There are a lot of spirits competitions these days. And while you don’t really need to keep track of them all, I do — it is my job, after all. One great thing about awards competitions is that it does give you a sense of what’s out there that’s actually worth buying. Also, each of these competitions seems to have a slightly different top tier of winners, which adds some nice variety.
Case in point, the top winners from this year’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge (announced this week) contain a varied group of American whiskeys. Some of them, we’ve seen on other award lists. Some we haven’t. The Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) — which has the requisite elite group of industry pros as judges — is a rigorous blind tasting and judging process. For the 13th edition of the competition, thousands upon thousands of bottles from 50 countries were entered. Those pours were evaluated multiple times and given points that equated to “Great Value,” “Finalist,” and “Chairman’s Trophy” — the latter of which highlights the best of the best and was only awarded to 57 bottles across all categories.
To help you understand the list of this year’s Chairman’s Trophy winners from the American whiskey category, I’m listing each of them with my own tasting notes. I’m lucky enough to get to taste a lot of whiskeys and I’ve had nice experiences with each of these. Hopefully, my tasting notes will give you an idea of which of these amazing whiskeys you might actually want to add to your bar cart. Let’s jump in!
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months
This whiskey was distilled and laid down in barrels back in 2004. The barrels were vatted after 17 years and proofed down to the bottled-in-bond standard of 100 proof and then bottled in the iconic Old Fitz decanter for a Spring 2022 release.
Tasting Notes:
A hint of woodiness comes through on the nose via cherry tree bark with the faintest echo of dried rose next to soft vanilla oil, a hint of cedar, a distant thought of old leather, and a touch of burnt orange peels. The palate starts off softly with a lush vanilla cream that builds towards a winter spice matrix of nutmeg, allspice, and clove with a touch of cherrywood that sweetens toward dried cherries. That mid-palate builds on the cherry with spices (nutmeg and allspice) and sticky tobacco vibes as the finish arrives next to a super creamy dark cherry in vanilla cream feel with a dusting of dark chocolate and more of that dry cherry tree bark.
Bottom Line:
This is one of my favorite bourbon whiskey of 2022, so far. It’s outstanding yet fleeting, unfortunately. Still, if you come across this at a whiskey bar, buy a pour and spend some time luxuriating in the good stuff.
This whiskey was produced in the spring of 2003 at Buffalo Trace. Since then, it lost 73 percent of its volume to the angels as it rested in warehouses C, K, M, and Q on various floors. The barrels were then vatted, (barely) proofed down, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
The nose has this matrix of dark holiday spices that layer into a Black Forest cake with the finest stewed cherries, the moistest chocolate sponge cake, and the richest cream with a touch of vanilla and dark chocolate shavings and a whisper of pink finishing salt. The palate really leans into the cherry with a bright but saucy vibe that’s spiked with nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon (and maybe a hint of ground ginger) while little firecrackers full of salted black licorice, dry cedar bark, and Cherry Coke fill in the background. The finish takes its time as the mid-palate cherry sweetness slowly dissolves into an old wooden garden box full of fresh dark potting soil bursting with fresh mint and spicy nasturtiums.
Bottom Line:
Every year, this release hits it out of the park. This is phenomenal whiskey with a very accessible and classic profile. It’s a whiskey that truly hits you emotionally with the “feels” and deep comfort. This is a can’t miss, even with the inflated aftermarket price tag.
Rye Whiskey: Smooth Ambler Founders’ Cask Strength Series
This whiskey is West Virginia in a glass. The juice is made from 88 percent rye with 12 percent malted barley. The spirit then rests for five years before it’s bottled as-is, with no filtration and no cutting with water.
Tasting Notes:
Black tea leads to what feels like a hint of Guinness’ roasted barley with notes of bitter dark chocolate, espresso beans, and burnt toffee with a thin line of vanilla cream and dried cherries. The palate builds on that foundation by sweetening that black tea considerably while dry and sharp cinnamon, clove, and anise add a layer of heat and a sense of dried mint and fennel counterpoint everything. The end sweetens again with a sense of woody maple syrup next to more of that dark toffee, bursting espresso beans, and soft and lush vanilla cream.
Bottom Line:
This is excellent rye whiskey. It dropped at the end of last year (December 2021) and I didn’t get a chance to review it for my best of 2021 list. Had I done, this would have been top tier.
Elmer T. Lee is another hugely popular release that’s very limited (and sought after). Where this differs from the other single barrels on this list is in the mash bill (this is a bit higher rye) and the placing of the barrel in the warehouse. It’s said that the barrels for Elmer T. Lee are stored where the master distiller himself used to store the barrels he kept for his own stash.
Tasting Notes:
The nose on this is like a decadent breakfast of pancakes smothered in cinnamon butter, dripping with the best maple syrup, and topped with a hand-made scoop of vanilla ice cream. The palate holds onto the vanilla and spice but settles into more of a floral honeyed sweetness with touches of cedar, old library book leather, and a hint of tobacco buzz. The end lingers for a while and leaves you with a dry pear tobacco warmth next to a cinnamon heat and maple bar sweetness.
Bottom Line:
This is one of those whiskeys that’s just good. I don’t need to pontificate or justify. It speaks for itself and delivers on every word of hype it gets.
Single Malt Whiskey: Courage & Conviction Cuvée Single Cask, Cask No. 1266
This whisky is made with 100 percent malted barley. That juice is then loaded into French red wine or Cuvee casks for a minimum of three years (each cask is hand-selected for its distinct flavor profile). These single casks were chosen for their beauty as a stand-alone whisky that doesn’t need any adulteration or cutting with water. The honey barrel is then bottled as-is at cask strength.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is seriously buttery with a touch of brandy butter next to lightly salted caramel with a vanilla whipped cream that merges into a fruity backbone with hints of raisins, new leather, and maybe a whisper of damp straw. Malts shine through first on the palate as hefty brown spices create a serious heat (from those ABVs) before a cherry tobacco chewiness kicks in with a hint of pear candy under all that malty spice and warmth. The mid-palate really leans into the dark and stewed cherry tobacco vibe as a hint of dry hay, reeds, and umami (sweetish tomato paste maybe?) poke in very late on the finish.
The Bottle:
This is another unique and delicious whiskey. It’s a testament to where the burgeoning American single malt whiskey game is headed. In fact, grabbing this bottle feels like you’re getting in on the ground floor of something big.
This new age statement released from Jack Daniel’s feels like a throwback to a bygone era in Tennessee Whiskey. The whiskey is aged for at least ten years. During that time, the barrels spend time in the “Buzzard’s Roost” at the top of the rickhouse. Once they hit the right flavor profile, those barrels are moved to the bottom floors of other warehouses to slow the aging down. Finally, the whiskey is vatted, proofed, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
This opens with a rich matrix of cherry syrup, apple cores, sticky toffee, vanilla ice cream, and a thin line of wet and sweet wood. The palate opens up towards the dark fruit but dries it out and married it to a sticky and spicy tobacco leaf while toasted cedar soaked in salted caramel vibes with dry corn husks that are just singed. The finish really takes its time as the cherry attaches to an old cinnamon stick and the tobacco takes on a sticky chewiness with a mild savory fruit edge.
Bottom Line:
This whiskey continues to clean up at awards competitions this year. I can assure you that this is a legit bottle of Tennessee whiskey that’ll upend your preconceived notions about the mega-brand. It’s nuanced and deep but, more importantly, it’s really f*cking tasty.
Wheat Whiskey: Bainbridge Battle Point Two Islands Islay Cask
This organic wheat whiskey from up in Washinton has a pretty unique finish. The juice is made from 100% USDA organic soft white wheat pulled in from local Washington farms. The spirit then spends around two years mellowing in oak before it’s re-barreled into oak from Islay which held peaty whisky for ten to 12 years. After around ten months of finishing, the whiskey is vatted, proofed with local water, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
The nose draws you in with a sense of soft and damp nori next to a whiff of beach campfire smoke made from driftwood underneath a metal grill that’s searing pineapple and tart apples with a hint of white pepper and vanilla bean. The palate layers in more of the driftwood campfire smoke with a savory sea salt edge leading toward smoked pork belly fat and maybe a hint of smoked salmon belly too next to a touch of old boot leather. The finish veers towards a sweet and smoked toffee candy with hints of maple syrup next to dark chocolate sauce flaked with more sea salt and just kissed with that driftwood smoke.
Bottom Line:
This is fresh and young (that grilled tropical fruit on the nose cannot be denied) while also feeling old and deep. It’s a complex sip that takes you somewhere. It’s a perfect beach party sip if you’re looking for one this summer.
Other: Barrell Whiskey Private Release DJA1 Blend 1 Finished in a St. Agrestis Brooklyn Amaro Cask American Whiskey
These whiskeys highlight the art of masterful blending. The juice in this case is a mix of 14-year-old Kentucky and Indiana whiskey barrels that are vatted and then re-filled into amaro casks from St. Agrestis in Brooklyn. After that final rest, the whiskey is then bottled as-is with zero fussing.
