Noots Letter: I’m Such A Fool Fer Yew
April 2025
I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “fool” a lot recently, largely because of April Fools Day, and also because I fear we are in Fool’s Spring. I think we should be re-adopting it into our conversations. Above my mirror hangs a piece of art that my dad engraved in the ‘70s, quoting As You Like It: “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” Apt as hell in our current political climate! While we may have left the term, colloquially speaking, in the 17th century, the word is still rampant in our musical vocabulary.
Historically, fools were jesters or clowns employed by a noble household. In the bible, fools were wayward souls who denounced beliefs in God. In modern music, however, fool has taken on a specific usage for someone who is Down Bad. Fools fall in love much too soon! What a fool believes he sees! You know I’m such a fool for you! The list goes on. As such, I’ve crafted a playlist featuring songs about these titular fools who put their hearts on the line and, despite rejection, made a fine hit. And how lovely is that!
So this spring, may we all be fools–being vulnerable in our pursuits of love, making mistakes, getting back up, wearing weird hats, etc. Lesley Gore, for instance, can’t get enough of the word. Be like Lesley.
April brought us so much good music and so much warm weather music! I love her (the sun).
For the first days of spring…
Nothing tickles me quite like my first annual sighting of a male pigeon puffing his feathers to go after another, definitely uninterested, female (birds=straight?) pigeon. While many of this month’s recs are spring-themed, none feel more apt for new blooms than Beirut, A Study of Losses (2025).
If you’re interested in predicting the future…
I know the future: it’s that Moses Sumney’s UNRELEASED ALBUM will be AOTY!!!!!!! One of the easy highlights of April was seeing him perform all new tracks live in Red Hook on a random Monday night (I love new york city). When I tell you my soul left my body. It’s the greatest of greats, just you wait.
You’re looking forward to the final season of Stranger Things…
Let’s just say the teens are right about this Steve Harrington fella. He can really make a tune! I have played Djo, The Crux (2025), more times than I care to admit, but I will admit it is a no-skips album.
If you’re celebrating the Tony nominations…
Original Broadway Cast, Maybe Happy Ending (2025). Was fortunate enough to see this tender, original, stunning show on Broadway a few weeks ago, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. It was kind of like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets Laufey. 100% original and perfect in every way. Rooting for them.
If it’s not enough to be in love; you need them to take out their insides…
Sunflower Bean, Mortal Primetime (2025). Indie Rock 🤝 infatuation.
For finding hope on the tough days…
Florist always knows exactly what to say at exactly the right time. My all-time faves released Jellywish (2025) on a day when I needed it most, and I can’t recommend this enough if you’re going through it/need an auditory hug.
You miss Boygenius…
Shall we substitute in another peroxide blonde then?? Julien Baker & TORRES, Send A Prayer My Way (2025), is no Phoebe Bridgers-feature, but it provides a new take on classic Americana.
If you’ve ever fantasized about a R&B version of Britney’s “Toxic”...
Coco Jones, Why Not More? (2025). Obseeeeeessed with the track “Taste”. Proceed with caution; you will sweat.
If you’re searching for the second coming of The Chicks…
Look no further: Trousdale, Growing Pains (2025). THREE PART HARMONY BABYYYYY INJECT IT INTO MY VEEEEEINS
If you love a new (old) discovery…
Thank goodness for lore! Jess Sah Bi’s Jesus-Christ Ne Deçoit Pas was recorded in South Carolina in 1991 and released only in Côte d'Ivoire on cassette. And now it’s available everywhere for the first time ever!! How cool is that.
If you find yourself thinking about Alaskan summers…
You’d be so lucky to have one in your lifetime. Ralph Castelli captures the beauty and simplicity of Northern life in Hope, Alaska (2025). He’s also a frequent collaborator with faves Dora Jar (who I yapped about all last year) and Wendlo (who makes the only covers I will always listen to).
Monthly rec of niche music for cool/hot people…
Oklou, choke enough (2025). Don’t listen to this if you’re not cool/hot. Or do, maybe it’ll make you cool/hot. This album is what cool/hot people wish they could be.
If you’ve ever listened to a great R&B album and thought, “Man, I wish all these track titles were just abbreviations!”...
SAULT, 10 (2025). This is like that one Childish Gambino album with all the numbers?? We’re not given names, just an assortment of letters. Great tunes, unclear how I’m supposed to refer to them!
If you wish Fiona Apple had a British accent…
Black Country, New Road, Forever Howlong (2025). Curious about this theatrically-leaning, post-rock that’s coming out of the UK currently.
If you’re trying to get funky…
Good for you! Midnight Generation, Tender Love (2025). Flying Mojito Bros, Just Passing Through (2025). Emma-Jean Thackray, Weirdo (2025).
If you’re, like, the poster child for indie soft boys…
Whoooops did I say that aloud. Bon Iver has a new album out called SABLE, fABLE (2025) and idk if it’s for me but respect.
If you miss North Carolina…
Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Robinson come together for banjo goodness on Brown's Dream (2025). Daughter of Swords, has a new album Alex (2025), which was produced by Amelia Meath. You can hear the Sylvan Esso influence for sure. And Sarah Siskind, Simplify (2025), serves as a great reminder that god I love middle aged women/rockers.
More yee haw vibes…
Tobacco City, Horses (2025) is straight out of the saloon.
You fell for that AI-generated “Frank Ocean billboard outside of Coachella” scam…
Me, I did. Made me so sad that I listened to Blonde (2016) again, something I don’t do unless I am overcome by a deep and tangible sorrow. There were a lot of ups and downs this month ok.
If you’re keeping up with that Duolingo streak…
Day 296 baby!! If you parlez-vous francais, Polo & Pan, 22:22 (2025) and Miel De Montagne, Ouin Ouin (2025). I also watched the Oscar-nominated animated shorts this year, and Beurk! (2025)—Yuck! in English—was one about French kids kissing and I’m obsessed with its little soundtrack by Alieng0ld. For Spanish listeners, try Natalia Lafourcade, Cancionera (2025) and Maria Usbeck, Naturaleza (2025).
For saying a difficult farewell…
Tennis has been a staple in my springtime rotation since their track “Marathon” was an iTunes Free Single of the Week in 2011. With Face Down In The Garden (2025), the duo has announced this will be their last album, as they embark on new ventures outside of music. The finite nature of time is inevitable! All we can do is appreciate what they’ve given us.
APRIL COUNT: 40
2025 TOTAL SO FAR: 135
