Gucci Mane
“First Day out the Feds”
Digital Single
After about two years in the same federal penitentiary that was home to Timothy McVeigh, Radric Davis emerged in one piece and ready to get back to work. Unsurprisingly, his first single is suffocating and profoundly sad. Davis shares the mental scars of a lifetime of trouble with startling detail and admits that he “did some things to some people that was downright evil.” He sounds weary but not defeated, like a man with plenty more stories to tell.
Thast
“Rep Your County” (Dave Luxe remix)
Digital Single
The Canadian producer puts a fresh coat of paint on Queen Thast’s 2014, track “Rep Your County.” The Central Florida native recently teased new material with Ryan Hemsworth and Zora Jones, and this delicious Dave Luxe remix will be enough tie us over until the new tracks drop. She is without a doubt one of the most exciting young artists on the planet right now.
Jenny Hval
“Female Vampire”
Blood Bitch (09.30 on Sacred Bones)
Rejoice! Jenny Hval, the artist behind my second favorite album of 2015, is blessing us with another full-length this year. According to the press release, Blood Bitch will be a concept album that explores menstruation, vampires, and 70s horror films. Sign me the fuck up.
Gundam
“Intimate” / “Too Late”
Intimate / Too Late (out now on Goon Club Allstars)
The Essex producer’s lovely, Cassie-flipping “Intimate” has been floating around the Internet for a few years, but it finally gets a proper release by Goon Club Allstars. One of the leaders of the recent R&G (rhythm & grime) resurgence, Gundam first appeared on my radar via 2014’s excellent LP, Flirtation, and his work is highly recommended for those who love their club music with maximum 90’s R&B emotion.
Ryley Walker
“The Halfwit In Me”
Golden Sings That Have Been Sung (out 08.19 on Dead Oceans)
I struggled to get into the Chicago folker’s critically well-received 2015 LP, Primrose Green. For all its tasty guitar-work (and, he is a great fucking guitar player), I struggled to find a foothold in the songwriting. So suffice it to say, I was surprised to keep coming back to his dusty, gentle breeze of a new single.
