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NP #5: Lonely Child, Club Kuru, Leonard Friend
I recently tweeted that “Music is a gut feeling,” and that is something I firmly believe. The key task of a music blogger is to listen to a butt load of music (what exactly is a butt load of music?) and then determine which songs are keepers and which are not. Often times I find myself sifting through 10 second snippets of songs, keeping and cutting tracks based off how I feel in those ten seconds. The following artists have made some great songs that really cut the fluff and go straight to the core of what music really is: a dumb and beautiful, instinctual feeling.
Hit the jump to discover who is Now Playing (#NP5) on my iTunes… Continue reading “NP #5: Lonely Child, Club Kuru, Leonard Friend” »
Premiere: Cam Meekins – High (ft. Skizzy Mars)
I had a preconceived notion of Cam Meekins‘s music. Just yesterday I probably thought the same things you are thinking right now, and at first listen I thought this song did not really change my opinion of him. It sounds too clean, too good, too poppy, etc. Ugh. I could feel myself making lame excuses not to like this track. Cam Meekins is my age. He’s rapping about things that I go through. It sounds good because, not only has he improved as a rapper–especially in delivery–since I last listened to him (admittedly not since he first started), he has also made huge improvements as a producer. He says in the song that he’s living what he’s rapping. How can anyone hate on that? He’s telling his story, and it’s feel good music.
Look for his debut album Lamp City on May 21st. Pre-order it here.
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Staff Picks: Artists of the Month – May 2013
We have two firsts this month on our Staff Picks: Artists of the Month, yall. The first first: we have a female on the list. Personally, I don’t think this means that there aren’t good female artists out there. Rather, I think it’s a reflection of the fact that it’s harder to distinguish oneself as a female artist. Lots of their voices sound the same; they don’t tend to have as much differentiation in range as men can. There are certainly female artists out there bending the norm, but it doesn’t seem to be happening as frequently as it is with male artists right now. That said, this month features a female artist. Get ready.
The second first: we have a repeat artist. One artist has continued to impress us throughout the months of April and May, and he has made the list for the second month in a row. When you see who it is, you’ll understand.
Enjoy the picks and get familiar with the music. These artists seem to be here to stay.
View May’s Best Artists of the Month
Interview: G-Eazy in ATL
There’s an old wives’ tale about going to a concert in the rain when storm-drenched boots line the venue floor and a really ratchet drunk girl double fisting two beers like a champ tries to dance with you and your friends–
Wait.
While those things totally happened I don’t know where I’m going with this. Also, I’m not totally sure I know what the phrase “old wives’ tale” even means. What I do know is that G-Eazy and Skizzy Mars gave one hell of a performance in that beat up Atlanta joint a couple of months ago and made new fans with carefully prepared set lists, lighting, and live percussion. I had the unique privilege of interviewing G before the show.
Hit the jump to read our interview with G-Eazy… Continue reading “Interview: G-Eazy in ATL” »
Premiere: City Rain – The Optimist
City Rain is comprised of Ben Runyan and Scott Cumpstone, and the concept of their newest song, which we are ecstatic to be premiering, is one for the ages. “The Optimist” tells the classic tale of personal tragedy leading to spiritual triumph. After losing the love of his life, losing two of his close friends, and struggling with unemployment in an unforgiving recession, Runyan met Cumpstone, a fellow Temple University graduate and working musician. The two formed City Rain and came up with this idea. In the band’s own words, “While every man has the capability to create his or her own personal hell, there is inversely their capability to manifest redemption. ‘The Optimist’ is the story of the way back.” As this song begins, it immediately thrusts you into a realm of ferocious positivity and daring realism behind synths that build stadiums and tear them down in a single powerful wave. It is music that makes you feel things and see paint splashing against a blank canvas. This is why I do what I do.
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Chance The Rapper – Acid Rap [IRL Review]
About a week ago Chance The Rapper released his much-anticipated sophomore mixtape Acid Rap. The album quickly became, perhaps, the one project the entire Internet seemed to agree on. Now, we have gathered (I imagine Lydia with a conch shell calling us to do these reviews) on Google Hangout to give our very #important input. Who do you agree with most? What did you think about Acid Rap?
Download Acid Rap
Related: Kid Cudi – Indicud [IRL* Review]
*IRL means “in real life”–if you didn’t know
Tape Tuesday: Lost in the Funhouse
I respect people who try to stay true to themselves, even when everything in the world is trying to get them to do the opposite. Completely original people, too, like Andy Kaufman who heavily inspired this tape. They say, “You are who you surround yourself with,” but sometimes you get lost. I think recently I was lost–trapped in the dark corners of my own mind. This mixtape is about how I lost myself and how I continue to fight the surrounding negative energy. It’s less sad and serious than it sounds. These 17 songs are essential summer music. Burn them on a CD, go for a drive, and get lost in the funhouse.