Tasting Notes:
The nose opens with a clear sense of apple Jolly Ranchers that leads to a deep layer of salted black licorice, sassafras, and singed sage next to peanut brittle and sultanas with a hint of old leathery vanilla under it all. The palate leans into the darker aspects of the licorice while a bitter and almost waxy dark cacao nib adheres to that old vanilla with a touch of creamy espresso, grapeseeds, and clove-heavy maple syrup. That sweetness informs the finish with a layer of burnt vanilla pods next to anise and nutmeg heavy gingerbread and a final note of stale cedar planks dipped in that spicy maple syrup.
Bottom Line:
As with all Barrell releases, this is funky, fresh, and very enticing. There’s so much going on that you’ll want to take your time with this one, add a little water, and really just let it wash over you. It’ll be a great tasting experience.
Most rich people don’t understand the novelty of going to the dollar store on the corner at 2 am to get a popsicle when it’s 99 degrees out and there isn’t any air conditioning in your cramped apartment, but the King Of Staten IslandPete Davidson sure does. In fact, that’s how he impresses his girlfriend Kim Kardashian because the idea of going out to get your own $2 ice cream is simply beyond her comprehension–she has people for that!
In the latest episode of Hulu’s The Kardashians, Kardashian revealed that she gets horny when her boyfriend Pete asks her to get ice cream. Like, in a serious way. “Pete is such a good, good person. I can’t even explain it,” she said as a talking head. “He just has the best heart and always thinks of the small things.”
She added, “One time, Pete was like, ‘Babe, let’s go get some ice cream at Thrifty,’ and I was like, ‘Oh my God, you are making me so f—ing horny.’ Rite Aid? Thrifty? It was literally like one of the best nights of my life.” Thrifty, of course, is the bargain brand of ice cream they sell at Rite Aid in the northeast. Hey, whatever gets you going.
Kardashian added that Davidson likes to gift her ice cream before trips, often getting her the treat before she jets off on her private plane. “I swear it’s like the cutest littlest things,” she said. It’s honestly the bare minimum, but good for her.
As it turns out, Davidson seems to impress his girlfriend with ice cream a lot. “We went to the movies in Staten Island and all I wanted was Dibs. I’m obsessed with Dibs. But you can only get them at like gas stations these days.” You can tell this is all so new for her since she said “in Staten Island” instead of “on Staten Island,” which is a common mistake. She’s used to getting ice cream in Italy, anyway.
In March, Foo Fighters and the rest of the music world were met with the tragic news that drummer Taylor Hawkins had died. Shortly after that, the band canceled all of their upcoming concerts. After working through the passing of their bandmate and friend away from the spotlight, the group’s remaining members are now ready to publicly honor Hawkins, as they just announced a pair of Hawkins tribute concerts for later this year.
Foo Fighters’ return to the stage will be welcomed, as they’ve been one of the most prolific and entertaining live bands of the past few decades. Through all of their performances, Dave Grohl and company have leaned on some songs more than others, so let’s take a look at the 10 songs Foo Fighters have performed the most over all these years.
(All data is accurate as of June 9, 2022, according to Setlist.fm. The site describes itself as “a free wiki-like service to collect and share setlists,” so the community-driven data may not be 100 percent complete or accurate. However, Setlist.fm is the most comprehensive resource for concert setlists online and is home to the best available data of its kind.)
10. “Big Me”
Performances: 611
Naturally, some songs from early in the band’s life are going to be high up on the list because of how long they’ve been around, and one such tune is “Big Me,” a single from the group’s self-titled debut album. The song is well-known for its music video, in which the band parodies iconic Mentos ads. That actually sparked a quirky concert tradition for Foo fans, where concertgoers would throw Mentos at the band.
9. “Best Of You”
Performances: 631
“Best Of You” has the distinction of being the only Foo Fighters song with its own Know Your Meme page, thanks to the terrific old video of Grohl just repeating “the best” over and over. The tune is more than a meme, though, as it’s actually the band’s highest-charting single, peaking at No. 18 on the Hot 100 chart. The In Your Honor lead single is perfect live, too, as the loud-quiet dynamics offer plenty of opportunity for concert catharsis.
8. “Breakout”
Performances: 725
The There Is Nothing Left To Lose era is where Foo Fighters started to really become a superstar group thanks to the success of both the album and the single “Learn To Fly,” the band’s first song to chart on the Hot 100 (more on that tune in a bit). That period spawned a number of memorable singles, including “Breakout,” which has become a live staple for the band (clearly, based on its presence on this list). It’s among the most energetic tunes in the band’s discography that’s a great song when it comes to room for audience participation, as seen in the Lollapalooza Chile 2022 performance above.
7. “All My Life”
Performances: 757
“All My Life” is an important song in Foo Fighters history, as it was part of the group starting to earn major respect on a mainstream level: It got them one of their first Grammy wins, for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2003. The simple-but-iconic opening riff is one that gets concert crowds excited after the first couple strums, and the song’s structure gives the audience time to ramp up their excitement for the in-your-face guitar work and soaring hook.
6. “Times Like These”
Performances: 774
With albums like There Is Nothing Left To Lose, In Your Honor, and One By One, the 2000s was an extremely strong decade for Foo Fighters. “Times Like These,” from the latter album, was one of the defining rock songs of the decade, Foo Fighters and beyond. It’s an excellent song for the band to have in its arsenal due to its versatility, as it’s perfect as an upbeat rocker but also for an acoustic performance, like this version from Howard Stern in 2002.
5. “Learn To Fly”
Performances: 889
As aforementioned, “Learn To Fly” was a transformative song for Foo Fighters and it’s also unlike a lot of others on this list. It rocks, for sure, but the power ballad it has more room to soar than any other song in the group’s oeuvre. Grohl has said the song is about a personal “search for some sort of inspiration” and that’s something he was able to communicate exceptionally well, as “Learn To Fly” remains one of the most moving songs the group has.
4. “This Is A Call”
Performances: 904
“This Is A Call” is where it all started. After the disbandment of Nirvana, Dave Grohl got to work on solo material under the name Foo Fighters and in 1995, he released “This Is A Call” as his first single. It immediately put this new Foo Fighters thing on the rock map, as it was a hit on the rock charts. It’s the most immediate bridge between Nirvana and Foo Fighters, so it’s got plenty of grunge edge along with the rock melodies that would let Foo Fighters soar for decades to come.
3. “My Hero”
Performances: 970
“My Hero” was a song that popped up a lot after Hawkins’ death, due to the memorable chorus — “There goes my hero / Watch him as he goes” — reflecting how a lot of people felt about the late drummer at the time. It’s bound to rear its head during the Hawkins tribute concerts, too, so get ready for it to be probably the most emotional moment of those shows.
2. “Monkey Wrench”
Performances: 997
While “This Is A Call” launched Foo Fighters the Dave Grohl project, “Monkey Wrench,” as the lead single from sophomore album The Colour And The Shape, launched Foo Fighters the band, as the second LP was the first one Grohl recorded with a full band. To this day, it’s commonly regarded as one of the group’s best songs and it’s still one of the biggest adrenaline rushes the band has shared, especially in a live setting.
1. “Everlong”
Performances: 1,086
“Everlong” is, without a doubt, Foo Fighters’ signature song (and the only one they’ve played live over a thousand times), as well as their most popular today: It has over 750 million streams on Spotify (if you count the plays from the acoustic version). Perhaps the most relevant factoid of all, though, is that it closed the band’s March 20 performance at Lollapalooza Argentina 2022, making it the last song Hawkins ever played on stage (that performance is above). In terms of a final song, it’s hard to think of a better note to end on than that.
Food, at the end of the day, is really about community. That’s certainly what it’s all about for MasterChef prodigy Fred Chang. And after wooing Gordon Ramsay on MasterChef and working for several Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning chefs, Chang took to social media to create a food-loving community of his own. Rather than starting a restaurant concept, he’s using his Instagram and blog, Freddy’s Harajuku, to build community and share new recipes.
As a member of the Asian American, Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community, Chang is also using his platform to create meaningful connections within the food space. For AAPI Heritage Month, he participated in “Love Through Food” — a Reels recipe activation in collaboration with Facebook and the various “Subtle Asian” Facebook groups.
“Being a part of the Subtle Asian Baking Facebook Group, I find myself learning so much about other members of the AAPI community through the dishes they grew up on,” he says.
It’s no surprise — considering his passion for both food and his heritage — that Chang has made his rounds to the best Asian restaurants in his home city of Los Angeles. So he’s giving us his guide to his all-time favorite Asian restaurants in LA.
“All of the restaurants listed here hold a special memory to me or were introduced to me by either a dear friend or family member,” he notes. “The fact that a vast and large city such as Los Angeles could feel like such a community through these restaurants still astounds me, and I hope at least one of these restaurants resonates with a fond food memory that you had.”
