Category: Geekly Tunes

Geekly Tunes: August 2025

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Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. This week’s Whatcha post is Geekly Tunes. Our writers will be sharing what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share the music you’ve been listening to as well, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get us started.

Kyra’s Tunes

Last month, I listened to the latest Wet Leg album, Moisturizer. I’m still listening to that album on occasion. But I mentioned in the write-up for Moisturizer that PJ Harvey was one of their influences, which led me to To Bring You My Love. I owned a cassette of PJ Harvey’s To Bring You My Love and listened to it on repeat in my first car, a jade Dodge Neon. At the time when I purchased To Bring You My Love, I didn’t know what to expect from PJ Harvey. Folks described her as grunge. The label didn’t fit. Harvey’s music occupies a space between punk, rock, blues, and folk. One can’t pin it down to one genre. And To Bring You My Love is one of her best albums. It earned countless perfect ratings from multiple music critics and continues to inspire.

I first caught Chappell Roan’s “The Subway” during a live performance stream. No offense to any of Roan’s other tracks, but “The Subway” was excellent. It was easily her best song in the set. There was no way Roan’s best song wasn’t on her album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Yeah. “The Subway” was kept off Roan’s album because she wanted it to be a live performance-only song. I get it. “The Subway” brings down the rafters when Roan performs it live. Pirating led to “The Subway” being released as a single this past month. I got to rediscover this song all over again, and I love it.

We go from a couple of acts that hit the big time (Chappell is the current Queen of Pop) to another that didn’t quite make it, Jellyfish. This Nineties band is one of the internet’s favorite what-ifs. Jellyfish would’ve fared much better in a decade that wasn’t dominated by torn jeans, flannel shirts, and grunge. During that decade, no one wanted a fusion of Beach Boy harmonies over thought-provoking–and sometimes esoteric and bizarre–lyrics. Jellyfish doesn’t shy away from eclectic instruments in the service of finding the perfect blend of Wonderland-Core. While “New Mistake” was the closest this power pop four-piece got to a hit, I really like “Ghost at Number One” and “The King is Half Undressed.” The latter is a great example of lead singer Andy Sturmer at his Mad Hatter best.

I omitted some other bands I’ve been listening to lately, but I may save them for another month. It’s time to hear what Season and Skye have been listening to this past month.

Season’s Tunes

I’m back with another soundtrack. I can’t seem to get away from them. This month’s soundtrack is from Singin’ in the Rain. I’ve only watched the movie once, but it was so memorable that I can picture every dance number while listening, especially “Make ‘Em Laugh.” Even though he was bedridden after the shoot, Donald O’Connor nailed that performance. Respect.

Continuing with ’50s nostalgia, I discovered Elliot James Reay last week. The song I listened to, “Boy In Love,” blends 1950s rock ‘n’ roll with blues set in today’s world. Reay said in an interview that he wrote this song with his girlfriend, and some of the lyrics are things she’s said to him. It’s sweet, and Reay does a great job of blending nostalgia with a modern setting. Seriously. The music video had a handful of people on their smartphones in the background.

Skye’s Tunes

I put my vinyl collection on shuffle this past month. I like The Who, but I don’t listen to their music often. After popping The Story of The Who back on my turntable, I felt guilty. I forgot how good The Who was. Even as I write this, several tracks are cycling through my head, including “Substitute,” “Boris the Spider,” “Magic Bus,” and “Baba O’Reilly.” Well, I knew I bought this album for a reason. Thanks, Past Me!

I couldn’t resist. I know American Idiot is a cliché album for my collection, but…come on. How could I not own American Idiot? Green Day is the kind of music I’m proud to say I grew up with. Before owning American Idiot, I had never heard every track on the album. After listening to American Idiot the way the band intended, I feel like I understand it much better. That and I’m listening to American Idiot as an adult as opposed to an oblivious child, an oblivious child who also didn’t understand swear words.

