Latest Posts

Cannon the Brave – Cannon the Brave EP

December 1, 2016

Cannon the Brave is an indie pop outfit from Albany, NY who take their name from Allyson Smith’s superhero alter ego. The group originated as a songwriting outlet between twin sisters Allyson and Whitney Smith, eventually adding three members to support the act’s growing sound (Eric Margan, Mike Campana and Brian Beverly). The project is roughly a year-and-a-half old and have a mantra that aims to bring out the best in themselves and those they touch. The first song off the self-titled EP, “The Only Thing I Need,” spills in with a lovely, old-sounding piano statement. Deep ohs warmly wrap themselves around you. “I was afraid of what I would become…” is sung amidst powerful chordal keys. Smith shares truth in telling her audience that all you need is inside of you. “Sometimes” kicks with background falsettos and groovy bass drum. Smith’s voice is the type that is in between talking and[...]

NOVI NOV – “Monstah” feat. Fort Knox

November 30, 2016

Atlanta’s NOVI NOV brings his accessible flow to the forefront on his single “Monstah” with an assist from primetime personality Fort Knox. Fluttering violins serve as the backdrop for a rapid lyrical assault, in which Nov details all that he’s capable of. Constantly mixing up his schemes and attack, NOVI sounds like a fusion of Em and Strange Music. Fort Knox keeps the hype going to close out the track, talking up the tenacity of the talented NOVI NOV. Give it a listen below and check out more from NOVI here. It’ll make you feel like you can run a marathon.

Mac Irv – “Change”

November 30, 2016

“I’m getting booked all over, I remember when they looked all over.” Minneapolis rapper Mac Irv reminisces on the times before things swung in his favor on his latest single “Change.” Comparing himself to Biggie, Mac details his devotion to overcome the odds with his people, ultimately proving he can make things change. On the hook Mac switches up his tone and proves to be masterful with melodies and catchiness. His distinctive voice gains more catch with some effects on the chorus, but he flexes his great sound up and down the verses. With hard-hitting bars but an accessible feel, Mac’s “Change” is a great listen for any hip hop head. Listen below.

Geebz – “Future Wifey”

November 30, 2016

A gem of Geebz purposeful recent project Don’t Hold the Juice is the single “Future Wifey.” The North Carolina rapper draws inspiration and likeliness from NC’s J. Cole, Lauryn Hill, and the recent gospel-themes releases from Kanye, Chance the Rapper and Mick Jenkins. Geebz coos out to a love he knows he’ll meet one day; “This song is for you even though we haven’t met.” “Future Wifey” is a groovy jam ready for the masses, with some kicking drums and a smooth hook. Check out Don’t Hold the Juice here and listen to “Future Wifey” below.

Sammus – “Song About Sex”

November 30, 2016

Ithaca’s Sammus hits a nerve with her single “Songs About Sex.” The fiery track speaks to sexual experiences (both good and bad) from a women’s perspective. The femcee talks about great sex with shitty people, poignantly expressed in the line “I can’t judge girl, I’ve been there I’ve done that, I’ve cum dumb hard so I run back.” She also details the all-too-real threat of assault, rounding the bases of a track ripe with emotion. The song’s beat flips an elevator music sample and brings it into the 2010s. I could explain this track front and back but Sammus’ words do it more justice on the chorus; “This is a song about sex in which I do not condemn women for the realities in which they are living. We should not be forgetting, we should be forward living, you should be for what we can’t afford to keep on forgetting.”[...]

Slow Cooker – “Bird Flu”

November 30, 2016

Local punk/surf rock act, Slow Cooker, has released the second single off of their upcoming debut tape, titled Another Typo. “Bird Flu” is nothing short of rip roaring, with loud, angular guitar and shouted vocals throughout. The four piece really drives it home with the use repetition in all aspects of the song, especially with the repeated lyric “I’ve got bird flu” ringing in your ears from start to finish. The guitars, drums, and bass all come together to create something rushed and frantic sounding, pushing the listener to the brink on insanity, but in a good way. If you might like a less psych influenced Destruction Unit or the Buffalo act the Utah Jazz, this one is will be for you. After hearing the first two tracks the band has dropped, it seems their debut tape is surely shaping up to be something solid. You can check out the track below, and you[...]

