Entertainment
NewJeans, ‘Ditto’
On “Ditto,” K-pop girl group NewJeans is still holding out for a Christmas miracle. “My feelings for you, like the memories we share, have grown so big,” singer Haerin confesses, hoping for reciprocation. Choral synth pads blanket the song like freshly fallen snow, embodying the down-home comforts of the holiday season; their gratitude is the sort that arises in the year’s final days, when we reflect on those who’ve made our lives a little brighter.
Their previous single, “Cookie,” incorporated Jersey club into the architecture of a bubbly synth-R&B song; “Ditto” takes that fascination with club music further, but only in its most modest form. Instead of brash and bracing kicks, the drums are soft and endearing, like the reverberating heartbeat of someone you’re cuddling with. There’s little else beyond handclaps and a scurrying drum break — which approximates the Think break in Baltimore club tracks — for ornamentation, but NewJeans has always known that less is more. The group is a refreshing alternative to the maximalist ethos defining contemporary K-pop, and it’s in restraint that “Ditto” feels empowering: “I want you so … so say it ditto.”
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On her latest release, the Colombian-American singer Kali Uchis celebrates love in all its forms, shows the healing power of music, perseverance and forgiveness. We give a listen to Red Moon in Venus on this week’s show and talk about how Uchis is having a mainstream moment by staying true to her love of dreamy, old-school R&B.
We’ve also got a joyful, self-titled release from Masego, an ode to the mess of life from Australian guitarist and singer Jen Cloher, trippy soul from Chiiild and more. WBEZ and Vocalo Radio’s Ayana Contreras joins NPR Music contributor Cyrena Touros, Radio Milwaukee’s Tarik Moody and host Robin Hilton as they share their picks for the best albums out on March 3.
Featured Albums:
- Kali Uchis — Red Moon in Venus
Featured Songs: “Hasta Cuando,” “Como Te Quiero Yo,” “Worth the Wait (feat. Omar Apollo)” - Masego — MASEGO
Featured Songs: “What You Wanna Try,” “Afraid of Water,” “Black Anime” - Yazmin Lacey — Voice Notes
Featured Songs: “Legacy,” “Where Did You Go?” - Jen Cloher — I Am the River, The River is Me
Featured Songs: “My Witch,” “Mana Takatāpui,” “The Wild,” “Being Human” - Chiiild — Better Luck in the Next Life
Featured Songs: “(Running Out Of) Hallelujahs,” “Good For Now (feat. Lucky Daye)”
Lightning Round:
- Adi Oasis — Lotus Glow
- Hello Mary — Hello Mary
- Spektral Quartet & Julia Holter — Behind the Wallpaper
Other notable releases for March 3:
- Kate NV — WOW
- Macklemore — BEN
- Object of Affection — Field of Appearances
- Radio Supernova — Paratiisi
- William Basinski — The Clocktower at the Beach
- Xiu Xiu — Ignore Grief
- Zulu — A New Tomororw
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