An audio tag featuring what might be a television news reporter enunciating the words “Kansas City homicide” is frequently applied to Cartoon Network. It’s appropriate, as the stunning combination of vintage no-wave and au currant hyper-pop on Midwestern’s new EP knocks me dead.

The duo’s freewheeling sound fuses the convulsive anti-funk acts of the 1970s like James Chance and the Contortions with the glitchy innovations of contemporary artists including 100 Gecs, Flying Lotus and Tyler, The Creator. The dynamic prevents the band’s obvious love of vintage soul from succumbing to sentimental nostalgia.

Midwestern’s rapid evolution is astounding. Nine months ago, the group looked and sounded like this. It was something else entirely at Howdy last week. While there’s no telling what Midwestern will be come December, I anticipate another Kansas City homicide.

William Brownlee

April 2, 2023

March 2023 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency

William Brownlee

April 2, 2023

Screenshot of the trailer for Deutsche Oper Berlin’s production of Richard Strauss’ Arabella by There Stands the Glass.

Top Ten Albums of March

1. JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown- Scaring the Hoes

Noise devolution.

2. Morgan Wallen- One Thing at a Time

My review.

3. Cécile McLorin Salvant- Mélusine

Peculiar chansons.

4. Eddie Chacon- Sundown

Quiet storm.

5. London Brew- London Brew

Restorative.

6. Slowthai- Ugly

Life is hard.

7. Willie Nelson- I Don’t Know a Thing About Love: The Songs of Harlan Howard

Nor do I.

8. Laura Schuler Quartet- Sueños Paralelos

My review.

9. MSPAINT- Post-American

Punk progression.

10. Wadada Leo Smith- Fire Illuminations

Conflagration.

Top Ten Songs of March

1. Shay Lia- "Takutá'"

Hopscotch.

2. RP Boo- "B.O.T.O."

Fancy footwork.

3. Baaba Maal- "Freak Out"

Chic.

4. Kassa Overall featuring Nick Hakim and Theo Croker- "Make My Way Back Home"

Prodigal.

5. Meshell Ndegeocello- "Virgo"

Back to the stars.

6. Moor Mother- "We Got the Jazz"

From strength to strength.

7. Las Marias- "Ismael"

Spring has sprung.

8. EST Gee- “Pray You Die in Surgery”

Cursed.

9. Sleaford Mods featuring Perry Farrell- "So Trendy"

Shouty.

10. Atmosphere- "Bigger Picture"

The relentless march of time.

Top Ten Concerts of March

1. Ghais Guevara, Tricky Youth, Student 1, Midwestern, Tabby, Defo, Laaee Uzumak and Young Mvchetes at Farewell and Howdy

My review.

2. Boston Camerata’s “Dido & Aeneas” at Community Christian Church

My Instagram photo.

3. Bill Frisell at 1900 Building

My impressions.

4. Artemis at the Gem Theater

My review.

5. Austin Plaine, Katie Toupin and the Pinkerton Raid at the Monarch (Louisville)

My Instagram clip.

6. CRAG Quartet, Joshua Gerowitz with Vinny Golia and the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society of Kansas City at the Bunker Center for the Arts

My review.

7. Cynthia van Roden at the Market at Meadowbrook

My Instagram photo.

8. Te Deum’s “Solemn Vespers” at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

My Instagram photo.

9. Electronic Music Midwest Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College (concerts one, five and eight)

My review.

10. Kristina Gaddy, Nadia Ramlagan and Blakeley Burger at Carmichael’s Bookstore (Louisville)

My Instagram clip.

The previous monthly survey is here.

William Brownlee

March 30, 2023

Concert Review: Ghais Guevara, Tricky Youth, Student 1, Midwestern, Tabby, Defo, Laaee Uzumak and Young Mvchetes at Farewell and Howdy

William Brownlee

March 30, 2023

Original image of Midwestern by There Stands the Glass.

JPEGMAFIA, the cult artist responsible for the possible album of the year, performed at the Granada in Lawrence, Kansas, on Wednesday, March 29. I opted for a different rap show. Two rap shows, actually.

I paid $15 for admittance to the serendipitously titled Farewell to Rap tour at Farewell. The cover charge for a bill of noise-rappers a few steps away at Howdy was $10. My quick impressions of all eight acts in the order of their appearances:

Young Mvchetes- Good ideas. Iffy execution.
Laaee Uzumak- Mainstream Kaycee rap.
Defo- Even before he told me he was from Minneapolis, I detected Doomtree vibes from the rapper.
Student 1- Ingratiating Minnesotan.
Tricky Youth- Industrial shock rapper replete with an incense incantation and a literal blood ritual.
Tabby- Slick pop.
Midwestern- The only act I’d previously seen and a factor in my decision not to go to Lawrence, the duo’s manic performance floored me.
Ghais Guevara- The leftist Philly rapper merits consideration from Top Dawg Entertainment.

Four rap enthusiasts drove 50 miles from JPEGMAFIA’s concert to catch the final 20 minutes of Ghai Guevara’s gig. Their dedication inspired me. Yet no matter how good Peggy was, I’m confident I made the right choice.