I have similar feelings about Billie Holiday as I do about Nina Simone. Both are great to listen to when I need something to wind down. As Simone’s predecessor, it’s easy to see the influence Holiday’s work had on artists like Simone. What feels especially comfy about Holiday’s music is the quality and tone. It qualifies more as “lounge music” than Simone’s, and the recording quality for each song on Lady Sings the Blues has a classic feel. That’s part of why I started collecting vinyl: albums like Lady Sings the Blues make me feel cozy.

It’s about time I talked about Queen. Don’t worry, I knew this rock band was coming sooner or later. As another band (and album) I grew up with, I have a strong personal connection with Queen: Greatest Hits. This album introduced me to amazing songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Killer Queen,” “You’re My Best Friend,” and many more. I don’t say this often, but I’m so glad my parents are as cultured as they are. Because of them, I dare say: I was classically trained. I’m sorry.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here again. That’s the music our writers have been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share yours in the comments, Geekly Gang. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes (Whatcha Listening To?): July 2025

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Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. We’re back with another Geekly Tunes post for July 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 this month’s tunes.

Kyra’s Tunes

I view The Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness in a similar light to The Beatles’ White Album. To be fair, The Smashing Pumpkins were partially inspired by The Beatles’ Self-Titled (White) Album. Both albums are bloated. The bands could’ve trimmed some of the songs to create a tighter album, but we’d be deprived of more music. The Smashing Pumpkins, and more specifically, Billy Corgan, had to get the songs out, and the firehose of music that is Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness oddly works. And Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness works within the context of The Smashing Pumpkins’ early catalogue.

Gish has plenty of moody soundscapes interdicted with killer guitar solos and crashing percussion. “Rhinoceros” would feel right at home with an extended Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness set list. The Smashing Pumpkins famously experimented with orchestral accompaniment in Siamese Dream’s “Disarm.” And “Soma,” also from Siamese Dream, featured the layering of hundreds of guitar tracks. Talk about commitment.

No wonder The Smashing Pumpkins kicked off a massive double LP with Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’ title track and “Tonight, Tonight.” The title track is a somber piano solo, and it leads perfectly into “Tonight, Tonight.” Even when I don’t listen to Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness in its entirety, I still listen to those two tracks back-to-back. They go together like peanut butter and chocolate.

I’m not going to go into all of the album’s twenty-eight-plus tracks (some versions include extra songs). Needless to say, the singles are brilliant. “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” “1979,” “Zero,” “Tonight, Tonight,” and “Thirty-Three” show Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’s range. For years, I thought “Thirty-Three” would’ve made a great single, not knowing it was the album’s final single, released over a year after Mellon Collie’s original release. Compared to previous Smashing Pumpkins albums, Mellon Collie had a democratic way of songwriting, and it shows in its eclectic musical arrangements.

Some of my other personal favorites (that aren’t also singles) include “Jellybelly,” “Love,” “Galapagos,” and “Porcelina of the Vast Oceans” from the first LP, and “Tales of a Scorched Earth,” “We Only Come Out at Night,” “Beautiful,” and “Lily (My One and Only)” from the second LP. Yep. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness has a ton of great songs. Thank you for the extra music, Pumpkins.

Wet Leg is the most exciting rock band of the past five years. Fun fact: Wet Leg is slang for someone who crossed the Solent and relocated to the Isle of Wight; they still have a “wet leg” from crossing the strait. Wet Leg combines various influences like The Strokes, The White Stripes, and especially PJ Harvey. I love PJ Harvey. She has an eclectic sound that refuses classification. Wet Leg continues that tradition.

Wet Leg’s 2022 self-titled debut album was a shot of adrenaline. It modernized many of Wet Leg’s influences’ sounds. I’ve listened to Wet Leg numerous times, so when the group released their follow-up album, Moisturizer, on July 11, 2025, I gave it a similar treatment. Moisturizer builds off the success of the previous album, and it makes sense. During the debut, Wet Leg’s only full-time members were Rhian Teasdale (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Hester Chambers (lead guitar, backing vocals). Henry Holmes (drums, backing vocals), Josh Mobaraki (rhythm guitar, synthesizer, backing vocals), and Ellis Durand (bass, backing vocals) became full-fledged members with this album, and it shows. Wet Leg is a completely different band. These songs have more texture.

