Category Archives: music

2012, 31 days of good, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.5.12

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The G.O.O.D. Music crew had a huge year with the release of Cruel Summer.  This record top to bottom has some of the best production in hip hop along with some of hip hops biggest names.  “Mercy” is the standout track in my opinion, especially the verses from Pusha T and 2 Chainz.  Pusha T has emerged as the stand out lyricist of the entire crew, combining clever quips with street credibility.

Kanye West – Mercy (feat. Big Sean, Pusha T, & 2 Chainz) [from Cruel Summer]

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The super hyped Odd Future crew are some of the most blogged about people in hip hop.  Earl Sweatshirt is actually deserving of the hype.  Drawing comparisons to early Nas, Earl has a grim and visceral tone to his music.  The 18 year old MC has definitely established himself as one of the elite up and coming rappers in the rap game.  And when you have a chance, head on over to Stereogum and watch the music video that dropped yesterday.

Earl Sweatshirt – Chum [from Doris]

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Just add the stats of this track and I’m sold: Kendrick Lamar + Drake + a Janet Jackson sample. There are a lot of great cuts from Kendrick Lamar’s major label debut and follow up to his majorly successful mix tape Section.80, but this might be my favorite.

Kendrick Lamar – Poetic Justice (ft. Drake) [from good kid, m.A.A.d city]

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2012, music, new music

[new music roundup] 12.4.12

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A few of my favorite new releases this week, including the latest from Memory Tapes and Work Drugs.  As always, be sure to check out Largehearted Boy for more new music.

 

The Longwalls//Kowloon

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Memory Tapes//Grace/Confusion

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Scott Walker//Bish Bosch
Watch the video for “Epizootics!” here.
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Work Drugs//Delta

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A few more worth a listen
Mogwai//Wrenched Virile Lore
Wiz Khalifa//O.N.I.F.C.

 

What are your favorite new releases this week?

2012, 31 days of good, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.4.12

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Somewhat of an eclectic mix today.  Pretty much just shuffled through my favorites and these popped up.  I don’t think you’ll mind one bit.

 

Buke & Gase (formally Buke & Gass) is an up-and-coming Brooklyn-based duo with a really cool, original sound.   They released their 2nd EP, Function Falls, this year on Brassland and plan to release their debut full-length, General Dome, this coming January.  Keep an eye on these two, I anticipate a big 2013.

♩ Buke & Gase – Tending the Talk [from Function Falls, stream via bandcamp]
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Hundred Waters is a 5-piece art-rock band from Gainesville, FL, and first indie act to sign with Skrillex’s record label — OWSLA.  This year saw the release of band’s first EP, Thistle (Remixes), and debut full-length, Hundred Waters.  I owe CMJ 2012 for this discovery (along with many others).

♩ Hundred Waters – Visitor [from Hundred Waters]
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I didn’t know anything about UK singer-songwriter Jessie Ware until she randomly popped up one of my spotify radio stations.  I haven’t giver her debut LP Devotion a proper listen, but I love “Wildest Moments”.  Be sure to check out the Star Slinger remix (via soundcloud) after you finish up here.

♩ Jessie Ware – Wildest Moments [from Devotion]
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Tilly And The Wall is one of my favorite indie-pop bands.  This year, the 5-piece from Nebraska, released their fourth full-length, Heavy Mood.  This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2012 and it totally lived up to my expectations.  And the album title is perfect.  This album is heavy and a lot of fun.  Check out the title track below and you’ll hear what i’m talking about.

♩ Tilly And The Wall – Heavy Mood [from Heavy Mood]
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2012, 31 days of good, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.3.12

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Since starting this blog three years ago, I’ve been introduced to some really cool electronic music and i’ve really started to enjoy this genre more and more.  I tend to lean more towards the ambient, cinematic stuff, but i’ve been casually expanding my electronic horizons over the years.  So now that i’ve lowered the bar, and you’re aware i’m definitely not a connoisseur of electronic music, please consider these tracks as some of the year’s best electronic music.  And if you’re reading this and saying to yourself, “I hate electronic music”, at the very least you need to give Blackbird Blackbird a shot.  This guy is amazing and he just keeps getting better.  This year’s Boracay Planet is his best yet.

 

♩Blackbird Blackbird – It’s A War [from Boracay Planet]
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♩Burial – Loner [from Kindred EP]
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♩Dan Deacon – USA I: Is a Monster [from America]
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♩Lindstrøm – Fāār-i-kāāl [from Smalhans]
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♩Mux Mool – Baba [from Planet High School]
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♩Sweet Valley – Final Zone [from Stay Calm]
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♩Teen Daze – Late [from All of Us, Together]
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2012, 31 days of good, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.2.12

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Baltimore’s Beach House continue to impress with each and every release.  This year’s Bloom might be their best yet.  It’s definitely my personal favorite from the duo and one my top 10 favorite albums of 2012, which makes it incredibly difficult to pick one favorite.  Bloom is one of those records you can listen to start to finish, over and over again.  “Myth” was my first taste of Bloom and it’s an incredible leadoff track.  “Lazulli” is simply magical…or what I like to describe as “Legend of Zelda” meets dream pop.  Ultimately, I have to go with “On the Sea”.  Now this is just me, but this song makes me happy and nostalgic.  Whenever I listen, I can’t help but take trips down memory lane.  I also really love the “Rainbow Connection”-esque piano in the beginning, and how it delicately builds and builds, but never really bursts.

♩ Beach House – On the Sea [from Bloom]
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I’ve been a fan of Brooklyn’s Yellow Ostrich for a couple of years now and I love what these guys are doing.  They have such a cool and authentic sound, simply calling them indie rock doesn’t do them justice.  The band had a big year.  The band’s biggest highlight this year was the release of Strange Land — an impressive, and surprisingly sophisticated, guitar-heavy pop record.  And along with touring extensively all year, the band also found time to release a great EP — Ghost.  If you haven’t given Yellow Ostrich a proper listen, you’re missing out.

♩ Yellow Ostrich – Marathon Runner [from Strange Land]
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It comes as no surprise to those that know me, or read this here blog, that I am a big fan of The Antlers.  They released a full-length, Burst Apart, and an EP, (together), last year.  I figured they’d take this year off, God knows they deserve it.  Lucky for me, and the rest of the fans, the band surprised us with a fantastic new EP, Undersea.

♩ The Antlers – Drift Drive [from Undersea]
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