- Josh Record – Wonder
- Bipolar Sunshine – Rivers
- The Hard Knocks – Pocket Full of Change
- Wet – Bad Idea
- SomeKindaWonderful – Reverse
- Cave Painting – Rio
- Swim Deep – She Changes The Weather (Whitely Remix)
- Mychal Cohen – Sentimental Guy
- Cowboy Indian Bear – Let It Down
- Noname Gypsy – Sunday Morning
- SPEAK – Peaks
- Kid Astray – Hey Sister
- The Casual Tuesday – Seatbelt
- Majical Cloudz – Bugs Don’t Buzz
- Planetarian – Zoned
- PHOX – Slow Motion
- The Dear Hunter – Whisper
If it were up to me,
I would’ve remained in that dream a little later
DOWNLOAD ‘LOST IN THE FUNHOUSE’ HERE
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Listen While You Work: 3.0
It’s Monday, and it’s a Monday where I’m still feeling like I’m recovering from the weekend. Considering yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, I have a feeling many of you are feeling the same way. I didn’t even make it out yesterday, because my ass was too hungover to get off the couch. But I feel for those of you who did, because trust me, I felt close to death yesterday. So if that’s you today, or hell, even if you’re a good kid just trying to get some work done, I’ve got your soundtrack. Here is the latest Listen While You Work, episode three.
This version features music from the following artists:
- Young Galaxy
- Baby Alpaca
- Sir Sly
- Feist
- Lana Del Rey
- Jamie Isaac
- LVLF
- Valentina
- Stay Bless
- Denai Moore
Listen to more Listen While You Work setlists
NP #4: Kodaline, FrankMusik, Josh Record
There seems to be an infinite amount of talent in the world at any given moment. I listen to a lot of music, but I could always listen to more. The job of a music blogger is never truly done, which can be frustrating and exhilarating at the same time. Below are three amazing artists I have recently discovered, and I would like to formally apologize to the thousands of other worthy artists that I have failed to acknowledge.
Hit the jump to discover who is Now Playing (#NP4) on my iTunes… Continue reading “NP #4: Kodaline, FrankMusik, Josh Record” »
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Best of April 2013
April is a stressful month. Fun, but stressful. Those in school are gearing up for finals and a wild summer. If you’re no longer in school, I’m sorry because that’s unfortunate. The music scene this month hasn’t helped out the stress that much because frankly, there was a bundle of quality music released this month. Thus, a result of more stress because of so much music to listen to. This is already an issue as I’m preppin’ for finals.
You know the saying April showers brings May flowers? Well, we were spoiled this month with music, so May better bloom into these wonderful, high expectations.
Download link below, my top 5, and then the track list after the jump!
Download Best of April 2013
Lucki Eck$ made some noise on the blogosphere with “Count On Me.” It appeared on our 4/20 mix, as well. Count On Me is something that’s different, but still fresh, all at the same damn time. Top 5 nod.
Give it three listens, and you’ll be hooked. You’re going to like the way you ears feel, I guarantee it.
Cashmere Cat – Do You (Miguel Remix)
One of the best remixes I’ve ever heard in a while. Filthy. Cashmere Cat done did Miguel’s song dirty. And Miguel is getting to the point where it’s like “c’mon guys, it’s Miguel.” Sort of like how Frank Ocean is, but not like Frank Ocean.
Another track that appeared on our 4/20 mix, makes my top 5 as well. Ghost Loft captures the right electronic sounds and synths, and combines them appropriately to create a track you don’t need to be high for (but will be better in said state).
Drake’s been on top of his game lately. Is it safe to say Drake’s got something really cookin’ for us come the next album? Girls love Aubrey, but actually.
Honorable Mention: Josef Salvat, Daft Punk, Antonio Paul, Max Frost, The Hard Knocks
Hit the jump for the track list! Continue reading “Best of April 2013” »
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Kid Cudi – Indicud [IRL Review]
Big artists make big albums with big expectations. The hype surrounding last week’s release of Kid Cudi‘s Indicud was virtually insurmountable. Watch our review below to find out if we thought the album lived up to the hype or failed to impress.
Related: Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience [IRL Review]
5 Incredible Piano Covers
1. Ferro Montanino from Winnipeg, Canada proves that is possible for one man to entirely remake Skrillex’s Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites on a piano. Though there are few moments when I enjoy Skrillex, this song of his is one of them, and Ferro makes it arguable even more enjoyable on the ivory keys.
2. The Internet has been abuzz over Disclosure’s song “Latch” recently. And rightfully so. But we need to take a minute and direct our attention to this piano cover of the same song by a Soundcloud user by the name of kongsingwei. Stunning.
3. I can’t find much out about Jason Bolea. All I can find in a quick Internet search is his Soundcloud page, which has a picture of an Asian kid with his parents, and two songs. One of them is this piano cover of Coldplay’s “Paradise,” which might actually be even more beautiful than the original. Get it, stranger.
4. You’re entering dangerous territory when you try to cover Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games,” because all things crazy about LDR aside, this is one of the more beautiful songs released in the past couple of years. So if you’re considering remixing/covering/mashing it, stop yourself now. Unless your name is…James Franco? Yeah, that’s weird too. Whoever this guy is, though, he can play piano like a pro. You did it justice, sir.
5. Evan Duffy is a bit of a phenomenon in the music world. He’s an award-winning composer whose main focus is writing musical scores for films and video games, but his covers are not to be overlooked. And they haven’t been. He’s received praise from artists including Deadmau5, Zedd, Alex Clare, Skrillex and Madeon. My favorite of his solely piano covers is this cover of Madeon’s “Finale.” It builds as it goes, and by the end you’ll wonder if this guy is for real.
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