Spotlight Weekly: Episode #3

It’s been a long time since I showed this side of my site some love. To make up for lost time, I’m doing a quick speed-run catching us up from April all the way to where we are right now on July 25th, featuring a monthly song set for each missed month.

I won't lie—it’s been really hard lately. I lost my job, and even though I’m trying every single day to stay proactive and applying everywhere, sometimes it just gets the best of me. I feel like my worth is tied to my work and my ability to make art—and to do that, I've got to have some cheese. Since I haven't been able to find work yet, I’ve been staying home, helping around the house, and just trying to stay moving.

It’s tough. I get sad, I cry, and I've found myself getting caught up using weed just to numb it all away. But I’ve decided to take it easy on myself now. I am in control.

I choose peace, because at the end of the day, nothing is so serious that it should crush your spirit. I’ll find my way back to a job soon—just enough to get the funds needed to keep my dreams alive, because those dreams need to be brought to life.

The songs lined up for these months are the ones that bring me back up. They touch my heart and remind me that everything is going to be alright.

July -Groove, Motion & Moving Forward

1.  Gerry Mulligan – Night Lights

2.  Robohands – Green

3.  Menahan Street Band – Make the Road by Walking

July is about taking control, picking up momentum, and choosing peace. With smooth jazz, chill beatmaker instrumentation, and soulful grooves, these tracks give you a steady beat to walk to. They carry a confident, grounding energy that says it’s time to keep moving forward.

June -Dreamy Escapism & Warm Nostalgia

1.   Wild Nothing – Nocturne

2.   Lamp – 雨降る夜の向こう (Beyond the Rainy Night)

3.   The Magnetic Fields – Andrew In Drag

 June needed a shift in mood—something warmer, brighter, and a little dreamy. This set brings lush indie-pop melodies, bossa-nova-tinged harmonies, and clever songwriting that pull you out of your head and wrap you in a soft, nostalgic haze.

May - Raw Emotion & Catharsis

1.   Delta Sleep – Twin Galaxies

2.   American Football – American Football

3.   Midwest Pen Pals – Inside Jokes EP

 May hit with raw feelings, and this midwest emo and math-rock blend was the outlet for all of it. There’s something deeply therapeutic about mathy guitar riffs and honest, emotional vocals. They don't try to hide the hard stuff—they help you process it and remind you that you're not alone in feeling stuck.

April - Finding Clarity & Inner Calm

1.   Steven Halpern – Rings of Saturn

2.   Harold Budd / Brian Eno – The Pavilion Of Dreams

3.   Chrono Trigger – Secret of the Forest (Remix Loop + Rain Sounds)

April was about needing space to breathe and clear the noise. These tracks bring an ethereal, ambient quiet that creates room for reflection. Whether it’s the rain-laced nostalgia of video game soundscapes or ambient piano, this set is pure comfort when everything feels overwhelming.

"And with that, you guys are caught up to the Song Spotlight. I know it’s not the original concept and I apologize again, but mental health is real and it takes time. I’m glad to say, though, I’m back to feeling better and trying my best. Until next month, I hope you all have a great rest of July. Stay hardest, stay woke, stay safe. Coming to you live from the city of Tulsa, OK. Peace out!

Spotlight Weekly: Episode #2

Welcome back, everyone, to Scantuary’s Spotlight Weekly!

I’m your host, Jcob, coming to you live from the ever-changing weather of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We’ve entered the windy season here. My dad always says, “Watch the leaves and hear the animals.” He has animals here on the farm and believes their instinct is absolute—that the tree leaves “bailen” or dance in a way you just know. Tornado season -so you gotta watch out and stay safe. Because the windy season is here, I’m bringing you four tunes for four different directions: one for each ancient wind.

