Mistaken for skunk cabbage

Feb 25, 2025

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Don’t Call It World Music is a free, independent and curated roundup of music news. Each weekly edition of our newsletter features a handpicked selection of articles related to every kind of music, offering insights into genres from every corner of the globe.

Our mission is to provide visibility to a wide array of issues, musical traditions, artists and genres that are underrepresented or overlooked in mainstream media, generate curiosity and drive traffic to original sources, particularly alternative and independent platforms.

This ARTE.tv documentary delves into the world of "narcocorridos," a musical genre in Mexico that glorifies drug cartels. It follows the journey of Peso Pluma aspiring to succeed in this scene, highlighting the complex rules and dangers dictated by organized crime.

Narcocorrrido?
Narcocorrido is a subgenre of the Regional Mexican corrido, characterized by its narrative ballads that often glorify drug trafficking and violence, typically using a danceable rhythm such as polka or waltz. The genre has evolved over time, with some recent trends like Movimiento Alterado featuring more explicit and violent lyrics, reflecting the harsh realities of cartel life and drug-related violence in Mexico and beyond.

8-bit Music Theory explains how video game music uses elements from Brazilian Bossa Nova and Samba to create relaxing beach level themes. +The analysis details chord progressions like the one-to-four chord vamp and the 3-6-2-5 loop, as well as rhythmic patterns like the partito alto rhythm, and how they evoke a tropical atmosphere.

"There is really only one acceptable direction to go for a video game beach day theme, and that direction is towards Brazil"

Sounding Out! discusses "The Music Library," a project conceptualized as a weekly playlist of protest songs from around the world.It highlights the role of music in liberation movements, anti-colonial struggles, and people’s uprisings.
The Wire presents a mix by Egyptian-French composer Polonius, accompanying an interview about his "science-fiction archeo-miragical time traveltapes". It highlights his exploration of Fifth World music, which expands on Jon Hassell’s Fourth World concept.
Far Out Magazine reports on the story of Eddie Johns, a forgotten star who was sampled by Daft Punk in their song "One More Time" without proper credit and compensation.
“I just hope I can get some credit, you know?
The "Magical Dancefloors" blog post shares a subjective playlist of songs that define the Despacio experience, a dancefloor known for its intentional design. The author selects tracks that represent different moments in a Despacio set, highlighting the darkness, intimacy, and emotional contrasts that contribute to the event's unique atmosphere.

"At the start of one of Despacio's 6- or 7-hour sets, we're not yet a congealed group -- we're just a loose collection of individuals milling about at the start of a journey to happiness"

The Guardian article investigates Spotify's Discovery Mode, a program where artists accept lower royalty rates for algorithmic promotion. It raises concerns about the lack of transparency, comparing the scheme to radio payola and questioning its fairness to independent artists.
Payola?
Payola refers to the practice of bribing or paying individuals, typically radio stations or streaming platforms, to promote specific music without disclosing the payment to the public.
Polyphonic explores the origins and impact of musique concrète, the experimental movement behind The Beatles' "Revolution 9". It traces the movement's beginnings with Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry and discusses its influence on various artists and genres, from electronic music to hip hop.
"It is necessary to destroy music".
Far Out Magazine explores John Cage's fascination with mushrooms, highlighting how it went beyond a simple hobby. The article details his foraging experiences, including a near-fatal poisoning, and his involvement in mycology societies.
Rolling Stone reports on the death of Bill Fay, a cult British singer-songwriter whose music experienced a late-career resurgence. 🎉Check out his two masterpieces from the 70s!🎉

"You immediately recognize this is something uncut by ambition and fashion; it’s just somebody humbly adding their voice to contribute some beauty in, and maybe make peace with, the world".

Afropop Worldwide explores the African roots of rock and roll, tracing the evolution of American beats and sounds to African instruments and rhythms. It highlights the influence of Cuban music, particularly the clave rhythm, on the development of rock and roll.
Fracture discusses the influence of the Commodore Amiga on UK Jungle music and the Amigo Sampler, an emulation of the original.

Energy Flash discusses the fusion of Chicago footwork with Polish traditional music. It focuses on Piotr Gwadera's project, Gary Gwadera, which combines the convulsive rhythms of Chicago footwork with the complexities of the oberek, a Polish dance style

“It’s nothing else but a Chicago-style oberek!”
Oberek?
The oberek is a vibrant Polish dance known for its fast-paced triple meter rhythm and dynamic movements, characterized by spins and twirls that reflect its name, derived from the Polish word for "to spin."

Italian Disco Stories explores Italo disco tracks featured at the Sanremo Festival between 1981 and 1985.
OkayAfrica explores Fela Kuti's "Colonial Mentality" as a musical rebellion against Western influence and a call for African unity.
The Quietus delves into the history of the Sleng Teng riddim, a culture-changing rhythm in reggae and dance music. The article debunks the myth of its debut, tracing its origins to a Casio MT-40 keyboard and the influence of British rock.

How Music Charts discusses how the UK is experiencing a golden era for legacy acts, while emerging artists struggle to make an impact on global charts.
Mastrng.com discusses tools for musicians to accurately identify the genre of their music. It highlights AI-powered solutions like Cyanite.ai, Audio AI Dynamics, and SubmitHub's "What's my genre?".
Hybrid explores the role of music in "Meow Cat Memes" and their impact on social-digital media.
All About Jazz explores the origins and key figures of Bossa Nova, a musical style that emerged in Brazil in the 1950s. It focuses on the contributions of Antonio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, and other musicians who blended jazz harmonies with samba rhythms
ARTnews defines Afrofuturism as a cultural movement where Black creators imagine the future by reconceptualizing the present and reimagining the past.