I was introduced to Moses Sumney about half a year ago, and he was one of the most talented, one-of-a-kind musicians I had come across in a long time. It is hard to categorize into a genre, but his careful progression, stunning vocals, and unconventional perspective has touched me and probably anyone who gives his album, Aromanticism, a real listen. I have been singing along to this one, Doomed, on repeat this week and it is my favorite off the album:
This album has been making top albums of 2017 lists all over including #6 on Pitchfork's list, #3 on NYTimes, and top 10 of many others. I was surprised to see him make so many lists with not much of a following or discography, but I can see why the album ended up getting so much recognition anyway.
I got to see him at the First Unitarian in October, and he blew me away. He was extremely casual, open, and goofy too. He kept changing up what he felt like singing and even passed around the mic to the audience when he sang this song. There were some incredible voices in the crowd. Moses was taken aback by one of the audience singers, paused the set for a bit to take her voice in, and then told her to stop showing him up at his own show. Cute moment.
He had this Brooklyn artist Xenia Rubinos open for him and she left us speechless as well. She came out with a disclaimer that her intention for the show was to step as far out of her comfort zone as possible. She proceeded to scream, contort her face strangely, and make noises that most would raise an eyebrow at. Both her and Moses had extremely powerful messages about inequality and kept variating between silliness and seriousness in a way that you couldn't help but fall in love with them, and really grasp what they were getting at (in a way you hadn't before).
Here's a tiny desk concert with some of her best:
