Lana Del Rey"Doin' Time"Sublime OST (out soon on Universal)If you grew up in California in the early 2000's, it was just about impossible to get in someone's car or go to a party that wasn't playing one of those two Sublime albums. Evidently, the same was true in wherever Read more
Stormzy"Vossi Bop"Digital SingleAfter a little while away, the London kingpin looks to be getting back in the game. "Vossi Bop" is a perfect comeback track because it is such a pure distillation of what makes Stormzy a true-one off. Over a tasty, yet simple beat, Big Mike goes in Read more
Even though we're a solid week into the second quarter, better late than never right? Here's a quick round-up of some of my favorite songs of the last three months. To keep numbers manageable, I didn't include anything from any of my favorite albums list and prioritized songs I Read more
Gah, I can't believe we're already 25% through 2019. That said, Spring is in the air, and we've enjoyed an excellent, diverse crop of music during these first three months. Have a look at some of my favorite LPs of the year so far in no particular order.
Dawn Richard
“New Read more
Chief Keef
"Ain't Gonna Happen"
GloToven (Glo Gang / RBC)
The Chicago stalwart's new project with the legendary Zaytoven is unsurprisingly full of weird and wacky sounds, moving in innumerable unexpected and exciting ways. Its most powerful moment is its starkest, as a heartbroken Keef floats freely over Zay's gorgeous piano.
"Face dried Read more
Vampire Weekend
“Step” Modern Vampires of the City (out now on XL)
In my career as a music writer, I’ve been wrong about plenty of things. I claimed that Fenech-Soler would be “fucking massive,” Delphic had “New Order” potential, and that Justin Vernon should rename his group “Bon Eve-mehr.” Through the years, it’s gotten much easier to admit my eff ups (especially when they are immortalized in pixel form), and leaving Vampire Weekend’s third album off my “Oh My Fucking May” list certainly qualifies as a call I’d like to take back.
Though I always felt they were talented musicians and good songwriters, Vampire Weekend never ever really felt like my band. I was originally put off by the eye-rolling “African influences” of their early work and East Coast prep school image, and I never really developed anything more than a superficial appreciation of their sound. That said, over the last few days, I’ve really fallen into Modern Vampires of the City and love the darker, more sophisticated direction they’ve taken. The record’s brilliance is most evident in this twinkling mid-tempo gemp that sees vocalist Ezra Koenig’s impossibly sweet tenor gliding over Rostam Batmanglij’s cascading, delicious harpsichord line. Lyrically, it’s also top-notch; “Wisdom’s a gift, but you’d trade it for youth.” is about as good as anything I’ve heard this year. This is an early favorite for song of the year.
While the NBA is rolling out their immortal “40 Games in 40 Nights” promo, the music world is doing its own. “16 Potential Classics in 30 Nights” may not be as catchy, but it’s just as ri-goddamn-diculous. I can’t remember a month where this many (SIXTEEN!) exciting, possible top-10 albums have all dropped in a month. It’s especially impressive, considering it succeeded an epic first quarter.
So, here is low-down on the 16 albums out this month that demand your attention — in 16(ish) words or less.
And awayyyy we go!
