Greetings, fellow music lovers, and welcome the newest edition of Smoke This, Play That, where I get so high that I no longer know my name and listen to a bunch of music to find out what you should be playing through your speakers. This month is packed full of musical nutrients for the eardrums, so without further ado, here are my five album suggestions for this month. Enjoy!
Daniel Caesar – Freudian
Daniel Caesar is a new kid out of Toronto with a very powerful, unique voice and sound. If I had to pick a comparison, I’d call him a baby Sampha, but his music really gives you a H.E.R. feeling in the way that it makes you long for something/someone who never existed. Freudian is audio nostalgia. If you’ve ever been in love, or fallen out of love, or just had a really good meal that you think about often, you will definitely cry to “Blessed.” Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Strain:Strawberry Cough
I like Strawberry Cough because I can smoke it and still make moves. It makes me feel upbeat and lively, which is why it pairs perfectly with Freudian. Even though the songs have such deep and meaningful messages, the sound of the album is still very upbeat and soul-capturing. The highs of THC combine with the highs of the music to form quite the holy matrimony. Love this strain, love this album.
Oliver – Full Circle
This is my favorite album on the list. It’s so damn good. I’d never heard of Oliver before, but I loved Full Circle so much that I’ll definitely listen to anything they put out from this moment forward. It’s one of those albums where the tracks transition between each other so well that if you’re high while listening, it’ll all blend into one long-ass song. I went on a walk to this album and once it ended, I realized that I’d walked five miles. That’s how lost you get in the music.
Strain:Dutchberry
I had Dutchberry back when I was in Seattle and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I LOVE this strain. Like, I want to date it. Dutchberry smells and burns like a fruit-flavored candle, tastes delicious, and feels like a cloud. The effects will have you low-key giddy and in an unexplainable good mood, just like Full Circle.
Buddy & Kaytranada – Ocean & Montana EP
Buddy’s a young cat out of Compton who makes some of the best-feeling/most fun music I’ve heard in a really long time. He also really, really loves himself some cannabis. I mean, he made an entire song about looking for a lighter to spark his blunt. But him being on the list isn’t just about cannabis; this EP shoots 5/5 from the field. Produced by Kaytranada, Ocean & Montana is a trip through the mind of a young man who just wants to get high, chase women, and party with his friends. I don’t know about you, but that’s relatable content for me.
Strain:Travel Joint
This EP is a trip through Buddy’s mind, so Travel Joint is a logical pairing. But in addition to that, Travel Joint is a fun strain, man. I smoked it in Las Vegas before taking a walk down the strip, and even though I was doing nothing, I still had a lot of fun. I credit the high for that. Plus, Buddy makes super fun music (give “A Lite” a listen), so he needs to be paired with a fun strain. Indulge in and enjoy both, my pals.
Tennyson & Mr. Carmack – Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
I checked out Tennyson while creating this month’s playlist and let me tell you, that boy makes some great music. Vibing out to his Like What EP lead me to Tuesday Wednesday Thursday, a joint project with Mad Decent producer Mr. Carmack. It’s only three songs, but you’ll definitely play it on repeat so many times that it’ll feel like a whole album. I’d describe T-W-TH as audio therapy. It’s mood-changing music that’s perfect for anyone who’s in a bad mood or just having one of those days where you can’t shake the bad vibes. Plus, there’s a BJ The Chicago Kid feature on “Thursday.” You can’t beat that.
Strain:Fruity Pebbles
Fruity Pebbles sounds like a basic foo-foo strain, but don’t let the smooth taste fool you. It’ll hit you with a pretty strong high, and it lasts a while, too. I smoked a Fruity Pebbles pre-roll and the next thing I knew, I was dancing around downtown Seattle like ol’ boy in the Apple EarPods commercial for no discernible reason. This is why it pairs so well with Tuesday Wednesday Thursday. Much like the album, Fruity Pebbles is a mood-changer that’ll have you feeling relaxed and content.
Passion Pit – Tremendous Sea of Love
This was my first introduction to Passion Pit and they are definitely worth the high. Tremendous Sea of Love has a big sound that only gets bigger as you get higher. I smoked a blunt of OG Kush to this, and by the end of the album, my hands were to the heavens and I was feeling all kinds of positive energy. I became one with the music. I was a human treble clef. Do yourself a favor: get stupid high, then go sit on some grass and let Tremendous Sea of Love play as you stare at the sunset. ‘Cause that’s exactly what it’ll make you feel like doing. It’s a true musical journey.
Strain:OG Kush
I know I’ve suggested this strain for past albums, but it’s what I smoked while determining if Tremendous Sea of Love was worth the high. I was a little tired before listening, but that OG hit me with a surge of energy that took the entire musical experience to the highest level.
Lastly, as always, I’ve composed an Apple Music playlist of newish songs for your next Walk ‘n Toke. Light up some fire, grab your headphones, and take a lap around the block to Smoke This, Play That Vol. 4: https://itunes.apple.com/us/playlist/smoke-this-play-that-vol-4/idpl.u-xlyNqJ3tXGb0yV
