The Plug’n Play: September (‘25)
October 9, 2025
Illustration by Malaaya Adams
You can listen to the full playlist on Apple Music or Spotify
On the cover: anaiis is a French-Senegalese singer-songwriter and producer based in London. On September 26th, she released Devotion & The Black Divine, her 5th studio album. anaiis’ latest album is a vast exploration of love, uncertainty, freedom, community and more. The album’s vast sonic palette — from R&B to Rock to Reggae — make it an exciting listen that’ll keep you on your toes!
The Plug’n Play is a monthly playlist highlighting new music. Each month, my friend, Kevin, and I select some of our favorite songs from the past month, compiling them into one playlist (usually around 30 songs). While our tastes overlap in a lot of ways, they also diverge. These songs represent what has drawn us in, made us curious, or feel something. We hope these songs serve as an entry point for you, and that you feel something, too!
Songs 1 - 15 were selected by me, Stanley. Songs 16 - 30 were selected by Kevin (he’s also on Instagram again, for now. Catch him before he floats away!). We hope you find a song you like and check out the larger body of work, whether it’s an EP or an album. Below are a few words on some of my favorite songs from the month:
Call Me (a)(B) — anaiis
Call Me (a)(B), the 7th track from anaiis’ latest album, is a slow burner. The first minute and a half of the song sounds as if you’re submerged under water, sonically out of focus, in a dreamlike state. A guitar strums repeatedly and the voice is distorted. The only words you can make out are “call me.” Then, the song slowly comes into focus, and the voice becomes clear. Call Me (a)(B) is at once about angst, grief (and grieving), and love’s power to rescue.
Call Me (a)(B), which was produced by anaiis and Josh Grant, is excellently and affectively composed. In just 4 minutes of run time, anaiis creates a remarkably distinct sonic landscape. Flangers, filters, and synthesizers played in reverse all help tell the story. Call Me (a)(B) has been one of the songs I’ve returned frequently on a stellar album.
