3 Songs You Need to Hear 🐦🎶

Your weekly dose of music discovery from Pigeons & Planes has landed. [Pigeons Planes ](#) Earl Sweatshirt knows the pitfalls and stresses of a rapid rise from unknown artist to public figure as well as anyone. What he and Odd Future experienced when they blew up in the 2010s has only been intensified by the growth of social media and the ceaseless demand for more content to consume by a generation who has grown up with their finger hovering over a screen, ready to swipe, smash like, or comment a crying laughing emoji. At all levels of the music industry, from new artists hoping to get heard to the major label system (and especially within the majors), there seems to be an unhealthy focus on virality and data over all else. But a view on a viral TikTok video doesn't equate to a fan who is truly invested in an artist, and millions of Instagram likes tells you nothing about whether a piece of art will have a lasting cultural impact. So let's share the art we love, celebrate and uplift it, without turning the process into a numbers game or a gladiatorial fight to the death over who has more streams. Like Earl says, Reserve and promote some humanity yo !! —[Alex Gardner](~/AAJOsQA~/RgRiUGMTP0UBMUTUaHR0cHM6Ly9hcHAuaGl2ZS5jby9lbWFpbC9lbHQvP2hfc2lkPTEyODQ4NGI2YTItNWE4Zjg0ZmRmYmQ5OWI3MDY0OWQwMTE3Jmhhc2g9NWI0ZTI2YjNkNTYzMmI3Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0EvL3R3aXR0ZXIuY29tL3RoZWNvbnN0YW50X2clM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEaGl2ZSUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0RlbWFpbCUyNnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbiUzRGhpdmVfZW1haWxfaWRfNjQyOTBXA3NwY0IKYGcT3m1gSaF0llIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTJAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), Director of Strategy & Operations at Pigeons & Planes [Kenny Mason](#) [Image](#) [Kenny Mason](#) 3 Songs You Need to Hear We're always sharing new music and artists we love across our social media accounts, in our playlists, and through written features. But we wanted to highlight three songs from rising artists that we can't stop listening to specifically for our loyal newsletter readers. Jelani Aryeh, THE BLOSSOM, and duo Paris Texas are all blending sounds and styles and expressing their unique perspectives through music that is honest, fresh, and impossible to ignore. Jelani Aryeh - "Marigold" This young San Diego-raised artist has been building momentum for a few years and has finally announced his debut album, I've Got Some Living To Do, set for release this summer. When we first heard the then 17-year-old in 2017, Jelani was already making thoughtful, well-rounded songs from his bedroom but as he expands his cast of collaborators and experiences more life, the music keeps getting better and better. Bouncy indie rock release "Stella Brown" took off in 2020 and Jelani started 2021 by releasing "Marigold" and kicking off the road to his debut album. "Marigold," and its lush, surreal video feel like a beam of sunlight shining directly on your face—warmth and serotonin delivered in the form of a modern pop song with a timeless sound. [LISTEN TO "MARIGOLD"](~/AAJOsQA~/RgRiUGMTP0UBNUTPaHR0cHM6Ly9hcHAuaGl2ZS5jby9lbWFpbC9lbHQvP2hfc2lkPTEyODQ4NGI2YTItNWE4Zjg0ZmRmYmQ5OWI3MDY0OWQwMTE3Jmhhc2g9NWI0ZTI2YjNkNTYzMmI3Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0EvL3lvdXR1LmJlL0pwYi0zQkZseS0wJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRGhpdmUlMjZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNEZW1haWwlMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RoaXZlX2VtYWlsX2lkXzY0MjkwVwNzcGNCCmBnE95tYEmhdJZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Paris Texas - "Situations" South Central duo Paris Texas hit us over the head with debut single "HEAVY METAL" just a couple of months ago, and their follow-up cements their spot as an essential act on the rise. Unlike the in-your-face nature of their first offering, "SITUATIONS" is less immediate. The song kicks off with a hook that wouldn't sound out of place in a cool new wave hit from the '80s, but it's guided by bass that is simultaneously hypnotizing and villainous. And just as the song feels like it's about to collapse in on itself, the half-rapped verse offers an unexpected twist. In 2021, artists who blend styles and genres are the norm, but nobody's doing it quite like Paris Texas. [LISTEN TO "SITUATIONS"](~/AAJOsQA~/RgRiUGMTP0UBNkT8aHR0cHM6Ly9hcHAuaGl2ZS5jby9lbWFpbC9lbHQvP2hfc2lkPTEyODQ4NGI2YTItNWE4Zjg0ZmRmYmQ5OWI3MDY0OWQwMTE3Jmhhc2g9NWI0ZTI2YjNkNTYzMmI3Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0EvL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaCUzRnYlM0RnR1ZmQTliWDdHRSUyNmFiX2NoYW5uZWwlM0RQYXJpc1RleGFzJTI2dXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRGhpdmUlMjZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNEZW1haWwlMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RoaXZlX2VtYWlsX2lkXzY0MjkwVwNzcGNCCmBnE95tYEmhdJZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) THE BLOSSOM - "CONFETTI" THE BLOSSOM is the first signing to Kevin Abstract and Romil Hemnani of BROCKHAMPTON's new label, Video Store. The nonbinary artist's debut EP 97 BLOSSOM was released this week and it's anchored by their honest, direct songwriting and anthemic choruses. The influence of '90s and 2000s rock and grunge is clear on songs like "CONFETTI," but we're kept on our toes by more modern production touches like Auto-Tune, while harder electronic bass and percussion is set alongside grungey riffs on songs like "HARDCORE HAPPY." THE BLOSSOM, who grew up between New York and Sydney and is currently based in Los Angeles, sums up their sound like this: "Ultimately, it’s that there is no true way to be, except for yourself.” Exactly. [LISTEN TO "CONFETTI"](~/AAJOsQA~/RgRiUGMTP0UBN4QCAWh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLmhpdmUuY28vZW1haWwvZWx0Lz9oX3NpZD0xMjg0ODRiNmEyLTVhOGY4NGZkZmJkOTliNzA2NDlkMDExNyZoYXNoPTViNGUyNmIzZDU2MzJiNyZuZXh0PWh0dHBzJTNBLy93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vd2F0Y2glM0Z2JTNEaTVCSkhXWXcwZ1UlMjZhYl9jaGFubmVsJTNEVGhlQmxvc3NvbS1Ub3BpYyUyNnV0bV9zb3VyY2UlM0RoaXZlJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRGVtYWlsJTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEaGl2ZV9lbWFpbF9pZF82NDI5MFcDc3BjQgpgZxPebWBJoXSWUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Image](#) [Image](#) Photo by Nicole Blue Pote Baby In an era dominated by big singles and larger-than-life personalities, Savannah, GA rapper Pote Baby is built for success. Not to say that he’s a one-hit wonder, but one song is all it took to win us over. His debut single is called “In The Kitchen,” and it’s a high impact introduction that comes with a cinematic music video and a hook bound to be stuck in your head for the rest of the year. The bass in this beat demands undivided attention, but ultimately it’s Pote Baby’s charisma that steals the show. It may look like an out-of-nowhere moment, but Pote Baby’s been working toward this for years. His manager heard about him through word of mouth after a friend told him that there’s a 5’5” rapper that has the crowd going crazy at open mic nights in Savannah. He went out there to see for himself—this was all pre-pandemic—and the two have been plotting ever since. “‘In The Kitchen’ is just the beginning,” Pote Baby explains. “I won’t be a rap star, I will be a legend.” “In The Kitchen” is the starting point, but Pote Baby just released the follow-up called “YAMS!” (watch the video [here](~/AAJOsQA~/RgRiUGMTP0UCMTBE8mh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLmhpdmUuY28vZW1haWwvZWx0Lz9oX3NpZD0xMjg0ODRiNmEyLTVhOGY4NGZkZmJkOTliNzA2NDlkMDExNyZoYXNoPTViNGUyNmIzZDU2MzJiNyZuZXh0PWh0dHBzJTNBLy93d3cuY29tcGxleC5jb20vcGlnZW9ucy1hbmQtcGxhbmVzL3BvdGUtYmFieS15YW1zLXZpZGVvJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRGhpdmUlMjZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNEZW1haWwlMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RoaXZlX2VtYWlsX2lkXzY0MjkwVwNzcGNCCmBnE95tYEmhdJZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)) and his mind is already on the future, planning to show versatility and range throughout his next releases. Look out for more Pote Baby coming soon. [WATCH "IN THE KITCHEN"](~/AAJOsQA~/RgRiUGMTP0UCMTFEz2h0dHBzOi8vYXBwLmhpdmUuY28vZW1haWwvZWx0Lz9oX3NpZD0xMjg0ODRiNmEyLTVhOGY4NGZkZmJkOTliNzA2NDlkMDExNyZoYXNoPTViNGUyNmIzZDU2MzJiNyZuZXh0PWh0dHBzJTNBLy95b3V0dS5iZS9idW5pUGZkTkl5cyUzRnV0bV9zb3VyY2UlM0RoaXZlJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRGVtYWlsJTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEaGl2ZV9lbWFpbF9pZF82NDI5MFcDc3BjQgpgZxPebWBJoXSWUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Image](#) [Image](#) Photo by Angela Ricciardi Gone are the days of artists fitting neatly into genres like pieces of a puzzle. Instead, they’re piecing together sounds and influences from all over with a do-it-yourself approach that’s changing music. In our new feature, Deb Never explains why the DIY spirit is important to her: "I want everything to come from me so it is genuine and I can let you in on who I am, my perspective, and my world. It allows for freedom in expression and that’s important for any creative to be able to tell their story in their own way." 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