This Is Not Happening - An Album Of The Month Podcast

In Part 1 we explore the new Everything But The Girl album Fuse,  and ask is it worth the 24 year wait? In Part 2 we play Spin It or Bin It? The theme this month is new music ... tracks that have been released since Feb 1st 2023.

Part 1 | Album of the Month | EBTG | Fuse

It's Nolan's choice this month and we go with the long awaited / not even expected 12th studio album from Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt. It's rare that we get to talk about an artist that we all have a significant relationship, but this is a great example. In January we got treated to the track Nothing Left to Loose but the album offers much more. It's got just about every type of EBTG track you can think of and some of their best tracks ever.

• Go listen to the album - Here
• Go watch some videos - Here
• Go buy some of their stuff - Here

Some links that we reference and recommend; 

• Pitchfork interview - Click Here
• BBC Radio 5 Live interview - Click Here
• EBTG in conversation at Rough Trade - Click Here

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | New Music

It's been a few months since we did new music so here we go. There's a definite whiff of summer in the air!

• Nolan chose - Amplify by Rodriguez Jr.
• David chose - Mo Se B'ola Tan by The Estuary 21 
• Joey chose - Sandrail Silhouette by Avalon Emerson 
• Guy chose - Everybody's Saying That by Girl Ray

In order to chose our tracks we create a long list, then a short list of 4 tracks each. Each of our 4x track short lists are collated here ... have a listen. 

*** Enjoy the episode ***

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

In Part 1 we explore the mesmerising (but opinion dividing) 2nd album by Kelela, 'Raven'.   In Part 2 we play 'Spin it or bin it?' ... but do we really? The theme this month is our favourite De La Soul tracks ... is anyone really going to bin a De La Soul track?

Part 1 | Album of the Month | Kelela | Raven

It's Joey's choice this month and we're focusing on an intriguing, vibe of an album called Raven by Ethopian-American artist Kelela. It's 15 tracks, over an hour and plays out like a late-90s, early-00's post club mix tape. There's lots of opinions on this album, in the critical sphere they're almost universally (really) positive, the album being on of the best reviewed albums of the year. However, its a 100%, unquestioning love-in on This Is Not Happening.

• Go listen to the album - Here
• Go watch some videos - Here
• Go buy some of their stuff - Here

A few 'Raven' that we highly recommend checking out;

• A really interesting review of the album by BPM - Here
• 'Unmistakably Black' interview with Mixmag - Here
• Live Jimmy Fallen performance of 'Enough for Love' - Here

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | De La Soul tribute

After the sad passing of Trugoy the Dove, we pay tribute to De La Soul. This is the 1st time that the question 'spin it or bin it' is completely redundant.

1. Nolan chose - Stakes is High
2. Guy chose - So No Go
3. David chose - Trying People
4. Joey chose - I am I be

Check out our 16 track De La Soul tribute playlist (4 tracks each) can be found - Here (this is a good one!)

Next Month

In part 1 Nolan brings 'Fuse' by Everything But the Girl as our Album of the Month, in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or bin it' with new tracks for the last 3 months.

We've been writing a blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

In Part 1 we speak in depth about Young Fathers latest album 'Heavy Heavy' and how it packs such a punch in 32 minutes.  In Part 2 we play 'Spin it or bin it?', the theme this month is the curious anomaly that is 'Post Genre'.

Part 1 | Album of the Month | Young Fathers | Heavy Heavy

It's Guy's choice this month and we return back to an artist that we spoke about 9 years ago when they released their debut 'Dead'. Across 3 previous releases, Young Fathers have secured near universal critical acclaim, yet little commercial success. Is Heavy Heavy the album that will change this. It looks like it. But that doesn't mean this is a collection of easy listening pop tunes. We discuss what this is, what we love and the live experience.  If you know them enjoy, if you don't dig in!

• Go listen to the album - Here 
• Go watch some videos - Here 
• Go buy some of their stuff - Here

A few Heavy Heavy things that we highly recommend checking out;

• Unmuted Unmastered Podcast - Here
• Line of Best Fit interview - Here
• Some live performances - Here and Hereand Here

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Post Genre

What the hell is post genre? In this discussion we prove that we're really not sure!