1. Tunacola – Tarde

This is our Boreas, the North.. Tarde by Tunacola is perfect for the intro; those trumpets and a beat that flows strong and ancient. To start us off, the trumpets and cymbals—that first minute feels like a tutorial, it’s getting you ready. Then at 2:30, you’ve become the orchestra, the orchestrator. You feel the notes. The variations of the trumpets echo through you, transforming you into this wonderful piece. I love this song because of that exact experience; it’s music like this that brings out that primordial feeling of transcendence, bridging the atmosphere to the physical. Definitely a headphones recommendation.

2. Shimmer - Sinjin Hawke

Coming from the west is the Zephyrus wind. With the gentlest of breezes, it's known for waking up the flowers in spring. For this, I give you "Shimmer" by Sinjin Hawke. In "Shimmer," the way he manipulates choral textures and brass makes the whole track feel massive, yet surprisingly precise. It’s like an iridescent wall of sound that hits with grand, triumphant energy—the perfect match for that waking spring breeze. Look up The Tragedy of Hyacinthus. The more  you Know !

3.  Licking an Orchid - Yves Tumor

Coming in hot is our third wind, Notus. To represent the bold, powerful dynamic of the south wind, I have "Licking An Orchid" by Yves Tumor. Its humid atmosphere pours out from the start to the end of the song, taking you back to those heavy summer nights. This track is life in a song—it's perfect for our theme. The way it captures that thick, sultry air is exactly how Notus feels when it sweeps in.

4.  Alice - Pogo 

The last wind to grace us from the four Anemoi is said to be the black sheep—the boundless one. Eurus the Eastern Wind. In many ancient texts, he’s the only wind not associated with a specific season or a daughter of the dawn. He is the chaotic East, the transition that doesn't play by the rules.

To encapsulate the last of our winds, we have "Alice" by Pogo. It’s the perfect song for Eurus because it feels just as uncontained. Pogo sampled tiny fragments from the original 1951 Disney Alice in Wonderland—specifically the sounds of Alice’s voice, the clinking of tea sets, and the ambient noise of the forest—and rearranged them into this cyclic, psychedelic lullaby.

And with that, folks, I’m wrapping this episode of Scantuary’s Spotlight Weekly. I hope everyone stays safe out here in the Midwest. As always, this is your host Jcob, sending love and thanks. See ya!

Spotlight Weekly: Episode #1

Welcome everyone to the first Spotlight Weekly here on Scantuary!

Thank you all so much for coming by and checking these recommendations out. My name is Jcob, and I’m your host coming to you live from the Midwest in Tulsa, OK. Let’s get right into the first song!

1. Greentea Peng – "Human"

"Human" is by Greentea Peng. She is a cornerstone of the new digital age of neo-soul and jazz. Her name comes from her love for green tea, and the British slang word "peng" is an ode to where she’s from. She has a way of not only grounding you but finding that center to anchor you toward enlightenment. Her songs are all soulful, jazz, and city-rhythm like none other. Please listen to her other songs—it’s worth it, trust me!

2. Alpinestars – "Snow Patrol"

Next, we have this masterpiece by Alpinestars. I first heard this on a PS2 game that my cousin Victor had. In the early 2000s, there was a pawn shop on almost every street corner; it was the go-to spot to get games and movies (I even got a go-kart once—best memories!). This song does exactly that: it takes you back to those "pack-a-punch" days, leaving you feeling pumped and ready to shred some hills. It feels like a cool, breezy wind on a sunny day. I definitely recommend looking into SSX 3 for more hits!

3. Condor 44 – "Db"

I think three songs are enough for the first episode, so here is the last gem for this week: "Db" by Condor 44. They are an "if you know, you know" band—just like Fermenting Dregs or Number Girl. They are super underground but nonetheless have reached for the stars themselves. They have this math-rock punch I can’t explain, followed by guitar riffs and lyrics that give you a raw, Lo-Fi look at a cold, atmospheric energy that is still polished. This is a masterpiece! A one-in-a-million find; I absolutely love this song. I first heard it on a mixtape at an artist get-together, and I never looked back.

Thank you all for reading and being here for my little recommendations. This is Jcob; I’ll see you in seven days!