LRN71 - Let's Take a Beat
Ways to decompress and get back out there
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Hello lovely readers!
It is October. Autumn. 2025.
Kudos to everyone who attended a No Kings rally on 10/18/2025. You are patriots and we WILL win. As we think about our next moves - voter registration, canvassing via phone or feet, voting in the special and mid-term elections, future protests - we need to also prioritize some rest. You can’t keep moving if you don’t take a break once in a while. And yes, I know that rest might seem like a privileged thing to be doing right now, but honestly - if you don’t take the time to take care of yourself, you cannot take care of anyone else.
So today I want to take a break and talk about some ways in which we can chill out before getting back into the work.
Music Is Medicine
Kirby - Miss Black America
Kirby went viral on TikTok recently, but she has been around, making music for a while now. I will admit that I had not heard her music until recently, but I’m fully sold on her blend of soul, r&b, and funk. Music with a message that is really wonderful to immerse yourself in.
Listening to her first album, ‘Sis’, brings back Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and/or Janet Jackson vibes from the 90s and 00s and it is everything. Her latest album has a lot more funk influence and, dare I say (and she gives a nod to this on her TikTok profile pic) but full on Funkadelic vibes. LOVE. I’ve heard a lot of people comparing her to Macy Gray, and I hear that too, but she feels even more multi-dimensional. You just need to listen for yourself.
One of my favourite parts of her viral moment on TikTok is how she has made it into a learning moment for racist white folks. Not that she should have to do that - no black woman should have to still be teaching us about the history of the United States - but her ability to parlay the teaching into more views/clicks for her music has been impressive.
First single - 2016 - Loved By You
Viral hit - Na$Ty
A couple other favourites - The Man | Reparations (feat. Tennessee Mass Choir)
Hayley Williams - Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
Normally I would be talking about Hayley Williams in the context of Paramore, but her latest solo album is something to behold. From her live performance, of True Believer, on Jimmy Kimmel (Mississippi G-dam, indeed, and a big hat tip to Nina Simone) to her calling out of Morgan Wallen on the NY Times Podcast, Popcast, there is more to this album than just the music. Her style is reminiscent of a 90s grrrl artist, but with a modern message. In fact, I believe that of all the artists who are coming out with new material this year, Williams is one of the few that does not seem to be afraid to stand up and say something with her music. To be on the right side of history. I can think of a billionaire artist who could do well to follow in Williams footsteps, but I won’t call her out right now.
A few other favourites from the album - Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party | Glum | Mirtazapine
Lady Gaga - Mayhem
Released earlier in 2025, this new album from Mother Monster harkens back to her earlier days. And, hearing about the Mayhem tour, it sounds like she is bringing everything full circle. The Gaga that we loved when she first came on the scene is evolving in a way that I personally love. She has arrived at her full goth moment and it is glorious. Although it isn’t a blatently political album, Gaga certainly brings commentary with every move she makes. Her advocacy for the LGBTQIA++ community is as strong as ever and this album highlights that with her bow to ballroom culture. The strongest evidence of this is on Abracadabra.
I have always loved Gaga and I’m glad that she is coming full circle, back to the fame and fame monster days with this latest release.
A few other favourites from the album - Disease | How Bad Do U Want Me | Perfect Celebrity
Other New Releases to Check Out
I’m still checking these out, so reserving my opinion for future posts, but wanted to highlight a few of the new releases from artists I love. Check them out and let me know what you think. Happy listening!
Good News from the Stacks
It wasn’t as long as usual, but you still deserve some good news!