What I love about Elite Restaurant is that it is really no-frills dim sum. Located in Monterey Park, I have very specific memories of going here every New Year after my parents would take my sister and me to watch the Rose Parade in Pasadena. There really is no better way to start the new year than with char siu bao — think like American-style barbecue baby back pork ribs, but without the bones and stuffed into a bun! — custard buns, turnip cakes, roasted duck, and black bean spareribs. The pork belly in particular is a must – they prepare it Hong Kong style, meaning that the skin is roasted in salt until it is super thin and crispy. The end result is a tender piece of pork with skin that shatters and crunches like a potato chip!
As a baker, I also have a particular soft spot for the custard buns, because the buns themselves are light and fluffy, and they’re stuffed with creamy sweet custard. If anyone is unfamiliar with dim sum, I would say that Elite is a good way to be introduced to it in terms of authenticity but also just good eats in general!
Omar’s Kitchen — Artesia
Omar’s Kitchen
Omar’s Kitchen is a very unique restaurant in that it features Halal-style Chinese food. To give some background on this, there is a rather notable Uyghur population within the Xinjiang region of Northwest China. The result of this is Halal Chinese food, which is the best of two worlds because you have a lot of Chinese dishes like quotie — potstickers — or lanzhou style noodles, but featuring very Middle Eastern spices and ingredients, such as cumin, lamb, and yogurt.
I still remember my parents taking me here, and being blown away by the existence of this style of cuisine! The lamb potstickers are delicious, with the filling being juicy and pairing beautifully with black vinegar. The lamb ribs with cumin and onions are fragrant and the meat is both crispy at the ends from being deep-fried and succulent on the insides. My absolute favorite, however, is the laghman noodles. Thick noodles swimming in this smoky pepper broth with shredded pieces of lamb and colorful vegetables. That dish is something I dream about, crave constantly, and is worth me driving 30 miles just to eat!
SinBala — Arcadia
Simbala Restaurant
I would say in terms of nostalgia, SinBala hits a lot of those childhood memories for me. While I feel semi-obligated to put Din Tai Fung on this list to represent my native Taiwan, I feel like SinBala just better represents my Taiwanese childhood of foods that would be served in either a boba shop or a night market. My mom used to take me and my sister to SinBala whenever we were in the 626 area, and I cannot thank her enough for doing that.
A Taiwanese xiaochi (small bites) restaurant, SinBala focuses on the simpler things, ranging from stir-fried eggs and tomatoes to bean curd with seaweed and tea eggs, and my personal favorite, the SinBala sausage. The sausage is similar to Chinese lap cheong — being a sweet, fatty, and smoky situation — although the SinBala sausages are on the chunkier side and served with garlic for an extra bit of savory kick – a warning, you will need a breath mint after eating that, but it is worth it! I also adore their meatball soup, which is a clear broth scented with shallots and cilantro, with Taiwanese-style meatballs. That is something my grandma would make for me during my visits to Taiwan, and SinBala really just takes me back to those trips without having to break my wallet on an international flight.
Now I’m not even sure how many people are familiar with Indonesian food. But if I were to describe it, sweet, sour, salty, fragrant, and spicy would probably be the best adjectives. Think of all of the beautiful herbs of southeast Asian cuisine (mint, cilantro, basil), but also chilies, garlic, peanuts, and coconuts. When I went to Borneo Kalimantan, I was delighted by everything I ate! The chicken satay was a fun appetizer to nibble on, with a generous amount of the satay sauce drizzled all over the skewers. The laksa mee curry soup was a bowl of comfort, being these thick egg noodles served in a spicy-sweet coconut curry broth that just warms you up from the inside. We also got the roti flatbreads, which were flaky and almost feather-like and came with curry sauce to dip into.
However, the absolute showstopper was the nasi goreng, which is Indonesian-style fried rice. The rice was golden brown in color from being sauteed in sweet soy sauce and shrimp paste and was folded in with pieces of chicken, vegetables, egg, and topped with crispy shallot bits for crunch. This was a dish that you continued to eat away at, because each bite was slightly different, and it invited you to keep going back for another taste to see what ingredient will next hit your tastebuds! If you have never tried Indonesian food before, I highly recommend trying Borneo, as it would be a great introduction to the cuisine, all the while being a very authentic experience!
Ruen Pair — North Hollywood
Ruen Pair
I would like to personally thank my friend Sylvie for introducing me to this place. Located in Thai Town/Hollywood, Ruen Pair serves super traditional Thai cuisine. From curries to green papaya salads and pad thai and pad see iew, there really is something for everyone here. Personal favorites of mine include the duck curry, the pad thai, the papaya salad, and the fresh coconut juice. The duck curry is warming and comforting, and surprisingly the best part of it, besides the stewed duck meat, are the pieces of pineapple, which are sweet, sour, and smokey from being cooked in the curry. The papaya salad is also a textural delight, for those who have not eaten Thai food beyond just pad thai or curries. Made with green papaya — super similar in texture to a crunchy cucumber or a radish — it is sweet, sour, crunchy, and spicy, all things that make it addictive and worth ordering time and time again.
Also if you are not super stuffed on curries, noodles, and green papaya salad, you can go across the street to Bhan Kanom Thai for all kinds of Thai desserts as well, including khanom bueng, which are Thai street crepes stuffed with meringue and sweet egg floss!
Izakaya Hachi — Torrance
Izakaya Hachi
Izakaya Hachi is one of those places I always take friends who are visiting from out of town. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, an izakaya is a Japanese gastropub, focusing on small bites like yakitori skewers or onigiri. What is so special about Izakaya Hachi, compared to the other plethora of Japanese restaurants in Torrance, is their fun approach to Japanese pub food! They offer more typical izakaya food such as grilled beef tongue and skewers, as well as sushi and sashimi.
However, one of my absolute favorite items that they offer is the gobo chips, which are thinly shaved and fried pieces of burdock root that they finish with matcha salt. The combination is floral, salty, a little bitter, and crunchy, and they are a delight to eat! Another specialty are their hot pots, or nabe — pronounced “nah-beh.” Their motsu nabe is a generous portion, with everything you could possibly want from a Japanese restaurant — stewed cabbage, tofu, mushrooms, pork, and pork intestine — it might sound weird, but trust me, it is basically like pork belly but fattier! Their pumpkin zenzai dessert, which is this chilled, sweet pumpkin soup with dango — sweet rice cakes — is one of my all-time favorite Japanese desserts!
It would be criminal of me to make a list of Asian restaurants in LA and not include at least one Korean restaurant, especially given the abundance of Korean food here in the city. One of my absolute favorite restaurants in K-Town in Sun Nong Dan — honorable mentions to Ook Kook for really quality all-you-can-eat KBBQ and Cafe Bora for aesthetically pleasing Asian fusion desserts! I still have very distinct memories of my friends Justina and Carolyn taking me here almost a decade ago and we ordered the galbijjim. Not being super immersed in Korean food in general, I didn’t know what to expect, nor did I think what would arrive would be this gigantic clay pot filled with this bubbling spicy red broth, stuffed with stewed vegetables, rice cakes, and giant pieces of short rib. And to top off the theatrics, the waiter smothered the entire thing in mozzarella cheese and brûléed it tableside with a blowtorch until it was bubbly and caramelized. So we basically got dinner and a show! While the short ribs were delicious, surprisingly my favorite bite was the potatoes. Super soft and almost fluffy in the middle, while soaking up that super spicy broth and the flavor of the short ribs,
I found myself rummaging through the clay pot for any potatoes I could find!
Spoon and Pork holds a special memory for me because my friend from season nine of MasterChef, Ralph, took me along with our friend Ann here. Tucked in a cozy little corner of Historic FilipinoTown, Spoon and Pork is a modern Filipino bistro, doing more fusion takes on classic Filipino cuisine. The pork belly adobo and the lechon kawali were two things that immediately stood out to me: the adobo was salty, sour, and the pork was so tender, while the lechon had crunchy pork crackling, and was served with shaved purple cabbage, which added a gorgeous color and a nice, fresh crunch to contrast the really rich pork. Both dishes are iconically Filipino, while I also really enjoyed their buko tart, which was a miniature version of classic Filipino buko pie — buko is Tagalog for coconut, but more specifically, fresh green coconut that is soft and tender.
I still have fond memories of that dinner, and am forever thankful to Ralph for introducing me to the cuisine that he grew up on!
Fugetsu-Do — Little Tokyo
Fugetsu-Do
Now I could not have a list of Asian food places in LA without including at least one dessert spot! Fugetsu-Do holds a special place in my heart, being a mochi store in the heart of Little Tokyo that is over 100 years old. The shop is family-owned and managed, and makes probably close to thousands of individual mochi — glutinous rice cakes, think like a marshmallow but less sweet — every day. They have a variety of flavors, some more traditional like red bean ohagi, or more modern, like their blueberry mochi filled with blueberry-flavored white bean paste. One of their signatures is the rainbow dango, also called suama. They essentially roll several different colors of mochi together to form a rainbow-colored ultra-soft cloud so good that you’ll find yourself waking up in the middle of the night at 2 AM craving a boxful of them.
All of the mochi made and served at Fugestsu-Do are delicious and have this super-soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture to them that is different from your Trader Joe’s mochi ice creams. I am super fortunate to be raised in an area where Fugetsu-Do mochi is easily accessible — they also sell their mochi to several local Japanese grocery stores near where I live, but I will admit that the mochi from the store just tastes even better and are worth the trip to Little Tokyo!
