Hot Jam of the Day

Hot Jam of the Day: Shabazz Palaces, “They Come in Gold”

Posted on May 6, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

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 (probably, by me as well), but nobody sounds like these guys. It’s not really backpack, but it’s certainly not classic rap. Simply put, it’s totally genre-defying and impossible to put in a box. You can call it whatever you want, but I prefer to call it fresh, essential, and motherfucking brilliant.

Hot Jam of the Day: Beach Slang, “Filthy Luck”

Posted on May 6, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

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 of the 90’s” playlists. The whole of the lean, muscular 4-song EP is more than worth of a listen, but the swashbuckling opener is its finest moment. If you are between the ages of 25 and 35 and ever liked something called “modern rock,” I dare you not to fall in love with this.

<a href="http://beachslang.bandcamp.com/album/who-would-ever-want-anything-so-broken">Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken? by Beach Slang</a>

Hot Jam of the Day: The Antlers, “Hotel” // “Palace”

Posted on May 6, 2014 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

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 knack for matching enchanting, ornate melodies with harrowing, devastating lyrics and vocals, resulting in songs that gently, gloriously break your heart. If there’s one thing that’s true about these guys, it’s that they are not a singles band, and I cannot wait to hear how these songs work in the context of an album that is one of my most anticipated of the year.

Listen to “Hotel” over at Brooklyn Vegan.

“Palace”

Hot Jam of the Day: Tink x Jeremih, “Don’t Tell Nobody” (f/ Jeremih)

Posted on April 30, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

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 year, so far.

Hot Jam of the Day: Jacques Greene, “Feel What”

Posted on April 28, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

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 further cement that rep. It’ll be interesting to see if Greene ever tries his hand at a full-length release, but as long as he keeps dropping singles and EPs this strong, I won’t be complaining.

Hot Jam of the Day: The 2 Bears, “Angel (Touch Me)”

Posted on April 27, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

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 taste pretty fucking delicious.

Hot Jam of the Day: Devonte Hynes, “Palo Alto”

Posted on April 26, 2014 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

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 had the courage to read (TOO MANY FEELS, MAN. TOO MANY FUCKING FEELS.).

The film was scored by Blood Orange mastermind, Devonté Hynes, and title track nails the weightless melancholia of life in my hometown, simultaneously carefree and tinged with darkness. Hynes’ graceful, evocative vocal glides over a languid guitar line, capturing the alluring, ephemeral nature of a beautiful California town built on a booming yet unstable economy. Whether Franco and director Gia Copolla can capture those feelings on the silver screen remains to be seen. I’m certainly looking forward to finding out.

Hot Jam of the Day: Hannah Diamond, “Attachment”

Posted on April 24, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Hannah Diamond
“Attachment”
Digital Single

Following up peculiar pop gem, “Pink and Blue,” the esoteric vocalist returns with a similarly cracked heartbreak jam. On “Attachment,” the Londoner straddles the line between cute and crazy with grace and dexterity, prancing her “lovelorn chipmunk” vocals over a maximalist, neon synth arraignment. Like her debut single, there are huge K-Pop and J-Pop undertones here, which add a freshness to her simple pop melodies. It’s hard to tell what the future holds for Diamond, but a recent showcase alongside Sophie in London seems to suggest that her delirious sound is going places.

Just in case you missed it, here’s the still-fantastic “Pink and Blue.”

Hot Jam of the Day: WIFE, “Heart is a Far Light”

Posted on April 22, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

WIFE
“Heart is a Far Light”
What’s Between (out 06.10 on Tri Angle)

If first single, “Heart is a Far Light,” is any indication, the Altar of Plagues frontman’s debut LP for Tri Angle is set to be one of the most bewitching, atmospheric of the year. Based around a taut guitar part and James Kelly’s hypnotic, layered voices, the track beautifully unravels to a piece much larger than the sum of its spare, minimalistic parts. The Irishman’s vulnerable vocals disarm the listener, giving the track a decidedly “private conversation” vibe. Altar of Plagues has always been best enjoyed in the full album format, so one would expect WIFE will be the same. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it.

Hot Jam of the Day: Koreless, “Sun” (String Quintet Live at Maida Vale)

Posted on April 17, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Koreless
“Sun” (String Qunitet Live At Maida Vale)
Digital Single

Here’s the first taste of Welsh producer Lewis Roberts’ collaboration with a string quintet at BBC’s legendary Maida Vale studios. They take on the second track of his outstanding Yungen EP, and the result is overwhelming and gorgeous. Lead by a haunting cielo, “Sun” opens up into an exuberant, sweeping melody with a palpable cinematic quality. Roberts doesn’t bring in his signature synth until about halfway through, and it integrates beautifully with the acoustic instruments, adding a futuristic feel to its timeless core. Hopefully, this won’t be the only piece we hear from the session.

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