Tuesday Roundup Mix
featuring Billie Eilish, beabadoobee, Dora Jar, and more!
Hi, happy Tuesday post-long weekend!
In case you missed it- last week I wrote about Sabrina Carpenter releasing a bunch of remixes to “Espresso” in hopes of hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sadly, it didn’t work, but she did at least stay in the Top 10.
Since I sent that newsletter, Taylor Swift put on a master class in the Various Versions Technique. Last Tuesday, she dropped “Fortnight [BLOND:ISH Remix].” A quick check of the Hot 100 tells me this was a bid to keep the song in the Top 10. Similarly, over the past two Fridays, she released “exclusive” versions of her album, The Tortured Poets Department, in an attempt to keep it at #1 on Billboard 200. The latest effort included three different versions of the digital album each of which came with one live version of a TTPD song as played on the Eras Tour. So, yes, to listen to three live versions of performances you can easily watch on TikTok, you have to buy an entire album, one that you probably already bought, three separate times. Absolutely nuts. What’s amazing (concerning?) is that stuff like this works for Taylor because she has created a fanbase so ravenous, they see it as some kind of moral obligation to help this woman maintain her status. You will rip that #1 spot from her cold, greedy hands!!!1
And who is trying to rip that #1 spot away from her? Billie Eilish, whose new album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, came out May 17th. Billie made her own attempts at the Various Versions Technique by releasing both “slowed down” and “sped up” remixes of the album. These versions plus the “new” factor of her album might have worked if she hadn’t made a grave mistake- she made a comment that was perceived as a dig at Taylor Swift. While answering fan questions on the music app Stationhead, she said, “I’m not doing a three-hour show, that’s literally psychotic.” Whether intentionally directed at Taylor’s tour or not, this comment initiated some kind of feud between the fandoms and only encouraged Taylor’s Most Devoted to stream and buy more.
In the end, Taylor secured her fifth week at #1 with Billie coming in at #2.
For what it’s worth, I actually really like Billie’s new album. Her music has usually been pretty hit or miss for me- I typically like her more for her live performances (I think about this SNL performance a lot) and for the fact that she says whatever is on her mind during interviews (which, as evidenced this week, is at least good for entertainment value). This new album is maybe her most accessible pop album and I love her voice here. It’s fun to see her change up her sound while still retaining what makes Billie Billie.
Other things I’ve been listening to include:
Rid of Me by PJ Harvey following the death of producer Steve Albini (Rid of Me is my favorite Albini production). Bandsplain, a favorite podcast here at Made You A Mix, did a tribute episode to Steve where they discussed him as both an important producer and complicated human being.
Lots of Chappell Roan before and since seeing her live last week! Shoutout to Chappell for the most fun show I’ve been to in a long time! If you get a chance to see her do it!!
New music from beabadoobee, Charli XCX, Clairo, and more!
Thanks for being here, for reading, and for listening! If you like this week’s newsletter, please click the “heart” button at the top or bottom of this post - likes help this newsletter be seen by more people!
You know I love Taylor [a lot, more than most], but this is just silly!!!