Mixtapemotions

"Waiting for the End" by Linkin Park + AAPI Heritage Month Playlist, Thursday, May 5, 2022

Linkin Park‘s fourth studio album, A Thousand Suns underperformed compared to the band’s massive first three albums. The album produced two singles, “The Catalyst” and today’s song, “Waiting for the End,” but ultimately listeners didn’t like the album as most of the songs were not catchy. I always want to dig deeper into this album and its themes, but today, I wanted to introduce my AAPI Heritage Playlist, so I chose the most pop-oriented song on A Thousand Suns. If you want more information on the music theory behind this album, I’ll link to The Discographers, an excellent podcast that explores the discography of Linkin Park in one of their seasons. 


MY MOUTH KEPT MOVING AND MY MIND WENT DEAD.  May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States, and I wanted to make a playlist that recognized some of the amazing talent by AAPI musicians. As with my other lists, I realize that making lists like this can be problematic. How do you determine what fits and what doesn’t? All I can offer is a humble apology if this list offends, and I’m here to listen to the debate. I’ve gone through several iterations of this list and may continue to edit it throughout the month. I cut the list at 31 songs with (technically) one song per artist. I gave preference to songs I blogged about; however, I wanted to highlight American artists because it’s an American observance. I also decided to highlight bands that feature musicians of Asian heritage rather than every member having to be of Asian decent. Here’s the playlist:
1. “Waiting for the End” by Linkin Park. Today’s song features co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda and DJ Joe Hahn who also directed the music video for “Waiting for the End.” Shinoda is half-Japanese and Hahn is a second generation Korean American. Linkin Park helped to create a vision of what diversity could look like in rock music.
2. “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE. The band features Korean-born guitarist JinJoo Lee who was also the touring guitarist for Jordin Sparks.

3. “Awakening” by Switchfoot. Since The Beautiful Letdown, former Fold Zandura and Mortal frontman Jerome Fontamillas has been an integral part of the band. 

4. “Blinding Lights” by Kurt Hugo Schneider ft. Sam Tsui. Tsui is featured three times on this playlist, once as the leading artist and twice as a featured artist. The singer-songwriter was born to a Cantonese father from Hong Kong and a white mother.
5. “Rocketeer” by Far East Movement ft. Ryan Tedder. Far East Movement was the first Asian American group to top the Billboard Hot 100 with the song “Like a G6.”


6. “Butter” by BTS. Not American, but this song topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
7. “Cherry Blossom Ending” by Busker Busker. American drummer Brad Moore joined this band.
8. “drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo. Rodrigo is half Filipina.  
9. “Rings & Roses” by Dabin ft. Conor Bryne. Dabin is an Asian Canadian DJ who now resides in Colorado.
10. “Honestly” by Eric Nam
11. ” My Universe” by Coldplay ft. BTS
12. ” Impatience” by Sam Tsui

13. “Into the New World” by Girls’ Generation. Sunny and Tiffany are Korean Americans who joined the massive girl group.

14. “On Giant’s Shoulders” by Future of Forestry

15. “Me to You” by Tim Be Told
16. “So Sick” by Max ft. Sam Tsui (Producer: Kurt Hugo Schneider)
17. “Put Me Back Together” by Ivory Circle ft. Aaron Marsh. Lead singer Connie Hong has such a powerful voice. I really want to hear more from this band.

18. “Type Three” by Anberlin (Live in Williamsburg) ft. Daniel Chae from Monsters Calling Home/ Run River North. In 2012, Anberlin embarked on their first summer acoustic tour with Korean-American Folk band Monsters Calling Home (later Run River North) opening. Daniel performs violin on this incredible live version of “Type Three.”
19. “Way Back Home” by Shaun ft. Conor Maynard. 

20. “Time and Fallen Leaves” by AKMU
21. “My Bad” Advanced ft. Julie Bergan, Shaun
22. “Git it Up!” by H.O.T.
23. “Bike” by ADOY
24. “View” by SHINee
25. “Addict” by Sik-K
26. “Slow & Steady” by River Run North
27. “1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins. It may be hard for some to get past lead singer Billy Corgan‘s voice, but second generation Japanese American James Iha helped to make the band one of the staples in ’90s shoegazer music. 

28. “Black Honey” by Thrice. Founded by Dustin Kensrue and Teppei Teranishi, Thrice has undergone several line up changes, but the two have worked together since the beginning. This song begins a set of political songs.
29. “Hourglass” by A Perfect Circle. This supergroup features Tool’s Maynard James and The Smashing Pumpkins’ James Iha.
30. “B.Y.O.B.” by System of a Down
31. “Racist, Sexist Boy” by The Linda Lindas.



Live Performance: