Chief Keef “No” // “How it Go” Digital Singles You might think that Chief Keef’s 15 minutes are up. You might think that the crown prince of Chicago’s troubled drill scene was a flash in the pan, a sad indictment of a hip-hop world that has lost its way. You might think that he’s a no-talent charlatan, riding a superficial wave of tabloid buzz and a vulgar public persona to the lowest common denominator of fame. You might think he’s … →
Shabazz Palaces “They Come in Gold” Lese Majesty (out 07.29 on SubPop) Now, this is exciting news. The Ishmael Butler-fronted hip-hop crew’s outstanding 2011 debut, Black Up, was one of the best albums of that year, and today we finally got details about its follow-up, Lese Majesty. Lead single, “They Come in Gold,” is classic Shabazz Palaces, a slow-burning, herky jerky arraignment topped off by Butler’s intelligent, flexible flow. “Original” is a word that is thrown around too much these days … →
Beach Slang “Filthy Luck” Who Would Ever Want Something So Broken (out now on Dead Broke Rekerds) Admittedly, I’m way late on this, but holy shit, it’s Monday, I’m in love. Weston’s James Snyder sets the way-back machine to 1994, and the results are fucking fantastic. A little bit Jawbreaker, a little bit Gin Blossoms, a whole fucking lot teenage angst, “Filthy Luck” nails the balance between disaffected edge and Grade-A pop hooks that is an ever-present on the tracks littering our “Best … →
The Antlers “Hotel” // “Palace” Familiars (out 06.17 on Anti-) Since its release, I’ve loved a lot of albums, but I still can’t name five that better the Brooklyn indie/post-rock trio’s incredible, gut-wrenching Hospice (2009). While 2011’s Burst Apart was very good, it was simply never going to live up to its nuanced, overwhelming predecessor, but judging by these two gorgeous, dreamy numbers, it looks like Peter Silberman and co. are back to their best. The exquisite latter, especially, highlights the group’s … →
Tink “Don’t Tell Nobody” (f/ Jeremih) Digital Single This has been floating around the Interwebz for a couple of weeks, but we finally get a high-quality, tag-free version. Two of the most talented young vocalists in music right now, Jeremih and Tink combine their alluring voices to incredible effect, resulting in a sexual a-bomb. Riding bouncy production from fellow Chicagoans, The Internz, Jeremih and Tink exchange effortless cum-ons, weaving in-between trap hi-hats and booming sub-bass. One of the tracks of the … →
The-Dream “Black” Digital Single Any time the patron saint of Thunder Penguin drops a surprise track, it’s a day for celebration. Any time the the track is this powerful, topical, and evocative, it should be a national fucking holiday. Coming off the back of the weakest solo album of his bulletproof career, IV Play (2013), Nash returns with a forceful statement on the state of race in America — wrapped in a hopeful, soulful ballad, reminiscent of the great Marin Gaye. The … →
Jacques Greene “Feel What” Phantom Vibrate EP (out 04.29 on LuckyMe) On the eve of its American release, Jacques Greene gives us the second taste of his highly-anticipated new EP. Like first single, “No Excuse,” “Feel What” is a moody, engulfing ride, packed with undulating sub-bass, engaging percussion, and soulful vocal samples. In his short career, the Montréal native has cultivated a reputation for being an adept songwriter, as well as a great DJ and producer, and tracks like this will only … →
Late last night, a friend texted me that legendary Chicago house/footwork/juke producer Rashad “DJ Rashad” Harden had passed away at just 35. Anytime someone passes away at such an age, it is an impossible tragedy, and all thoughts and prayers must be extended to his family and friends. However, the timing of Harden’s death is even crueler because he was finally starting to get the international recognition that his genius, vision, and innovation deserved. His fifth LP, Double Cup, was one of the best … →
The 2 Bears “Angel (Touch Me)” The Night is Young (out in September on Southern Fried) Veteran DJ Raf Rundell and Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard are back with a follow-up to their excellent house debut, Be Strong (2012). “Angel (Touch Me)” picks up where their blissful first effort left off, pairing a swiveling backbeat with buoyant keyboards and a sticky vocal melody. The 2 Bears have never been afraid to embrace the cheesy, because they know that, when done right, cheesy can … →
Devonté Hynes “Palo Alto” Palo Alto: Music from the Motion Picture (out June 3 on Domino) Ten years ago, I never would have imagined that people like Aaron Sorkin and Mike Judge would spend time in nondescript stretch of suburbia that I grew up on, let alone devote their precious brain-space to it. James Franco, on the other hand, never had a choice. In 2010, the 36 year-old Palo Alto-native penned collection of short stories about growing up in said suburbia, which I’ve never … →
