SOMETHING OLD
Bob Desper - The World is Crying out for Love
1968
Bob Desper - The World is Crying out for Love
1968
The world unearthing and falling in love with beautiful music that went largely unheard at the time of its release is no new phenomenon. Even Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos went without acclaim until they were rediscovered and published a hundred years after his death. And many of us know the stories of those like Nick Drake and Eva Cassidy.
Here’s a song from New Sounds by Bob Desper. Only 500 copies of the album were pressed in 1974 until it was reissued in 2010.
It’s stunningly poignant and portrays the feeling of hope perfectly. There are piano elements that twinkle and feel bright, while some of the melody’s chord changes have a deep tinge of melancholy. Hope is a nice thing to have, but it only exists when something is not quite right. In this case, it’s the world’s need for more love. Fifty years later, I think we could desperately still use some.
SOMETHING NEW
Yes Ma'am - Secret
December 12th, 2025
Yes Ma'am - Secret
December 12th, 2025
Going back to my college radio roots at WFNP, Yes Ma’am formed in New Paltz, New York.
Having previously only heard whispers about their live performances, my first real introduction was by a friend of the band on October 20th, 2023. I remember the date because it was the day they released Mouth, a truly compelling single that is as dark as it is dreamy, and carries a particularly fresh sound in its unpredictable changes in BPM.
Fast forward to this month, Yes Ma’am have released their debut EP What Do They See. The set of lo-fi songs carry a similar darkness and lethargic reverie that was present in Mouth.
The opener is Secret, a lyrically bare song that manages to resonate with the tense feeling of secrecy with few words. It has haunting and beautiful layers throughout, and its siren-like a cappella introduction sets the tone for the whole project. The EP grapples with themes of secrecy, watching, honesty, and obvious heartbreak. It’s a perfect listen for a gloomy day.
SOMETHING BORROWED
Roberta Flack - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (The Shirelles)
1971
Roberta Flack - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (The Shirelles)
1971
On this one last edition of 2025, I was inspired to come back to my dearest Roberta, who left this earthly realm early in the year. In the 60s, a time of increased casual love affairs and one-night stands, Carole King wrote Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow for The Shirelles. Those girls put out a damn good pop song, so good and so pop that you might forget to listen to the words.
With Roberta, there is no choice. She grabbed the heart of the song; conveying the most tender and vulnerable feelings of a woman who may be left in the dust in the morning despite feeling like the only girl in the world in the night. I have many times been brought to tears by her gorgeous interpretation and arrangement. The ebbs and flows of the strings and her voice are so painfully beautiful.
It’s been quite a year. I brought the Dizzy Express back in a new capacity after time away. I am so incredibly grateful for the reception the small but mighty handful of you have given me; welcoming me back with open arms to do what I love. I’m also likely rapidly approaching an involuntary conclusion to my other real radio job that’s added so much to my life, which hurts.
So as we enter a new year, I have one question:
Will you still love Dizzy Gears tomorrow?
Will you still love Dizzy Gears tomorrow?
SOMETHING... FOR THE NEW YEAR
Camera Obscura - Happy New Year
2001
Camera Obscura - Happy New Year
2001
Well I've tried to get along with you
And I asked myself what I'm gonna do
I'm coming 'round to take a stand
Gonna to put us together with glue or an elastic band
And I asked myself what I'm gonna do
I'm coming 'round to take a stand
Gonna to put us together with glue or an elastic band
...
Happy New Year is peak 2000s indie pop from delightful Glasgow band Camera Obscura.
Is the song about forcing yourself to love someone? Or forcing someone to love you? Maybe just acknowledging a far less than perfect dynamic between two people.
It’s hard to tell, but the lyrics are as vivid and quirky as many of the group’s other tunes; and it's very catchy.
And perfect for the new year. Duh!
Happy New Year. You’re my only vice.