Fat Trel
“Niggaz Dying”
SDMG (Self-Released)

It only takes the rising Washington DC rapper a few seconds to reference colleague Lil’ Durk’s stunning single, “Dis Ain’t What You Want.” Cut from a similar cloth, Fat Trel’s affecting, somber slow-burner deals with a lot of the same emotions and realities, arguably in an even more articulate, erudite manner. Buoyed by a dreamy soundscape and an original hi-hat pattern courtesy of Canadian producer JGRAMM BEATS, the single brings us into the 23 year-old’s brutal reality, full of hopelessness, disappointment, and fear. While the excellent SDMG has more than its fair share of TURNUP cuts, Trel’s ability to switch up his flow and add emotive, reflective tracks into the mix makes it stand out from the rest.

Cyril Hahn
“Perfect Form” (f/ Shy Girls) (Kaytranada Remix)
Digital Single

I was preparing my “Best Songs of 2013” list, when Canadian producer/remix master, Cyril Hahn, dropped his scorching debut single, so I didn’t have a chance to write about it. The brilliant, moody cut featured a silky assist from Shy Girls vocalist Dan Vidmar.

Earlier today, rising Montreal-native Kaytranada (goddamn, Montreal is killin’ it right now) gave me a reason to bring it back up, in the form of this restrained, deep house remix. Kaytranada (né Kevin Celestin) twists Vidmar’s sultry falsetto* into a revelatory slow-burner that would be equally comfortable in the club, in the bedroom, or with the windows down.

*I appreciate that you could argue that all falsettos are “sultry,” but then there’s Chris Martin. Color me not sure.

Yuck
“Middle Sea”
Glow & Behold (out 10/1 on Fat Possum)

When the news broke last year that frontman Daniel Blumberg was leaving the band, I assumed that we’d never get a proper follow-up to the Londoners’ Gin Blossoms-tastic 2011 debut. However, the group has decided to soldier on as a three-piece with guitarist Max Bloom taking over main singing and songwriting duties. Judging by their first two singles, it looks like there is life after losing their singer.

Like their previous work, “Middle Sea” retains much of their classic, nostalgic Empire Records-ish sound — fuzzy guitars, sharp hooks, angst, more angst, EVEN MORE ANGST — and though Blumberg was a solid vocalist, Bloom’s delivery is more powerful and direct, which is a nice foil for their blurry, ephemeral arraignments. Though their future was uncertain, it is now bright.

Schwarz Dont Crack
“Incomplete (Demo)”
Digital Single

It’s been a while, but we finally get a new single from the ridiculously slept-on Berlin/NYC duo. There’s been recent rumblings of a long-awaited debut EP, and it looks like we are finally going to get our wish. On “Incomplete,” New Yorker Ahmad Larnes’ effortless, yet passionate croon is framed exquisitely by Sebastian Kreis’ drippy, heady arraignment (as per usual).

While Larnes’ voice is fit for Top 40 — there’s more than a little Jeremih in there — the group’s progressive, experimental spirt will keep them well on the fringes. That said, when said fringes are occupied by progressively-minded acts like Kwes, How to Dress Well, and Javeon McCarthy, it’s a pretty good place to be.

Tink x How to Dress Well
“Can I”
Original Appears on Tink’s Winter’s Diary Mixtape

After a couple of weeks away (computer problems, moving to the East Coast), we’re back up and running, and we’re kicking off this week with something special. TP-favorite, How to Dress Well (né Tom Krell) woke up yesterday morning and decided to jump on this devotional slow jam from up-and-coming Chicago singer/rapper, Tink. I can’t say that I’d heard any of Winter’s Diary before today, but it’s pretty tight and Krell’s ghostly falsetto provides a sumptuous foil to the teenage starlet’s saccharine, sweet alone-in-my-bedroom jam.