Tag: denzel curry

Geekly Tunes: August 2026

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Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get things started with what I’ve been listening to over the past month.

Kyra’s Tunes

If I were to tell you I’ve been listening to The Stranglers’ “Golden Brown” on repeat, it would be an understatement. Dave Greenleaf’s harpsichord mesmerizes. It scratches the right spot in my brain. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Way ahead of myself. The Stranglers are a punk band, one of the first. Seriously. The Stranglers inspired The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned, and The Buzzcocks. And they did it with a keyboardist. A keyboardist? The Stranglers have a varied musical upbringing. Lead singer/lead guitarist Hugh Cornwell is a classically trained guitarist. Bassist JJ Burnel is a Blues guy. Drummer Jet Black had a long history of Jazz. They all bring something special.

But Greenleaf was The Stranglers’ greatest weapon. Just ask the other members of the band. Most punk bands wouldn’t employ a keyboardist. That doesn’t fit in punk. But it works with The Stranglers, and Greenleaf layers intricate keyboards, forming something exciting. “Genetix” (from the 1979 album The Raven) may be Greenleaf’s masterwork on the keys. I love La Folie, the album that includes “Golden Brown.” Such a great work. If you want to hear the origin of Post Punk, New Wave, Emo (first wave), and Goth, check out some of The Stranglers’ late 70s and early 80s music. They aren’t just a great Punk band. They’re Rock legends.

We go from a trained Punk band in The Stranglers to a self-taught guitarist in Mark Knopfler (pictured on the far left) and Dire Straits. I love Knopfler’s fingerpicking. He’s a virtuoso. I was first introduced to Dire Straits (the name derives from the band’s financial situation at the time) with their final album, Brothers in Arms. I was so enchanted by the opening track, “So Far Away;” it became the first track I ever remember listening to on repeat. There may have been others before then. Ah! Knopfler’s hypnotic guitars still get me. Sure, “Money for Nothing” may be the biggest hit from Brothers in Arms, and I do enjoy Dire Straits’ biggest hit, but I prefer the title track and “Walk of Life,” and of course, “So Far Away.” Brothers in Arms is iconic.

Despite loving the Brothers in Arms album and most of its tracks, “Sultans of Swing” has to be my favorite Dire Straits song. Everything works. The bass, the guitars, and Knopfler’s faint Southern drawl as he tells the story of a down-on-their-luck band. Hey! Knopfler drew from personal experience. I dare you to listen to “Sultans of Swing” and not move, especially when Knopfler makes his guitar sing. You can’t. The song is electric. And speaking of drawing from personal experience, “Romeo and Juliet” may be the best breakup story ever put to vinyl. Knopfler is one of Rock’s greatest storytellers. Many of his songs take listeners on a journey.

Where do I begin with the French power duo, Daft Punk? Ah! I’ll begin with their name’s origin. As part of a previous band (that also featured members of the rock band Phoenix), a music critic called their sound “daft punk.” Guy-Manuel and Thomas embraced the title. Daft Punk is one of the rare bands that don’t have a bad album. From 1997’s Homework to 2013’s Random Access Memories, Daft Punk curated sonic experiences. I’ve listened to all four of Daft Punk’s studio albums this past month. Random Access Memories may be the most ambitious. It combines everything the band has learned. Random Access Memories sparks a discussion about the concept of music. This is another phenomenal final album.

But you can’t go wrong with “Da Funk,” “Around the World,” “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” “One More Time,” “Robot Rock” and so many others. I don’t mind listening to any Daft Punk era. While I have my favorites, I’ll listen to pretty much anything this power duo releases. And that includes the experimental stuff on Random Access Memories like “Giorgio by Moroder” where Italian artist Giorgio Moroder monologues about his early career. Yeah, Daft Punk takes huge swings.

I never got into Static-X when they first formed (in the late 90s and early 2000s). Other Nu Metal bands drew my attention, but I’ve grown to like Static-X. “Push It” has become one of my workout tracks. I love Koichi Fukuda’s guitars and keys. Ken Jay’s drums are on point. Tony Campos is one of the genre’s best bassists. And then there’s Wayne Static or Xer0 on rhythm guitar and vocals. Wayne Static will always be synonymous with Static-X. Heck, the band bears his stage name. Xer0 does a great job filling in for the loss of Static-X’s front man. Rest in peace, Wayne Static.

I go back and forth with Xer0’s aesthetic. He dons a zombie mask and a wig that resembles Wayne Static’s hairstyle, which looks like it’s in a perpetual state of shock. Most Static-X fans enjoy Xer0’s nod to Wayne Static, so I guess I’m okay with a zombie Wayne Static as Static-X’s current front man. Regardless, it’s interesting. I’m delving deeper into Static-X’s catalogue. I’ll let you know what I find.

That’s all I have for this month’s Geekly Tunes. Let’s see what Season and Skye have been listening to over the past month.

Season’s Tunes

I’m back with another Denzel Curry album. Strictly 4 the Scythe dropped in March of 2026 with eight songs and has a twenty-nine minute runtime. I listened to it a few times on repeat to get a feel for it. Honestly? I liked “PHONY” and “YOU AINT GOTTA LIE.” The album as a whole wasn’t my favorite of Denzel’s work. Of his newer work, I prefer “King of the Mischievous South” and “Melt My Eyez See Your Future.”

Skye’s Tunes

When it comes to music, sometimes I just get in a loop where I have to listen to the same song over and over again. Lately, “Down in Mexico” has been that song. Ever since I returned to work, I’ve been getting into the habit of playing “Down in Mexico” on loop in the car while I drive home. I was first introduced to “Down in Mexico” in the car when I was young (because I have very cultured parents), I fell in love with it after its unforgettable use in Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof, and ever since then it’ll randomly get stuck in my head from time to time. This time I’ve just decided to ride it out for as long as possible and can you blame me? “Down in Mexico” has fantastic vocals, a soulful sound, and a beat that gets me in a groovin’ mood every time I hear it. Certainly not the worst song to pop up out of nowhere, especially when compared to modern-day earworms.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here again. Those are the tunes our writers have been listening over the past month. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes: Whatcha Listening To for April 2025

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

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.