Hot Jam of the Day

Hot Jam of the Day: Imaabs, “Overdose / Bootleg”

Posted on July 30, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Imaabs
“Overdose / Bootleg”
Digital Single

Another day, another dirty Ciara remix. This one comes from Chilean producer, Imaabs. Picking up where, Disntacia, his underrated EP for rising Mexican imprint NAAFI leaves off, this sweltering remix flips a standout from Cici’s 2013 self-titled album into an spacious, instrumental grime-leaning masterclass. His acuity of percussion is on full display, as he deftly pairs rolling double-time timbales with the hot and bothered vocal, resulting in a piece that feels as well suited for tropical climes as a drizzly London High Street.

Hot Jam of the Day: Roy Wood$, “Get You Good”

Posted on July 28, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Roy Wood$
“Get You Good”
Digital Single

The second installment of Drake’s OVO Sound Apple Radio show will mostly be remembered for its host’s characteristically polite Meek Mill diss, but the real keeper came in the form of the crushed-velvet vocal stylings of Toronto’s next R&B wunderkind. “Get You Good” is sporting some serious House of Balloons vibes, and Roy Wood$ is one of the few vocalists who can match the Weeknd’s vocal virility and raw power. Like Abel at his best, the rising crooner knives through a spacious, typically OVO beat, delivering each couplet with both force and grace. Thankfully, he avoids the former’s tiresome brand of Tumblr-friendly masochism, instead making music that real people might want to dance, hang out, and get down to. Like Biggie said, “sky’s the limit.”

Hot Jam of the Day: Dej Loaf, “Hey There” (f/ Future)

Posted on July 25, 2015 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Dej Loaf
“Hey There” (f/ Future)
#AndSeeThatsTheThing (out now on Columbia)

From the moment the Detroit native’s unavoidable first single, “Try Me,” blew up, the common narrative was that the 24 year-old was just another in the line of one-hit, viral rap sensations (see: Bobby Shmurda, OT Genasis, OG Maco, etc) that popped off in 2014. However, the reality stands in stark contrast to that notion, as she she has released a consistent stream of excellent material since, capped off by her mega-underrated Sell Sole mixtape. This year, she’s also dropped a handful of potent features (exhibit A, B & C), the snarling “Like A Hoe,” and the re-tooled “Me U & Hennessy,” which is arguably been even bigger than “Try Me.”

Her understated hot streak continues on her solid, six-song EP, featuring this excellent collab with everyone’s favorite hip-hop romantic. Like Future’s best duets, there’s real chemistry here, and they sound effortless and natural together. We’ll have to see if it ages as well as classics like “Loveeeeeee Song,” “Neva End,” and “Anytime,” but it certainly feels like a keeper at this point.

Hot Jam of the Day: Julia Holter, “Feel You”

Posted on July 15, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Julia Holter
“Feel You”
Have You in My Wilderness (out 09.25 on Domino)

The announcement of a new Julia Holter album is always cause for a celebration, especially when its coupled with a first single that’s this strong. “Feel You” is a gorgeous chamber pop song that pairs the 30 year-old’s graceful vocal with a sweeping, romantic string arraignment and buoyant drums. Like much of her best work, it pairs traditional instrumentation (peep that harpsichord) with progressive, modern songwriting, resulting in a sound that is both timeless and fresh.

Images & Words: Chief Keef, “Ain’t Missing You” (f/ Jenn Em)

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

Chief Keef
“Ain’t Missing You” (f/ Jenn Em)
Digital Single

It’s remarkable how far Chief Keef has come in the two and a half years since his one and only Interscope LP, Finally Rich. Far away from the beady eye of label suits who never understood him and the ruthless media scrutiny that threatened to consume him, the Chicago native has quietly gotten his mojo back, crafting fascinating, gleefully experimental sounds with a rotating cast of characters in the LA suburbs. While recent releases like Sorry 4 the Weight and Back From the Dead 2 garnered little mainstream coverage, they’ve earned well-deserved love from sharp critics and (more importantly) have been well received by his growing, sonically open-minded fanbase.

That said, I don’t think anyone was expecting a twangy, pop-country ballad, but as he’s proven time and time again, Keef doesn’t give a shit about other people’s expectations. And you know what? It’s brilliant. “Ain’t Missing You” is a disarmingly powerful eulogy to the 19 year-old’s older cousin, Mario “Big Glo” Hess, a fellow rapper and mentor who was slain in Chicago in the aftermath of signing a lucrative record contract. Keef’s verses are gut-wrenching — particularly the second. He speaks candidly about his relationship with Hess, during what must have been an unimaginable transition from a 16 year-old in one of the poorest communities in America to a multi-millionaire celebrity. It’s the most clear-eyed, emotionally direct song of his career, and yet another example of Keef’s unarguable talent and relentlessly creative spirit.

