Hot Jam of the Day: Kamaiyah, “How Does it Feel”

Posted on December 9, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Kamaiyah “How Does it Feel” Digital Single Along with excellent projects from artists like Nef the Pharoah, Kehlani, Main Attrakionz, and Kossisko, this irresistible single caps off an excellent year for East Bay hip-hop and R&B. “How Does it Feel” is an intoxicating slab of updated G-Funk, pairing Kamaiyah’s sing-song flow with neon keyboards, a sticky bassline, and more than enough Bay Area slap. Though she’s only released two other proper songs (which are both worth checking out), it certainly feels like … →

Hot Jam of the Day: FIFTY GRAND, “Time Will Darken It”

Posted on December 2, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

FIFTY GRAND “Time Will Darken It” Helena’s Skin (out now, self-released) While Elliott Onofrio’s new EP is teaming with darkness, there’s always just enough light seeping through the blinds to illuminate the subtle beauty in each of its six songs. The one that grabbed me most is probably its most palpably light number: the eery, cinematic “Time Will Darken It.” Its harp loop feels like one of those horror movie scores that somehow conveys both calmness and dread. It’s the … →

Hot Jam of the Day: ANOHNI, “4 Degrees”

Posted on December 1, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

ANOHNI “4 Degrees” HOPELESSNESS (forthcoming on Secretly Canadian) In a Facebook post announcing her 5th album, ANOHNI (formerly known as Antony) described the disc as ” an electronic record with some sharp teeth.” That is an apt description of its HudMo/Oneohtrix Point Never-assisted lead single, “4 Degrees,” a ferocious internal investigation into her (read: our) role in the myriad sins of the human race. Flanked by crashing, industrial percussion and skyscraping synths, ANOHNI’s unassailable, unique vocals are at their mellifluous best, soaring over the … →

Images & Words: Stormzy, “Standard”

Posted on November 24, 2015 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

Stormzy “Standard” Digital Single Michael Omari’s storming (pun intended) 2015 continues with this ravenous new single, debuted on the first episode of his Beats 1 show, #MERKY. While the South Londoner is also an accomplished singer, he brings an extra helping of bars to “Standard,” and they come in an unrelenting series of waves, like a Mauricio Pochettino press. There’s a real magnetism to Omari’s lyrics, and while he’s far from a punchline rapper, each line seems to stick in your head … →

Images & Words: One Direction, “Perfect”

Posted on November 14, 2015 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

One Direction “Perfect” Made in the A.M. (out now on Columbia) It’s kind of incredible that the world’s biggest boy band and one of the most popular male artists dropped albums on the same day. And while the Biebs’ fourth LP has grabbed most of stateside column inches, One Direction first post-Zayn effort deserves more acclaim than it has received. Sharp, joyful, and chock-full of unforgettable melodies, Made in the A.M. is the rare 17-song album that doesn’t feel bloated, … →

Hot Jams of the Day: Goldmund, Three Songs from “Sometimes”

Posted on November 11, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Goldmund “A World I Give” (f/ Ryuichi Sakamoto) / “As Old Roads” / “Sometimes” Sometimes (out 11.13 on Western Vinyl) Judging from these three tracks, prolific composer Keith Kenniff may be about to unleash one of the finest albums of the fourth quarter. The Berklee College of Music graduate’s beautiful, contemplative ambient music got the attention of legendary composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto, who lends his golden fingers to the stirring “A World I Give.” Its melody is both graceful and angular, and … →

Hot Jam of the Day: Foxing, “Indica”

Posted on November 9, 2015 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Foxing “Indica” Dealer (out now on Triple Crown) While traveling through the Australian outback in my teens, my group and I were having the age-old “would you or wouldn’t you?” debate about whether you would kill someone if you were forced to go to war, when our grizzled guide turned around and gave our hypothetical some heavy reality. He recounted being confronted with child soldiers, whilst deployed at the height of the Rwandan Genocide. It was one of those stories … →

Hot Jam of the Day: Jlin, “Nandi”

Posted on November 6, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Jlin “Nandi” Free Fall (out 11.27 on Planet Mu) Fresh off releasing one of 2015’s strongest debuts, April’s Dark Energy, the Gary, IN footwork producer (né Jerrilynn Patton) treats us to a victory lap in the form of a new EP. First single, “Nandi,” is sparser than much of her frenetic debut with sensual vocal samples laced through skittering hi-hats and rolling hand drums. The track has an aerobic quality, almost as if it’s trying to catch its breath. And … →

Hot Jam of the Day: Wet, “Losing All We Knew”

Posted on November 5, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Wet “Losing All We Knew” Digital Single Though it’s billed as a b-side to their excellent recent single, “Weak,” this crushing, gorgeous track is far from a throwaway. In fact, it’s atypical of much of the trio’s bulletproof back catalog. For one, vocalist Kelly Zutrau pushes her affecting voice into the highest register we’ve heard so far, straining to deliver devastating lines “Did you ever want something so much that your world came apart?” Another exciting new development is its … →

Images & Words: Grimes, “Flesh without Blood/Life in the Vivid Dream”

Posted on November 4, 2015 by TP1.COM in Featured, Images & Words | Comments Off

Grimes “Flesh without Blood/Life in the Vivid Dream” Art Angels (out 11.06 on 4AD) While the blogosphere rages about whether Claire Boucher has ‘gone pop’ (whatever the fuck that means), the 27 year-old has simply got on with it. Over the last 18 months, she’s crafted a clutch of bangers that defy labels and genres (other than “fucking great”), and it all looks to be building up to what could be a 2015-defining LP — her fourth full-length, Art Angels. … →

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