Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is "Used to Be" by Weyes Blood from the 2016 album Front Row Seat to Earth on Mexican Summer.
Weyes Blood - Used to Be (MP3)2016 was yet another wonderful period of music across styles, cultures and volume levels. Natalie Mering’s fourth LP as Weyes Blood, Front Row Seat to Earth, is one of those excellent albums this year. The sound is a mix of 60’s folk, psycedelia and 70’s AM Radio yet, somehow in a way, that still feels modern. The recording is warm and inviting while Mering’s Nico-esque vocals root the songs in a sense vulnerable strength. This is proof again that in the 21st century anything goes as far as merging genres from different times and places. (“Used to be the one that knew me / Saw through me / Used to be the one that knew me / You used to be the one that knew me”.)
While Front Row Seat to Earth is emotionally tough, there are delicate moments to be found, and “Used to Be” is one of them. Mering never sounds like one who is purely acted upon. Here, she comes off as both wounded and assertive, as she might confront a lover, with a perceived loss of closeness. Her language is fantastic. The feeling of being known and seen is certainly what we understand as intimacy. This kind of connection is the most valuable of experiences and she expertly voices the pain of that loss. “You used to be the one that knew me / You used to be the one”. This is just one of many memorable moments on a powerful record.
Front Row Seat to Earth was released in October and is worth a good listen as you catch up on all that you missed throughout 2016. In 2017, though, you can catch Weyes Blood at the Sunset Tavern in Ballar, on Friday, February 24th. She'll also be live on KEXP that day. Tune in at noon! Until then, check out the Weyes Blood's Facebook page for more music and be sure to watch the official video for "Used to Be" below.
It's the perfect track to premiere on Valentine's Day! Sydney/Melbourne band Bloods share the single "Feelings," a sneak peek at their sophomore LP of the same name, out in May via Share It Music, distributed by Sub Pop Records.
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midd…
A staple on the local DJ/producer scene for over a decade, Seattle's Mathew Moroni (aka Introcut) has consistently pushed progressive cutting-edge beats and heady body-moving rhythms on dancefloors all around town, most notably at Lo-Fi where he's been a key player in the highly-revered Stop Biting…
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midd…
