Lately more than ever I’ve had to convince friends that rap like Mac Miller is not so good — it’s easier said than explained though. It’s not that all of this white boy rap isn’t fame worthy, it’s just some of it plain sucks while others simply lack the soul most a good amount of hip-hop has had in its past. However, even a smaller crowd has managed to pull it all off, which brings us to illphonics.
When I first heard illphonics’ emcee, Fallout, on ‘Your Body,’ I thought it was going to be just that white boy, college rap I try to stay away from. But soon enough I figured out that this has much more all mixed up. illphonics’ jam may have that pop style of hip-hop set in, but it’s mixed with some southern soul. From the chorus to the brass behind it, this is a good mix of pop fun and soul feelings.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/88616994" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]
Another rare case where I love reading into a song’s lyrics more than just a single verse at a time. Actually I usually make up my own words, but Tove Lo’s Habits paints a clear picture like few others do. She simply tells a good story.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/83449271" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]
Ghosts of Venice treat us to some hearty, upbeat disco with a special guest on vocals. And like I love to point out with every song I post of his, Josh Jakq reminds me too much of Justin Timberlake. However, the tables have turned this time around when I heard a song playing it instantly reminded me of Josh Jakq’s voice and it turned out to be none other than JT’s. But besides my not-so brilliant insight that’s probably been pointed out to him too much already, it’s nice to hear Jakq change up his work from the hypnotics of soul to something so disco fresh. A definite match for that falsetto of his.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/87109359" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]
I get such vivid imagery from something as simple as this song’s title. Same goes for the lyrics with their fun & well crafted ways. However, where this song really shines is in Benoit & Sergio’s disco rework of Hot Natured’s original. Anabel Englund’s voice packs such power without what seems any effort. Natural soul.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/90607295" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]
So like I always do, I made up my own lyrics to Moon Boots’ Love Strong song or at least parts of it. But when I tried to figure out the actual lyrics, I couldn’t. The weird thing is that these vocals sound so familiar. I thought a simple Google search or a SHAZAM! would do it, but no such luck.
This is why credits need to be given with a simple search.. or simpler. For the first time we have the ability to properly store extensive song data, yet there’s still no widely-known & used service that gives musicians this ability, easily. This has been brought up at a few SF MusicTech discussions I’ve listened to and I’m sure it will be again, but hopefully with someone who has a promising demo to show off this time around. [Dreams]
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/92187982" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]
French Express is once again staying consistent in their choice selection of music with Isaac Tichauer’s funk slice of house, Take Over You. The EP’s cut up into five solid states (tracks), but other than the lead single the four others are simply meant for passive rather than active listening. The four others just aren’t supported with vocals like on ‘Take Over You,’ one’s that carry the song the whole way through rather than just becoming an instrument of it.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/90475905" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]
This is such a powerful song, but first I need to get to more pressing matters on my mind. The lone trumpet or brass instrument playing throughout Joywave’s ‘Dying Well’ sure as hell reminded me of Homeland’s opening credits – well, up until I rewatched them. It may not remind me of the credits anymore, but there’s gotta be something Homelandish about that damn thing — thoughts
Now back to the actual song, ‘Dying Well’ has one sensual lead vocals that carry well with none other than that lonely brasstrument (hate that thing). This whole piece carries pretty damn well in fact, yet unfortunately the rest of Joywave’s 88888 mixtape does not. I didn’t find anything else on there that stuck in my head quite like ‘Dying Well.’ I may not understand all the lyrics in it yet, but I get the message clear.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/87116099" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]
From the first two tracks I’ve listened to of Thundercat’s, thanks to Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label, it’s plain to see he brings a vocal sentiment to his funky bass guitar jams. I haven’t heard the rest of Thundercat’s Apocalypse album yet, but I hope it keeps up the consistency that I heard on “Heartbreaks + Setbacks” & ‘Oh Sheit It’s X.’ Still in much demand for soulful vocals like Stephen “Thundercat” Brunner’s.
Apocalypse is set to release June 4. In the meantime, check out Thundercat’s catalogue.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/87904286" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]
There’s alotta music that sounds good, but few become all that memorable. To have a sound you know you’ll be listening to for a good long while, as sparing as that while may be, is what we all look for in music.
I first caught wind of Max Frost with his ‘White Lies’ track that’s topping the charts on the Hype Machine right now. And as memorable as ‘White Lies’ may be, what I didn’t expect was to find a bunch more memorables.
Frost’s SoundCloud is littered with funky hick jives that are all single worthy in their own right. His 50’s bebop style with Black Keys like vocals could only be topped off right with such memorable chorus lines. I’m looking with a keen eye on this guy, not a mediocre track to his name, yet.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/84712987" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]
Coyote Kisses were right there when I got into the EDM, bass-driven scene just a few years back. They’ve always been there when my electro dance appeal’s been waning and bring the fresh electro charm to play. Compared to their last EP, I can tell the chomp has been lost in Thundercolor, but still brings the charm.
I didn’t appreciate Thundercolor the first time through simply because I didn’t expect it. Now that I’ve listened to it a few times through, it’s clear that the synth melody is still signed in, but doesn’t have the usual chomp Coyote Kisses mouth off. But no longer will I wear my bass-driven depends for these two. I’d much rather see them stretch their stylistic seams into beauty such as this than listen to the usual bullshit I love.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/90864938" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18" /]