Ryan Adams “Gimme Something Good” Ryan Adams (out 09.08 on PaxAm) Ryan Adams is my dude. He’s been my dude since I was in high school, and while it certainly felt cooler to admit that in 2000, I suspect that the 39 year-old is one of those artists that I’ll never really grow out of. I’ve talked myself into quite a few drab, non-remarkable efforts, but “Gimme Something Good” is about as revitalized and energized an Adams track as we’ve … →
FKA Twigs “Two Weeks” LP1 (out 08.12 on Young Turks) The incredible, shape-shifting Tahliah “FKA Twigs” Barnett makes a strong claim for both song and video of the year with the gelatinous, alluring lead single from her full-length debut. Barnett’s spellbinding, EP2, announced her as one of the most fascinating, talented young artists in music. From the sound of this, it may have just been scratching the surface. There is a clutch of interesting stuff going on here, but the … →
Cloud Boat “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” Digital Single In the build-up to their highly-anticipated second LP, Model of You, due out on July 7th, the London duo dropped a lovely, careful cover of The Smiths’ classic. The duo’s warm vocals are a perfect match for the melodramatic original, and the submersive, faithful arrangement is made to wash over you and gently suck you in.
It’s heating up out here in New York, and it’s a perfect time to catch up on the best music of the last three months, while looking forward to a glorious summer of music. Leggo. How to Dress Well: “Precious Love” I could have picked a handful of the tracks from Tom Krell’s gorgeous third album and the only realistic challenger to the Koz’s beautiful Benji for Album of the Year, but I went with the clear-eyed, “Sittin’ Up in My … →
Lil Silva “Mabel” Mabel EP (out August 5 on True Panther) The London producer/songwriter looks set to add singer to the “skills” column of his C.V., thanks to his forthcoming first vocal-focused EP, Mabel. The 24 year-old has an expressive, unique voice, a little bit in the family of Sampha and Ofei. “Mabel” has notes of my favorite of his tracks, 2013’s soulful “No Doubt,” but it also presents an exciting new direction for the multi-talented artist.
Ryan Hemsworth “Every Square Inch” (f/ Qrion) Digital Single The Interwebbzz’s fave producer/Pokémon enthusiast, Ryan Hemsworth, graced us with an unexpected, lovely new single this week. Assisted by the highly-processed vocals of Japanese vocalist, Qrion, “Every Square Inch” slowly unfolds into the kind of hypnotic, magnetic banger that we’ve grown to expect from the Halifax native. It’s acoustic guitar-kissed outro is an unexpected surprise and is indicative of his wide, underratedly rich pallet of influences. Though Hemsworth claims, “this song … →
Lemonade “Stepping” Minus Tide (out 09.09 on Cascine) Two years on from their excellent LP, Diver, the Brooklyn-via-SF trio returns with a new slab of their trademark emotional, potent synth sound. “Stepping” is built around a wobbly, slightly off-kilter groove, but its elastic melodies and Callan Clendenin’s warm, alluring tenor keeps it on track. They’ve always excelled at creating direct, digestible songs that also pack enough nuance and craft to keep them interesting — a bit like a candy bar packed … →
How to Dress Well What is This Heart? (out June 23 on Weird World) Earlier today, Tom Krell began making his case for album of the year by streaming his highly-anticipated third LP. I’ve been through it twice, and it’s certainly a stunning statement — a brave foray into the purest, most direct aspects of pop music. It’s an album full of ideas and big leaps — see: the pop-punk recalling “Childhood Faith In Love (Everything Must Change, Everything Must … →
Liu Bei “Infatuation” Infatuation (out now on Paradyse) The rising London trio’s gorgeous, widescreen power ballad gets fitting visuals. The track sees vocalist Richard Walters’ beautifully chronicling the painful process of cleansing your life of a lost lover who, over time, has permeated every aspect of your life. Anyone who has gone through this type of break-up knows that it isn’t simply about finding someone new to fuck, watch Netflix with, or call before you go to bed (sorry, Ben). … →
S-Type “Lost Girls” Rosario (out June 23 on LuckyMe) Simply put, the Glaswegian producer’s new single feels like a 100mph midnight ride through downtown Tokyo. Labyrinthine, neon, and laced with danger, “Lost Girls” glides effortlessly through treacherous sonic terrain, weaving between melancholy washes of synth, Euro-trash keys, and banging drum patterns without the slightest hint of a lurch. This was originally supposed to be for Drake’s Nothing Was the Same, and at first listen, it seems impossible to imagine Young Angel’s … →
