Images & Words: Wet, “You’re The Best”

Posted on October 24, 2013 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

Wet
“You’re The Best”
Wet (out now on Neon Gold)

Every once in a while, a band comes along that you just kind of want to paint your flag on. That’s currently happening for me with this downtempo, unGoogleable Brooklyn trio. Their debut EP is an affecting collection of simple, direct songs that dig their little fingers into you and simply refuse to let go. Vocalist Kelly Zutrau’s haunting vocals and plaintiff lyrics are deftly framed by swaths of reverb-soaked guitars and electro-percussion. Lyrically, “You’re the Best” stands in stark contrast to much of the rest of the heartbroken album, but sonically, it’s a great example of what makes them so special. Catching them at CMJ cemented my belief that in a year or so these guys are going to be huge. There’s plenty of room on the bandwagon now; hop on before it gets too full.

Hot Jam of the Day: Katy Perry, “Birthday”

Posted on October 18, 2013 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Katy Perry
“Birthday”
Prism (out October 22 on Capitol)

No matter how many records she sells, the Santa Barabra native remains an under-appreciated force in pop music. At her best, Perry is capable of transcendent slabs of window-down magic, and I’d argue that “Teenage Dream” is easily one of the best, most intoxicating pure pop songs of the last ten years. Admittedly, she’s also responsible for her fair share of tepid, paint-by-numbers arena rock dross (see: Prisim‘s lifeless first single, “Roar”). However, when she dials up the bubblegum, the Swedish, and the synths (e.g., the perfect “Firework”, the Kanye-assisted “E.T.”), she’s as direct and unstoppable a pop star as anyone since Britney.

While early Prism singles have been uninspiring, Good Katy comes out to play on the delicious, disco-soaked “Birthday.” Over a bouncy, Saturday Night Fever guitar-line (a bit reminiscent of Jessica Simpson’s secretly brilliant, “A Public Affair“), Perry is in full Teenage Dream-mode here, cooing birthday salutations to an exxxxxxxtremely lucky dude like only she can. The 28 year-old has the rare ability of being unabashedly sexy without surrendering one ounce of her power, and “Birthday” is a perfect example of that. It looks like the song of the summer might have just came out in October.

And just in case you forgot, here’s the video for “Teenage Dream.”

Stream This Shit: CFCF, Outside

Posted on October 16, 2013 by TP1.COM in Download This Shit | Comments Off

CFCF
Outside (out 10/22 on Paper Bag)

Montreal’s keyboard genius Michael Silver threw his hat into the “Best Album of the Year” ring today with the stream of his sumptuous, essential second LP. Only a few months after his stunning Music for Objects EP dropped, the young composer’s Outside is a cavernous, reflective masterclass, bridging the gap between the head and heart masterfully. He is truly one of the unique, fascinating, and versatile voices in music today.

Images & Words: Kwes, “36”

Posted on October 14, 2013 by TP1.COM in Images & Words | Comments Off

Kwes
“36”
ilp. (out 10/15 on Warp)

The South London R&B dreamer’s debut LP drops tomorrow and is one of my most anticipated albums of the year. Its undeniable second single, “36,” gets an adorable, touching treatment, dealing with a high school love in a way that everyone can relate to. All hail, King Kwes!

Hot Jam of the Day: Lee Bannon, “Place/Crusher”

Posted on October 14, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Lee Bannon
“Place/Crusher”
Place/Crusher EP (out now on NinjaTune)

Listed as a one-song EP, the Sacramento native’s debut for legendary UK label Ninja Tune is an engulfing 23-minute ride through the murky mind of one of the best young beatsmiths around. Bannon gained notoriety through his excellent work with Pro Era (Joey Bada$$, especially), but he truly shines on his experimental, expansive solo work.

Place/Crusher‘s genre-hopping movements keep the journey fresh, and Bannon’s deft use of negative space and urbane, melancholic soundscapes are reminiscent of genre kingpins Burial and Flying Lotus. Obviously, it isn’t easy to keep a listener’s attention for 23 minutes (especially in this day and age), but the 26 year-old’s current high watermark does it with ease, revealing more of its genius with every subsequent listen.

Stream/Download This Shit: Lil’ Durk, Signed to the Streets

Posted on October 10, 2013 by TP1.COM in Download This Shit, Featured | Comments Off

Lil’ Durk
Signed to the Streets Mixtape

The wait is over! After an interminable number of delays, Chicago’s most interesting young MC finally drops the highly-anticipated successor to last year’s awesome, Life Ain’t No Joke. Lead single, “Dis Ain’t What U Want,” is undoubtedly one of the songs of the year, and early returns indicate that Signed to the Streets is going to be an absolute stormer. Featuring melodic, imposing production from longtime collaborators Paris Beuller, Young Chop, and Zaytoven, Durk Banks’ sing-song flow and raw, emotive delivery are more on-point than ever.

