Jeremih
“773 Love”
Late Nights (Self-Released)

The artist formally known as the Birthday Sex Dude has had the internet goin’ nutz this week, mostly for his raunchy new clip for “Go to the Mo,” which lies somewhere between “Tip Drill” in a motel room and a straight up porno. However, what’s been most interesting about having Jeremih back is his new sound, which is not-so-subtly influenced by bedroom R&B du jour. His new mixtape drops August 7, and its most recent single, “773 Love,” is a dreamy, herky jerky  jam that is sure to slide in easily into any sexy time playlist (or wherever else you wanna put it). Though it’s just a radio rip, the Texas native sounds terrific, as his effortless tenor glides over a synth-heavy backing track. From what we’ve heard, Late Nights looks to be one of the real surprise gems of the second half of 2012, and on the off-chance that it doesn’t exonerate him from being known as a guy who wrote only one truly great song, he can always fall back on a career in the adult entertainment industry.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/54364128″ iframe=”true” /]

Because my mom sometimes reads this blog, I won’t post the “Go to the Mo” video, but you can find it if you want to. Do not. I repeat do not watch it at work. Here’s the audio. The song’s pretty dope.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/41885475″ iframe=”true” /]

Friendzone
“I Have Nothing”
Single (Self-Released)

I don’t know much about this production duo, except that they are from the Bay Area and have released some devastating collaborations with rising stars Main Attrakionz. The group sporadically releases new music, and their most recent track, “I Have Nothing,” is indicative of their evocative, yet head-nodding style. Though the group hasn’t ascended to the heights of producers like Araabmuzik and Clams Casino, they definitely populate similar sonic real estate, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them blow up if they keep going like they’re going.  

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/37390193″ iframe=”true” /]

Beat Connection
“The Palace Garden, 4AM”
The Palace Garden (Tender Age)

I remember legitimately being appalled at an MTV News break (remember those?) about the band Smashmouth. I was mostly offended when their portly, spikey-haired singer described their brand of brain-dead beach pop as “fun in the sun music.” So am I a hypocrite for lionizing this Seattle-based Balearic pop band, whose music is clearly fixated on the crashing waves and the sand? No, not really. I just kinda got older and got over it. Nowadays, I think I’d even agree that “Walkin’ on the Sun” is a pretty bitchin’ tune. Maybe that’s a little strong. Either way, The Palace Garden is a more than worthy follow-up to their fabulous debut Surf Noir (2011), and this is one of its strongest cuts.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/47398176″ iframe=”true” /]

The video’s kinda cool too. Check it out!

Goldroom
“Fifteen” (f/ Chela)
Single (Self-Released)

Earlier today, I trolled through my recent posts to see if I had written about this shimmering, dreamy single from LA-based producer Josh Legg. Incredibly, I hadn’t — even though it’s been one of the absolute standout songs of the summer so far. Featuring gorgeous, gauzy vocals from Australian singer Chela, “Fifteen” is easily Legg’s most impressive, melodically rich effort to date. Plenty of artists aim for that 80’s nostalgia, “Somebody’s Baby”-type vibe, but very few nail it as expertly as Legg does here. I have no clue what a “slipstream” is, but whenever I listen to this song, I am definitely float back through it. And it feels so fucking good.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/45708341″ iframe=”true” /]

Mirroring
“Drowning The Call”
Foreign Body (Kranky)

I know I’m really late on this, but over the last few months, I have fallen headlong into this quiet gem of a collaboration from Portland multi-instrumentalist Grouper (né Liz Harris) and Tiny Vipers (né Jesy Fortino). Both artists cut their teeth in the Pacific Northwest carving out distinctive, ambient sounds, and they combine their styles to delicious effect on their sleepy, nostalgic LP. The best of it is “Drowning The Call,” a lonely, evocative number that sounds like Harris is calling out to you from a payphone millions of miles away. Lovely.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/37060178″ iframe=”true” /]

Airbird
“Free Mind”
Romance Layers (Legitmix)

Everyone has those musicians who they just roll with. MC Dirty Dawg has a new polka EP coming out next week? Buying it. The Lazy Sunsets are charging $62.50 for their gig at the Wichita State Fair? I’ll work it out. I think I’m getting to that point with Joel Ford. I’m pretty sure I’ve basically liked everything he’s ever put out, and unsurprisingly, the lead single from his Airbird project’s second EP of the year is fucking killer. Over about 7 minutes, the NYC-based producer runs Mariah Carey’s “Prisoner” through a synth-slathered wormhole. What emerges from the other side is a life-affirming disco banger that brings the classic boner jam to new heights. Ford’s musical DeLorean has always had its coordinates set for the late 80’s/early 90’s, and “Free Mind” is yet another example of his ability to bring that era — that most bodacious of eras — into the 21st century.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/53041384″ iframe=”true” /]

And just because it rules, here’s a video from his LP with Daniel Lopatin.