Dean Blunt, The Redeemer (Hippos in Tanks) When: May 1 Where: London What: The first true official LP from the Hype Williams-frontman Why You Care: It’s the most coherent statement from the esoteric, genre-bending genius to date. An utterly fascinating LP. For Fans of: Everything but the kitchen sink. TP’s Excitement Scale: 9.8/10
Ghostpoet: Some Say I So, I Say Light, (Brownswood) When: May 6 Where: London What: The sophomore LP from the moody, progressive spoken word poet/MC Why You Care: Because his debut, Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam, was an engulfing, original masterclass of post-Skinner sad-o grime. For fans of: Late night bus rides home, poetic hip-hop. TP’s Excitement Level: 8.8/10
Savages: Silence Yourself (Matador) When: May 7 Where: London What: The rollicking debut LP from the hotly-tipped riot grrrrl quartet Why You Care: The young post-punkers are threatening to lift off with a classic. Angry, uncompromising, utterly brilliant. For Fans of: The Shape of Punk to Come TP’s Excitement Level: 10/10
Kisses: Kids in LA (Cascine) When: May 14 Where: Los Angeles What: The follow-up to their splendid, massively underrated debut, The Heart of the Nightlife Why You Care: As an early investor on this synthy, Balearic-leaning bf-gf duo, it’s hard to be objective, but KILA is a dark step forward from their excellent debut. For Fans of: Rolling the windows down. The 80’s. TP’s Excitement Level: 10/10
Pure X, Crawling Up the Stairs (Acephale) When: May 14 Where: Austin, TX What: The follow-up to the slowcore trio’s excellent debut, Pleasure (2011) Why You Care: Early singles have foreshadowed a less foggy, more melodic second effort. For Fans Of: Expressive, heady guitar music. Downers. TP’s Excitement Scale: 8.5/10
Colleen, The Weighing of the Heart (Second Language) When: May 14 Where: Paris What: The French Joanna Newsom’s ornate, orchestral fifth LP Why You Care: The mercurial, hyper-talented composer/producer crafts beautiful tracks that pair delicate, orchestral arraignments with her breathy, mellifluous vocals. For Fans of: Midday naps, orchestral pop. TP’s Excitement Scale: 8.8/10
Classixx, Hanging Gardens (Innovative Leisure) When: May 14 Where: LA What: The long-awaited debut full-length from the breezy disco duo Why You Care: Because every summer needs a soundtrack, and nobody is currently making better sunshine jams. For Fans Of: Good vibes, day-drinking, DFA. TP’s Excitement Scale: 8.7/10
Dirty Beaches, Drifters/Love Is The Devil (Zoo) When: May 14 Where: Montreal via Taipei What: The shadowy, experimental 2xLP follow-up to 2011’s lo-fi masterclass, Badlands Why You Care: Alex Zhang Hungtai is famously unpredictable, and these albums promise to be harrowing, engulfing rides. For Fans Of: Challenging, uncompromising, occasionally brutal journeys deep into the human psyche. TP’s Excitement Scale: 9.1/10
Say Lou Lou “Fool of Me” (f/ Chet Faker) Julian 7″ (out now on à Deux)
These dreamy Swedish twin sisters released one of the most enchanting ballads of last year with the moody, lovelorn “Maybe You.” Since then, the artist formerly known as Saint Lou Lou kept us on pins and needles, but their return single is well worth the wait. On “Fool of Me,” the girls (Miranda + Elektra Kilbey) enlist the talents of buzzy Australian vocalist Chet Faker to help craft another elegiac, gauzy single that pairs the sisters’ breathy, seductive vocals with palatial soundscapes and soaring melodies. It aims straight for the teenage hearts in all of us, and unsurprisingly, it’s a direct fucking hit.
Sohn
“Bloodflow” Bloodflow 12″ (out in June on 4AD)
Thunder Penguin has been crushing on the sensually mournful sounds of this British/Austrian future R&B troubadour, since he dropped his carefully crafted debut EP late last year. His dreamlike debut video highlights the isolation and beauty of his work, pairing vignettes of a lone, still woman standing in front of beautiful, living landscapes.
Also, check out Sohn’s beautiful remix of Rhye’s similarly beautiful, “Open.”
For their debut album, it looks like the Angelino production-duo are busting out their Rolodexes. The group’s recently-released, devestating summer track, “Borderline,” featured velvety vocals from Kisses/Princeton frontman Jesse Kivel. To follow it up, Hanging Gardens‘ brilliant second single enlists the breezy, carefree vocals of permacool ex-LCDer, sometime-Juan-MacLeaner Nancy Whang.