At just 20 years of age, Banks has already lived an incredible amount. In the last year or so, he has seen three members of his OTF imprint gunned down, spent time in prison, had two children, and signed a multi-million dollar deal with Def Jam (and that’s only what’s been reported on). All of the his struggles and successes are on full display here, and Signed to the Streets really demonstrates how fast kids have to grow up in his reality and the abject hopelessness many face. It also serves as a devastating reminder of the current state of Chicago, which, at this point, should be considered a state of emergency. That said, an undercurrent of the hope and joy permeates the disc, thanks to Durk’s buoyant flow and survivor’s spirit. It won’t be everybody’s cup of tea, but if you consider yourself a music fan, you owe it yourself to give the album a fair, unbiased listen. Simply put, it’s one of the most essential albums to come out this year.

Stream + Download the Album, here.

Check out the video for “100 Rounds.”

Best Song Ever Wednesday: Cass McCombs, “County Line”

Posted on October 9, 2013 by TP1.COM in Best Song Ever Wednesday, Featured | Comments Off

At my old magazine, my editor and mentor Jocelyn Hoppa had a column called “Best Song Ever Wednesday” where she wrote about (YOU GUESSED IT!) her favorite songs. I’ve been wanting to borrow (read: steal) this column for some time, and as Crawdaddy! is now RIP, I feel pretty ok about it. This isn’t meant to be a list or catalog of my favorite songs, rather a place for me to write about a classic song that means something to me that feels relevant.

Cass McCombs
“County Line”
WIT’S END (Domino, 2011)

The centerpiece to nomadic singer/songwriter Cass McCombs’ fifth LP seems a strange place to start this column, as I don’t regard the artist, nor the album as one of my favorites. That said, there is something about this song that has just stuck with me. The prolific, freewheeling drifter penned this stunning gallows ode to his hometown, and though it doesn’t mirror my feelings about mine — I quite like where I’m from — the song brilliantly sums up a common, conflicted feeling had by so many: simultaneously hating where you are from and having a deep-seeded affinity for it.

It also goes a long way to explaining the notoriously hermetic vocalist’s decision to live on the road, and it offers a rare slice of direct insight into McCombs’ complicated character. More than anything, though, it captures the complicated feelings surrounding going home in raw, simple terms — which is quite the achievement. It’s my “My Hometown,” and it’ll always remind me of both why I left home and what I miss about it.

Hot Jams of the Day: R. Kelly, “Cookie” & “Genius”

Posted on October 8, 2013 by TP1.COM in Featured, Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

R. Kelly
“Cookie” & “Genius”
Black P***ies* (out 12/3 on RCA)

I’m frankly conflicted about both of these tracks. Though they are both unquestionably fantastic boner jams, they are both a bit too reminiscent of my dude The-Dream for me to fully buy in. Production-wise, the rolling bass, heavy synths, and hi-hat patters are pure Terius, and vocally, Kellz the Great sounds quite a bit Dream-ish, especially on the propulsive former. That said, both cuts are deliriously fun and stupid in all the right ways, and a music world with hot Kellz tracks is 1000 times better than one without them.

*that word grosses me out, even to type.

“Cookie”

“Genius”

Hot Jam of the Day: Saada Bonaire, “You Could Be More As You Are”

Posted on October 7, 2013 by TP1.COM in Hot Jam of the Day | Comments Off

Saada Bonaire
“You Could Be More As You Are”
Saada Bonaire (out Nov 12 on Captured Tracks)

This is really cool. The always reliable Captured Tracks is re-releasing this forgotten LP from this 80’s new-wave/disco duo from Bremen, Germany. In the midst of recording back in 1984, EMI pulled the plug on the album due to budget constraints, and nearly thirty years later, the disc gets its proper release. Superb lead single, “You Could Be More As You Are,” is dripping with sultry, á la mode attitude, buoyant synths, and funky bass licks. The disc sounds incredibly modern, thanks to the renewed influence of world music and new age in today’s pop music, and it’s fascinating to stumble on a relic that still sounds ahead of its time, 30 years later.

Quick Jam: Haim x Twin Shadow, “Edge”

Posted on October 7, 2013 by TP1.COM in Quick Jam | Comments Off

Haim
“Edge”
Days Are Gone (Deluxe UK Edition) (out now on Polydor)

It’s ironic that the SFV sisters’ best song is named the exact thing their music often lacks. “Edge” — co-penned by the intrepid George “Twin Shadow” Lewis Jr. — brings a welcome tension to their airy, Laurel Canyon sound. Buoyed by a monster, slapped bassline and wrapped-so-tight guitarwork, Danielle Haim’s melancholia-twinged vocal absolutely soars with heart-rendered angst and palpable (you guessed it!) edge. Turns out, it’s exactly what they needed all along.

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