Hot Jam of the Day

Hot Jam of the Day (06.06.13): Disclosure, “Second Chance”

Posted on June 6, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Disclosure
“Second Chance”
Settle (out now on PMR)

In an album rife with massive hooks, show-stopping collaborations, and undeniable bangers, I wanted to highlight one of the album’s quieter, more understated moments. Clocking in at just under two and a half minutes, “Second Chance” may seem like a minor piece, but it serves as an important nod to their past and a reminder of how far the Brothers Lawrence in two short years. The track is based around an emotive, pitch-shifted sample, reminiscent of their biggest early influences (Joy Orbison and Burial) and drippy, woozy swabs of synth. Even when they were just starting out (see: “I Love…That You Know”), Disclosure always had an uncanny knack for coaxing deep emotions out of quite basic source material. While they’ve moved on considerably since 2011, “Second Chance” is a little reminder that they haven’t forgot where they came from.

Hot Jam of the Day (06.05.13): Disclosure, “Defeated No More” (f/ Ed Macfarlane)

Posted on June 5, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Disclosure
“Defeated No More” (f/ Ed Macfarlane)
Settle (out now on PMR)

As previously mentioned, one of the things that make Settle so special is its versatility. One of the album’s finest pop-oriented songs comes in the form of this devastating collaboration with Friendly Fires mainman, Ed Macfarlane. Macfarlane’s velvety, effortless vocal shines over a slinky, sparkling arraignment. Disclosure has always had a knack for nailing collaborations, and this is one of their most potent to date.

Hot Jam of the Day (06.04.13): Disclosure, “F For You”

Posted on June 4, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Disclosure
“F For You”
Settle (out now on PMR)

Jessie Ware, London Grammar, Sam Smith, AlunaGeorge, Ed Macfarlane (Friendly Fires), Jamie Woon. Settle features a host of head-turning collaborations with some of Britian’s best young artists. That said, on “F For You,” the Brothers Lawrence prove that they don’t need a famous voice to craft a tasty, infectious pop song. The younger Lawrence, Howard, takes over vocal duties and glides over a slick, bouncy arraignment like a seasoned pro. It’s the first time we’ve heard them handle a pop vocal on their own, and Howard’s laid-back vocal is right on the money. One of the major reasons Settle works so well is the duo has an uncanny ability to straddle the line between club tracks and pop jams, and this is a perfect example. It hits hard enough to dance to, but it also has the kind of hook that will stick in your head for hours. Hopefully, Disclosure will keep collaborating with their über-talented friends in the future, but “F For You” proves they don’t need to if they don’t want to.

Hot Jam of the Day (06.03.13): Disclosure, “When A Fire Starts to Burn”

Posted on June 4, 2013 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Disclosure
“When A Fire Starts to Burn”
Settle (out 06/04 on PMR)

In the next few hours, brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence are going to be unleashing their disgustingly fresh debut LP on the masses. In celebration of Settle, we are going to devote all the Hot Jams of the Day this week to the diverse, devastating LP. After a number of listens over the last week, I am convinced that this is not only the best album I’ve heard this year, but it also has the potential to be better than anything I’ve heard in the last couple.

Let’s start “Disclosure Week” off right, with its explosive lead track. Riding a sample that is reminiscent of a minister or motivational speaker (possibly from inspirational speaker and ex-NFL football player, Eric Thomas), “When a Fire Starts to Burn” harkens back to the Brothers’ roots in house music.

The repetitive sample is kept fresh by an undulating, wonky deep synth line and stays on-track via an unrelenting backbeat. The song’s magic comes from the way that Guy and Howard continue to deftly add new ingredients to the mix without losing its mantric quality. More than anything, it’s just an absolute banger, and you can almost feel the track’s sweat dripping as it builds and swells.

As quickly as it catches fire, it burns out — leaving the listener scrambling to start the track over. It’s a direct, satisfying start to the album that offers very few clues into the melodic, sonic, and emotional depth Settle contains. This one is already burning up dance-floors in the UK and Europe, and should be doing the same in the States.

Hot Jam of the Day (06.02.13): Kevin Gates, “Roaming Around”

Posted on June 2, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Kevin Gates
“Roaming Around”
Digital Single

This year, Baton Rouge’s Kevin Gates rose as one of the most fascinating, unique voices in hip-hop today. Combining Future’s heart-on-sleeve vulnerability with top-notch lyricism, the 27-year old released one of the best mixtapes of the year (The Luca Brasi Story). His J.U.S.T.I.C.E League-assisted new single is another example of his versatile, unique flow and ear for a hook, as Gates expertly weaves fractured, disjointed couplets over heady, reflective soundscapes. He’s one of the new breed of MCs (Future, Lil’ Durk) who are re-examining auto-tune with impressive results — using the vocal processor as an instrument, rather than a crutch.

Hot Jam of the Day (05.23.13): The Weeknd, “Kiss Land/John Carpenter”

Posted on May 23, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

The Weeknd
“Kiss Land/John Carpenter”
Kiss Land (out this year on XO/Republic)

@HowToDressWell 17 May: dude this guy from the weeknd is taking a ton of drugs and seems really homesick i hope he’s ok tho

This tweet from How to Dress Well’s Tom Krell about sums up the lyrical content of the dubiously-named title track from Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye’s insanely-awaited proper debut album. However, it doesn’t begin to sum up the majesty of the Canadian’s harrowing, 8-minute gem. Simply put, it’s the best thing he’s released since his breakthrough mixtape, House of Balloons, ending a 12-month run of listless singles and anonymous features, which felt like the work of a spent force. Even looking back at his three 2011 mixtapes, you could feel him tiring, culminating with a string of lifeless new tracks released last year.

