Infinite Shuffle #7: Sad Boy/Girl Autumn 2

Hello Shufflers!

I hope you were able to use last week’s playlist to help you reflect on whatever you are going through. Now, we’re going to have a more upbeat playlist to try to give you more energy. I have a different title for this playlist but I don’t want to put it in email headings. You’ll see why at the end.

Artist of the week: Jae Stephens

To put it simply, Jae Stephens’ music has a captivating vibe.

Each song’s buildup when matched with her voice makes a great combination worth putting in your library. From her COLORS performance to working on a song with AJ Tracey (one of my favorite artists out), she has shown a lot of potential and versatility at a point so early in her career.

Her songs and hooks are so catchy that they’ll have you around the house singing them while you’re playing PS4 or cooking cinnamon buns in the air-fryer.

Project of the week: f**k it i'll do it myself

In 2019, Stephens dropped this 6 song project, and let me tell you it is special. Like the title implies, Stephens wrote and produced all of this herself. If you’ve noticed from some of my previous “Artist of the Week” choices, it’s clear that I love when artists do this.

Just like how any creative can work on something solo without risk of sacrificing any of their creative vision, I honestly believe that few know your own style better than you. From the angelic sounds of “2019” to “Girl no more”, Stephens shines during all 19 minutes of this project. I highly recommend that you check this out as you won’t regret it. The pure talent is through the roof.

Now here are your songs of the week!

DJ Sammy, D/O - Heaven

I know that this is a cover of the 1984 Bryan Adams song, but this is the first version of the song I ever heard. Why? Dance Dance Revolution of course.

Singing OHHHHHHHHH THINKIN' ABOUT OUR YOUNGER YEARS to this beat is a way better use of my time than any other version. I have no idea how many people remember this song but it’s a freaking banger and I wanted to share it with you special people.

Yung Gravy, bbno$ - shining on my ex

Yung Gravy and bbno$ are a perfect duo and this is perfect for getting your mood up during Sad Boy/Girl Autumn. Yung Gravy has really been blessed with some great production over the years and he always finds a way to make every song his own. If you have dismissed him in the past because of the name or his appearance then my friend you’re truly missing out.

Yung Gravy also just dropped a new album on Friday called “Gasanova”, so rejoice.

WHOA! GRAVY!

Baby Keem - MOSHPIT

According to research, I have concluded that Baby Keem is in fact a wave and not a vibe. The music video for the first half of this song is incredible. I remember when his song “Orange Soda” made it on my Spotify playlist out of nowhere. Checking out the rest of the music I’m convinced that he’s the future and we must protect him.

Congrats on the XXL Freshman nod also Keem.

Cardi B - Get up 10

When Cardi B said, "I WAS JUST TRYNA CHILL AND MAKE BANGERS" I felt that.

This song is powerful as all hell. There’s something so entrancing about Cardi’s voice that just gives you energy and confidence. With “Bodak Yellow” and “I Like it” on the same project, I understand why this song wasn’t pushed out more. I wish it did. Well, we could always play it back to back with “First Day Out” by Tee Grizzley and of course “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill.

I mean when this is all over. Wear a mask.

DVBBS, Blackbear and 24kGoldn - Tinted Eyes

I didn’t expect this combination to ever happen, but I’m liking it. The Canadian EDM duo DVBBS pairs really well with Blackbear and 24kGoldn. I rarely listen to blackbear unless he’s on features but I gotta say that he did his thing on this. I also want to hear more 24kGoldn on EDM beats. A lot of rappers do make an eventual EDM experiment now and again, but only a few actually fit well on beats.

SAMPLE OF THE WEEK: Don’t wanna fall in love

The 1989 Jane Child hit “Don’t wanna fall in love” is everything I love about the 80s. Synthy beats, a rhythm that makes you feel like you’re on a 90s sitcom, and a voice that just screams that decade. I can’t really explain it... it’s like you hear the voice and you’re like “Yup that’s the 80s”.

Also does she have a NOSE RING THAT’S CONNECTED TO AN EARRING?! The 80s has to be the most unexplainable decade of all-time and I love it. I’m off track now sorry…

Decades later, producer M-Phazes was able to take the vocal inspiration and made one of my favorite KYLE songs titled… “Don’t wanna fall in love”.

Original I know.

As with great samples, I love both versions. Wow this KYLE song was SIX YEARS AGO WOW TIME HAS FLOWN. It’s been so cool to watch KYLE’s progression over the years. I almost made him my Artist of the Week in the first newsletter. I used to listen to this song all the time walking about campus. Maybe one week I’ll share my campus walking playlist.

That’s all for this week’s edition. We’re back to our regularly scheduled programming next week. I have compiled 100 upbeat but sometimes still sad songs for you to listen to and pick out which ones you like. Enjoy!