1. Guy chose - Mantra by Charlotte Adigery and Bolis Pupul 
2. Nolan Chose - BTSTU by Jai Paul 
3. Joey chose - B.O.B. by Outkast 
4. David chose - L'Elephant by Tom Tom Club 

A 16 track Post Genre playlist (4 tracks each) can be found - Here (this is a good one!)

Next Month

Joey brings Kelela's  'Raven' for Album of the Month and we play 'Spin It or Bin It?' but what will be the theme?

We've been writing a blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

In Part 1 we speak in depth about Rozi Plain's new album 'Prize'. It's a curious, warming gem of an album that really needs to be talked about. In Part 2 we play 'Spin it or bin it?', the theme this month is Protest Music.

Part 1 | Album of the Month | Rozi Plain | Prize

David's choice this month is an artist that he has a long relationship with, Rozi Plain. Rozi was new to the rest of us so we were all playing catch up. I can't remember an album that needs to be talked about (in real life, with human beings) as Prize.  You will hear me processing what I actually feel about the album, live, while we discuss it. I think I probably come out of the discussion with a slightly different conclusion to the one that I had at the start. All good albums get better with more attention but this one absolutely demands it.

Please, please, please go and give it a listen. I think most people will find something that they love about this album.

• Go listen to the album - Here or Here
• Go watch some videos - Here or Here
• Go buy some of Rozi's stuff - Here

We mention a few things that we'd highly recommend checking out, so here are the links;

• The James McMahon podcast interview / chat with Rozi - Here
• Sophie Walker's Guardian album review - Here
• Pitchfork album review - Here
• Konstantinos Papis's interview for Our Culture - Here

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Protest Music

We all pick a track based on a theme, present the track and ask the simple question, Spin it or Bin it? The theme this month is a simple one 'Protest Music'. There are no limitations or rules this month other than, as always, we try to bring new music or a new context to each other.

1. Guy chose - 'Take the Power Back' by Rage Against the Machine
2. David Chose - 'Ship Building' by Elvis Costello & the Attractions
3. Joey chose - 'Reagan' by Killer Mike
4. Nolan chose - 'Four Women' by Nina Simone

A 16 track Protest Music playlist (4 tracks each) can be found - Here

Next Month

Guy brings Young Fathers 'Heavy Heavy' for Album of the Month and we play 'Spin It or Bin It?' with Post-Genre tracks.

We've been writing a blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

• Go listen to the album - Here
• Go watch some videos - Here
• Go buy some merch - Here 

• YouTube interview with Charlamagne Tha God - Here
• GQ interview - Here
• Joey's alternative, 10 track playlist that focuses on the bangers - Here
• Guy's alternative, 11 track playlist that focuses on the narrative - Here

1. David chose - 'Nothing Left to Loose' by Everything But the Girl 
2. Nolan chose - 'Like a Heart Won't Beat' by Skinny Pelembe  
3. Joey chose - 'Let's Hold Our Hands Together' by Kito Jempere
4. David chose - 'Gorilla' by Little Simz

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

It's that time of year again, we dust off David's secret scoring algorithm for the end of year review. This is the one we look forward to and we hope you enjoy it.

This month, in Part 1 we run through our collective, This is Not Happening Top-10 albums. In Part 2 we all introduce our Track of the Year.

Part 1 | 2022 This is Not Happening Top 10 Albums

So, there's for of us. We all independently chose our Top 10 albums. This data is fed into deep learning algorithm that considers all of the knowns and most of the unknowns and create a singular, collective This is Not Happening Top 10. Its a controversial approach but its as fair as we can make it. 

This year only 2 albums were chosen by all 4 of us. Only 3 albums were chosen by 3 of us. However, the Top 10 feels more 'shared' than we've ever done. I think it's a really solid top 10 and we should be proud of it.

Our number one is an absolute belter! We can hold our heads high with this one.

Part 2 | Tracks of the Year

How do you sum up an entire year in one track? Is it even possible? Two, important  questions, to which our answers are; 'with difficulty' and 'yes'. We chose 4 tracks from 4 different genres. There's more than a whiff of melancholy that links our Top tracks but we think is kind of fitting for one of the oddest of years.

Next Month

If we're honest, we're not 100% sure what we'll be reviewing. Every year there are albums released later in the year that we miss or simply don't have the time to get our teeth into. So Nolan will pick one of these albums and we'll all spend the holidays getting stuck into that with our families (if it's vaguely appropriate for very young or very old ears).