Hot Jam of the Day: Synkro, “Changes”

Posted on July 8, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Synkro
“Changes”
Changes (out 09.19 on Apollo)

Though he’s been making quality music for nearly ten years, the Mancunian dubstep (né Joe McBride) early adopter is only now getting around to releasing his first proper LP. While everything about the musical landscape has changed — including the meaning of the word ‘dubstep’ (Burial, not Skrillex) — Synkro’s sound really hasn’t. Like much of his excellent past work (see: 2008’s beautiful, Brandy flipping, “Everybody Knows” or 2013’s breakthrough single “Acceptance”) “Changes” layers evocative, faraway vocal samples over meticulously crafted, roomy keyboards and just enough percussion to keep things moving along. It’s remained a winning formula, due to McBride’s deft, restrained touch with vocal samples and his talent for crafting mood and atmosphere. Sometimes the best way to whether the changing times is just to keep on doing what you’re doing.

Hot Jam of the Day: Future, “News or Somthn”

Posted on June 25, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Future
“News or Somthn”
Digital Single

There’s making the song cry, then there’s what production vets Nard & B did to Future’s newest single. When faced with one of the weepiest tracks you’ll ever hear, the 30 year-old summarily beats the breaks off the track in signature style. The ATLien is in the heart of one of the great mixtape runs of the last decade (see: Wayne ’06-’07 and Gucci’09-’11), and “News or Somethn” is one of the high points of this hot streak. While the popular Future narrative has always been melodicism over lyricism, he’s recently been painting incredibly somber portraits with vivid, expressive lyrics. Lines like “know a few real ones ain’t gon’ see they next birthday” and “it’s a full moon in the middle of the day” connect with breathtaking thuds. And by the time the emotive outro guitar solo hits, you’re left staring into the heart of American desolation, and the only thing you can do is run it back again.

Hot Jam of the Day: Carly Rae Jepsen, “Emotion”

Posted on June 23, 2015 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Carly Rae Jepsen
“Emotion”
Emotion (out 09.21 on Interscope)

I have wanted to write about the third single from Canadian popstar’s third LP since wonky versions of it started appearing online a couple of weeks ago, and today we finally get a proper studio quality version. A nice bridge between the anthemic, punchy “I Really Like You” and the moody ballad, “All That,” “Emotion” is a mid-tempo masterclass — the special kind of song that bottles up post-first kiss butterflies and serves them up to you again and again. Over 3 glorious minutes, the 29 year-old pours her heart out, beautifully framed by taut guitars and delicious swaths of synth. While the 80s, John Hughes influences are obvious here, this is a rare timeless pop song that can appeal to any person in any era. All you need is a beating heart.

Hot Jam of the Day: The Radio Dept., “Occupied”

Posted on June 19, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

The Radio Dept.
“Occupied”
Occupied (out 06.16 on Labrador)

After yesterday’s post about a pair of mercurial Swedes, it’s only right to shout out the new single from one of the OG mercurial Swedish groups, The Radio Dept. Unlike Karl X Johan’s tossed-off Whitesnake cover, “Occupied” is very much the finished article — a dark, droning seven-minute epic that pairs Johan Duncanson’s brooding vocals with icy synths and busy, rising percussion. While it’s unclear if this 3-song EP will be a harbinger for a proper follow-up to 2010’s well-loved, Clinging to a Scheme, it’s good to know that the group is still cooking with gasoline, even as they enter their third decade of existence. Long may it continue.

Hot Jam of the Day: Karl X Johan, “Is This Love”

Posted on June 18, 2015 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Karl X Johan
“Is This Love”
Digital Single

This one really takes me back. One of my favorite ever reclusive Swedish duos (there’s plenty of others, look ’em up) takes on one of my favorite ever power ballads. While John Sykes’ signature guitarwork is replaced by moody synths, the Stockholm duo stays pretty faithful to Whitesnake’s original arrangement, and vocalist Johan Tuvesson brings plenty of David Coverdale-esque brooding to the table too. There’s still no word of a long-promised proper debut, but if they keep covering classic power ballads, I won’t be complaining.

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