New Music

$cotti Bishop – “And 1 Freestyle”

December 16, 2016

It’s going to take several listens to grab every bar that Sacramento rapper $cotti Bishop drops on his track “And 1 Freestyle,” but each one is worth it. With no flow off limits, he drops hard lines like “Make a 3 look like a free throw, make a dime look like a C-Note.” Each line comes with the assured brashness of Bishop’s delivery. The instrumental is a great beat for a cypher and Bishop uses it to his advantage, fitting everything you’d want into a freestyle rap song into two minutes. Listen to more from $cotti here and press play on the video for “And 1 Freestyle” below.

Mellow the Muse – “I’m in Church”

December 16, 2016

Mellow the Muse is a female rapper from Dallas, Texas with an unconventional, underground flow. It’s conversational but certainly not lazy, and her technique allows her to have a never-stop approach. She fires out sharp verses for two and a half minutes, only breaking to remind everyone that she’s in a place of divinity, nonchalantly quipping “I’m in Church.” The beat has some Tetris vibes to it, accompanied by some pounding bass and a taste of some haunting church chorus. Check out more from Mellow the Muse here and listen to “I’m in Church” below.

Automotive Steamhorse – “You’d Be Surprised”

December 16, 2016

We think brand new Seattle act Automotive Steamhorse are on to something with their latest single, the droning “You’d Be Surprised.” The song has a pretty unique backstory. “The lyrics of the song are based on a letter I received from an old friend who I counted cards with… There was a husband and wife who had about 10 people working under her, the FBI ended up busting them for fraud. They had ripped me off for thousands of dollars. The husband committed suicide – he took his motorcycle in the wrong lane of traffic. The wife ended up sending me a letter about two years after the fact, [and] all the lyrics are taken straight from the letter.” Recommended for fans of Pedro The Lion, Phantogram, or Radiohead. There’s also a music video for “You’d Be Surprised” – check it out here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/247110926″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Cities Vanishing – “I Want To Know What The Wind Blows Like”

December 15, 2016

Noisy duo Cities Vanishing caught our ears with the overblown, lo-fi production of “I Want To Know What The Wind Blows Like.” This is the first of five urgent songs that the duo penned together, with “the girl” ripping the theremin and some guitar, and “the guy” shredding drums and some more guitar. Fans of The Thermals or Ted Leo will be jazzed for sure. We think you all should get into these guys before everyone else – listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/295166278″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

NE-HI – “Stay Young”

December 14, 2016

After cutting their teeth in underground Chicago venues, NE-HI have refined their songwriting into blissfully hazy guitar pop, demonstrated best by lead single “Stay Young.” We especially dig their music video for the tune, which continues their vintage and hazy vibes with swirling visuals and an overall nod to nostalgia. Dream poppers, post-punkers, and Springsteen fans will all find solace in this mid-western quartet’s music. If you dig “Stay Young,” pre-order Offers on Bandcamp.

Oghenero – “Def”

December 13, 2016

Calgary MC Oghenero’s lone wolf makeup comes through in his powerful rhymes. On his first single “Def,” his cutting voice lays down verses of sobering aggression to his competition. He’s rapping with the attitude of someone confident enough to only need himself, and remind his listeners of that in his verses with lines like “You call it burning I just call it rerouting.” “Def” has the spirit of a freestyle and its Bobby Shmurda-esque instrumental provide the perfect landscape. Give it a listen below, and check out the rest of Oghenero’s tracks here.

Dezert Eez – “Rolex Dreamin ft. Talib Kweli”

December 13, 2016

Michigan staple Dezert Eez link up with hip hop legend Talib Kweli on their single “Rolex Dreamin’.” An awesome posse cut, “Rolex Dreamin'” features four furious verses from Kweli and the Dezert Eez trio of 5-Star, Nivek and O’Nill. Talib kicks things off, likening himself to a bird of prey as he vocalizes his viciousness. From there, Eez takes their turns dancing around a great chorus shouting out good drinks, weed, and a great home in the Great Lakes. These dudes are pure spitters, with verses heavy on wordplay and internal rhyme schemes. Even a smoke session has imagery to it in the hands of Eez, highlighted with the line from the closing verse, “smoking algae in the squad in my unc’s garage, collared greens now it’s Nike’s out the box, breaking bread with the guys at the liquor spot.” It’s a dope posse cut from a dope posse, give it[...]