Brodard Restaurant — Fountain Valley
Brodard Restaurant
I know that this is technically a list for L.A. and we are venturing out to the O.C., but truthfully, the best Vietnamese food in Southern California is always in or at least near the Garden Grove area! That is not even up for debate! And for me, Brodard Restaurant is like the crown jewel of Vietnamese food here in SoCal. Serving a variety of summer rolls, pho, banh mi, Vietnamese curries, and French desserts, there really is an option for everyone. My sister and I would also make a mini road trip out of driving down to Brodard and picking up their nem nuong cuon — grilled pork spring rolls — to go for dinner. The rolls contain pork sausage, these crispy fried egg roll wrapper bits, and crunchy fresh vegetables, and is served with a delicious nuoc mam sauce to finish! They are honestly the perfect road trip food!
Beyond the nem nuong cuon, I personally love their banh xeo and goat curries. Banh xeo is a thin pancake that is stuffed with pork belly, shrimp, bean sprouts, and bung means, and served with a plethora of fresh herbs, making it a really fresh and crunchy experience. There is a ton to Vietnamese food beyond pho, and Brodard really helps with introducing you to those dishes! In terms of their desserts, Brodard offers a variety of French pastries, tying in those French influences in Vietnamese cuisine further, including macarons, apple tarts, creme brulees, and my personal favorite, gateau opera!
We all have habits that don’t serve our health, and for Post Malone, one of those is smoking. He’s often seen with a cigarette in his hand and now we know a bit more about just how much smoking he does.
On a recent episode of the Full Send Podcast, Malone was asked how many cigarettes he smokes daily and he answered, “On a really terrible day? There’s a very fine line between a terrible day and a good day… 40, 45. By the time I ask Ben for that second pack, I’m like, ‘Alright dude, chill out,” right, you know? But then by the time I open that third pack, I’m like, ‘I’m a total piece of sh*t and I need to go to sleep.’”
As for the most cigarettes he’s smoked in a day, Malone estimates the number is “probably like 80.” For reference, the CDC previously reported that in 2016, the average number of cigarettes smoked per day by “daily smokers” was 14.
Malone also added (as HotNewHipHop notes), “I used to [smoke them in bed], but not really anymore. Now I have like a special zone — it has like my PC in it and my Magic: The Gathering sh*t, so I just go down there and f*cking rip cigs and build decks and die in Apex Legends. It definitely has [messed up my voice], but I mean, Johnny Cash smoked his whole life [and] he sounded cool, you know?”
Ted Cruz blamed his daughters for his ill-fated trip during a deadly winter storm in Texas, but now we know the real reason he fled to Cancun: Girls Gone Wild. On Thursday’s episode of the Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast, the gun-loving Texas senator fondly reminisced about the sleazy video series from the 2000s of usually inebriated women baring their breasts for a free t-shirt or hat during spring break, including in Cancun.
“[The Democrats are] doubling down when it comes to so many aspects of the economy — on the cultural social issues, they’re defending drag queens jiggling for kids, actual little tiny children in bars, 21 plus bars in Texas of all places, they’re defending it,” he told giggling co-host Michael Knowles. “You know, Michael, it reminds me of, do you remember those videos that would come out every spring break, Girls Gone Wild and it would have lots of college women in bikinis or not bikinis?”
The phrase “not bikinis” will haunt me for the rest of my life. But go on, Ted:
“It reminds me of much the same thing. This is Liberals Gone Wild. This is the crazy left that — this is AOC and Elizabeth Warren, thank God, not in bikinis, Um, but embracing their socialist nuttiness. I mean, it’s literally like someone sat down at a bar and said, how much crazy crap can we do?”
Girls Gone Wild founder, Joe Francis, has been arrested and sentenced numerous times, including in 2013 when he was “found guilty of three counts of false imprisonment, one count of assault causing great bodily injury, and one count of dissuading a witness during an incident in his Bel Air mansion in 2011… The charges stem from an incident in January 2011 in which, prosecutors say, Francis took three women home following a night out and refused to let them leave. He was also charged with attacking one of the women and bashing her head onto his tile floor.” In the recent documentary Rich & Shameless: Girls Gone Wild Exposed, a woman named Jannel also claimed that when she was 18, Francis “totally raped me. And then he got off of me like I was garbage.”
But that didn’t stop Ted from fondly recalling those informercial steel drums — or people from being skeezed out by his comments.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) fondly reminisces about “Girls Gone Wild” to make a point about liberals:
“This is AOC and Elizabeth Warren — thank God, not in bikinis — but embracing their socialist nuttiness.” pic.twitter.com/AwGNTojx6z
@SenTedCruz what a great example of the misogynistic bigoted hateful person you are! Guns over children, making fun of womens bodies, fleeing over responsibility What a disputable Senator you are https://t.co/TH6ABlGHul
After some teasing, Maggie Rogers announced her new album Surrender out in July. Her singles “That’s Where I Am” and “Want Want” showcased her new direction toward bigger, more ambitious pop anthems. About the latter track, she said, “It was really just about the fun of it all. Some bubblegum world to escape to in the middle of the isolation and darkness.” This bright texture of her songs has excited fans, previewing a colorful, uplifting record.
The “Alaska” singer recently announced that she’ll be bringing her new music to stages in the UK and Europe this fall on the Feral Joy tour. It will kick off in Leeds at the O2 Academy at the end of October, and it’ll go through to the end of November, ending in Stockholm at Cirkus. Rogers shared a teaser video promoting the tour today. Presumably, North American dates will be announced at some point in the near future.
Kendrick Lamar visits Accra, Ghana for the first time in the teaser for a new video project shared by Spotify. Although details are light, it appears that it’s a documentary that will premiere on the platform next week. In the teaser, Kendrick shares some of his philosophy, saying, “This life sh*t, it’s all about experience.” From some of the gorgeous imagery taken on the beaches and city streets of Ghana’s capital, he certainly had one heck of an experience there.
The project will be just one that the usually elusive Compton native has released this year. In May, Kendrick returned to the spotlight with the release of his new album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers — his first new album since 2017’s Pulitzer Prize-winning DAMN. The album was accompanied by the single “N95” and a short film based on the album cut “We Cry Together” featuring actress Taylour Paige. Kendrick also announced The Big Steppers Tour supported by his PgLang signees Baby Keem and Tanna Leone.
The album was preceded by a flurry of activity from Kendrick, who teased its release with the fifth installment of his freestyle series, “The Heart.” Earlier this year, he joined Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and 50 Cent at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Stay tuned to see what he does next.
The Rundown is a weekly column that highlights some of the biggest, weirdest, and most notable events of the week in entertainment. The number of items could vary, as could the subject matter. It will not always make a ton of sense. Some items might not even be about entertainment, to be honest, or from this week. The important thing is that it’s Friday, and we are here to have some fun.
ITEM NUMBER ONE — Listen to me
There’s good news and bad news here. Let’s start with the bad: The second season of Hacks ended last week. This isn’t bad because the quality was bad. I enjoyed the second season a lot. I like that they took the Magic Mike approach of “screw it, the sequel is a road trip movie now.” Road trip movies are awesome. Go watch Midnight Run this weekend. Yes, I know that, technically, Hacks is a television show and not a movie. Please do not get hung up on this. I’m building up a head of steam now. Let’s just agree to let this one slide. There’s too much to get to.
Like, for example, the good news: In the second to last episode of the new season, Deborah, played by Jean Smart, takes a chainsaw to the stupid treehouse her neighbors built that blocks her view of the ocean. While obstructed views from multimillion-dollar beach homes would normally be filed under Rich People Stuff I Do Not Care About, this one piqued my interest, mostly because, again, JEAN SMART WITH A CHAINSAW.
HBO MAX
This was terrific in the moment and it is terrific in GIF form and those of you who follow me on Twitter can expect to see this sucker hundreds of times over the next few years. I have it in the same folder as the GIF of Judith Light snorting cocaine at a rodeo from the short-lived revival of Dallas on TNT. I have no higher praise to offer.