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Guess who's back. Back again. TINH's back. Tell a friend.

This month, in Part 1 we go deep on this month's Album of the Month by Sudan Archives. In Part 2 we play 'Spin It or Bin It', where we choose a theme and each bring our choice of tracks. This month the theme is 'Our own personal entrance music'.

Part 1 | Album of the Month | Sudan Archives | Natural Brown Prom Queen

It's my (Joey's) choice this month and we've gone with a belter of a sophomore album by Sudan Archives that easily claims the best titled album of the year 'Natural Brown Prom Queen'  

If you've not heard it and this inspires you ... 

• Go listen to the album - Here
• Go watch some videos - Here
• Go buy some merch - here 

(personally I've got my eye on the 'I just wanna get my titties out' t-shirt - here)

As always we kick off with what we expected from the album and what we got. Then we explore favorite tracks, sequencing of the album, why 'OMG Britt' nearly ruined the whole thing for Guy', the creative process of making the album and the influences that we hear.

We mention a few things that we'd highly recommend checking out, so here are the links;

• A great interview with Fader  - 'The World's most confident introvert'
• Fader interview in Podcast form - here
• The AWESOME Song Exploder episode on 'Selfish Soul' - here
• And this incredible live performance - WOWZERS

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'Our own personal entrance music'

The theme for Spin It or Bin It is a bit different this month. We're choosing our 'Entrance Music' and describing the event or circumstances that we're entering. If that doesn't make too much sense, just listen to the episode!  This month, the 4 tracks were ...

1. David chose - Adriano Celentano | L'Unica Chance (plus David's blog post)
2. Joey chose - Joey Valance and Brae (Feat. Logic) | Tanaka 2 (plus Joey's blog post)
3. Guy chose - The Beastie Boys | Sabotage (plus Guy's blog post)
4. Nolan chose - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis | Can't Hold Us (plus Nolan's blog post)

Next Month

The big one! The end of year review. Hold on tight. We count down our 10 favourite albums of the year, featuring lots of moaning about David's album scoring algorithm. We also present our tracks of the year. Can you sum up the year musically in one track? It's a lot tougher than you'd think.

Other episodes of the pod and 10 years of the blo

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

We're back again this month with our usual format. In Part 1 we go deep on Hot Chip's latest album, in Part 2 we play 'Spin It or Bin It', where we choose a theme and each bring our choice of tracks. This month the theme is 'Dance-Pop'.

Part 1 | Album of the Month | Hot Chip | Freakout/Release

It's Guy's choice this month and he chooses the one of his favourite band's latest release. It's always interesting when one of us chooses a band that they love and have loads of history with. 

Listen to the album - Here

The chat focuses around our initial impressions, favourite tracks, the difficulty of maintaining relevance and engagement on your 8th album ... and we all have something to say on the sequencing of tracks on this album.

Guy has curated a 28 track playlist called 'Hot Chip's Hot Hits' - have a listen to it here

During the chat there were loads of references to Hot Chip side projects, here are a few links for you to check out;

• The 2 Bears - Click Here
• New Build - Click Here
• Alexis Taylor - Click Here

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | We all choose a Dance-Pop Track

In tribute to Hot Chip, the theme for Spin It or Bin It this month is Dance-Pop. Over the course of the month we all create a play list of our favourite Dance-Pop, a shortlist of 4 tracks and then choose a track to delight (or in my case annoy) the team. This month, the 4 tracks were ...

1. Nolan chose - Robyn | Dancing On My Own
2. Guy chose - Cassius | The Sound of Violence
3. Joey chose - The Knife | Pass This On
4. David chose - Soulwax | NY Excuse 

The 16 track playlist of each of our 4 shortlisted tracks can be found here and it's a belter!

Next Month

I (Joey) will be running the show and hosting the discussion on Sudan Archive's 2nd album - Natural Brown Prom Queen

Other episodes of the pod and 10 years of the blog;

If you enjoyed this episode, please check out the others. If that's not enough for you then there's 10 years worth of music discussion on the blog at www.thisisnothappening.net, which runs alongside the podcast choices and much, much more. So check them out so to see what we like and where we clash, and comment if something catches your eye. We'd love to hear what you think. 