I recommend listening to Moisturizer with a set of good headphones. “CPR’s” bassline is far more intricate than most of the debut’s tracks, and it sounds great live. I’ve caught a handful of live videos for “CPR.” The band nails each performance. The lead single, “Catch These Fists,” showcases the band’s new attitude. Wet Leg became overnight indie darlings; “Catch These Fists” is them owning the label. The third single, “Davina McCall,” is gorgeous, featuring layered swaying guitars and vocals, and driving percussion. Moisturizer has many other highlights.

“Mangetout” is another great live song. If you’re interested in Wet Leg, check out their NPR Tiny Desk Concert from July 9, 2025. Get ready to headbang to “Mangetout.” Since the NPR Tiny Desk Concert was released a couple of days before Moisturizer’s release, it marked my first time hearing “11:21,” and this live performance does the haunting song justice. “Don’t Speak” is one of the rare tracks that features Hester on vocals, and it’s another joy of a listen. In short, Wet Leg didn’t rest after their debut. They blazed a different path with Moisturizer, while still sticking to their roots. I can’t wait to hear more.

That’s all I have for this month. Let’s see what Season and Skye have been listening to.

Season’s Tunes

What can I say? I’m a soundtrack girl. Lately, I’ve been listening to the entire Spyro the Dragon soundtrack on repeat, mentally playing through the levels tied to each score in my mind. I’ve listened to it so much that I like to guess which level each song is from without looking at the title. “Magma Cone” has been my jam. Seriously. The sounds in the original “Magma Cone” track were never recreated for the Spyro Reignited Trilogy variant.

Stewart Copeland composed all three Insomniac Spyro the Dragon games. He played through each level to get a sense of what the music should sound like. Insomniac reused some tracks across multiple levels, such as the “Idol Springs” track being used in “Colossus,” but most of them had unique tracks.

That’s all from me. Skye, what have you been listening to?

Skye’s Tunes

My mother grew up with Jim Croce and suggested Croce’s Photographs and Memories: His Greatest Hits. At first, I didn’t think I’d be that interested in Photographs and Memories. I enjoyed it. Photographs and Memories saw repeated plays this month. There are several songs that I recognized on both sides. Several more got stuck in my head for days, even weeks. I feel at home listening to these songs. Croce’s style has a down-home feeling. Even though I didn’t personally grow up with Jim Croce, my nostalgia kicks in every time I play Photographs and Memories.

The Beatles were always going to show up. I knew that as soon as I started doing this Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band would make one of these lists. Sgt. Pepper’s is an album I’ve become familiar with in a roundabout way over my childhood. I’ve never owned the vinyl (until now), so I wasn’t familiar with the song order and deeper cuts on the album. Now that I own Sgt. Pepper’s, I’m more connected with the music. I’ve been humming some of these songs since I was a kid like the title track “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite,” “Fixing a Hole,” “Getting Better,” and “A Day in the Life.”

I never had any intention of owning Room on the Porch. In fact, I had never heard of Room on the Porch or Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ until I took a trip to Barnes & Noble a couple of weeks ago. The store was having a sale on specific kinds of vinyl, so I thought, “Why not?” After hearing Room on the Porch for the first time, I’m a fan. It’s a low-key jazz/blues album, which I needed more of in my collection. Room on the Porch gave me the need to dance on several occasions, which is a great music quality.

Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle again. Those are our writers’ music highlights over the past month. Feel free to share your music highlights, too, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes (Whatcha Listening To): June 2025

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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.

Geekly Tunes: Whatcha Listening To for May 2025

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Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. We’re back with another Geekly Tunes post for May 2025. This is the post where our writers share what music we’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.

Kyra’s Tunes

I’ve been listening to a lot of punk. The Damned has been in my rotation. The Sex Pistols have historically taken the Damned’s shine, and that’s a shame. I like the Pistols, but The Damned came first; they were the first UK punk band to release an album, 1977’s Damned, Damned, Damned. I think they liked saying the word “damned.” The band’s first single, “New Rose,” was a power-pop-punk track. Even though the Buzzcocks would solidify the pop-punk genre a few years later (more on them in a minute), the Damned kicked off the UK’s punk revolution.