My only complaint in all of this is that now I want Jean Smart to show up with a chainsaw in more shows. All of them, if possible. Even the news. Especially the news. But that’s probably not realistic. She’s a busy woman. And it would get expensive to run a chainsaw all day, what with gas prices and such. No, we need to prioritize. Let’s do this. Let’s do an incomplete list of shows that could be improved by adding Jean Smart with a chainsaw. Feel free to add your own. But I’ll start:
Succession — Jean Smart takes a chainsaw to Gerri’s office after finding herself in a love triangle with Gerri and Roman
Barry — Jean Smart plays a chainsaw-wielding assassin named, like, The Night Moth, and terrorizes NoHo Hank a little bit
Ted Lasso — Jean Smart plays a soccer hooligan who starts cutting down trees all over England when AFC Richmond goes on a losing streak
The Mandalorian — JEAN SMART WITH A CHAINSAW IN SPACE
Stranger Things — The series ends with Jean Smart decapitating various monsters in the episode before the finale and then the whole last episode is everyone going to Aruba to celebrate
Severance — More like sever-ance, in my opinion
Atlanta —Jean Smart and Darius in the woods for a whole episode, just chopping stuff down and starting fires, with no dialogue
Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives — Guy Fieri trying to talk to the 82-year-old owner of a locally famous barbecue restaurant in Nebraska while Jean Smart stands behind them and mangles a slow-cooked pork butt with a chainsaw
Abbott Elementary — Mr. Hill gives Jean Smart’s grandchild a C- minus on her big science project and a few days later we hear a RNGNGNGNG from the parking lot and the sound of chainsaw teeth ripping through a car bumper
The Righteous Gemstones — Jean Smart as a rival televangelist who incorporates chainsaws into her sermons in as yet undetermined manner that I trust Danny McBride to figure out later
Bridgerton — A portal from the future opens up and a low mysterious humming is heard from inside it, getting louder, as is a kind of cackling and maniacal laughter…
I could go on. I suspect I will, in my own head, when I’m supposed to be doing other things, maybe for the rest of my life. There are worse things to let your brain crank away on for a few minutes or months, I suppose. Let her chase the contestants on The Bachelorette around the house a little bit. There’s another one. I was not kidding about doing this for the foreseeable future.
ITEM NUMBER TWO — I must know everything about this
So here’s what happened, and I need you to stay with me. Alan Cumming starred with a chimp named Tonka in a movie in the 1990s. That’s the trailer for it up there. It’s called Buddy and it is yet another confirmation that the 1990s were objectively nutso. Imagine seeing that movie in the theater. Imagine telling people you were going to see that movie in the theater. People did that. More than a few of them. Take a few minutes this weekend and ponder that.
The sad news here is that the chimp passed away recently, after some ugly back and forth with animal rights activists about the conditions its owner provided. Rolling Stone has the story.
The chimp had recently suffered a stroke and died from heart failure, his owner Tonia Haddix claimed, submitting a declaration and court documents to a Missouri judge that detailed how the animal’s body was burned in a fire pit.
Hmm.
That’s weird.
How the chimp died and then was cremated in a homemade fire pit.
It’s kind of… suspicious, right?
Like, at least a little?
I don’t know. Maybe I’m just cynical. I’m sure everyone here is telling the truth and there’s no reason to look into this any furth-…
But this week, Tonka was found alive, secretly hidden away for the past year in Haddix’s Sunrise Beach, Missouri home where he reportedly had a 60-inch TV, an interactive iPad-like touch device, and had celebrated St. Patrick’s Day among a few of Haddix’s close friends, according to Haddix.
Let me be clear about what is going on here, just so there’s no confusion: The owner of a famous Hollywood chimp named Tonka faked his death and amateur cremation to get animal rights activists off her back and then set him up in what appears to be some sort of man cave. This is already a better movie than Buddy. This chimp was like a mafia boss or war criminal on the run. He was a little plastic surgery from being Castor Troy in Face/Off. Which… wait. Hold on. Why hasn’t there been a version of Face/Off with chimpanzees? How did we make it out of the 1990s without someone doing that? Everyone should be ashamed of themselves. Or proud. One or the other.
Guess what: It gets better. I mean, kind of. It’s hard to top the things we’ve seen in the last two paragraphs. But there is this quote from the chimp’s owner, which I need every single person alive to see as soon as possible.
And despite potentially being found in contempt of court for lying under oath, Haddix laughs. “Honey, I’ve been held in contempt of court three times,” she says. “I have paid $50 a day [in fines]. I’ve been through the mill. I’m sure that there’ll be some jail time in this. Do I care? No, I don’t care. It’s because it’s about that kid. As long as that kid is safe, I don’t care about nothing out there.”
Please.
Please make this movie.
I am begging you.
I have been very good.
Sort of.
I have been good enough.
Please.
ITEM NUMBER THREE — More like What We Do in the Magic Kingdom, in my opinion
We can be quick about this one through the use of bullets points:
This is an Instagram post from this week by What We Do in the Shadows star Harvey Guillen
It is a series of pictures featuring him and fellow WWDITS star Kayvan Novak at Disney World
These pictures are incredible
I need you to click through and look at every single one of them
EVERY SINGLE ONE
It would honestly be okay with me if there was an episode or entire season of the show that takes place at Disney. I suppose it would have to be at night. You know… because they are vampires. But still. Night Disney. Laszlo doing Splash Mountain under the stars. Nandor getting scared by a statue of Goofy and dropping one of these.
FX
These are good ideas. Not as good as the pictures in that Instagram post. But still pretty good.
ITEM NUMBER FOUR — Something incredible happened on Holey Moley
ABC
Holey Moley was already perfect dumb summer fun. People got walloped by obstacles and crashed harmlessly into water or foam in the name of miniature golf. The hosts replayed the crashes in slow-motion with telestrators. The show added the Muppets this season. The only way it could be better is if they fling Gonzo down the zip wire on Pole-cano. Holey Moley is America’s finest television program.
Which brings me to this: Something amazing happened on the show this week. No, not the thing in the GIF up there, which also happened this week and we should not take for granted. I’m talking about this.
ABC
A couple things are important here, in addition to the fact that this guy — an actual stuntman in real life — made a freaking hole in one. The first is that he flung himself through the flaming windmills with ease even though he didn’t have to. The second is that he also became the first contestant to successfully complete the trapeze obstacle. Both of these were athletic feats on par with the Olympic decathlon. To me.
And here’s the thing about that: I could show you either or both of those things. I could make the GIFs right now. It would take me five minutes. But I feel like that’s not what the show is about. I feel like I should, instead, show you a GIF from later in the episode where a sweet woman in a Dracula cape whacked her face off of a giant rocking woodpecker. So I am going to do that.
ABC
I feel good about this one.
ITEM NUMBER FIVE — The time has come for Boban’s star turn
LIONSGATE
Boban Marjanovic is a 7’3 NBA center who briefly played for my beloved Philadelphia 76ers and who I love very much. He appeared in John Wick 3 as an assassin named Ernest who John Wick murdered with a book in a library. He’s in the new Adam Sandler movie Hustle, too. The one that just dropped on Netflix. This pleases me. I love to see Boban thriving. He’s the best.
So let’s talk about you in movies. This is obviously your second big role since “John Wick 3.” How did you get started with working in films? How was working on this movie different from “John Wick 3?”
Marjanović: Well, they both are different, right? One I play basketball, one I’m fighting! But it was cool to be in front of the camera. This has become my love, you know. Of course, basketball is first, but acting and these type of things is my life and I love to do that. You know, I’m a happy person. And I try to stay happy, I try to share the positive energy. Even if I play a bad guy! Of course, people know who I am, and I do the best I can [in these movies]. I love the feeling when you go there on set. And this is not easy by the way! I’ve repeated that so many times, but it’s so nice when you watch that. You eat your popcorn and you enjoy every moment of this movie.
What are your favorite kinds of movies?
Marjanović: “Hustle” and “John Wick 3!”
I need three things and I need all of them immediately:
A John Wick prequel spinoff about Ernest
A talk show hosted by Boban
A heist movie starring Boban and Allen Iverson as mismatched jewel thieves
Think about it.
READER MAIL
If you have questions about television, movies, food, local news, weather, or whatever you want, shoot them to me on Twitter or at [email protected] (put “RUNDOWN” in the subject line). I am the first writer to ever answer reader mail in a column. Do not look up this last part.
From Rob:
The other day I was doing laundry and found myself humming a song. It was a mindless thing I didn’t really pay attention to. About 30 seconds later, I stopped and thought about it and realized the song I had been humming as I was folding my family’s clothes was “Jizz in My Pants” by The Lonely Island. I don’t know why but it seems like you’re the person I should tell this to.
This is a good and timely email. Not that it needed to be timely. It would have been good anyway. But it works out even better this week because I referenced the song “Pleep Ploop” from Kroll Show in our work chat on like Tuesday and it has been in my head ever since. I have errands to run on Saturday. There’s a very good chance someone will see me bopping around CVS singing this to myself.
Excited about this. Can’t wait for strangers to see the guy in the wheelchair going “Pleep ploop pleepy ploop” all through the cold and sinus aisle. Fun for everyone.
Pennsylvania State Police say someone broke into a Lewis Township home on May 20 and stole a bag of pierogies.
First of all, of course, Go Birds. But also, I love that this is written up in the actual news. Pennsylvania is a magical place. And a weird place. I do not think Pennsylvania got its due as a top-flight weirdo state until very recently. It’s not Florida. I get that. But it’s closer than a lot of people think.
The press release stated troopers are looking for a suspect who stole a five-pound bag of Mrs. T’s Pierogies from the victim’s residence and caused $10 worth of damage to the victim’s drywall.
Death penalty.
Dungeon.
Stockades.
Maybe not in that order.
According to state troopers, the burglary took place on the morning of May 20, right off of Route 15 in Lycoming County.
This investigation is ongoing.
