time traveling to the 70s for some disco style isn't out of the question.
The album starts with "Do You Want What I Need," where Milosh begs for a sign from his partner, attempting to find the true meaning of his relationship. Right away, we hear a different Milosh; the first track sounds much more like Baths than Rhye. As Milosh fades out, "Hear in You" begins with 80s synth as Rhye's style bleeds through. Experimental drums throughout the album, especially in the first few songs, make this album a treat for all the beat-lovers out there.
In Rhye fashion, Jetlag speaks on love, but not with the same fiery passion as in Woman. Jetlag tells of pain and heartache and may be autobiographical since Milosh is no longer in the love he had last spring.
We all hope that Milosh recovers from his apparent heartbreak, but we can't help but love the music it brings to life. Nick Hornby writes in High Fidelity, "What came first? The music or the misery?"
Keep listening to WGRE for brand new songs every week. New music comes out every day; we'll help you find it.