Gregory Porter – “Be Good (Lion’s Song)” This song sounds straight out of 30’s jazz club, to the point where I feel like I can see it if I close my eyes. Each part of the song moves to its own beat. The piano, bass, saxophone, and singer all move to their own complementing beat, rather than playing off each other. Porter is also a … Continue reading Tracks of the Week: Gregory Porter, Langhorne Slim, Hippo Campus and more
Little Chief – “North Carolina” Straight out of Fayetteville, Ark., Little Chief is a folk/country fusion band. If I had to compare them to anything, it would be a more country influenced Donovan Woods. The singing toes the line between gruff country, and softer folk through the singer’s rough voice, but smooth delivery. I’m a sucker for beat changes in hip-hop, and I’m a sucker … Continue reading Tracks of the Week: Little Chief, Beach House, The Growlers and more
Oh Wonder – “Shark” Everything about Shark can be described as so soft spoken. It’s as if no part of this song wants to dominate the other. The vocalists not pulling attention away from the piano, which in turn gives way every so often to the rhythm keeping drums. The product is a very laid back song perfect to relax to. Isaiah Rashad – … Continue reading Tracks of the Week: Oh Wonder, Isaiah Rashad, BØRNS and more
Tapes ‘n Tapes – “Omaha” I’m always into songs that sound a little different, if they’re executed well. How many songs are based around a beat that’s reminiscent of a military snare drum? Yes there are other contributions to the instrumental, like the nice plucky guitar piece and the deep bass guitar. But neither of these things are noticeable enough to be the identity of … Continue reading Tracks of the Week: Tapes ‘n Tapes, Tim Barry, