The B-Sides

Here is your link to The B-Sides Playlist #1 on Spotify! Click and enjoy.

Love it, hate it, have a comment? Let me know here.

I need pop music right now.

Mostly because it's good. And it just fking feels good to listen to good music that is still good even when everything else is bad. So, if you need pop music too, here’s what The B-Sides will do:

1. Rate the underrated

The first goal of this newsletter is to connect you with even more good pop music that you didn't even know you were missing. There are so many songs by mainstream artists that you don’t know, or that you haven’t spent enough time with! (And just a heads up, I'm going to use the term "pop" very loosely in these newsletters.)

I'm going to send you a playlist every other week that highlights both songs that I think you haven't heard and songs that I generally think deserve more love. I am always looking for inspiration - send it to me here. Music is always good for the soul - and, these days, can help fuel us and take care of us as we try to fight impending fascism.

2. Show you that there’s more to the overrated

But, of course, that's not all. Pop music - along with the artists that create it - is political, even when it's not. That's right; I don't think it's all "fluff." Pop music (and mainstream music in general) both reflects society and has the ability to shape it. And if you believe that the personal is political, then you have to understand why pop music matters.

Some mainstream songs are explicitly political, and many musicians are, too - some throughout their career, others popping out to tweet out a statement when it's convenient for them. It's beenvery interesting to watch some celebrities come out publicly with their political opinions for the first time in the wake of the Trump presidency.

But, obviously, not every mainstream song is political, even when we define “political” very broadly. Even still, the contexts for those songs and the artists who make them can still have lessons for us. Rihanna at the Women's March, the legal fight that Kesha has had to endure with her abuser, Zendaya's anti-racist trainings for Fashion Police, Kehlani giving us all a lesson in how to treat mental illness and sexists - these very political experiences are happening all around us. The way we react as fans - as consumers of culture - both reflects and shapes who we are as a society.

Don't worry; if you didn't get those references, you will soon. And if you did - welcome to your people!

So - WELCOME to The B-Sides!!

"Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary," Rihanna - This song is actually two songs in one. I find it beautifully compelling and tragic. Rihanna at her best.

"I Love You Always Forever," Betty Who - A cover of a classic. Don't listen if you can't bop around a lot right now without making a fool of yourself.

"Good as Hell," Lizzo - Lizzo is your new best friend. I saw her live with Nina B (who is an inspiration for The B-Sides) and it pretty much changed my life. Spend some time with her music; you won't regret it.

"Finish Line / Drown," Chance the Rapper - I had a hard time picking a Chance song for this opening playlist! What song do you think is underrated or under-appreciated of his? Whatever your answer, and even if you know this song, "Finish Line / Drown" is magic. It also showcases the amazing collaborative spirit of Chance and his music.

Alessia Cara will be the most popular artist of 2019. #YouHeardItHereFirst

(Although I also thought Rihanna was going to to be a one-hit wonder so these predictions are, you know, not perfect...)

Aaron Carter?

OMG I am so glad you asked. He is BACK! Jury's still out on whether he's better than ever. His single "Let Me Let You" is solid, but not super unique. Sounds like he's tryna be Zayn + every EDM DJ. What do you think? Also is this endearing or icky...?

Share the love with your friends! Help us grow this lovely endeavor.

Insta Love

Follow on Instagram! This helps more people find out about The B-Sides.

Tell your friends!

Send the sign-up page to yr buds to be entered into The B-Sides lottery:

Step 1: Send the sign up page to your friends or post it on the interwebs.
bit.ly/the-B-Sides

Step 2: When they sign up, make sure they write your name in the section on how they heard about The B-Sides!
That's how you get an entry into the lottery.

Step 3: For each person that you get to sign up, you’ll get 1 entry into a lottery to win either one of these Drake swag prizes (earrings or a key chain).
OMG how amazing <3

If 15 people to sign up through you, you'll get an even bigger prize...

Step 4: I'll choose a winner next month over Instagram live. And the B-Sides community will grow and grow!

Feedback

Give me feedback on my first newsletter and playlist. Fill out this very short form to help me plan for future playlists and letters.

And of course, send any tip n' ideas this way! Click here.

And there you go! That was your first B-Sides newsletter. Thanks for the support.

With love,
The B-Sides