Images & Words: DJ Khaled, “I’m The One” (f/ Quavo, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne)

Posted on May 2, 2017 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

DJ Khaled “I’m The One” (f/ Quavo, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne) Digital Single At this point, DJ Khaled’s tracks are basically musical text chains between the biggest artists on the planet. It’s kinda like he just puts out late-night mass “U Up?” text to his entire contact list, and the first four that respond get a verse. It’s a high variance strategy. But it works for him, because as easy as it is to discard the songs that don’t pop, it’s impossible to … →

The Round-Up: The Best Albums of March & April

Posted on May 1, 2017 by TP1.COM in Featured, The Round-Up | Comments Off

I skipped last month’s album Round-Up to bang out the My Favorite Tracks of the First Quarter list. So this month’s album list features my picks from March and April. Possibly the strongest batch of the year so far, 2017 is shaping up to be another incredible year in music. Mount Eerie A Crow Looked At Me P.W. Elverum & Sun I can’t remember two albums released back-to-back that provide such stark, unflinching looks at death as Mount Eerie’s incredible, A Crow … →

Images & Words: HEAVEN, “It’s Not Enough”

Posted on May 1, 2017 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

HEAVEN “It’s Not Enough” Digital Single It doesn’t take a musicologist to hear producer Johnny Jewel’s fingerprints on this romantic, slow-burning new single from the newest signing to his label, Italians Do It Better. Though details about the artist remain scarce, this luxurious, stylish ballad is a strong enough statement to stand on its own and hints that we may be hearing a lot more about her (them?) in the future.

Hot Jam of the Day: Mac Demarco, “One More Love Song”

Posted on April 28, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Mac Demarco “One More Love Song” This Old Dog (out 05.05 on Captured Tracks) Though he’s spent much of his career lapping up critical plaudits, the 26 year-old’s hipster goofball persona never resonated with me. Maybe I’m a killjoy, but I always struggled to find any real heart or heft in his music. However, his third LP’s pre-release tracks have been consistently excellent, and this windswept ballad is the best of the bunch. The tears of the clown motif is old and tired, but it’s damn near … →

Images & Words: Laurel Halo, “Jelly”

Posted on April 28, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Laurel Halo “Jelly” Dust (out 06.23 on Hyperdub) The lead single from the Berlin-via-Michigan producer/vocalist’s forthcoming third LP is one of the poppiest and most direct tracks of her career. I mean, it’s Laurel Halo, so it’s fucking weird. But it features a mostly clean, surprisingly smooth vocal line that guides the listener through the off-kilter drum patterns and eclectic instrumentation. The result is an exciting, unexpected trip that isn’t a drag to get through.

Hot Jam of the Day: How to Dress Well, “Strong Enuff”

Posted on April 24, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

How to Dress Well “Strong Enuff” Our First 100 Days (for Stereogum) To this day, there’s still nothing that sounds like Tom Krell’s early, pre-Love Remains work. And though his development has been extremely impressive, it’s nice to hear him lurking back in those sonic swamps on this gorgeous Sheryl Crow cover. Krell has always been a wizard at reinterpreting pop songs and dragging them to unexpected emotional places. “Strong Enuff” is another example of this, fitting in well with other magical versions of R. Kelly’s “I Wish,” Janet’s … →

Hot Jam of the Day: War on Drugs, “Thinking of a Place”

Posted on April 21, 2017 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

War on Drugs “Thinking of a Place” Digital Single “Thinking of a Place” is first new piece of original music from the Philly group since Lost in the Dream — one of the best albums of 2014. And, my god, was it worth the wait. An expansive and beautiful mid-tempo ballad, it features some of Adam Granduciel’s richest and most melodic songwriting. Over windswept acoustic strums and a restorative lead riff, Granduciel yearns for a fading connection with an affecting … →

Stream This Shit: Kara-Lis Coverdale, Grafts

Posted on April 21, 2017 by TP1.COM in Download This Shit | Comments Off

Kara-Lis Coverdale Grafts Boomkat Rejoice! The ever-reliable Montreal musician dropped a characteristically contemplative surprise album yesterday. Across three aqueous tracks, Coverdale blends soothing synth drones with splotches of piano, which forms a masterful mood that ebbs and swells for 22 gorgeous minutes.

Hot Jam of the Day: Julianna Barwick, “Wade In”

Posted on April 20, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Julianna Barwick “Wade In” Our First 100 Days (for Stereogum) Though Julianna Barwick’s music tends to glide ethereally above the clouds, this cut feels grounded, anchored down tightly and rooted in concrete. It isn’t surprising that she wrote a song like this for a compilation about the president. And it’s easy to imagine her sitting at her piano, shaken but not defeated. Though “Wade In” is heavy and doleful, there’s still hope and beauty seeping through the cracks. As there always … →

Hot Jam of the Day: Playboi Carti, “Magnolia”

Posted on April 20, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Playboi Carti “Magnolia” Playboi Carti (Interscope) It’s mid-April. The weather’s warming up. And it’s about that time we start thinking about songs of the summer. “Magnolia” — the best moment from the 21-year old rising star’s debut LP — is an early candidate for the crown. For three exhilarating minutes, Carti rides a magical wave of delayed synths, provided by the previously unknown Pierre Bourne. What he lacks as a lyricist, Carti makes up for in raw charisma, dropping a handful of quotable bars that I’m looking forward … →

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