Hot Jam of the Day: Jessie Ware, “Tough Love”

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

Jessie Ware
“Tough Love”
Upcoming LP on PMR

After stealing our hearts with 2012’s near-perfect, Devotion, the approachable 29 year-old is finally set for a follow-up, and if this sultry lead single is anything to go by, the talented Londoner’s reign isn’t ending anytime soon. Restraint was one of the key elements of Devotion, and the exquisite production from BenZel (Two Inch Punch & Benny Blanco) is dripping with it. However, Ware doesn’t follow suit vocally, exploring the upper ranges of her evocative voice in a way that feels fresh and exciting. It feels like she’s taking off the shackles and really going for it here. No doubt, it still feels like a Jessie Ware track, but it’s incredibly exciting to see such a successful, talented young artist continuing to grow in front of our eyes. All hail the queen.

Hot Jam of the Day: PARTYNEXTDOOR, “Her Way”

Posted on June 15, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

PARTYNEXTDOOR
“Her Way”
Digital Single

Since his excellent debut EP dropped last June, the Toronto native (né Jahron Brathwaite) has been dogged with comparisons to fellow Drake-affiliated R&B’er the Weeknd. While there are unarguable similarities (druggy production/shadowy image/alluring yet pain-soaked vocals), the two feature a number of telling sonic differences and one major philosophical one. While Young Abel blew his load early, releasing three mixtapes in 2011, Brathwaite has opted for the opposite approach, trickling out a lean stream of consistently outstanding singles.

“Her Way,” his third single of 2014, picks up where his first two singles — the devastating slow burner, “Persian Rugs,” and the sprawling, “West District,” — left off. Brathwaite’s evocative vocals drown in a champagne ocean of languid, spacey synths and tasteful percussion. It’s the kind of track that can damn near melt your speakers and is an automatic add to that playlist that we all have but only a handful get to here.

Hot Jam of the Day: Karl x Johan, “A Better Tomorrow”

Posted on June 13, 2014 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Karl x Johan
“A Better Tomorrow”
A Better Tomorrow (7″ out 6.24 on Emotion)

Following in Sweden’s rich tradition of prodigiously talented, frustratingly mercurial duos — Air France’s Joel & Henrik, JJ’s Joakim & Elin, Boat Club’s Andreas & Magnus, m83’s Anthony & Claire (jk) — Johan Tuvesson and Kalle Jönsson have spent nearly five years tantalizing us with a string of pristine, emotional pop singles and no proper debut LP. Last summer, the long-awaited debut finally got a date — April 29th, 2014 — nearly an entire year in the future. April 29th came and went, and surprise surprise, we got no album.

But, we have a new single, and oh my word, it’s a doozy. The Stockholm residents have always had a knack for penning stadium sized choruses, aimed straight at the 13 year-old hearts in all of us. The breathtaking, aptly-named “A Better Tomorrow” may feature their most sweeping one yet. Recalling Peter Gabriel as much as Peter Cetera, the Swedes wax emotional over technicolor synths and Rick Allen-esque starry-eyed, synthesized drums. It’s the kind of song meant to play at full-volume in a cavernous, sweaty room to a sea of lighters and outstretched hands. It’s also the kind of song that keeps roping us in, waiting on pins and needles for the complete statement that will officially place them in the rarefied company of their aforementioned countrymen.

Hot Jam of the Day: Deadboy, “Lisa”

Posted on June 13, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Deadboy
“Lisa”
Digital Single

The consistent Southeast Londoner is back with a frenetic, devastating re-imagining of Coldcut & Lisa Stanfield’s still-sweltering 80’s disco classic, “People Hold On.” Throughout his glittering career, the shadowy producer has crafted exquisite updated garage/two-step/UK Bass cuts by accumulating a truck-load of influences and stirring them up with rare precision and sonic acuity. This life-affirming dance-floor filler is no exception. Delish.

Make sure to check out his excellent EP, Return, which came out in April on Numbers.

Images & Words: Real Lies, “North Circular”

Posted on June 9, 2014 by TP1.COM in Featured, Images & Words | Comments Off

Real Lies
“North Circular”
North Circular / Dab Housing (out this summer on Marathon Artists)

This is big one. The London trio’s affecting ode to the 25.7-mile stretch of road that borders the northern part of their city is a gently disarming number that beautifully meanders like the steady flow of midnight headlights. Reminiscent of Mike Skinner’s seminal “Weak Become Heroes” — still one of my 20 favorite tracks of all-time — “North Circular” feels like a massive achievement. It could be the incredibly rare song that distills experiences and feelings of a particular generation in the way that Skinner did 12 years ago.

