Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. We’re back with another Geekly Tunes post for June 2025. This post is where our writers share the music they’ve listened to over the past month. You’re part of the Geekly Gang, too, so feel free to share what music you’ve been listening to over the last month. I’ll kick off the tunes for this month.

Kyra’s Tunes

My tunes for this month are less focused than the previous month. Let’s begin with The B-52’s. Their early work is stellar. Of course, you have the track that put them on the map, “Rock Lobster.” This song defied categorization. Is it art pop? New Wave? Regardless, “Rock Lobster” (and a lot of the tracks from The B-52’s eponymous first album) took inspiration from 1950s and 1960s pop music, but The B-52’s took it even deeper. They added an element of kitsch and camp. “Rock Lobster’s” conceit is a Beach Movie with Schneider switching up gender roles and adding a flourish of comedy. Obviously, The B-52’s didn’t take themselves seriously.

The B-52’s had a run of great songs from their first three albums like “Planet Claire,” “Private Idaho,” and “Whammy Kiss.” The band took a lengthy hiatus after their lead guitarist, Ricky Wilson, passed away from complications of AIDS. But the band persevered and released Cosmic Thing in the late Eighties, and this album features The B-52’s second breakthrough hit, “Love Shack.” While “Love Shack” served as a massive exhale for the band, I also adore many of Cosmic Thing’s other tracks, where they openly mourn the loss of their bandmate. And “Roam” is another huge hit. You’ve gotta love “Roam.”

What better way to celebrate Pride Month than with a queer band like The B-52’s? Happy Pride!

I’m staying in Athens, Georgia, with this one. I grew up with R.E.M.. From “Radio Free Europe” to “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” to even their Nineties albums like Automatic for the People and Monster, I’ve listened to most of their catalogue. I don’t know which era of R.E.M. I like best. R.E.M. is one of those bands I can turn to during various musical itches.

Ironically, Kate Pierson (of the B-52’s) provided backing vocals for R.E.M.’s “Shiny Happy People.” Michael Stipe insisted that “Shiny Happy People” was about Chinese propaganda posters, to which Pierson replied, Okay then, “Love Shack” is really about the plight of tenant farmers in Georgia. Don’t get it twisted. The two bands loved each other. R.E.M. frequently thanked The B-52’s for paving the way for them. In fact, one of the songs I mentioned about The B-52’s and their fallen bandmate featured night swimming (or skinny dipping). R.E.M. has a fantastic track called “Nightswimming.” I’ve always wondered if the two bands sang about the same moment. Both bands are close. It’s possible.

Despite liking most of R.E.M.’s catalogue, Automatic for the People is the perfect moment. Stipe shows maturity in his lyrics, and the band is at the height of their power. Whenever I get on an R.E.M. kick, I’ll usually throw in Automatic for the People for good measure.

The Replacements were a band that could never get out of their own way. I love the music we got from this band, but they should’ve been bigger. They should’ve been huge. The Replacements have a sordid history with drugs and alcohol. The band’s name is a testament to their past. They could no longer get gigs with their original band name and couldn’t think of a good replacement name, so they called themselves The Replacements.

Sonically, The Replacements bridged the gap between punk and alternative rock. Many cite The Replacements as the first alternative rock band. “Can’t Hardly Wait” often gets stuck in my head. I love both versions, the electric guitar one from Tim and the second version from Pleased to Meet Me. Tim’s version of “Can’t Hardly Wait” follows someone bored in heaven, while Pleased to Meet Me’s version sounds more like someone trying to get sober. Except for one or two lines, the lyrics couldn’t be any more different.

When they weren’t embarrassing themselves on Saturday Night Live, The Replacements were dropping gems like Let It Be (which The Replacements deliberately named after The Beatles album to piss off their label) that included the hit “I Will Dare,” which also happens to feature a Peter Buck (R.E.M.) guitar solo. I didn’t plan that. I swear. Let It Be and the subsequent Tim are two albums that have gotten near-perfect scores on music review sites, and for good reason. They’re incredible. Pleased to Meet Me is a huge departure, but still great. With Pleased to Meet Me, The Replacements explored various music genres (some of which would influence future bands like Nirvana) right before the band dissolved.

Ah! The Replacements are at (or near) the top of those bands where you wonder what could’ve been. That’s all I have for music this month. Let’s see what Season and Skye have been listening to.

Season’s Tunes

I also went back in time this past month. I know Queen is a well-known band, but I’ve been on a kick of listening to some of my favorite tracks. Specifically, “Hammer to Fall,” “The Invisible Man,” and “Radio Ga Ga.” These tracks strike more of a chord with me than many of their other songs. I can listen to those songs on repeat for hours. Okay. I can listen to various songs on repeat for hours, which is normal for me. I’m trusting all of you with this secret, Geekly Gang. Eh-heh.

I had a friend in high school who had no idea who Queen is. I took it upon myself to rectify that. Don’t worry. She’s been saved. >:)

Okay. This is technically a movie, but I love the soundtrack. K-Pop Demon Hunters dropped on Netflix less than a week ago, and I’ve been listening to the soundtrack constantly. I don’t listen to a lot of K-pop, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the earworms and choreography in the music videos. I did the same thing when the soundtrack for Barbie (2023) dropped. The soundtrack for K-Pop Demon Hunters is available on Spotify. What have you been listening to, Skye?

Skye’s Tunes

I’ve been trying to expand my musical tastes lately. I’m not familiar with Rage Against the Machine from my youth (on account of it being my youth), but I recall hearing several good things about their music. Also, having caught a couple of their songs off and on in my adulthood convinced me to dive in. Now I see what I’ve been missing. Over time, I’ve learned the different ways music genres can express specific ideas. Rage Against the Machine’s debut album reflects my feelings toward global news at the moment. Maybe it won’t someday, but Rage Against the Machine remains relevant.

Y’all know I love the classics. I’ve collected a few rap albums over the years, but 2Pac: Greatest Hits was inevitable. My favorite thing about 2Pac: Greatest Hits is how comprehensive it is. When I first bought it, I thought it was a double LP (like most large albums). However, I was surprised to learn it was a quadruple LP. Not 2 records, but 4?! Now you’re speakin’ my language. Naturally, if you’re a fan of OG 90’s rap, this album should speak for itself. I imagine I’ll probably be collecting more Tupac records over time, but I’m happy with this start.

The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds has been comforting and depressing for me this past month. I’ve loved Pet Sounds since I received it as a Christmas gift. Being another album with zero tracks I dislike, my love has remained strong across several listens. I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling saddened by Brian Wilson’s passing. So, as a faithful tribute to him, I should only appreciate the art he gifted us with, arguably his best album. Rest in peace, Brian. We truly lost a legend.

Kyra Kyle here again. Agreed. Rest in peace, Brian Wilson. Let us know your favorite Brian Wilson song in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.