Atwood Magazine is thrilled to present our Editor’s Picks column, curated and composed by Editor-in-Chief Mitch Mosk. Each week, Mitch will highlight a selection of songs, albums, and artists that have resonated with him. There is a wealth of remarkable music out there just waiting for discovery, and all it requires is an open mind and a readiness to listen. Through our Editor's Picks, we aim to illuminate our own musical finds and celebrate a variety of new and recent releases.
This week's Editor’s Picks includes Attention Bird Utopia, Your Smith, Bo Staloch, Matilda Mann, Courting, and ESKA!
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**“Infinity Inside a Shopping Cart” by Attention Bird Utopia**
Attention Bird Utopia’s debut single brings a warm and ethereal vibe; it's a dreamy exploration that shifts between awe and existential desire. The duo of Harrison Whitford and Eli Hirsch dive directly into the essence of being alive, embracing both moments and the void. Released on February 21st, “Infinity Inside a Shopping Cart” feels like a gentle touch and a shout into the abyss. It intimately tackles life, time, identity, and the intricate nature of our shared human journey, all interwoven through a tapestry of soft sounds and feelings that defy conventional structure while maintaining a cohesive form. The final product is a comforting blend of indie folk introspection and thought-provoking turmoil; a stream-of-consciousness reflection that serves as a poetic mirror to our larger and smaller worlds.
“I’m the killer on your TV screen
I’m the buzzer in your laundry machine
All this evil’s gonna break your heart
Infinity inside a shopping cart…”
“This song is a collage,” Whitford, known for his work in Phoebe Bridgers’ band, explains. “It’s about making sense of things that defy understanding and the non-linear aspects of life despite our perception of time. It’s also open to interpretation. Eli and I set up a few mics, I recorded the piano, and then he joined in on the drums. The guitar solo carries a sense of vertigo.” This embrace of spontaneity is what ultimately facilitated the creation of Attention Bird Utopia.
“Maybe the reason
We’re falling apart
Why we’re falling apart…”
The duo's journey began in Los Angeles, where Hirsch was executive producing Suki Waterhouse’s upcoming album. One day, Whitford visited a session, and they quickly bonded over their mutual admiration for The Beatles, Jackson Browne, and Paul Simon, leading to the formation of their band. Their natural chemistry flows into their music-making process. “Eli and I set up a few mics, recorded piano, and then incorporated drums. The guitar solo has a unique energy,” recalls Whitford.
“‘This was one of the first ideas Harry shared with me,’” adds Hirsch, “and it has this dreamy quality.” They embraced a classic, analog feel, capturing most of the tracks on vintage RCA ribbon microphones. “Harry has a visual approach and is a great photographer, and his lyricism is very vivid,” states Hirsch.
From a spontaneous encounter to a thriving creative collaboration, Attention Bird Utopia's music echoes the spirit of their origins – instinctual, immersive, and focused on emotion rather than a set formula. Such is the charm of “Infinity Inside a Shopping Cart” – a track that provides comfort while also stirring the soul. This lead single from their upcoming debut album *Best of Kings* (set for release on June 6 via here, here recordings) is catchy, cozy, and mysterious – a mesmerizing blanket of enchanting songcraft for all who listen.
**“Change of Heart” by Your Smith**
My initial attraction to Your Smith’s music, six years ago, was her genuine embrace of grand melodies paired with candid, confessional lyrics. Tracks like “Bad Habit” and “In Between Plans” resonated deeply, not just because of their catchy hooks, but also due to their emotional depth; they were songs you could belt out confidently while feeling their weight inside.
“Changing of Heart” is a cheerful comeback for Your Smith after a significant hiatus – one that involved a move from LA back to Minnesota, returning to school, getting married, having a child, and opening a bar in her hometown. The past five years have been a turbulent ride for Caroline Smith, and her new music radiates with the vibrant energy of her journey. Released on January 3rd, this indie pop artist’s first single since 2019 serves as a heartfelt release from both a relationship and her past struggles.
“This song is about the loss of love rather than the loss of a relationship,” she describes. “When relationships falter, they can linger for years, leading to heartache and healing. But as time goes on, some relationships simply fade to a comfortable indifference, and the hardest part isn
This week's Editor's Picks, curated by Mitch Mosk, highlights music from Attention Bird Utopia, Your Smith, Bo Staloch, Matilda Mann, Courting, and ESKA!
