What's up good people??  It's been a hectic, exciting August for me. I've road tripped from Chicago to NYC, officiated a wedding, and am in the process of moving into a new apartment in Brooklyn today. Fortunately I've had some great music, a lot of it from y'all, with which I could celebrate, decompress, carry overpacked boxes, and stare down long Ohio highways. Now I get to share some of that music with you, and that makes me happy. For August we’ve got: A Spotify playlist of songs I’ve been digging this month It’s collaborative! Add something you’ve had on repeat this month Three fantastic albums I was listening to in August  Recently married (by me) man, Ryan Tooley, sent me an album earlier this month and I invited him to share it here. I’m always pumped to get music from him and this was no exception A couple other miscellaneous add-ons Hope you find something that moves you, Matt P.S. I’ve got some more long drives ahead of me this week before I finally settle down in NY. I love listening to new stuff on road trips, so send me anything and everything you've been jamming to.

Florist Florist Introducing their self-titled album on Instagram, the band's lead singer, Emily Sprague, tells us "Florist" was recorded inside a screened-in porch in the Hudson Valley of New York. Throughout the album, it sounds and feels like you’re there with them, settling into the peace of the woods. The breeze mentioned in one song can be heard blowing the bells and chimes in later interludes. Crickets and raindrops fill space left by lightly picked guitars. The group feels unhurried, enjoying their own unique combination of nature, music, and people. On top of it all are Sprague's patient, tender melodies. It seems like she can say anything she needs to in plain terms, about connections to people close to her, about the environment surrounding her, about how she feels right now. It’s a piece of music that feels strikingly present. I highly recommend it for a quiet night in or evening walk through the park. Favorite Track: "Two Ways" - Matt Kollada

The Forever Story JID A lot of people, me included, have been waiting on this one for a while. East Atlanta rapper, JID, first hinted about this project back in 2019. Luckily he hasn’t been quiet in the meantime. He’s highlighted collective albums by J. Cole’s Dreamville label, as well as his own group, Spillage Village, and has been generally out-rapping your favorite rapper on their own songs. Still, with his hype steadily building, this release felt big. On “The Forever Story,” JID delivers. His prolific talent colors a mural of all that he’s been through. JID raps about significant moments in his years before success, the roots of his work ethic, and the distance fame has brought between him and things he cares about. Throughout, his fascinating flows and rhyme patterns are clever enough to make you feel accomplished through osmosis. On “Better Days” JID raps “To make it to forever took a very long time.” I'm one of many who's glad he got here. Favorite Track: "Bruddanem (feat. Lil Durk)" - Matt Kollada

Water Slide, Diving Board, Ladder To The Sky Porridge Radio Genre: Rock On Water Slide, Diving Board, Ladder To The Sky, the British rock band, Porridge Radio, puts on an epic performance. Expressing exhaustion, exasperation, and doubt, this record acts as a cathartic release. The tracks often start soft and build into soaring, irresistible anthems. The lyrics stray away from specifics, with Dana Margolin’s powerful vocals bringing them to life. She's at times forceful, almost growling, at others tender and pensive. On “U Can Be Happy If You Want To” she sings “It comes in waves / I peel off my skin,” and the pace of the album, the catharsis, follows suit. Each climax gives way for moments of calm and rest, shedding unneeded weight before the next peak rises up. This album was a great ride that had me singing at the top of my lungs into the steering wheel down I-90. Favorite Track: "Rotten" - Matt Kollada

Ryan just got married and still had time to pick an album for us

Cheat Codes Danger Mouse, Black Thought Genre: Rap Black Thought (lead MC of The Roots since their 1993 debut) and Danger Mouse (superproducer of the Grey Album, Gnarls Barkley and Broken Bells fame) deliver an inspired love letter to fans of the "golden age" of rap, which pays homage to and in some instances transcends the classic beats and rhymes of that era. The production is soulful with unexpected twists and turns - Danger Mouse has meandered away from hip-hop in recent years, but has clearly kept the genre close to his heart with such a stellar set of tracks. Black Thought continues to age gracefully and seems to somehow get better with time. He sprinkles hard-won philosophical jewels and birds eye view social commentary among technically excellent flows of battle rap fare. Golden Age veterans Raekwon, MF Doom (posthumously) and Run the Jewels provide timely features. Shortlist for best hip hop album of the year. Favorite Track: "The Darkest Part (feat. Raekwon)" - Ryan Tooley

Miscellany: S/o to my pal Alex Lauri for sending me this fantastic playlist: Surco de Patines (Skate Groove) It's all in Spanish. A somehow coherent mix of funk, reggaeton, indie rock, and more. If I knew how to roller skate whatsoever, I'd be lacing 'em up ASAP. Will stick to vibing with limbs intact on the sideline for now JID's album drop reminded me of an awesome mini-doc on the making of the above referenced collective release from J Cole's Dreamville Label: Dreamville Presents: Revenge The creative energy in the studio is infectious. Rappers and producers creating, competing, and seeming to have an absolute blast. A fun, inspiring watch.