San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
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headlining the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, then came back to do it again in 2021.
Now, on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, they’re slated to perform two nights with Odesza at Mountain View’s 22,500-person capacity Shoreline Amphitheatre.
For The Chronicle’s playlist of this week’s picks, and to watch music videos of select songs, go to datebook.sfchron icle.com.
After completing what they considered a unified trilogy of albums, “No Rules Sandy” serves as the next step in Sylvan Esso’s continued rise. “Sunburn” has an unshakeable bounce alongside Sanborn’s melodic synths, while Meath’s expressive vocals on “Didn’t Care” are filled with love for anyone who’s listening.
“It just feels like us,” Meath said of their fourth album in a statement. “We’re not trying to fit into the mold, just happily
being our freak selves.”
SONG OF THE MOMENT Kaytranada “Twin Flame” featuring Anderson .Paak (RCA)
Some artists never miss. “Twin Flame” was a surprise drop from Canadian producer Kaytranada and West Coast soul rapper Anderson .Paak, two stars who have been staying plenty busy on their own. For Kaytranada — whose “Bubba” won the 2021 Grammy for best dance/ electronic album — he’s been on the “After Hours” mega tour with the Weeknd, while Paak has been focused on his new label, ApeS— Inc., after a “clean sweep” at last year’s Grammys with Bruno Mars for their project Silk Sonic, which continues its residency at the Park MGM in Las Vegas.
On the new track, Paak’s vocals come across with a shadowy hush as he sings, “I’m bangin’ at the gate of the castle,” over Kaytranada’s funky nu-disco drumbeat. This one is destined to be on the soundtrack to some of your best summer memories.
LOCALLY MINDED
Healing Potpourri, “Paradise” (Run For Cover)
Led by Simi Sohota, Oakland’s Healing Potpourri crafts breezy psych-pop across every stretch of “Paradise,” the group’s fourth album. Coproduced by Stereolab’s Sean O’Hagan, you hear the influence of the British avant-pop band immediately across the spaced out “Fireworks.” “Wind” has a yacht-rock sway a la Steely Dan but swathed with woodwind instruments
and psychedelic sounds. Meanwhile, “What Do I Do Now?” is a balmy, comforting tune that “is dedicated to everyone that has been left behind by a friend or loved one that succumbed to their mental health issues or addictions and didn’t make it,” Sohota said on Facebook.
“I know there are a lot of us out there and the pain is real,” he continued in a statement. “A lot of love and positive energy went into this song and I hope that comes across.”
Larry June, “In My Pockets”
(The Freeminded/Empire)
The rapper behind “Orange Print,” last year’s best hip-hop record to come out of the Bay Area, San Francisco’s Larry June hasn’t slowed down. Besides the “2 P’z in a Pod” collaborative album with Compton rapper Jay Worthy, June has been steadily dropping singles and “In My Pockets” is his latest.
In an opulent celebration of a bon vivant life (in the song’s video, he rolls his Bentley up to the Eiffel Tower), June raps over a throwback G-Funk groove by Detroit producer Cardo: “A nice day in the city, so I’m whippin’ for real. The sun is out, I closed the deal.”
June is as smooth as silk and during his performance at Outside Lands last weekend, he proved there’s still nobody better in the Bay.