New Music

Soffía Björg – “I Lie”

September 8, 2016

Icelandic songstress Soffía Björg released her debut single “I Lie” at the tail end of August and it’s been making waves in the blogosphere. Hailing from a rural area of one of the most remote places on earth, Björg’s songwriting is snarky, hi, and hyper aware. The single is all about sending trouble in a relationship, and figuring out whether or not you should be with someone. “I Lie’s” video is a retro Ed Sullivan type from the 1960s featuring Björg and her band. Fans of Neko Case or PJ Harvey would be into this one. Check it out below.

Talk Before Sleep – “Winona”

September 7, 2016

Sometimes you just yearn for music that sounds like it came straight out of a passionate basement session. Talk Before Sleep‘s “Winona” is a shoegazy, chorus-laden fuzz-bomb that sounds charming and hauntingly lo-fi. Fans of Turnover, Still Corners, or The Cure would dig their tunes. Check out Talk Before Sleep’s self-titled LP on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/273432955″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Gifted – “Purity (feat. Kossisko)”

September 7, 2016

The Gifted are a Los Angeles production duo made up of Louis Castle and James Bairian. Their new jam, a collaboration with rapper Kossisko is “Purity,” a funky electronic jam with a very heavy disco influence. About the track, Castle said, “I just wanted to make a track that me and my lady could roller-skate to.” Fair enough Louis! He’s pretty spot on – “Purity” reminds us of Michael Jackson or Bruno Mars with an electronic twist. Check out the rest of The Gifted’s production resume here while you get down to “Purity” below.. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/277382371″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

LE BOOM – “What We Do”

September 7, 2016

Falsetto-pop act LE BOOM just released his debut single, “What We Do.” LE BOOM is a.k.a. Christy Leech, a Dubliner who has a knack for writing lo-fi dance/disco jams. Leech started LE BOOM with just a cheap guitar, a broken bass, and a laptop – now, he’s releasing his first official single with “What We Do.” Fans of Scissor Sisters, Foster The People, or Mika would dig LE BOOM. Snag a copy of “What We Do” from iTunes. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/276619539″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

San Ographer – “Madness”

September 7, 2016

San Ographer is the moniker that Brooklyn indie/electronica producer Paul Moya goes by. His latest effort, “Madness,” caught our ears for its effervescent and swelling synths (and a surprisingly well-placed guitar solo). Fans of Washed Out, Gorillaz, or CHVRCHES would dig his indietronica stylings. “Madness” is free if you stop by Soundcloud. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/270815161″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Incredible Change – “Montreal Is An Island”

September 7, 2016

Washington, DC based electro-pop project Incredible Change dropped their first single in over a year last month and we were quick to gobble it up. Under the surface, “Montreal Is An Island” is a driving and dance-y track about adventuring throughout with friends in small towns to big cities. It’s about appreciating the dedication of relationships while looking back on the memories one has made. Fans of Holy Ghost!’s hooks or !!!’s nu-disco vibes would like the feel on this one. Stream the track below or head on over to Incredible Change’s bandcamp page and purchase the single. You’ll need it for your next dance party / nostalgia playlist. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/273412506″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

F. Virtue – “The Hawk and The Leopard”

September 6, 2016

F. Virtue’s rap style heirs towards an emotional connection with poetry. On his thoughtfully crafted “The Hawk and The Leopard,” Virtue spills out feelings of longing and nostalgia, reflecting on happier times in lines like “The last member of a group we’d thought last forever, they moved on. I think the past was better.” He’s a talented writer; even when the figurative language alluded to in the title dissipated for sections, his poignancy is telling: “We keep going forward, but I don’t really want to.” Though coming from a darker place, “The Hawk’s” production isn’t as somber as its lyrics might suggest. Their upbeat synth-iness is a nice contrast to Virtue’s reflection. It’s a great song in all capacity, listen below.

realproperlike – “modern day beatnik”

September 6, 2016

“It’s either man up or man down,” Miami rapper realproperlike pledges on the chorus to “modern day beatnik.” This “ride or die” attitude proper expresses is sort of his m.o., as his raps about empowerment and owning what you do, as long as you’re putting in the hours. “They don’t put in work and then ask where the cash is,” he says, Featuring strong, fulfilling production, realproper comes off as someone you want to have in your corner, as long as you are deserving. You can listen to “modern day beatnik” below and buy it along with more from realproperlike on iTunes.

