How Many Miles?

MOmg, we are so back! I took a bit of a break and gave some time for the holidays, as this time of year is a lovely thing for a lot of people and a rough thing for some. We are hitting it back hard with a great listen this week, Finetuners! I really wanted to make a pun about how like I haven't talked to you guys since last year, but that felt like low-hanging fruit, so I’ll just leave those jokes alone, as it was so… last year.

I hope you didn’t miss me too much (pls tell me you did). This week is all about Mk.gee! Let’s vibe and bring in the new year right.

Who is Mk.gee?

A guitar and music production virtuoso! Mk.gee, born as Michael Todd Gordon, is from New Jersey. He is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist, which you can most definitely hear in the music he not only leads, but on everything he touches. He gained most of his recognition for his unique blend of indie, alternative, and lo-fi music, showcasing his talents as a guitarist and vocalist.

Back in 2017, Mk.gee released his debut single, "I Know How You Get," which was then followed by two EPs in 2018, and his first mixtape in 2020. In February 2024, he released his debut studio album, Two Star & the Dream Police, which received critical acclaim and was featured in Pitchfork's list of "The 100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far."

Mk.gee has collaborated with artists such as Dijon, Omar Apollo, Kacy Hill, and Fred Again, contributing as a songwriter and producer, which is actually how I more or less found out about him. His innovative guitar techniques and experimental soundscape have drawn praise and demanded attention from notable musicians, including Eric Clapton, who was recorded saying this in May 2024, "He has found things to do on the guitar that are like nobody else."

What To Expect Sonically

If you are a fan of R&B, like synth ostinatos, and enjoy air-y soulful vocals, you’ll probably find something to enjoy with Mk.gee’s music. If you are familiar with Dijon or Mac DeMarco you will not be too shocked at these tunes! I think that his music is both accessible but also could be a bit of a stretch for some. The reason for this is it blends a lot of elements that people are aware of, so they can attach to that, but where it’s a stretch is this is definitely very experimental and doesn’t really fit into a box.

Another couple of artists that have either collaborated with Mk.gee or are similar in song structure/sounds would be Omar Apollo, Yellow Days, and Toro y Moi. All of this to say, Mk.gee has a certain flair about his music that feels so quintessentially 80s pop with lots of tonalities that ring true for guitar sounds we heard back then.

Two Stars - Mk.gee & His Guitar

You should also listen to his most recent single, Rockman. Beyond that, our rec this week is fairly obvious in that it’s his most recent release. This album, Two Star & The Dream Police, really feels like a sonic hug, stank face inducing guitar solos, and grooves that you feel to your core. I highly recommend checking this one out, my friends!

Thanks for reading here, Finetuners! I do hope you all have enjoyed this week’s Finetuned. I’d appreciate any insights, admiration, or otherwise. You can reply to the newsletter directly or DM me on Twitter. (or email me here: [email protected])

Please do share Finetuned with your friends & fam & whoever else! I believe great music should be shared, cherished, and understood from all sorts of perspectives.

See you all in the next one! 🙌