HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VOLUME III
Our latest update to the “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” Spotify playlist series returns with a slightly linear array of deep listening cuts straight from the Total Trash Instagram page. This volume includes cuts across reggae, jazz, and punk, as well as some outlier curveballs that come with the guarantee of heavy replay value.
New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)(2010)
Erykah Badu’s stature in contemporary R&B has been overwhelmingly powerful for over twenty years. In that time, her creativity has evolved in numerous ways, with her second opus arriving through the futuristic magnificence of New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010). Her fifth record is a glorious homage to her soulful hip-hop roots, and effortlessly ties together all of the most rewarding elements of her iconic legacy.
Junkyard Cuts: Blue Dawn
“Junkyard Cuts: Blue Dawn” is the first linear playlist curation from your trusted auditory guides at Total Trash HQ. Spanning across several years, countries, and fifty total songs, this Spotify Playlist ties ‘70s soul, rock n’ roll, freak folk, and library music together through a common bond of psychedelia. Kick back and give it a listen, and be sure to follow our Spotify account for future related content.
Aromanticism (2017)
On his first record, Moses Sumney invited listeners to join him on an introspective journey towards self-care and confidence. The minimalist musical build of his debut is the perfect companion to his emotional lyrical themes that explore the beauty in being alone. Aromanticism is a stunning record layered with poetry and unique song structure, providing a thought-provoking foundation for an artist who has since redefined many age-old norms across pop music.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VOLUME I
“Scraps” is the newest addition to our site. This section will feature playlists, mixes, compilations, etc, all curated by your friends at Total Trash. Our first share is a Spotify playlist, Highly Recommended Volume I, an eclectic compilation of the first 20 [digitally streaming] songs we have ‘highly recommended’ to our Instagram following. Dig in to 95 straight minutes featuring tracks from a handful of artists we have covered, old soul classics, some of the toughest acts DIY punk has to offer, and more!
The ArchAndroid (2010)
When The ArchAndroid came out in 2010, it was marketed as a sci-fi concept album about self-awareness and love. Janelle Monáe's fantastical debut is much bigger than a pop record, it incorporates countless artistic personalities and sounds across 18 tracks. Her use of provocative counterculture blueprints isn't just a reflection of her appreciation for past generations of music, it's the beginning of Monáe forging her own legacy among the alternative.
Here, My Dear (1978)
Marvin Gaye cemented his legacy as a giant in modern music with his politically charged masterpiece, What's Going On, along with his classic love ballads, like "Let’s Get it On". In contrast, Gaye's 1978 soul/disco crossover, Here, My Dear, has remained relatively unnoticed for decades, hidden under the shadow of his more popular records. A complex and public divorce serves as the focus of this psychedelic soul deep-cut, resulting in one of the most humanizing artistic statements in Gaye’s epic career.