Obsessions (November 2025)

I started Five Obsessions as an homage to my long defunct Pigeons and Planes column “5 On It.” But why confine myself to five of my favorite songs or albums each month when I could simply list more things I like? Each month, typically every second Saturday, I’ll share some new songs. Some old. Some new to me. Some revisited. All the music I have on repeat.

You can listen to the running list of Applied Science favorites in the Spotify playlist below and read about this week’s specific picks below that.

Telemakus - “The Love Bomb”

A beautiful way to start the day.

Gabriel Jacoby - gutta child

The south’s got something to say, forever and always. A particularly impressive debut album that sounds like its influences without getting lost in them.

Darkside “S.N.C.”

Let the groove take you wherever you don’t know you want to go.

Brent Faiyaz - “have to.”

I like when Brent Faiyaz does the pitched up voice Soundcloud Prince thing.

Mutany Academy - “Put Her Lil Tears In My Wristband”

These guys have been rapping great for years now and I hope they never stop.

Outkast - “Speedballin’”

Every few months for the past ~5 years, I’d try to find this early 2000s Outkast gem on Spotify. Initially from the absolutely bizarre Tomb Raider motion picture soundtrack, it originated in the Stankonia sessions and now finds its proper home on the 25th anniversary deluxe edition of my favorite Outkast album.

redveil - “mini me”

Loving the evolution of redveil.

Leon Thomas - “Baccarat”

This is a much weirder song than I would have expected from a guy who is nominated for a lot of Grammy’s for a song about being a dog, nay, a mutt.

labyrinthine oceans - “automata”

The kids are grabbing guitars again!!!

Nappy Roots - “Awnaw”

I have no idea what made me think of this song this month, but man it is still so god damn good.

Rvyo - “S. Tacchini”

My dad had a pair of Sergio Tacchini tennis shorts he wore so much they eventually disintegrated. I have no idea what this song is about (I still do not speak Spanish), so I can only assume Chilean rapper Rvyo has a similar affinity for Sergio Tacchini shorts.

girlsweetvoiced - “spearmint”

Really enchanting stuff.

D’Angelo - “Africa (Demo)”

RIP to the great one.