If you’ve heard Classixx before, you know what they are all about: top-down, hair-in-the-wind, Balearic-leaning, synth-driven, good-time jamz. And while it’s definitely nothing new, very few artists do it this well and with this much conviction.
Jai Paul
“Track 7 (Crush)” Jai Paul (out this year on 4AD)
I can’t remember an artist who has sustained such a massive buzz this long (3 1/2 years) off this little material (2 songs), especially when you consider the fact that he’s done exactly zero recorded interviews, released very few photos, and has seemingly never performed live. That said, Jai Paul shut down the blogosphere last weekend, when a mysterious version of his long-awaited debut album was uploaded to Bandcamp (later, it was found to be leaked). It only takes a few spins to see what all the buzz is about. Simply put, it was probably the most fascinating album I’ve heard this year, even in demo form.
Once I found out it was a leak, I decided not to write about it or listen to it much, not wanting to spoil its proper release on 4AD later this year. However, I made an exception for this devastating cover of late 90’s jam “Crush” by Jennifer Page. I have a particular affinity for this track — due to the original’s prominent placement on a mixtape made for me by my first girlfriend (cool story, bro) — but the Rayners Lane-based vocalist/producer takes it to unfathomably dope levels, pillowtalking all Prince-ish over delicious satin sheets of synth. It’s the only track I’m letting myself listen to, apart from the previously released gems “BTSTU” and “Jasmine,” mostly because I know I’ll never get sick of it. FUH-KING BRILLIANT.
And just because it’s magic, here’s Jennifer Page’s original video.
In an online music world that’s over-saturated with information, very little is known about London-based producer/songwiter Oscar Scheller. What is known, however, is that his debut single is an effortless direct-hit of a summer pop song. Led by his emotive baritone (think Dan Bodan, Jens Lekman, Zach Condon), “Never Told You” glides along with consumate ease and grace, leaving the listener disarmed by its scintillating simplicity. Something tells me this won’t be the last we’ll hear from Scheller this year. Here’s hoping…
When Lil’ Wayne declared himself the best rapper alive all the way back in 2008, it seemed totally ridiculous, and then over the next couple years, it just sort of became so. Though the prodigiously talented 32 year-old would never do it, with every successive track it’s getting harder and harder for me to find a rapper I’d rather listen to. This non-album track shows that the Detroit MC always goes hard, even on his throwaway tracks.
The National
“Don’t Swallow the Cap”/”Demons” Trouble Will Find Me (out May 20 on 4AD)
About a month before the all-conquering Brooklynites unleash their uber-anticipated sixth LP, we get some tasty hor d’oeuvres in the form of two of the album’s first three tracks. While the latter is exactly the kind of artful, impeccably crafted diet-dirge that characterizes large chunks of their spotty, slightly uneven 2010 release, High Violet, the former reminds us what has made them one of the two or three finest traditional rock bands we have on this planet. “Don’t Swallow The Cap” features everything the quintet does well: the driving backbeat, the rousing climax, vocalist Matt Berninger’s staggering, cutting lyrics (“If you want to see me cry, play Let it Be or Nevermind“). In their 14 year career, the National has set the bar incredibly high, and more than anything, these two songs show that Trouble Will Find Me will likely clear that bar. We can all breathe a little easier.
Empress Of
“Tristeza” Systems EP (out now on Terrible Records)
After releasing a string of devastating avant-pop singles, Empress Of’s Lorely Rodriguez finally unleashed her heady, warmly disorienting proper debut EP earlier this month. On this choppy, alluring cut, the Brookyln-based, LA-native embraces her Latin American roots and unwraps her quirky vocals over some undulating dollops of synth. The genre-bending youngster has been compared to myriad experimental vocalists (Julia Holter, Beach House’s Victoria Legrand, Julianna Barwick), and while she doesn’t quite sound like any of them, they are sort of sonic spiritual cousins of this rising, future pop chanteuse.
Vampire Weekend