Turquoise Noise – “Matters of Fact”

December 12, 2016

Turquoise Noise is Los Angeles-based neo-psychedelic, alt-rock quintet. We think y’all will enjoy their latest jam, “Matters of Fact.” The group combines swimmy atmospherics with an overall upbeat disposition, being sure to toss in lots of stop/start dynamics. Fans of Young The Giant, Cold War Kids, or Atlas Genius should feel right at home. If you’re into it, stream that jazz via Spotify. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/295630177″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Animal Feelings – “Lonely feat. Morgxn”

December 12, 2016

Animal Feelings, (aka Oli Chang, member of dream pop band High Highs), shared jis new single with us and we dig it. “Lonely” is the first song to be release from his new EP, due out in January 2017. “Lonely” is a slow burning and incredibly chill song that highlights a forlorn vocal contribution from Morgxn. “Lonely” could appeal to fans of chillwave like Washed Out or modern hip-hop with an indietronica twist. Animal Feelings also has a Tumblr – check it out. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/295709304″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

BOYTOY – “When The Night Falls”

December 9, 2016

We dig Brooklyn trio BOYTOY‘s cover of The Eyes’ classic, “When The Night Falls.” About their choice of cover, guitarist/vocalist Saara Untracht-Oakner stated, “I forgot where I first heard this song, but when I did I was totally entranced. It was one of the sexiest songs I’d ever heard – so much feel and so much cool for such a simple song.” We couldn’t agree more – recommended to fans of Surfer Blood, Beach House, or vintage surf rock. “When The Night Falls” is available via iTunes. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/293838109″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Furniteur – “Redundant Buzz”

December 9, 2016

Furniteur is Washington DC visual artist/vocalist Brittany Simms, and former Brett members Mike Toohey and Kevin Bayly. They teamed up to write our latest recommendation, “Redundant Buzz,” a wistful, beat-driven track that is equal parts Echo & The Bunnymen and Purity Ring. About the track, Sims says, “‘Redundant Buzz’ tells a story of falling in love with your first impression or idea of someone, whether or not that is the person they really are.” Hop to it! Buy “Redundant Buzz” on iTunes. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/295141510″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Mount Horeb – “No One’s Gonna Bother You”

December 9, 2016

Mysterious German recording artist Mount Horeb (a.k.a. Elias Binder) sent us his ode to solitude – we think it’s worth blogging about. “No One’s Gonna Bother You,” according to the artist, is, “the song that I recorded in a week of isolation, just going on walks, and drinking wine.” His understated vibes, easy going tempo, and droning vocals support that imagery quite well. Fans of Porches, Radiohead, or Interpol would dig this tune. Support Mount Horeb by clicking on this Bandcamp link. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/293520558″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Salvador Jolly – “Dro Money Dro Problems”

December 9, 2016

Inspired by Notorious B.I.G., Salvador Jolly‘s latest, “Dro Money Dro Problems” is a laid-back electronica song about buying the wrong cables from Radio Shack. Their vibes remind us of Washed Out, Passion Pit, and MGMT. Their style has an uncanny way of lulling us into a state of ultimate chill with twinkly synths and a vintage sounding mix. Salvador Jolly’s latest release, Jolly Llama, is out now – check it out on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254735526″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Should We Run – “Meet You There”

December 9, 2016

Relationships are horrifying, amirite? San Francisco alt-psychedelic sextet Should We Run think so too, and they’ve encapsulated that feeling in their new vid for “Meet You There.” Through use of ghouls, goblins, soldiers, and other horrifying, out-of-this-world imagery, these musicians bring their song (and thoughts on relationships) to some sort of fantasy life. Recommended to fans of Fitz & The Tantrums or The Growlers Check out their stuff on Bandcamp.

Xander Singh – “As Long As You’re Loved”

December 7, 2016

Former Passion Pit and Pepper Rabbit member Xander Singh has had a rough couple years – that’s all about to change with the release of his debut album, Muffin. We think “As Long As You’re Loved” is poised to explode – we dig the wonky warble in his unique brand of electronica. Fans of his ex-bands, Washed Out, or Four Tet will feel right at home. Muffin is available via Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/293602383″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]