Dirty Projectors: “Gun Has No Trigger”
Back in 2009, I was a naive college freshman attempting to make his musical taste reach outside of more-or-less conventional tastes. In doing so, that year’s Bitte Orca became a classic in my eyes (ears?). The experimental pop/rock band Dirty Projectors, headed by David Longstreth, have been relatively quiet since then. However, with a new album confirmed to be out sometime this year, you knew Longstreth and his alt-baguettes (Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian) would have to put out something new at some point. That day has come, and let us rejoice, fellow listeners, for this track is a perfect encapsulation of what DP is best at: infinitely poignant lyricism with pop sensibilities that will simply entrance you.
Glory by Jay-Z (Feat. B.I.C.)
Unless you’ve lived under a rock over the past week, you’d know that the supercouple of Jay-Z and Beyoncé recently had their first child, (Blue) Ivy Carter. In celebration of that fact, Jay-Z has dropped a new song in dedication to his wife and his new daughter. Entitled “Glory”, this track is a bona fide tearjerker, guys. Featuring soulful production from the Neptunes, Jay-Z wears his heart on his sleeve as he delivers bar after bar of affection: “The most amazing feeling I feel/ Words can’t describe what I’m feeling, f’real/ Baby, I paint the sky blue/ My greatest creation was you.” The track ends with what we can assume are some of Ivy’s first cries—a fitting conclusion to a stunning display of overwhelming emotion.
—AR
