Train on the Island: Charli xcx, Tove Lo, Aldous Harding

Episode 9 is here, and Alex is monologuing about how mystery is punk. Our online world doesn't allow for much of that mystery anymore. He admires sharing art while keeping some opacity to it, and our three artists this week lean into it really well. Media with good meta-commentary comes up, Josie and the Pussycats, Spice World, and Network pop up from the movie world. We ARE mad as hell and we don't wanna take it anymore, but we are going to talk about these awesome songs from Charli xcx, Tove Lo, and Aldous Harding. Also, Alex rescued a baby starling, so things are gonna be okay.Follow along with our playlist for this week: https://www.tunemymusic.com/share/w235LrEdWPFirst, though...Alex teaches us how to fat wash bourbon!--------------This week's drink:TRAIN ON THE ISLAND1.5oz sesame-washed bourbon.5oz rum.5oz banana liqueurpinch smoked sea salt2 dashes angostura bittersgarnish with Básī xiāngjiāo (caramelized bananas)1. To fat wash the bourbon, add toasted sesame oil to bourbon in a 1:8 ratio. Steep for a few hours or overnight in a sealable container. Place container on its side in fridge for a few hours, until fat solidifies. Filter out bourbon.2. Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until cold, then strain over a rocks glass with a large ice cube.3. Garnish with caramelized bananas, (or a banana chip, or an orange peel, if you don’t feel like candying something while you’re making a drink.)--------------Charli xcx dropped "Rock Music" out of nowhere and we are excited for whatever that means (new Charli music is what it means). We hear strains of Celebrity Skin, though Charli is not going with actual rock music here, it's classic Charli tongue-in-cheek fodder. We talk about the impact of brat on pop music and the culture as a whole, and now there's 1:55 of super processed guitars and live drums, but it's still a pop song. We agree she's priming us for a new sound palette, but this seems to be a transition track into her new world. More singles to come, and we will be listening. Plug for Alex's Substack where he writes about the PR behind music and how things are shifting weekly...well worth a read!Next up is Tove Lo, our Swedish pop icon who has been making bangers for a long time. Her lead single off her new project is "I'm your girl, right?" It's indie rock crossed with the house 90's vibe with a full on build to a drop. Take us to the club, Tove Lo. We love the opening lyric "I love your teeth, I could watch you eat for days." Phew.Lastly, Aldous Harding is a New Zealander who brings us a gorgeous track called "Train on the Island." as opposed to Charli and Tove Lo, there's a lot of lyrical mystery here. The repeating bass line, fuzzed out effected guitars, and the tasteful and restrained production really speak to the theme of mystery this week. We also love the blown out bass tone that sounds like it was run through a tiny practice amp. The lyrics seem to be bits and pieces of moments in time, but all wrapped up together by a gorgeous track. (Also, an amped flute...who needs anything more?)--------------Alex's links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerboyingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flowerboyingAlex's Substack: https://alexanderdaoust.substack.comJana's links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janapochopWebsite: http://www.janapochop.comJana's Substack: https://janapochop.substack.com