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Posse – “Shut Up”

April 9, 2014

Seattle trio Posse have described their sound as being inspired by “delay pedals and 27 years of disappointment,” hinting at a bleak, yet sincere sense of humor that comes across on their sophomore album, Soft Opening. Singer Paul Whitmann-Todd’s monotonous delivery is backed by slinking melodic guitar lines and a slow pulsing rhythm on “Shut Up,” as he discusses the banality of a relationship gone stale. Despite the dreary subject matter, a blissfully redemptive guitar solo at the two minute mark gives the track a sense of peaceful resolution. Drawing comparison to bands like Yo La Tengo, Pavement, and Real Estate, Posse occupy a familiar sonic territory that rarely ceases to be affective when purposefully executed in the manner that makes Soft Opening such a confident, rewarding LP. Stream “Shut Up” below.

April 3rd

April 4, 2014

Lone – “2 Is 8” British producer Lone was responsible for one of the most infectious singles of 2013 with “Airglow Fires,” a track that features a hip-hop inspired outro, hinting at a possible new avenue for the artist. “2 is 8,” the latest single from his upcoming album, Reality Testing, is a mesmerizing blend of hip-hop and house, channeling J-Dilla with it’s spry, bouncing feel. The vibe perfectly captures the producers wide array of influences, showing an impressive mastery of texture and movement as the track closes out with a lush, emotive synth breakdown.   Bicep – “Nova” London via Belfast duo Bicep recently shared their latest cut, “Nova,” an exclusive that will appear on Will Saul’s upcoming DJ-Kicks mix. Like many of their tracks, the gritty percussion and soaring vocal samples makes for a 90’s house feel with subtle, yet elegant transitions. Look for the track on Saul’s mix due out June[...]

Producer/MC Jon Bap Readies New Album

March 20, 2014

Buffalo based singer/songwriter and producer Jon Bap has an eclectic sound that ranges from experimental rock to soul, jazz and hip-hop. In addition to boasting impressive skills as an MC, the artists remix work which includes tracks from Beyonce, The SEVENth, and an ethereal, spaced out take on 50 Cent’s “What Up Gangsta.” Evident from his diverse Soundcloud uploads, Bap is capable of incorporating countless influences to create a truly unique sound, like on the track “The Best Out” which features a mellow beat and soulful vocals sampled from UK singer Sampha juxtaposed with fiery Drake sample from “Too Much.” In anticipation of his upcoming album, the artist recently shared a collection of demos and studio takes that didn’t make it onto the album. The nearly ten minutes of material includes smooth vocal melodies, a comical impression of Atlanta rap group Migos and an experimental track that borders on noise[...]