This last sentence is maybe the funniest thing I’ve ever read. “The investigation is ongoing.” They’re probably looking for a well-fed dude in a Kelly green Eagles jacket from 1993 that is covered in drywall dust. The complicating factor is that there are five of these guys in line at any Wawa at any given moment. It’s like the dirtbag Pennsylvania version of the bowler hat scene in The Thomas Crown Affair.
And it’s somehow not even the weirdest story from Pennsylvania this week. That honor goes to… well, this.
JUST IN: Two people have reportedly been rescued after falling into a chocolate tank at the Mars Wrigley Confectionery facility in Lancaster Countyhttps://t.co/rA6btqY6My
The great songs of 2022 so far come in all shapes and sizes. This year, we’ve seen some massive pop hits (looking at you Harry Styles), rappers surprising with both solo tunes and collaborations (not much was bigger than “Pushin P”), and some really emotionally resonant indie jams (Big Thief wrote two discs worth). Some of these songs might have first bubbled up near the end of last year, but their impact really peaked in 2022. Alas, check out Uproxx’s picks for the best songs of 2022 so far below.
Anitta – “Envolver”
Leave it to a Brazilian pop star to make the song that leads to a viral TikTok challenge of people gyrating their asses as they hover-grind the ground below them. It’s no surprise that “Envolver” is the opening track to Anitta’s latest album, Versions Of Me, because it’s far and a way the stickiest track of the bunch. It flashes a rare je ne sais quoi from Anitta, that allows her to spread the wildfire of Spanish language reggaeton throughout her native Brazil (a Portuguese speaking nation), then beam it across the globe before completely breaking loose at Coachella. – Adrian Spinelli
Arcade Fire – “The Lightning I, II”
Arcade Fire’s 2017 album Everything Now had its moments but it was definitely a bit extra, so much so that the band had to offer an (also-extra) apology about how they pushed it. So, this year’s We was an important album for them and it clearly succeeded in a lot of ways. “The Lightning I, II” was the first song the band shared from the LP and it was the perfect mission statement, as it saw the group successfully return to their distinctive, cinematic, rock-driven sound that got fans all those years ago so hyped on them in the first place. – Derrick Rossignol
Bad Bunny – “Ojitos Lindos” Feat. Bomba Estéreo
Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti is a monumental statement on both the malleability of reggaeton and also of his status as arguably the biggest star in the world right now. But it’s on the album’s second half, when Benito embraces featured artists from Latinx music’s more alternative realms, that his vision throws us for a welcome and endearing loop. “Ojitos Lindos” is easily the marquee product of this highly successful exercise, where Bomba Estéreo singer Li Saumet flashes her usual grace and forceful delivery. But it’s in how Saumet matches up alongside Bad Bunny so well, that it makes you wonder what could come of more frequent cross-pollinations between whats’s above and below the ground of the music industry. – Ad.S
Bia – “London” Feat. J. Cole
Bia and J. Cole may make for a surprising combination, but boy, does it work! On their collaborative single, “London,” the two rap over a UK-inspired drill beat, following the lead of the likes of Stormzy and Bree Runway. Bia perfectly emulates a British accent while demonstrating her knowledge of UK terminology. She maintains impeccable chemistry with Cole throughout the track, both providing solid examples of their versatility across various subgenres of hip-hop. Bia has been in the game for a hot minute, but if she continues delivering bars like these, 2022 is gearing to be a breakthrough year for the NYC-bred rapper. –Alex Gonzalez
Big Thief – “Certainty”
Big Thief are nothing if not crafty, as shown by their 2022 track “Certainty,” which was written during a massive power outage. The song, which arrived on the band’s mouthful of an album titled Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You, succeeds primarily through the interplay between vocalist Adrianne Lenker’s warm, comforting voice and Buck Meek’s twangy harmonies, serving as complimentary puzzle pieces. It’s got pretty much everything you’d expect in a Big Thief song: wandering, enigmatic lyrics, stripped-down-yet-triumphant chords, and a rambling, hazy beat. – Carolyn Droke
Buddy – “Wait Too Long” Feat. Blxst
The Compton rapper’s return with his first album since 2018’s Harlan & Alondra wasn’t met with the fanfare that it deserved. However, we did receive a lasting memento that’ll almost certainly become a house party mainstay. “Wait Too Long” features a groovy beat courtesy of Hollywood Cole and an earwormy hook from “the West’s new Nate Dogg,” Blxst. It’s very much a feel-good record that captures the throwback vibe of LA classics while updating the formula for a modern audience. – Aaron Williams
Camila Cabello – “Bam Bam” Feat. Ed Sheeran
If there’s one thing we can count on from a pop artist following the split of a long-term relationship, it’s a breakup bop to fuel our summer playlists. The second single off Camila Cabello’s third album Familia, “Bam Bam” featuring Ed Sheeran is a salsa inspired, Latin pop dance track paying homage to her Cuban roots. The lyrics convey the message that even when nothing seems to be going your way, you just have to keep on dancing. Así es la vida sí – That’s just life baby! – Lindsey Burton
Carly Rae Jepsen – “Western Wind”
It’s been a minute since CRJ has had a pop hit like “Call Me Maybe,” “Good Time,” or “I Really Like You.” (The latter was actually her latest song to make the Hot 100 chart, in 2015.) Defining Jepsen by what she hasn’t been lately misses a lot, though, because she’s still been bringing the goods on a consistent basis. This year’s “Western Wind,” for example, takes the warm breeziness of Lorde’s Solar Power but pushes it in a more enveloping, full-bodied direction, making it a perfect cool-down between the upbeat hits set to dominate the upcoming months. – D.R.
Caroline Polachek – “Billions”
While “Billions” isn’t necessarily the absolute banger that fans of Polachek’s previous single, “Bunny Is A Rider,” were hoping for, it does bring her new music full circle so to speak. A long, linear verse structure circles back with hypnotic vocal flourishes until Polachek hits that titular word, all but reclaiming it from the ruling class who are tucked safely away in their estates. This one won’t be sparking any TikTok dance trends — it doesn’t have the melodies of “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings” or the pure night sky vibes of “Bunny” — but it’s a solid entry into Polachek’s growing solo catalogue. – Caitlin White
Charli XCX – “Beg For You” Feat. Rina Sawayama
Charli and Rina took everything there is to love about British pop music and wrapped it in an exploding bow on “Beg For You.” The pair gush and pan over a lover like it’s nobody’s business on this fiery banger that, when it dropped in January, felt like summer came early. Digital Farm Animals’ production adds a UK garage twist to a sample from an early ’00s Swedish pop number, rendering it pure dance pop bliss from two of the most exciting singers in the business. – Ad.S
Chlöe – “Treat Me”
Chlöe has been analyzed and talked about more than the young singer may have expected in her career. While 2021 was her coming-out party as a solo act, 2022 seems to be the year where her full vision and individual artistry will be shared with the masses. “Treat Me” was her latest step in that process and it was truly a moment of progression for Chlöe. Her prowess and fierceness are on full display on the bouncy record which proves that Chlöe’s solo project will be much different than what we’re used to hearing from her. – Wongo Okon
Christian Lee Hutson – “Strawberry Lemonade”
Christian Lee Hutson manages to continually craft timeless ballads, exemplified by his song “Strawberry Lemonade.” The single arrived on his sophomore album Quitters, which was produced by Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst. With stand-out heart-tugging lyrics like, “Pain is a way to move through time and visit people who are gone in your mind,” “Strawberry Lemonade” offers a series of vignettes about holding onto memories, the art of letting go, and how our society collectively remembers the past. –C.D.
Coi Leray – “Aye Yai Yai” Feat. Bleu
Coi Leray and Bleu fuse their melodic vocals like Yu-Gi-Oh cards on “Aye Yai Yai,” being very straightforward about their desire for an intense, drug-laced sexcapade. Bleu Vandross is presented with the opportunity to be with someone new, but can’t get his mind off of a past lover who put it on him so well he’s got 911 looking for her. Leray, on the other hand, revels in being the one getting chased and takes pride in the fact her lady parts have the guy running back, even though it bothers her that certain men have more attitude than her and lie a lot. Though their narratives are different, Bleu and Coi blend very well together, especially when both man the chorus on “Aye Yai Yai.” – Armon Sadler
Dave – “Starlight”
The BRIT Award-winner’s March single flips a sample of the jazz standard “Fly Me To The Moon” to take a reflective look at the life he lives and how much it’s changed from his days growing up in the endz of South London. It’s a sign not just of his growing fame but also of his expanding artistry; a far cry from the gritty hip-hop and glitchy grime with which Dave made his name, “Starlight” is the latest indication that he’s become a crossover star capable of greater heights than previously imagined. – A.W.
Doechii – “Persuasive”
Using this song to make her grand introduction to the global stage offered by her recent signing to Top Dawg Entertainment, Doechii also quickly gets listeners accustomed to her fearless boundary-blurring and boldly defiant outlook. Influenced as much by house music and queer culture as by the moody backpack gangsta rap that defines so much of the label’s roster, Doechii takes things in a familiar but futuristic direction — both for her new label home and hip-hop as a whole. – A.W.