Mike of Doom – “Cliche”

September 6, 2016

Mike of Doom is sick of the standard rehashes we see in rap and other popular music. In “Cliche,”  addresses all the of these things he’s sick of, centered around the chorus. “All this shit sound the same. Different boat, same wave… I do what I want I’m not cliche.” Mike of Doom is also sick because he’s walking the walk. The beat is loaded soundscape featuring all sorts of sounds that wouldn’t appear on a regular ole’ track. He isn’t talking about money and hoes, expressed with “I’ve had more girls than David Beckham, but to rap about it just might disrespect them.” His flow is that of a guy who doesn’t take shit, plain and simple. “Cliche” is an interesting track, entirely accessible on the first listen, while shitting on components of some other songs that you’d love right off the bat. He’s got compelling things to say,[...]

Defiant III – “Crossfire”

September 6, 2016

The Defiant III trio of IDE, Alucard and Jise One pride themselves on their ability to rap their asses off. IDE and Warren Snyde whipped up a menacing beat, creating a canvas that feels like a place you probably shouldn’t be at night. Lyrically, it’s rapid grit that these guys are spitting through their fangs. It’s unforgiving with no moment wasted, so when you do catch a line like “Explode like antipersonnel mines, roadside bomb will your whole side gone, left with half a face and no right arm” or “Reenter the exit wound and you die twice,” that uneasy feeling you had is justified. Bordering on horrorcore, “Crossfire” is a nasty rap track that takes no prisoners and leaves a pile of victims in its wake. Pretty powerful stuff, so listen to it with the lights on.

Socks – “Forevermore”

September 6, 2016

Modesto, California-based indie rock act Socks, debuted their track via the world wide web last week and it has been stuck on repeat throughout our Labor Day weekend. “Forevermore” is all about the honey moon phase of a relationship. Nothing can go wrong and your heart is just melting constantly. Although the band is still in their infancy (playing together for only five months), the band has a forthcoming EP, expected to be out at some point in November. Fans of Mac Demarco, Summer Salt, or Pleistocene (for a local spin) will like the band’s sunny and sweet demeanor and knack for hooks. You’ll be singing along to notes you probably can’t hit, but that won’t stop you. Check it out. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/279975267″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Kells Dougie – “95′ Freestyle”

September 6, 2016

Up-and-comer Kells Dougie can rip off line after line of short, but sweet quips. Case-in-point is in “95′ Freestyle.” Freestyle tracks are great because they have a different type of expectation. Commonly misperceived as having to be “off the top,” a good freestyle really should just be fun and filled with punchlines, and that’s exactly what we have here. All song long, Kells is busting out stuff like “Subtitle flow, they see every bar I’m saying.” and “Different draft class, ain’t into the game like us.” The boom bap beat ties back to the year alluded to in its title, and the track proves to be traditional hip hop greatness. Press play below.

Anfa Rose – “Downtown”

September 6, 2016

Anfa Rose is a genre-bender with the ability to spit a hot 16 and get you singing along with a hook on the same track. Such is the case on “Downtown,” a track with the sparkle that its title would suggest. Rose discusses the wonder and excitement that “downtown” and  talks about his strengths and shortcomings (“I’m a nice guy if the vice right.”). The melodic chorus spews excitement and a sense of homeliness when it kicks off with “See me ’round town when I’m downtown.” That’s where Anfa knows is comfortable, right in the middle of the lights. Press play down there.

Duncecap – “Bandaids”

September 6, 2016

Duncap is a rapper armed with a dexterous flow and the ability to make misery sound entertaining. Accurately laid out in creative, high-effort DIY music vid, “Bandaids”  is a track about self-destruction and a sense of hopelessness. Not exactly sunny stuff, but Duncecap remains charismatic on the mic. Over a beat of zesty drums, Dunce shows off his technical skills while trying and failing to sort out his issues. “Tickets to the gun show and it’s aimed at my head,” he raps with lively honesty. “Bandaids” is off of Duncaps’ Human Error project, listen below.

Knock Knock – “Girls Love Kai” (feat. Mystic Davis, King Los)

September 6, 2016

Breezy, summer dancehall vibes come our way from production maestro Girls Like Kai on his single “Knock Knock,” with vocals from King Los and Mystic. King Los is a veteran of lyricism in the game, with some incredibly memorable freestyles over the years. He comes through on the fresh beat with diversified flow and a fusion of great lyricism and aptly fun bars. Mystic Davis handles the hook with her pop thrills, and mixes things up a sexy Lil Kim-esque verse subject-wise. With her accented flow, you’ll feel things. Kai’s crafted a wonderfully accessible track, with a beat that wanders from Top 40 pop to Top 40 rap in different sections. “Knock Knock” comes from Kai’s Sandbox album. Fun vibes below.