Mount Eerie, “Distortion”

Posted on January 19, 2018 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Mount Eerie “Distortion” Now Only (out 03.16 on P.W. Elverum & Sun) Less than a year since his stunning LP, “A Crow Looked At Me” (my 3rd favorite album of 2017), Phil Elverum is back with another project. And if its rambling, powerful lead single is anything to go off, it is going to be a doozy. Over beautiful but messy beds of classical guitar, the 39 year-old touchingly sings about his late wife, fears about fatherhood, an early pregnancy scare, his great … →

Jorja Smith, “Let Me Down” (f/ Stormzy)

Posted on January 12, 2018 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Jorja Smith “Let Me Down” (f/ Stormzy) Digital Single Two of Britain’s biggest talents link up for a dramatic, yearning piano ballad. Though I’m never going to complain about a Stormzy verse, its the 20 year-old vocalist who is the star of the show, gliding dramatically over sedated, Adele-ish pianos. Smith wrote “Let Me Down” as her version of a Bond Theme, and my god, you can feel it. Her voice aches as she accepts her places as somebody else’s afterthought. It’s a heartbreaker, but it’s … →

Images & Words: KAMI, “Payload”

Posted on January 11, 2018 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

KAMI “Payload” Superstar (Self-Released) Not sure how I missed the Chicago native’s 2017 EP, Superstar, but I’m damn glad I found it. The Savemoney affiliate just graced the disc’s second track with a similarly energetic video. Kami is one of those rappers who doesn’t save hooks for choruses, and his bars are teaming with melodies that will get stuck in your head. Definitely one to watch in 2018.

Sufjan Stevens, “Tonya Harding”

Posted on January 10, 2018 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Sufjan Stevens “Tonya Harding” Digital Single One of those songs that came out while I was writing my year-end list, I wanted to come back to Sufjan’s wonderful, heartfelt tribute to fellow Oregonian Tonya Harding. Though he seems like an interesting guy, Stevens excels at writing about others — approaching his subjects with a journalist’s eye for detail and a screenwriter’s narrative touch. There’s a palpable tenderness and love in those songs, and it’s clear that the 42 year-old goes to great lengths to get inside his characters, presenting … →

Best of 17: My Favorite Albums of 2017

Posted on January 4, 2018 by TP1.COM in Columns | Comments Off

31. Kendrick Lamar DAMN. Aftermath/Interscope After pouring so much — sonically and emotionally — into his masterful, “To Pimp a Butterfly,” it’s understandable that Kendrick followed it up with the most stripped-down record of his career. Though nowhere near as essential as TPAB (or even “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City”), there’s a ton to like on the back half of this disc, from ridiculous feats of storytelling (“FEAR.” “DUCKWORTH.”) to a pair of tender, insightful love songs (“LOVE.” “LOYALTY.”). Start With: “LOYALTY.” … →

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Best of ’17: The Best Songs of 2017

Posted on January 1, 2018 by TP1.COM in Best of 17, Featured | Comments Off

So that’s it. 6 years of ThunderPenguin are in the books. As always, here’s a round-up of my favorite songs of the year. This was one of the toughest lists I’ve ever made, and I hope something on this list brings you the light it brought me. Thanks so much for reading this year. Love you guys. Though it’s missing some things, you can listen to most of this list on this Spotify Playlist. 66. (Sandy) Alex G “Sportstar” Rocket (Domino) Easily the weirdest … →

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River Tiber, “Patience”

Posted on December 19, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

River Tiber “Patience” Digital Single It’s year-end list season at ThunderPenguin HQ, so I’ve been a little slow on new music. That said, this soulful new track from the Toronto R&B singer stopped me in my tracks. “Patience” begins as a smoky-room, late-night jazz ballad before building to a pair of unexpected, powerful crescendos.

The-Dream: “It’s Yo Birthday”

Posted on December 12, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

The-Dream “It’s Yo Birthday” Digital Single Yesterday was the 10-year anniversary of The-Dream’s classic debut, “Love Hate.” And to celebrate, San Terius dropped with sleepy, low-key bedroom cut that feels like it could have been a B-side from those sessions. Hopefully, it’s a sign of things to come for the 40 year-old who has long been hinting that a new project is on the way.

Nicolas Jaar, “Wildflowers”

Posted on December 8, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Nicolas Jaar “Wildflowers” Sirens (Deluxe Edition) (out now on Other People) One of the new tracks from the re-up of his excellent 2016 album Sirens, “Wildflowers” is a perfect distillation of Jaar’s rare ability to craft a singular sound that’s both recognizable and amorphous. In other words, his sound is impossible to explain, but you also know it when you hear it. Built around aqueous guitar chords, drippy percussion, and his faraway falsetto, the track meanders through layers of sonic haze before resolving with an emotional crescendo.

Images & Words: G Perico, “Affiliated”

Posted on December 4, 2017 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

G Perico “Affiliated” 2 Tha Left (out 12.08 on So Way Out) Though he’s already dropped two rock-solid projects this year, the LA MC isn’t done feeding the streets this year. “Affiliated” is yet another example of Perico’s potent sound, which recalls a bygone era when California ruled the hip-hop. That said, the 29 year-old is far from an imitator and is infinitely more interested in writing new history than trying to recreate someone else’s.

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