Dove Cameron – “Boyfriend”
Dove Cameron might’ve been best known for her work as an actress before this year, but now that “Boyfriend” is here, music fans are on high alert. Dove is an artist who has only recently locked into the exact sound she’s been looking for, and “Boyfriend” is the dramatic queer anthem that put her on the map, even charting within the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Dark and sultry, “Boyfriend” reintroduces Dove to the music world, and it’s very clear this clever single is just the beginning. – C.W.
Ethel Cain – “American Teenager”
Genre-bending prodigy Ethel Cain has come crashing into the indie world, sending an electric current with her elegant, haunting songs. Sitting amongst songs that wander through darkness is “American Teenager,” a standout with its anthemic chorus and bright texture. It’s a high point on Preacher’s Daughter, a glimpse of light that grows over the course of its four minutes. The song engulfs the listener in its infectious excitement as she calls for a fight: “Say what you want / But say it like you mean it with your fists for once.” – Danielle Chelosky
FKA Twigs – “Jealousy” Feat. Rema
FKA Twigs kicked off the year with Caprisongs, a collection of hip-hop and dancehall inspired tracks. One of the standouts is the beachy “Jealousy,” on which she declares independence from an ex and their jealous ways. The song takes inspiration from afrobeats and features a verse by Rema, who rides the beat smoothly and in sync with Twigs. Many of Caprisongs’ tracks are melancholy in nature, but “Jealousy” provides a glimmer of hope amid feelings of longing and regret. – A.G.
Fred Again.. – “Lights Out” Feat. Romi, HAAI
Fred Again.. previously noted that when making “Lights Out,” he immediately sent it to Haai and The xx’s Romy, both of whom ended up featuring on the song. He also compared Romy’s lyrics and vocals on it to “a hug from a rave angel” and rarely has an artist statement hit the nail to squarely on the head. As has been the case with so many The xx songs over the years, Romy’s distinct vocals are the perfect fit for this one, an atmospheric and excitingly structured number built for euphoric dancefloor moments. – D.R.
Future – “Wait For U” Feat. Drake, Tems
There are multiple takeaways available from Future’s “Wait For U.” The record is hisfirst chart-topping song as lead artist, and it’s also the first song with a Nigerian artist to debut at No. 1. The record is the latest entry on Future’s HNDRXX-esque catalog while it also strikes as the latest in a long list of memorable collaborations between him and Drake. For Future, the success of the lovelorn “Wait For U” is proof that more than a decade into his career, the Atlanta trap star hasn’t lost a step when it comes to composing the best records. – W.O.
Gayle – “ABCDEFU”
If you were on TikTok at all this year, chances are you have the catchy chorus to Gayle’s debut track “Abcdefu” seared into your memory. Now used in nearly 2.5 million videos across the app, “Abcdefu” shows the 17-year-old singer challenging traditional songwriting norms. Her unapologetic fury is tangible on the track as she throws a hearty “f*ck you” at everyone who tolerated an ex’s distasteful behavior. Proving herself more than a one-hit wonder, “Abcdefu” appeared on the singer’s alt-rock-infused debut EP, A Study Of The Human Experience Vol. I. – C.D.
Gunna and Future – “Pushin P” Feat. Young Thug
“Pushin P” recalls the magic of 2019’s “Unicorn Purp” off of Future Hndrxx Presents: The Wizrd, but Future takes Young Thug’s place in trading lines with Gunna this time around. Though the definition of “Pushin P” is still a bit unclear, it truly doesn’t matter. The trio raps with fury over the Wheezy and Juke Wong-produced track, branding their usual confident flexes and lyrical gymnastics with a specific commitment to utilizing words that begin with the letter “P” as much as possible. The song became a major viral sensation, rightfully so. Who else but three of the most eclectic acts of today would make the blue P emoji so visible? – Ar.S.
HAAI and Jon Hopkins – “Baby, We’re Ascending”
Jon Hopkins has become one of electronic music’s most revered figures over the past two decades, so if he hops on a track with another artist, they’re probably worth paying attention to. Indeed, Haai has been an exciting up-and-comer in recent years, so much so that she got Hopkins to join her on the title track of her debut album, Baby, We’re Ascending. The six-minute tune does more than ascend, as the sky-high production (rooted in a firm, consistent, and deep rhythm) lets this tune get delightfully lost way above the clouds. – D.R.
Harry Styles – “As It Was”
Kicking off his Harry’s House era with this single was a great move. It surprised people with its indie-pop aura; the colorful synths, breezy rhythms, and gentle vocals drew comparisons to bands like Wallows and The Drums. But it also has an infectious melody that sticks; his downtrodden words contrasted against the upbeat sound create an irresistible bittersweet atmosphere as he sings the spellbinding hook: “You know it’s not the same as it was / In this world, it’s just us.” – D.C.
Hitkidd & Glorilla – “FNF (Let’s Go)”
“I’m F-R-E-E, f*ck n**** free,” y’all know the rest! If you haven’t heard of Glorilla yet, her song “FNF (Let’s Go)” produced by Hitkidd is hard to miss if you spend a ton of time on TikTok. Barely released in May, the video has already accumulated over 12 million views and it features Glo literally outside, hanging out the window at a red light, with her friends. Not a man in sight! Let’s goooooooo! – Cherise Johnson
Jack Harlow – “Churchill Downs” Feat. Drake
Released right on time for Derby Day on Harlow’s sophomore album, Come Home, The Kids Miss You, “Churchill Downs” pairs Harlow, a budding superstar, with his idol, Drake. On the song, Harlow raps about his adjustment to stardom, while Drake reflects on more than a decade in the rap game. The two slide over a smooth Boi-1-da production, with a prominent female vocal sample in the background. As “Churchill Downs” follows the traditional Drake formula, there was never any doubt that it was bound to be a hit. – A.G.
Jenny Hval – “Year Of Love”
An avant pop fixture, Hval has always been a complex, yet perfectly methodical lyricist. Yet “Year of Love” might be her most ambitious arrangement of a song yet, with it’s build-up of synths, strings, and congas (oh, those congas!). All the while, Hval narrates a pensive moment where how witnessing a couple’s engagement from the stage at one of her shows made her question the matrimonial institution. Hval has never presented herself with such a fluid structure, and never has she been so… pop. It’s a sublime experiment that never never ceases to keep building up into one damn, hell, ass thrill of a song. – Ad.S
Kay Flock – “Shake It” Feat. Cardi B, Dougie B, and Bory300
Since delivering her record-setting and Grammy-winning debut album, Cardi B has given us memorable moments year after year as we wait for her second album. Whether it’s the controversial “WAP” or her pregnancy reveal during a performance of “Type Sh*t,” Cardi B knows how to make her impact. In 2022, one of those moments would be her combative verse on Kay Flock’s “Shake It” with Dougie B and Bory300. Her electrifying contribution to the song is truly captivating from start to finish as it accentuates another layer of Cardi’s versatile artistry. – W.O.
Kendrick Lamar – “Savior” Feat. Baby Keem & Sam Dew
I’m not sure when exactly so-called “conscious rap” became cool. There was a time that a focus on political or social lyrics would get a rapper mocked. Whenever things changed, Kendrick Lamar is here to remind listeners that, even amid the rise of pro-Black sentiments in hip-hop, artists are not necessarily the political leaders and organizers we need to effect lasting change. “Kendrick made you think about it,” he muses, “but he is not your savior.” Now, those are words to live by. – A.W.
Kodak Black – “Super Gremlin”
Kodak Black’s “Super Gremlin” is one of those songs that gets stuck in an incessant cerebral loop and pushes you to press play just one more time. Producer ATL Jacob spazzed on the beat alternating between haunting strings and cheery piano keys, the kid-sung chorus adds it the song’s menacing trance. “We could’ve been superstars,” Yak sings along with the kids. “Remember when we was jacking cars? Now it’s not safe for you.” With loads of accolades, “Super Gremlin” deservedly hit No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart and No. 3 on the Hot 100 chart. – C.J.
Latto – “Sunshine” Feat. Childish Gambino & Lil Wayne
“Sunshine” is a gift that keeps on giving. Latto’s chorus reflects on how people used her in the past before she emerged bright, and her spicy verse punctuates the energy she is currently on. A vintage performance from Lil Wayne seamlessly complements what Latto had to say, and then a rare Childish Gambino verse, possibly one of the best of his career, sends it over the edge. The three all have unique, well-documented stories and provide substantial snapshots on top of simply impressive lyricism. It is actually difficult deciding who has the best verse. – Ar.S.
Lizzo – “About Damn Time”
Whether you’ve heard Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” on the radio, in the club, or on various TikToks, the song is inescapable. And we’re not complaining. This funkadelic, feel-good banger is exactly what we needed for the summer, with Lizzo’s soulful vocals combining with her energetic rap-singing to deliver the confidence boost the doctor ordered. Throw that over a disco-inspired beat, and you have a contender for the bad b*tch anthem of the summer. – A.G.