That said, Tesfaye sounds rejuvenated here, bringing back the fun and sexiness of his early work. He clearly sees himself as a tortured artist, but make no mistake, his songs need to stay fun and sexy. Or else, his eye-rolling woe-is-me’s (“I don’t got any friends”) and extreme misogyny/ughhhhh innuendos (“You can meet me in the room where the kisses ain’t free. /You gotta pay with your body”) are simply insurmountable. His tracks are always going to be problematic, but when he strikes a balance (like here), he can be beguilingly brilliant.

Hot Jam of the Day (05.22.13): Julianna Barwick, “Forever”

Posted on May 22, 2013 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Julianna Barwick
“Forever”
Nepenthe (out August 20 on Dead Oceans)

As you’ve probably realized, I’ve been horrifically behind recently, and over the next few weeks, I’m going to make a real push to get caught up. I can’t think of a more beautiful way to start my comeback than the ornate, breathtaking lead single from Julianna Barwick’s fourth LP, Nepenthe. As if she needed a hand in making her music even more dulcet and cinematic, Barwick recorded the album in Iceland alongside Sigur Rós producer, Alex Somers — a man who knows a thing or two about crafting impossibly celestial albums.

Though the album’s lead single doesn’t eschew her signature sound — layered vocals, mantric quality — it feels more collaborative than her previous work, thanks to the subtly stunning guitarwork from múm’s Róbert Sturla Reynisson and Somers’ orchestral filigree. Nepenthe is Barwick’s first time recording an album with others, and though she’s spoken about how strange it was to do, it looks like a masterstroke. “Forever” resolves itself with one of the most crushingly gorgeous climaxes of the year, which hints at what a truly special album Nepenthe looks set to be.

Hot Jam of the Day (05.20.13): Boardwalk, “I’m To Blame”

Posted on May 21, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Boardwalk
“I’m To Blame”
Boardwalk (out later this year on Stones Throw)

Over the past couple of years, I’ve written extensively about my love for dreamy Ontario-based duo Memoryhouse, so it comes as no surprise that I would sa-fuckin-woon over the decidedly MH-ish debut single from these newly-signed Angelinos. Amber Quintero’s breathy vocals glide effortlessly over alluring electric piano and a languid guitar line. Though it’s not going to blow you over at first, it’ll burrow its way in, gently inviting you to drift off to sleep. It easily could have been an outtake from Memoryhouse’s perfect debut EP, The Years, and I am NOT mad about that.

Thanks to Tiny Little Rockets for the tip.

Hot Jam of the Day (05.17.13): Mirage, “Let’s Kiss”

Posted on May 17, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Mirage
“Let’s Kiss”
After Dark 2 (out now on Italians Do it Better)

Because Johnny Jewel sums it up better than I ever could, here is the Chromatics/Glass Candy/Desire/etc mainman on the lovely, synth-jam, “Let’s Kiss.” He also talks about the long-awaited follow-up to IDIB’s legendary compilation, After Dark. Thanks, GvB.

“Let’s Kiss” was written the same week as “Under Your Spell” in November 2008. After a bizarre & beautiful twist of fate, I walked into a remote bar in Montreal where I met the love of my life. The next morning… Ida & I had to leave. We flew to France for a handful of sweaty club shows. On the train out of Paris, I realized my whole world had been permanently turned upside down. The rain was crashing against the windows… & I decided I wanted to make a record that felt like that moment frozen in time… “For Ever Ever”. That’s when After Dark 2 was born. The last five years have been a blur of art & parties. This record represents the people we’ve connected with along the way…in Moscow, in Mexico, in Barcelona, in London, in Portland, in Montreal, in Melbourne, in Houston, in Berlin, in Beijing, in Los Angeles, in Dublin, in Athens… I am so excited to finally be sharing it with you. In 20 minutes, Ida & I get on a plane to Warsaw for our first tour overseas with Chromatics. Even though she is on crutches thanks to a brutal Roller Derby pile up on Sunday… we can’t wait to see all of you again… it’s been way too long. After Dark 2 is out this Friday.

It’s 78 minutes & 16 seconds.

See you on the train!
xo
Johnny Jewel”

Hot Jam of the Day (05.16.13): Mikky Ekko, “Disappear”

Posted on May 16, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Mikky Ekko
“Disappear” (Ruff Demo)
Digital Single

The new single from the Nashville-based crooner is a surprisingly esoteric turn from an artist who seems on the cusp of breaking through (due to his feature on RiRi’s mega-smash “Stay”). The velvet-voiced Shreveport-native sounds surprisingly Panda Bear-ish, plaintively emoting over a mostly-stark, cineamtic arraignment that builds to a brief, powerful climax. Lyrically, it’s basically a rehash of Snow Patrol’s uber-ode to spooning “Chasing Cars,” but that doesn’t stop it from being an affecting, effective piece of balladry.

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