Staff Picks #01

Throughout the process of creating this platform, collecting and tracking all the releases available on the website was the most interesting part for me personally; rediscovering old releases and finding out about ones that I haven’t had the time to look into. Although all of us at The Store Front have love for every single one of the releases on here, each of us will be forced into choosing a couple favorites and I’ve been chosen as the lucky first person to have to do this ( ⚆ _ ⚆ ) So I’ve decided to highlight the ones that I’ve just recently gotten into:

(here we go)

1. Curiouser and Curiouser – Santa Monica

Listening to this album is such an experience, with faint ghost-like vocals guiding me through a seamlessly sequenced album. I can’t describe the experience of listening to this album other than it’s a beautiful listen. So, while you’re here, go and get it and we’ll discuss it over the internet somewhere!

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m guilty of overlooking a lot of 2000’s Indonesian wave artists, but I’m a firm believer in “better late than never” and listening to this album, definitely proves the notion. But don’t get me wrong, I’m constantly kicking myself listening to this album because IT’S AMAZING and I wish little old me knew about this. I jumped on the “add to cart” button as soon as it was possible, and I think anyone scrolling around here should too. If you’re not a digital person, look into their vinyl release! Its physical form completely encapsulates how this album made me feel – a marble cotton candy colored mush.

2. Miasma Tahun Asu – BAPAK.

If you haven’t listened to this album, I’m here to tell you to add it to your cart, and if you have listened to the album, I’m sure you already know to put it in your cart ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ. This album has become a companion throughout a couple rough patches and just a little something to give me a hug when I’m not feeling my best. I’ve been lucky enough to see this album come together and now that it’s out, it really does deserve all the love and support it’s been getting.

A personal favorite of mine from the album is Hijrah (A Song for Grandmother as She Travels Beyond) with its acoustic instrumentation reminding me so much of Toe and the haunting sounds of the trumpet coming in at the end of the song then slowly fading out, feeling as if marking the end of a journey. My late grandmother passed away two days before this album was released and I can’t help but feel a certain connection when I first listened to the song and whenever I come back to it since first hearing it. We’ve all lost a loved one in some way shape or form but BAPAK. was able to musically personify the act of getting closure, and in my book, that deserves my full support! *adds album to cart*

3. Can We Go Out Now? – Puff Punch 

I couldn’t help but give a little love for this quarantine inspired EP by Puff Punch. I was completely sold when I saw the cover alone (I’m a big cat person) and then when I got to listening, I (and I’m sure many others in quarantine) could definitely relate to a lot of the lyrics. You can clearly sense the underlying frustrations with the situation at hand and if you’re constantly annoyed with your situation right now, listening to this could maybe help you feel just a little bit less alone. 

Listening to the second song (Everyday I Miss You) specifically revived my pre-teen little heart; reminded me a lot of Little Joy, with its ukulele combined with the effect on the vocals. Definitely a good old pick me upper in quarantine and worth the love and support!

These are the releases that I’ve personally listened to or found out about throughout the process of our platform development. I could honestly talk about all of them but rationing the content seems like a wiser decision. BUT here are some honorable mentions for you to look into while you’re here:

  1. Escape Pod Situation – Escape Pod Situation
  2. Black Lines – Turismo Avenue 
  3. Garatuba – Rollfast
  4. Berbagi Kamar – Rekah
  5. Joe Million – V U L G A R