Rhye - Open
Mike Milosh’s voice is alluring and draws you in every way possible. Smooth and sensual- these guys really have it down. “Open” is from Rhye’s debut album WOMAN which will be available March 4th, 2013.
Cold Showers - DC
Cold Showers is a post-punk band out of LA that oozes with gloomy and dark sounds. Andrew King from Crystal Antlers joins on guitar and adds the perfect touch to make “BC” stand out. I would’ve loved to have seen these guys at SXSW with The Jesus and Mary Chain back in March…luckily they will be going on tour this fall to support their new album Love and Regret out October 9th via Dais.
Poolside - Slow Down
It’s officially summer… endless days of short shorts, sunglasses and laying by the pool… ideally the beach actually. Poolside’s “Slow Down” seems to fit summer perfectly. Smooth slooooow jam with glistening synths. Oh yaaa summer daze. This is the first single from this brand new band straight outta LA… how fitting. Their album Pacific Standard Time is out July 9th.
Port St. Willow - Amawalk
There is something so comforting about this somber song with its spectacular tenor voice and sweeping guitar that captures such emotion. Honestly, I had thought it was Peter Silberman of The Antlers but after taking a deeper look into this incredible song I found that Nick Principe is man behind Port St. Willow which was formed in Portland, OR 2009. “Amawalk” is powerful and haunting with its beauty.
Tomas Barfod - November Skies ft. Nina Kinert
Tomas Barfod is best known for being the drummer of the Danish group WhoMadeWho but I am undoubtedly, undeniably fascinated with his newest project Salton Sea. “November Skies” reels you in with its airy melody aided by Swedish vocalist Nina Kinert’s graceful voice. His LP will release on Friends of Friends May 21.
I am still in awe on how fast these two London producers rose to fame at the young age of 17 and 20. These brothers are turning heads. After Disclosure’s recent remix of Jessie Ware’s “Running” and “Boiling” you can expect great things from them because their sound is mature, cutting-edge and rich. “Boiling” is the first track off their new EP The Face which will be released June 4 on Greco-Roman. Take notice of these guys and thank me later.
Love this eerie subdued sound right now. These two from Helsinki are making waves fast…seeing how they formed only a couple of months ago. Phantom made their first public appearance at SXSW this year and obviously caught peoples attention. Word is that the xx is into it, so naturally everyone else should. dig it. dug it, good.
SBTRKT - Hold On
One of the most intriguing and progressive DJ/producer from London. Aaron Jerome really knows how to add variety to his tracks because his style tends to mix elements of dubstep (no-not the super obnoxious kind), 2-step, elaborate beats and wonderful guest vocalists. Each song is vividly different. “Hold On” featuring Sampha has a steady beat mixed with a somber xylophone throughout the song. Been stuck in my head for days, can’t even begin to say how excited I am to see this guy at Coachella in the next two weeks.
You’re definitely going to want this turn this one up high… “Jasmine” is saturated with rich bass and smooth guitar. Jai Paul has done it again- made an absolute perfect track. I was obsessed with his last single BTSTU…this British singer/producer knows how make a song sound so sexy and sensual. “Jasmine” dropped Friday evening via XL- perfect driving through the city of LA. So into it right now.
Yup it doesn’t surprise that Chromatics Kill For Love got best new album on Pitchfork because it is incredible. It’s the kind of song that leaves your skin tingling because you want more. It’s filled with this dark and slow palpating sound and then the scratching synth emerges as if it’s grabbing you and pulling you. Just in awe. “Lady” is the third single taken off Chromatics’ highly anticipated Kill For Love.
Quakers - Smoke Ft. Jonwayne
Quakers is 35-member hip-hop collaboration that has a new album coming out via Stones Throw on March 27. Geoff Barrow of Portishead (one of three producers in the group) helped produce this track. Deeply rooted in that old school funkness. So fresh and witty. like whoaaa seriously listen to the lyrics, guy has mad flow.
Clams Casino - I’m God (Instrumental)
This beat sounds way better without Lil B, just saying. New Jersey producer Mike Volpe known as Clams Casino is such a boss. “I’m God” samples Imogen Heap’s “Just For Now” and man he makes it sound so good. It’s the kind of song that leaves an impression on you. The beat is diffused creating a dreamy parazlying state of mind that leaves you in awe.
Beach House - Myth
Beach House has out done themselves again, can’t seem to get this song off my mind. I can only imagine my office was pretty annoyed with me because I played “Myth” on repeat all day. But how could you not…. Victoria Legrand’s voice is stunning and “Myth” gleams with emotion. Beach House increasingly becomes more polished, richer and more sophisticated with each song they produce. The ultimate Baltimore dream-pop phenomenon. This is only the beginning to one of the most talked about bands of our generation.
Evy Jane - Sayso
I can credit Lex Chase for showing me this song…. that girl is always on my level with music. What’s up with all these Canadian fools that know how to transform R&B into a whole new genre that is truly innovative and creative!! They are always one up on everything else. Mad respect. “Sayso” is sexy, sinister, minimal, and the beat just breathes through you. Evelyn Mason and Jeremiah Klein as Evy Jane is a game changer for sure. Evy Jane’s self-titled EP is out now via King Deluxe.
Doe Paoro - Born Whole
I forgot I had downloaded this song a couple weeks back and re-found it today. Brooklyn singer Doe Paoro’s “Born Whole” is both influenced by Indian sounds as well and as R&B. Over flowing with down-tempo melodies, soulful vocals and decorative piano tunes. Slow To Love was released February 14, 2012.
Kid A - BB Bleu
bahhhhh I love this girl. I stumbled on this while I was on The Fader today. Such an ideal song for a Monday. Virginia singer and producer Kid A describes so much in such a simple song. “BB Blue” was originally on Kid A’s previous album PPONEY OST which came out summer of 2011- deals with isolation, love gone sour and dreamy landscapes tunes. This new remastered version of “BB Blue” is lovely. Looking forward to her new album BLCKSECHLL.
Perfect song to drop everything you have on your mind and get lost in a beautiful slow-moving oblivion. Nicolas Jaar making moves and getting up my another one of my favorite L.A. producers Shlohmo. “Rained The Whole Time” is creative and incorporates a lot of Jaar minialist approach to music. Shlohmo’s Vacation EP will be out on Friends of Friends on February 28 and will feature amazing artists such as Nicolas Jaar, Airhead, Salva and Groundislava.
Kendrick Lamar – Cartoon & Cereal ft. Gunplay (Prod. by THC)
Whoa, I haven’t heard a track this dope in a while. I mean this is insanely good. Definitely bizarre but innovative, creating mind-blowing beats and the words just flow. And of course Gunplay adding his a raw verses. You can’t help bobbing your head and getting lost in the 7 minute piece…. unreal.
PLEASE do yourself a favor and check out this band….because whoa- I saw these guys last night at Book & Stage at The Cosmo and they were incredible. I needed a little soul back in my life and man did I get it. Nick Waterhouse is a vintage R&B and rock singer out of San Francisco. I absolutely love his sound, his ability to recreate that soulful gritty sound of the 60’s is astounding. His EP Is That Clear is out now.
“I Can’t Stay” is a fresh single from Cut Copy’s bassist Ben Browning new solo project. His EP, Lover Motion, is going drop on March 19 via Cutters label. Definitely sounds like Cut Copy to me. Lover Motion will feature Gus Franklin and Haima Marriott from Architecture in Helsinki as well as Cut Copy’s Dan Whitford. Looking forward to this release, going to be a good one!!