“Heat Lightning” is a brooding ballad that displays Mitski’s ability to connect to listeners through scarce means. With just eerie chords and her fearless narration — “There’s nothing I can do / Not much I can change / I give it up to you, I surrender” — she sings in a kind of bold declaration against an off-kilter, distorted sound that builds behind her. The song never reaches a point that’s too high; it continues on a steady path, prioritizing patience and an appreciation for simplicity. – D.C.
Nilufer Yanya – “Midnight Sun”
There are many fine moments on Nilüfer Yanya’s spectacular Painless, but “Midnight Sun” represents the one where the she finds the fortitude to preserve past forces that could drive her down. It’s an emotional triumph, but Yanya always presents these breakthroughs with nothing but poise; she’s a pinnacle of strength when she’s behind the mic and holding her guitar. A deep acoustic strum feels like it’s right out of “Everlong,” before the chorus rocks you gently with a warm electric riff and punchy drum machine beat. It’s a masterful display from the Brit. – Ad.S
Normani – “Fair”
While we wait for Normani’s long-anticipated debut album, she is continuing to showcase her range on a variety of singles. Last year, her Aaliyah-sampling “Wild Side” showed off her pop chops, while this year’s “Fair” features Normani singing of heartbreak over a minimalistic beat, by way of silky, flawless vocals. Proving to be skilled in a variety of genres, Normani can’t be put in a box. While we have nary an idea of when she’ll drop her debut album, or even a follow-up single, one thing is for sure — Normani is always worth the wait. – A.G.
Phoebe Bridgers – “Sidelines”
The “Motion Sickness” singer’s only new material of this year so far is this song “Sidelines,” but it’s enough to keep us satisfied for a while. The lush synths are reminiscent of the watery atmosphere of Punisher, blending beautifully with soaring violins as Bridgers charms with her incisive lyrics: “Used to fetishize myself / Now I’m talking to my house plants.” It moves seamlessly in an almost upward motion; it’s a rare moment of hope and persistence, more uplifting than most of her songs. – D.C.
PinkPantheress – “Where You Are” Feat. WILLOW
Few songs have staying power outside of the Tik-Tok algorithm, but leave it to the English pop-princess PinkPantheress to deliver. Produced by Pantheress alongside Mura Masa and Skrillex, the track features a sample from Paramore’s “Never Let This Go” and Willow’s angsty crooning, adding depth to its pop-rock tone. Like her debut album, To Hell With It, the viral star layers her breathy vocals and confessional lyrics over youthful instrumentals, creating the perfect addition to any Gen Z-ers playlist. The song and its heavy-hitting production aren’t just good or catchy but proof of PinkPantheress’ industry star-power outside of your #fyp. – Ellice D. Ellis
Pusha T – “Diet Coke”
Pusha T couldn’t have picked a better starting point to bring us towards his fourth album It’s Almost Dry. “Diet Coke” has a catchy appeal while also flaunting Pusha’s impressive lyricism. Lines like “Imaginary players ain’t been coached right!” are sure to be said in unison within large crowds while others like “Young Gs like we Hov and Puff” capture the double entendres we love to hear from Pusha. He stuck to his guns with “Diet Coke,” and it proved to be the best decision for the rap veteran. – W.O.
Raveena – “Rush”
Raveena went with an intriguing concept for her sophomore album Asha’s Awakening, which is told from the perspective of a Punjabi space princess. Indeed, there is an Indian flavor on the LP, which Raveena, who was born in Massachusetts after her parents immigrated from India, successfully blends with pop and R&B. “Rush” is a prime example of that, both in its stylistic meldings and the colorful, Bollywood-inspired video for the song. – D.R.
Rema – “Calm Down”
Rema submitted his bid for song of the summer in February with the Afrobeats jam “Calm Down.” He knew exactly the type of record he made, opening with the exclamation “another banger” before firmly requesting that the object of his affection follow the song’s title. “Calm Down” hits a euphoric peak in the chorus, with the repetitive “Oh,” “Whoa,” and “Lo.” Even if you have trouble figuring out the rest of the lyrics, those lines are more than enough to accompany the dancing you may not even realize the song has forced out of you. It is a spiritual experience. – Ar.S.
Rosalía – “Saoko”
The lead statement on Rosalía’s globe-smashing, Motomami, “Saoko” asserts the Spaniard’s unapologetic intention of morphing into a medium for Latinx music in all its forms. “Yo soy muy mía, yo me transformo. Una mariposa, yo me transformo,” she sings (“I am very much me, I transform. A butterfly, I transform.”) The track itself is a nod to Daddy Yankee and Wisin’s 2004 “Saoco,” and Rosalía puts it down over a menacing thump in spades. It symbolizes her arrival as much more than just a Flamenco pop muse, but rather a full blown “motomamí.” – Ad.S
Saweetie – “Closer” Feat. HER
It may have taken her a while to find her footing outside of the 2000s throwbacks with which she first broke into the spotlight, but this year, Saweetie’s been proving that she deserves every bit of it. Showing that she’s every bit as adept at conquering contemporary sounds as she was classic ones, the Bay Area rapper takes her own swing at the disco-pop trend that has been so beneficial for peers like Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion and knocks it right out of the park. – A.W.
Soccer Mommy – “Shotgun”
Taken from her impressive next album Sometimes, Forever, “Shotgun” offers a captivating glimpse into Soccer Mommy’s evolving sound. Not only is she a master of catchy melodies, but she crafts complex atmospheres. This track reverberates with uneasiness; the instrumentation is eerie and off-kilter, but there’s a contrasting playfulness. Sophie Allison’s words, despite their intensity, are sung casually: “So whenever you want me I’ll be around / I’m a bullet in a shotgun waiting to sound.” The stakes are higher than they were in 2018’s breakthrough Clean, and she’s experimenting more since 2020’s Color Theory, making for possibly her most interesting record yet. – D.C.
Spoon – “Wild”
Spoon have been at it for decades now and they haven’t really faltered. Heck, they’re perhaps the most consistently great rock band ever. February’s Lucifer On The Sofa was another fine entry in their oeuvre that’s highlighted by “Wild,” a stomping, uplifting number on which Britt Daniel’s distinctive vocal grit finds a perfect home. Spoon is in rare territory in that nearly 30 years after their debut album, they’re still making songs, like this one, that could be considered among their best. – D.R.
Syd & Lucky Daye – “CYBAH”
Returning from a four-year solo hiatus, California soulster Syd displays incredible musical growth following 2018’s Fin. Where she was once an adherent to the dominant sound of moody, washed-out R&B as popularized by Drake and his offspring, she now digs deeper into the full range of Black music, unearthing long-dormant ’80s funk and quiet storm. She’s become a student of Prince, and as this song proves, there is no better teacher than the Purple One. – A.W.
Tate McRae – “She’s All I Wanna Be”
Tate McRae’s massive debut I Used To Think I Could Fly is finally out, but this single remains one of the most compelling songs on the album. The electric guitars and bouncy rhythm lend the track a Machine Gun Kelly-esque, pop-punk edge, enhanced by resentful lyricism, fuzzy synthesizers, and a relentlessly catchy melody. “She’s All I Wanna Be” showcases McRae’s knack for infectious pop anthems tinged with frustration and jealousy. – D.C.
Vince Staples – “When Sparks Fly”
If you were waiting for a signature A. Smarter hot take, here it is: Sure, Nas did it first, with “I Gave You Power,” but Long Beach native Vince Staples did it better thirty years later. Refining the formula first employed by the thug poet on his second album It Was Written, Vince gives the metaphor more poignancy and depth by framing it as a tragic love story, then places it over an absolutely gorgeous musical backdrop by Frano that only highlights how depressingly inevitable the scenario is — and has been for a very long time.
The Weeknd – “Less Than Zero”
It’s easy to get swept up by the sound and scale of The Weeknd’s best-ever album Dawn FM. Each song seems like it cost $1 million to make and came out sounding like $10 million. But on “Less Than Zero,” the “Big ’80s” production merely enhances that world-class songwriting on display, which just about matches the bygone pop behemoths that the song emulates. – Steven Hyden
Wet Leg – “Too Late Now”
Wet Leg were perhaps the most-hyped indie band making their debut in 2022, and tracks like “Too Late Now” prove why. Arriving as a single ahead of their self-titled album, “Too Late Now” opens with lead singer Rhian Teasdale infusing her far-reaching vocals with upbeat, cascading rhythms. It starts as shimmering pop-leaning tune before the bridge shifts to a catchy and highly relatable spoken-word stream of consciousness about dating apps, self-doubt, and writer’s block. – C.D.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Spitting Off The Edge Of The World”
Nearly a decade after the release of their last album, Yeah Yeah Yeahs are making a triumphant comeback. The band’s new single “Spitting Off The Edge Of The World,” which is set to appear on the upcoming album Cool It Down, shows just how much they’ve evolved in the last nine years. Rather than pairing frenetic guitars and upbeat synths to recreate their early eccentric indie-pop sound, Yeah Yeah Yeahs take their music in a more wistful and down-tempo direction. Featuring Perfume Genius and production by TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, the track is a haunting and euphoric ballad inspired by the looming anxiety of climate change. – C.D.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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