Promises Ltd. – “American Eyes (Gilligan Moss Remix)”

November 29, 2016

Promises Ltd. is the creative union of Jeremy Malvin from Chrome Sparks and Charlie Brand from Miniature Tigers. Their side-project specializes in whirly electronica tunes. This time around, Gilligan Moss offered his hand at a remix and we’ve been jiving on it all day. Fans of Holy Ghost or Cut Copy will dig this one. If you like what you hear, check out what Promises Ltd. has to offer here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/292266198″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

isle&fever – “Haunted World”

November 29, 2016

Are you frightened by our modern political climate? LA indie-pop duo isle&fever are too; said climate has inspired their latest jam, “Haunted World.” Beyond the poignant commentary on the state of the union, isle&fever utilize jangling indie sentiment with subtle flares of electronica. Squiggly synths and other blips and bloops pepper this peppy track. The duo is offering up “Haunted World” for free here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/291938123″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

BF/C – “Upstate”

November 29, 2016

If you’ve been hankering for some quality Swedish electronica with heavy 80s influences, look no further than BF/C. BF/C is actually two separate artists, Barish Firatli and Californiaman!. Their collaborative song “Upstate” is an upbeat jam that sounds like a mix between 1980s synthpop (Thomas Dolby, Men Without Hats, etc.) and contemporary indie/synth rockers like Foster The People or Phoenix. Give “Upstate” a listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/289871279″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

A Tribe Called Quest – We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service

November 29, 2016

Of the many “comebacks” this year, A Tribe Called Quest’s is perhaps at the top of them the list. After an 18-year hiatus due to different member conflicts, the legendary hip-hop trio returned with one of its best efforts, titled We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service. 2016 has been a year marked by many heartbreaking losses in the music community, and ATCQ were no exception. Founding member and principal MC Phife Dawg passed away earlier this year, but thankfully he had recorded several verses for the album beforehand. After almost two decades apart, you would think that the pioneering group would have some rust to shake off. But on We got it from Here…, they’ve recaptured that same old energy, and sound just as fresh as their mid-90’s peak. It has the vibe of a classic ATCQ record, while still sounding modern; there is not a[...]

Ruby Cube – “Blood In Love”

November 28, 2016

Ruby Cube is a young quintet who impressed us with their latest release, “Blood In Love.” Their influences range from Joy Division to Two Door Cinema Club to Metronomy, but “Blood In Love” showcases a sound all their own. Disco beats, blippy percussion, and quasi-80s vibes propel their sound forth. “Blood In Love” is available via iTunes. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/290061082″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Gypsum – “Disappear”

November 28, 2016

Gypsum is a post-rock band based out of Los Angeles – we recommend their latest single for your listening pleasure. “Disappear” is the band’s second single; about “Disappear,” the band says: “[The song is] a cosmically ill-fated love story in a lush sonic landscape of psychedelic guitar work layered over rooted, groovy bass guitar & drums.” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves! Recommended to lovers of Explosions in the Sky, Warpaint, or HAIM. Learn more about Gypsum via their website. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/290921046″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

VedeTT – “Temple”

November 28, 2016

French surf-poppers VedeTT hit us up with the delightful “Temple” and we think it’s worth a listen. The Angers (France) act is quasi-mysterious, but that didn’t stop us from hunting down some info. We dig “Temple” for it’s good vibes, refreshing simplicity, and ambient vocal delivery. Recommended to fans of Beach House, Surfer Blood, or DIIV. Get familiar with VedeTT’s poetry in the lyric video for “Temple” below.

Dead Horse Beats – “Dive”

November 28, 2016

We stumbled upon the video for Dead Horse Beats‘ new track, “Dive” and we think it’s worth a watch. The video was created over a two year period; the visuals to the track tell a somber tale of heartbreak. A vintage camera shot paints a picture of a relationship past – then the video takes a turn into the HD present. Not to mention, the trio has a contemporary sound that sits somewhere in between the dance stylings of Cashmere Cat, with a folky tinge a la Bon Iver. Who says music videos are dead? Not Dead Horse Beats – check out “Dive” Below.

Shy Luv – “Joyrider”

November 28, 2016

If you’re a fan of disco meets funk-punk meets electronic, we recommend listening to UK duo Shy Luv. They are a perfect musical mix-up of a plethora of influences – from Talking Heads to Hot Chip and anywhere in between –  while still feeling distinctly 2016/17. “Joyrider” is where you should start… It combines clacking percussion with funky bass lines and breathy vocals. If you dig it, stream “Joyrider” on Spotify. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/292518854″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]