The Round-Up: The Best Songs of the First Quarter

Posted on April 13, 2017 by TP1.COM in Featured, The Round-Up | Comments Off

It’s insane that 2017 is already one quarter over, but it’s been a tremendous three months of music. Here are a few of the best tracks I’ve heard this yera. For both of our sakes, I’m going to (try to) keep my write-ups Tweet length (LOL). Stormzy “100 Bags” Gang Signs & Prayer (#Merky) “Dear Mama” for the year 2017, “100 Bags” is a rare beacon of unobstructed light in these turbulent times. The Londoner makes the song cry for four breathtaking minutes, … →

Images & Words: Nite Jewel, “The Answer”

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

Nite Jewel “The Answer” Real High (out 05.05 on Gloriette) Despite releasing a pair of interesting albums just last year, longtime TP fave Ramona “Nite Jewel” Gonzalez is gracing us with another project in May. Though the disc’s second pre-release track, “The Answer,” is the kind of glossy, dreamy pop that she’s cranked out for years, it’s far from a retread. And it’s fantastic to listen to an artist who has stayed true to an aesthetic, while constantly developing her sound and … →

Hot Jam of the Day: Mount Kimbie, “We Go Home Together” (f/ James Blake)

Posted on April 3, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Mount Kimbie “We Go Home Together” (f/ James Blake) Digital Single It’s been nearly five years. But the highly influential Londoners are back with their ol’ pal James, and they brought a gorgeous, organ-kissed love song with them. Though it doesn’t feature their signature, innovative percussion, it boasts one of the duo’s strongest ever melodies. And Blake sounds revitalized here, pushing his tenor into its upper register and pulling all of the emotion out of it. Hopefully, a third LP … →

Images & Words: KWAYE, “Cool Kids”

Posted on March 31, 2017 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

KWAYE “Cool Kids” Digital Single The clip for the 22 year-old Londoner’s lead single is the rare example of a video that captures and enhances exactly what is special about a track. “Cool Kids” is an addictive, airy slice of pop that is inspired by the 80s but still feels ultra-modern. Director Billy Boyd Cape turns London tower blocks into moving art pieces, gliding around kids as their feet glide beautifully across the concrete. One of the most striking debuts of the … →

Images & Words: Teengirl Fantasy, “Seeds” (f/ Khalif Jones)

Posted on March 30, 2017 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

Teengirl Fantasy “Seeds” (f/ Khalif Jones) 8AM (out now on Planet Mu) On the standout from their third LP, the Brooklyn electronic duo links up with Khalif Jones (aka Le1f) for a gorgeous, seductive ode to the end of the night. Though they rarely collaborate with vocalists, nearly all of their best tracks feature them, and “Seeds” is no exception. Producers Logan Takashi and Nick Weiss give Jones a deep, sparse arrangement to play with. And though he is known for his up-tempo bars, Jones changes gears and … →

Hot Jam of the Day: Leonce, “Advent”

Posted on March 27, 2017 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Leonce “Advent” Insurgence (out 04.12 on Fade to Mind) Though he is currently based in Atlanta, Leonce’s sound has deep roots in his home city of New Orleans. Late last year, the producer dropped the excellent mixtape Heatwave, one of the strongest dance efforts of the year. The disc featured eight inch-perfect edits that seamlessly fused New Orleans bounce and house with the sound of modern R&B, giving cuts by artists like Beyoncé, Tory Lanez, Jeremih, and Tinashe a dancefloor-ready sheen. Now, Leonce is ready for his … →

Hot Jam of the Day: Kareem Lotfy, “Fr3sh”

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

Kareem Lotfy “Fr3sh” mono no aware (out now on PAN) I don’t know much about the man behind the first track from the new PAN Records compilation. But “Fr3sh” is a gorgeous, delicate piece of ambient music, that matches deep synths with a swelling string arrangement. Lotfy is a graphic designer and artist from Cairo who has a handful of affecting, experimental tracks on his SoundCloud that should appeal to anybody who is feeling this single. V/A – mono no aware (PAN … →

Images & Words: Lil Uzi Vert, “XO Tour Llif3”

Posted on March 24, 2017 by TP1.COM in Featured, Images & Words | Comments Off

Lil Uzi Vert “XO Tour Llif3” Digital Single While on tour with the Weeknd, the Philadelphian has dropped a couple of loosies to tie his fans over until his hotly anticipated Luv is Rage 2 mixtape drops later this year. The strongest of the bunch is “XO Tour Llif3” — an emotional track that also bops in vivid color. Over a keyboard riff that swings like a pendulum, Uzi chronicles life as one of the biggest rising stars on the planet, surrounded by mobs of obsessive, overwhelming fans and feeling further … →

Images & Words: OMB Peezy, “Loyalty Over Love”

Posted on March 22, 2017 by TP1.COM in Featured, Images & Words | Comments Off

OMB Peezy “Loyalty Over Love” Loyalty Over Love (out TBD on Sick Wid It) The Sacramento-via-Mobile rapper has been one of the shooting stars of 2017, rising on the back of two of the strongest rap tracks of the year so far: “Lay Down” and “When I Was Down.” Like the aforementioned tracks, “Loyalty Over Love” highlights the 20 year-old’s potent sound, which recalls 90’s New Orleans without sacrificing an ounce of modernity. Peezy has the rare flow that is hyperactive … →

Hot Jam of the Day: Charli XCX, “Drugs” (f/ Abra)

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

Charli XCX “Drugs” (f/ Abra) Number 1 Angel The trouble with shapeshifters is that as soon as you find a form that appeals to you, they’ve already moved on. That’s been my experience with the hard-to-pin down Brit, who has dabbled in more trends than H&M. So while I was ready roll my eyes at her new ‘mixtape’ (lol), I was immediately grabbed by this track’s intoxicating, slow-mo baseline and its undeniable hooks. Sure, the second verse completely jacks the … →

» TP1.COM