Just Smiling At The Sound

Yo La Tengo “Friday I’m In Love”

“Friday I’m In Love” is so familiar that it’s actually sort of surprising that Yo La Tengo selected it for their new album of acoustic covers and reworked oldies. But that easy familiarity really works for this rendition, which dials down the manic enthusiasm of The Cure’s original recording, but stays true to its romantic heart and impeccable structure. This is a smaller, cozier version of the song, and Georgia Hubley sings it with a bashful sweetness that’s more like a nervous blush than Robert Smith’s delirious gush. I love how casual this sounds, as if Yo La Tengo made this knowing that it’d be the perfect thing for an introvert’s crush playlist. It’s like a little gift for you.

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Hudson Mohawke “Ryderz”

This track is built around D.J. Rogers’ “Watch Out for the Riders” to such an extent that it really ought to be labeled as a remix. But what a remix this is! Hudson Mohawke is basically doing the old mid-00s rap trick of speeding up an old soul sample til it takes on a odd, sparkly quality, and then making it bump with digital beats. There’s nothing particularly original about this, but the execution is dazzling and joyous.

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