New Monday #69

NS10s, Haute and Freddy and more
June 9, 2025
Psc In Heaven

New Monday #69

Happy Monday, all!

A crazy week. Spotify pulled last week's audio New Monday down because they have a very strict policy when it comes to crediting music.

Does anyone else find that ironic?

I had something written and was going to record it, and now I have to figure out a new delivery system—possibly YouTube but that means video and a much more complex workflow. So, I'm taking a step sideways and back, and this will be more of a mixed bag this week, which will probably make my new buddy Pekka happy!

The Secret Magic of NS10s

Hahah! I'm being totally sarcastic! I hate these things. But they're somewhat ubiquitous and a lot of great mixers swear by them. Dan mixes on them.

There's all sorts of claims as to why: Because they sound like typical home speakers (they don't anymore). Because they really let you hear the midrange (because they're wicked harsh). Because if you can get it to sound good on an NS-10, it will sound good anywhere (maybe...).

Here's food for thought: What if the reason for their popularity is Time Domain Performance? Check out this very good, quick video. There's always things to learn.

Quick story to annoy Pekka. Years ago a very major producer/remixer was going on and on about how accurate NS10s were, especially if you put toilet paper over the tweeter. I listened to him thinking, "I know two things one can modify with toilet paper. One is my butt and the other is..." I didn't say this, or course. I still think this, though.

Haute and Freddy

I LOVE this duo. If New Order got wasted at a Renaissance fair, you'd get Haute and Freddy. More than music, these cats are a whole package, fusing hooks, beats and video into a concoction that's too cool for the 80s.

Haute—Michelle Buzz—has written songs for Kylie Minogue, Bebe Rexha and others. Originally from Houston, she somehow met up with Lance Shipp (Freddy) writer/producer from Michigan. I guess they met up in Los Angeles, which is where they're currently working. It was hard to find anything about them, but that's not going to last: they signed to Atlantic just this March and I presume an album is to follow.

From their management's website: "Their love for theater, obscure synths, and underground club culture runs deep, infusing every track with an audacious energy. The duo moves through their music like runaway carnies, crashing through the veneer of polite society with all the flair of an 18th-century escapade."

Whatever. Things to listen for:

  • Melodies. This isn't stuff with a range of a fourth.
  • Singer: Distinctive, emotive, wonderful control of textures and colors. Reminds me of The Motels' Martha Davis.
  • Production: Clean, really interesting things going on in the background, doesn't sound all squashed to hell. Extra points for vocals that don't sound pitch corrected.

Watch Scantily Clad Woman. Show it to the kids.

Their website looks like a map out of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.

I love groups that do their own thing, especially when they do it this well.

Love that Protopunk

7 and 7 Is is a song by the San Francisco group Love. Released in 1966, it was their highest charting single, reaching #30. It is a noisy mess, full off feedback, fuzz guitar, screaming vocals, and high-speed drumming. It definitely sounds kinda punk, and for a song that is basically a mess, it's been covered a lot—here's a partial list:

I stumbled into this working on a bigger piece I want to write on Love. They recorded this with A&R man / producer Jac Holzman—he signed Carly Simon, The Doors, Queen, MC5, Bread, Judy Collins, ran Panavison. And he founded Elektra Records when he was 19. Here's Jac and members of Love discussing recording 7 and 7 Is. You get the distinct impression he hated every minute of the 4 hour session.

Common Saints

I wrote about the fantastic debut album by these guys, well, guy: Common Saints is producer / multi-instrumentalist Charlie Perry. Cinema 3000 is one of the best albums of 2025.

Here's a new EP, Equinox. It's got that big bottom end, funky grooves and spacious wet production that seems to be a hallmark. Charlie is a remarkably consistent composer of interesting and very melodic songs. Great drummer. Great, tasty guitarist. Good stuff.

Heads and Legs

Talking Heads 77 was remixed and re-released last November. Don't watch the video, just check out the sonics. This sounds great. The original and remasters have been murky and flat. This is clear and in your face. Wonderful. Listen to the bass resonance from perhaps unmuted strings. So cool.

Have you all listened to Wet Leg? They're the basterd children of Talking Heads. Similar sense of noise, minimalism, lyrical nonsense, and groove. Really low low end on this. Kudos to producer Dan Carey. Record sounds great.

We made a playlist of all this stuff—find it here

That's all for this week. We will see what next week brings. Thanks for all the comments from last week, and of course, feel free to write us anytime. We answer everything, although sometimes it takes a week.

Warm regards,

Luke