It beautifully sums up the possibility and the ennui of growing up in suburban sprawl — the melancholy joy of cruising down your streets with your people with fuck all to do. Topped off with a shuffling backbeat, graceful synths, and a far-away guitar line, “North Circular” is the perfect soundtrack for the muted euphoria of a late-night drive through the a-road pubs, petrol stations, and suicide bridges of our suburban childhoods. While my streets may lay more than 5,000 miles to the west, for these 4-and-a-half minutes, the North Circular certainly feels like home.

Hot Jams of the Day: Doss, “The Way I Feel” Remixes

Posted on June 3, 2014 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Doss
“The Way I Feel” Remixes
The Way I Feel Remix EP (out soon on Acéphale)

I’ve spent the last few days on a relaxing California vacation, and the shadowy Acéphale signee’s excellent debut EP has been one key cogs of its soundtrack. The summer vibes look set to continue in the form of a much appreciated remix album, and its first two efforts nail the ephemeral, shape-shifting spirit of the majestic original. Fresh off one of the debuts of the year, London’s Ana Caprix puts a decidedly Balearic, beach-y spin on the cut. PC Music stalwart, Life Sim, focuses more on the dancefloor, weaving a 90’s trance vibe that wouldn’t sound out of place on the Go Soundtrack.

Download This Shit: Life Sim, This Life

Posted on May 28, 2014 by TP1.COM in Download This Shit | Comments Off

Life Sim
This Life EP
PC Music

PC Music is officially in “can’t feel my face” mode, cranking out a steady stream of exhilarating, progressive pop that is as combustable as Floyd Mayweather at FatBurger. Its most recent release is a swirling, genre-bending six-song EP from long-time cohort, Life Sim. Life Sim — like peers Doss, Ana Caprix, and A.G. Cook — take a gorgeously curatorial approach to making pop music. This Life draws from disparate influences, ranging from trance to vaporwave to electro to house, and boils them up into a gleefully eclectic mixture that sounds both fresh and vaguely familiar.

Hot Jam of the Day: Lana Del Rey, “Shades of Cool”

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

Lana Del Rey
“Shades of Cool”
Ultraviolence (out 06.13 on Interscope)

I wasn’t quite prepared to say it after last month’s sweeping, “West Coast,” but Ms. Lana has officially well and truly got her mawfuckin’ groove back. Seemingly doomed to be pop music’s Lindsey Lohan (a few great early moments followed by years of mediocrity and trainwreck), the 27 year-old seems to have re-discovered the starry-eyed nostalgia and drama that made us fall in love with her in the first place. Simply put, “Shades of Cool” is the best thing she’s released since her stunning debut singles “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans.” Built around a romantic, Bond-ian string arraignment, the New York native turns in a stunning vocal performance. There’s real heart here — real pain in those mellifluous pipes. An artist this dramatic only really works if you feel it, and I am more than feeling it. Great to have you back, Lana.

Images & Words: Alexis Taylor, “Without a Crutch (2)”

Posted on May 25, 2014 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

Alexis Taylor
“Without a Crutch (2)”
Await Barbarians (out June 10 on Domino)

Throughout his nearly 15-year career with Hot Chip, Alexis Taylor has penned a glut of gorgeous, lovelorn ballads. Whether the romantic “We’re Looking for a Lot of Love” or my personal favorite, “Alley Cats,” Taylor’s delicate, evocative falsetto is simply built for the kind of breathtaking life-affirmers that leave you searching for either your lighter or your phone to text your ex. All those years on, the Londoner is finally ready to unleash his debut LP, and judging by its two pre-release singles, Taylor is aiming Await Barbarians straight at your heartstrings. History proves he knows exactly you keep them.

Hot Jam of the Day: Jacques Greene, “No Excuse” (Fort Romeau Remix)

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

Jacques Greene
“No Excuse” (Fort Romeau Remix)
Phantom Vibrate Remixes EP (out May 30 on LuckyMe)

Jacques Greene’s outstanding, Phantom Vibrate, has been heavy rotation since in dropped last month, and now it is getting the full remix treatment. Yung Gud’s delicious “No Excuse” remix has been floating around for a while, but this sweltering, monolithic re-work from London stalwart Fort Romeau is our first official taste of the EP. Romeau (né Michael Greene, no relation) expertly builds an arid, ephemeral arraignment around the original’s floaty vocal sample. The busy steel drums are a lovely touch to the album’s undulating synths, giving the evocative original a decidedly dancefloor-focused feel.

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