PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MUSIC #5

New sh*t & old sh*t that Tyler and Vivi have been listening to.

This is the 5th edition of our PI music recommendation column where I (Tyler) dive into what I’ve been listening to and occasionally bring a friend along. You can expect a mix of new tracks, music from NYC (and beyond) that’s exciting me, and older favorites + stuff I’m revisiting.

This time I’m joined by taste-god and PI editor Vivi Hayes, who is always ahead of the curve and puts me on to lots of great stuff.

OK! Let’s dive in…

Tyler (New) 👉 🎵 Threshold -Thief

Always judge a book by it's cover! I was initially drawn to Threshold after seeing a few friends post the album cover for "Dream All Night" on Instagram. At the time I had no idea that it was my own friend Isaac (of Strange Ranger) behind ​it, and he seemed happy that his mysterious new project fooled me. Context aside though— this is one of the best songs I've heard in a long long time, and I guarantee that its minimal arrangement + hypnotizing chorus will pull you right in to its little world. And it doesn't stop there, this entrancing dream-like atmosphere extends to the rest of the album that arrived shortly after, Thief. I feel like he's on to something truly new with this sound.

Vivi (New) 👉 🎵 I Turned The Lights Off In The Gym But She Was Still Dancing- You Look Amazing

Total hypnotism from You Look Amazing. My favorite track is “Shell”, it’s equal parts unsettling/soothing. The wistful album closer, “We All Like The Town”, is another favorite of mine. Overall, just an incredible IDM project. If my cosign isn’t enough, the track “Amie” is currently on the beautifully curated YEAR0001: SOUNDS playlist, amongst songs from other PI faves including Snow Strippers, Dean Blunt, and untitled (halo). You Look Amazing is “DJing on turntables made of soft stone.” I believe it.

Tyler (Old) 👉 🎵 Starflyer 59

One of those bands that somehow evaded me until recently. Another great case of album art luring me in. Late 90s dreamy shoegazy rock that leans slightly more MBV on the self titled, and more The Radio Dept on later albums like The Fashion Focus. Lots to love here.

Vivi (Old) 👉 🎵 Death- Preoccupations/ Viet Cong

This one’s a trip. Enter The Void in song form. My boyfriend showed me the live KEXP performance and all of the band members look hypnotized, they completely surrender themselves to the song. I said out loud while watching it- that has to be the craziest feeling in the world. Just might be one of the most impassioned and engrossing performances I’ve ever seen. I like how someone in the comments puts it, “Powerful and sensitive, violent and fragile.❤️” Goosebumps just thinking about this one. It’s reallyyy that good.