“New Rose” and “Neat Neat Neat” are fantastic tracks. Rest in peace, Brian James, who passed away a couple of months ago. James is the original The Damned guitarist and principal song writer for the band’s first two albums. Captain Sensible took over song writing duties with The Damned’s third album, Machine Gun Etiquette. I love both parts of “Smash It Up.” Part 1 is a wistful instrumental that proves the band knew how to play their instruments, while Part 2 captures punk’s essence. “Smash It Up” stalled at number 35 on the UK charts because record executives feared the song promoted anarchy.

But I may like The Damned’s cover of The Beatles’ “Help” best. I may actually prefer the cover to the original. “Help’s” lyrics lend themselves to a pop-punk song, and The Damned plays “Help” at double the speed. Oh yeah!

The Buzzcocks combine simple but catchy guitar riffs with lyrics to match. They’re one of those bands where you can listen to a song and sing along during your first listen. “What Do I Get?,” “Everybody’s Happy Nowadays,” and “Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t Have Fallen In Love With)?” may be their most well-known numbers, but feel free to listen deeper into the Buzzcocks’ catalogue. You’ll hear their influence on pop-punk bands like Green Day, Sum 41, Blink-182, and Emo bands like My Chemical Romance. The Buzzcocks may not get political like other punk bands on my list. But sometimes, you just want a love song and joy.

Bad Religion began as a hardcore punk band in 1980. It still is one today–Bad Religion released Age of Unreason in 2019 and is in the studio for a follow-up album–but something changed with the band’s 1988 album Suffer. Bad Religion added melodic guitar riffs to hardcore punk and pioneered the melodic hardcore subgenre. Lyrics turned introspective and often political. If you want to hear the difference between Bad Religion’s original hardcore sound and after they incorporated melodic guitar riffs, try listening to “We’re Only Gonna Die” (from 1982’s How Could Hell Be Any Worse?) and the title track from 1988’s Suffer.

But I’ll admit my favorite Bad Religion tune, 2001’s “Sorrow,” was released after the band achieved commercial success. Bad Religion wrote about the world’s suffering through the lens of the Biblical figure Job. “Sorrow” was first released shortly after September 11, 2001. Guitarist and songwriter Gurewitz said that it was difficult to account for suffering in the world from a theological perspective (given the state of the world at the time), but “Sorrow” may have been the right song at the right time.

Finally, I’ll give the Dead Kennedys a quick shoutout. Their debut album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, is a hardcore punk classic. With tracks like “Kill the Poor,” “California Uber Allies,” and “Holiday in Cambodia,” Dead Kennedys wore their political views on their sleeves. They didn’t care what anyone thought about them, and what’s more punk than that? Also, “Holiday in Cambodia” has one of the top five sickest punk bass lines. It gets stuck in my head.

That’s all I have for this month. Let’s check in with Season and Skye.

Skye’s Tunes

The Killers’ Hot Fuss is a classic from my childhood. Much like Costello Music, Hot Fuss is what got me into The Killers and created several jammin’ good memories. I remember several car trips in the mid-2000s listening to songs like “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me.” Naturally, this was another must-have for my vinyl collection. Good times. If you aren’t familiar with it, The Killers’ Hot Fuss is an album I strongly recommend.

The Fleetwoods is a band I had never heard of until 3 years ago. Their Greatest Hits! album was recommended to me by my parents, and I’ve loved it ever since. My favorite thing about their sound is the calming/chill vibes each one carries with it. Whenever I need to take a breather, The Fleetwoods always help me find my center. Even now, “Graduation Song” is stuck in my head and I’m getting flashbacks to my High School days. In a good way, I promise.

Yep, even in a post about music, I still managed to circle around to movies. You’re welcome. My favorite thing about the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack is its haunting yet majestic tone. Elfman himself has even claimed Edward Scissorhands was his favorite score he’d made. I’m inclined to agree with him, considering the complex emotions I get when I listen to it. I often want to cry, but I also feel peaceful, creeped out, and hopeful. It’s an interesting blend that matches the Edward Scissorhands film perfectly.

Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Chronicle has been my go-to album for this month. I always have 1 album I listen to on repeat, and this month it was CCR. As someone with varying tastes, I often go in and out of phases with different genres. The same applies to literature, movies, and video games. Simply put, my vibe for the past month has been Creedence Clearwater Revival. Chronicle includes some classic hits like “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Down on the Corner,” and many others. Even now, “Lodi” just crept its way back into my head. No regrets!

Season’s Tunes

Kyra mentioned that The Buzzcocks influenced bands like Sum 41. Funnily enough, Sum 41’s album Underclass Hero is one I’ve listened to a lot lately. It’s easy to listen to, especially when I’m playing games or working. There aren’t many albums I enjoy listening to all the way through without skipping a song or two. I prefer some Underclass Hero songs over others, such as “Walking Disaster” over “The Jester.” I still don’t skip them.

I’ve always been a fan of video game soundtracks and have a myriad of them saved on my Spotify account. Katamari Damacy’s soundtrack is up there with one I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys wacky music with catchy tempos. Two of my favorite songs on this album are “The Na Na Song” and “Moon and Prince.” I’ve only listened to the soundtrack from the original Katamari Damacy, so I’m not familiar with the soundtracks from the sequels.

My final entry for this week is special to me. It’s not this album, but the song “Chakkiri Bushi” 「ちゃっきり節」is a song that’s sung in Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture during tea picking season. Shizuoka produces around forty percent of Japan’s tea, and singing while working makes the job go by quicker. I’m not sure if people still sing this song today while they pick tea, but many of the older locals of Shizuoka know it. My favorite version is sung by Ichimaru-san, who originally recorded the song in 1931.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle again. That’s all we have for Geekly Tunes this month. Let us know what music you’ve been listening to. You’re part of the Geekly Gang, too. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes: Whatcha Listening To for April 2025

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Today’s post is a little different than our previous Wednesday posts. Geekly Tunes is our sound track from the previous month. Skye buys at least one vinyl every month, so this one might be right up her alley. Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here. Let’s kick off Geekly Tunes by having the Geekly Gang share the music they’ve listened to in the previous month. Feel free to share your tunes, too. We’re all part of the Geekly Gang.

Kyra’s Tunes

Early March 2025 was dominated by Focus’s “Hocus Pocus,” specifically the live Midnight Special version of the single. Focus is a prog rock band from the Netherlands. Their hit single “Hocus Pocus” originally ran for over seven minutes. After The Midnight Special asked them to play a different song, they insisted on performing their hit. They played it faster, and it worked. “Hocus Pocus” is a prog rock gem that includes yodeling. What’s not to love?

I listened to “Hocus Pocus” on repeat while I worked. Its up-tempo beat kept me focused (hey, like the band name) and revved up to get work done. Since the song uses yodeling, “Hocus Pocus” had few discernable lyrics to color my words if I was working on a Geekly project or a rulebook for one of my six board game prototypes. Six games? What was I thinking?

Okay. There was a period when I was listening to Miley Cyrus this past month. It started by listening to Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane,” and then I was suggested Cowboy Junkies’ cover of the song. I love both versions of “Sweet Jane,” and then Miley Cyrus’s Backyard Session of “Sweet Jane” popped on my suggested song list. I listened to it, and they did a great job on “Sweet Jane.” Miley’s version follows the Cowboy Junkies’ cover. I gave Miley’s “Sweet Jane” a like, and then I was suggested their entire Backyard Session playlist. Most of Miley’s Backyard Session performances are candid, stripped down from their studio sheen, and a joy to listen.

The picture above is of Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande’s cover of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” (by Crowded House). Nine years ago, they performed the song as part of a Happy Hippie tribute. Happy Hippie is a nonprofit organization that helps youths (specifically LGBT and BIPOC youths). Typically, I don’t care for Ariana Grande’s music, but these two’s cover is sweet and silly as evidenced by the onesie pajamas they wear. Not going to lie, I may need to add these onesies to the ones that already hang in a closet.