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

After a little summer break we're back! We get deep into our Album of the Month, Steve Lacy's Gemini Rights in Part 1. We dig a little deeper than most pods and make sure we've spent LOADS of time living with the album.  In Part 2 we have one of the best 'Spin It or Bin It' that I can remember - we each bring a track and ask each other 'Spin It or Bin It?'

Part 1: Album of the Month - Steve Lacy's 'Gemini Rights'

It's David's choice this month and he chooses the intriguing 'Gemini Rights'. Its a tight, punchy album which gave us loads to discuss: Tik Tok, the tension between joyous music and often bitter lyrics, the influence of gender and sexuality on this album and the age of massive change that we're living in.

The chat references loads of music and we highly recommend that you check out the following if you're not familiar already;

• Raphael Sadiq's 'Instant Vintage'  
•  Stevie Wonder's 'Innervisions' 
• Frank Ocean's 'Channel Orange'
• Prince's 'Purple Rain'
• ... and my big shout out - Serpentwithfeet's 'Deacon'

Part 2: Spin It or Bin It - New Music (tracks from June 2022 onwards)

In Part 2 we get into one of the best Spin It or Bin It? that we've had. We each bring a track that meets a different brief every month. This month is simple - 'New Music'. We then ask each other the binary question 'Spin It or Bin It?' and then choose a track of the month from the 4. Here's our choices ...

1.  Guy's choice is Romare's 'Quiet Corners of My Mind'
2. Nolan's choice is Danger Mouse and Black Thought's 'The Darkest Part'
3. Joey's choice is Ela Minus and DJ Python's 'Parajos en Verano'
4. David's choice is Sudan Archive's 'NBPQ (Topless)'

Next Month

Guy will be running the show and hosting the discussion on Hot Chip's 'Freakout Release'.

Other episodes of the pod and 10 years of the blog;

If you enjoyed this episode, please check out the others. If that's not enough for you then there's 10 years worth of music discussion on the blog at www.thisisnothappening.net, which runs alongside the podcast choices and much, much more. So check them out so to see what we like and where we clash, and comment if something catches your eye. We'd love to hear what you think. 

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Our last Album of the Month (AOTM) was the beautiful 'Life on Earth' by Hurray for the Riff Raff. This month the  This Is Not Happening crew tackle Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'  head on! We get stuck right into this challenging album in Part 1 of the pod. In Part 2, we play 'Spin It or Bin It?' where we judge the tracks that we've chosen for this month's theme.

Part 1 - Album of the Month

This month it's Nolan's choice, Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' . We discuss the album in length, favourite tracks and their impact on us and other music fans and if there is a missing track from this album. 

We want you to have access to great conversations about great music - here are some links to some of the best content on this album that we've consumed;

• A great 'explainer' article from Ambrosia for Heads  - read here
• NYT's Popcast Podcast Episode (this one is great for a Kendrick Sceptic view) - listen here
• Great Tempo Tribe Podcast conversation - listen here
• A shorter listen at 22 mins - the NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast - listen here

This was one of our toughest albums to think and to talk about ... but we hope you enjoy it.

Part 2 - Spin it or Bin It

In the second part of this episode we get stuck into 4 tracks representing this months theme - 'LA Tracks' - or favourite tracks from LA based artists. We all pick a track,  introduce our track and ask the others the painfully binary critical question; 'spin it' or 'bin it?' 

We try not to go super-obvious on our track selections each month ... this is what we chose to represent LA;

1. Joey's track selection is - 'Chum' by Earl Sweatshirt
2. David's track selection is - 'Twelve Thirty' by The Mamas and the Papas
3. Nolan's track selection is - 'Runners' by Evidence ft. Defari
4. Guy's track selection is - '86' by Truncate

Next Month

Episode #25 will be with you soon - Guy will be guiding us through 'We' by Arcade Fire one of is favourite artists ever ... what could go wrong? Have a listen to the album and  share some thoughts with us on the blog or on our Insta.

Other episodes of the pod and 10 years of the blog;

If you enjoyed this episode, please check out the others. If that's not enough for you then there's 10 years worth of music discussion on the blog at www.thisisnothappening.net, which runs alongside the podcast choices and much, much more. So check them out so to see what we like and where we clash, and comment if something catches your eye. We'd love to see what you think. 

We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/