Finally, I went on a Moby Play kick. Like “Hocus Pocus” above, Moby’s music allows me to work with minimal lyrics. The soundscapes in Play soothe my frazzled head. “Find My Baby,” “Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?,” and “Porcelain” are standout tracks, but Play is one of those few albums I don’t bother to skip a single song. Despite the controversy, I adore “My Weakness.” A quick history and full disclosure: Moby had heard “Nyinewaco” from a film and sampled it in “My Weakness.” “Nyinewaco” is a Tiga Island song about the island’s founding and drinking water. “My Weakness” loops “Nyinewaco” as stringed instruments swell. It’s a haunting track. I always thought of the music as returning home. A Tiga Island creation myth song makes sense.

That’s enough out of me. I listened to far more this past month, but I want to hand the floor over to Season and Skye. Thank you for reading.

Season’s Tunes

Keeping with my personal tradition that began with our local rock station, I listened to 311 on 3/11 at 3:11pm. I revisited the songs “Transistor” and “Beautiful Disaster” since I hadn’t heard them in years. Normally, I listen to “Amber,” which I did, of course. I enjoyed listening to these songs while I played my daily missions in video games. They’re interesting and I recommend them.

Two side notes. 311 is also originally from Omaha, NE. Also, I had no idea Transistor was released in Japan. The picture I chose is the Japanese cover for their CD release in 1997.

Moving seventeen years in the future, I jammed out to G.R.L.’s “Ugly Heart,” released in 2014. “Ugly Heart” showed up in my feed while I was scrolling through YouTube Music. You’d think I’d have heard it before because it was released while I was in high school and was very popular at the time. For some reason, I hadn’t. “Ugly Heart” was one of G.R.L.’s big hits, and people thought they’d keep it pushing after “Ugly Heart.”

Warning for those sensitive about death/depression. Three months after “Ugly Heart” released, the singer in the middle of the image, Simone Battle, succumbed to depression and took her own life. The group dedicated a single, “Lighthouse,” to her, and never made a full comeback after her passing.

Last July, Denzel Curry released King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2, and I’ve been listening to it off and on ever since. I don’t listen to much rap, but I love the way he incorporates soft sounds into his music. His voice is oddly soothing, and I enjoy listening to him on repeat. When Melt My Eyez See Your Future dropped back in 2022, I paid attention to the lyrics and listened to that one on repeat. I still listen to Melt My Eyez See Your Future on repeat.

The picture I posted with this one is from the repackage album cover and the picture Spotify uses, but it’s not the original album cover. Denzel looks a lot calmer in this picture.

Skye, what have you been listening to this past month?

Skye’s Tunes

Guess what? I have my own vinyl record collection. Even though I enjoy visual artistic mediums such as film, my first love is music. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve sitting in a car and listening to homemade CDs with my family. Good times!

My vinyl record includes 66 albums. Let me tell y’all about the ones I’ve been listening to lately.

Costello Music by The Fratellis is a childhood favorite. It was a no-brainer for my collection. The upbeat and hypnotizing melodies stick in my head years later. Even to this day, I can’t say there’s a single track on this album I dislike. Each of them is infectious, and recently, I’ve been listening to it on repeat for a couple weeks.

Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits is a new addition to my collection. This album helps me find my center. Folksy music like Simon and Garfunkel mentally transports me to a peaceful place that few other albums can. The classic melodies are so calming, lovely, and hummable. I’ve wanted to pick up a Simon and Garfunkel album for a while, and I’m glad I finally got around to it.

Kendrick Lamar’s Damn. is another newcomer to my record case. Damn. reminds me why music is important; there are several rap albums in my collection that do that. Not only does Damn. contain bops that make you want to get up and move, it also has messages that modern music has lost. When you listen to the lyrics, it’s clear what smart writing and clever wordplay went into making something the U.S. desperately needs to hear.

I loved Nina Simone’s Feeling Good: Her Greatest Hits to death the moment I got it. While I wasn’t familiar with the artist, this record soon became one of my favorite albums in my collection. Feeling Good was the first vinyl record I received, but it never fails to get me jamming. Such soul, passion, and artistry in Simone’s voice keep me coming back, and her music remains relevant.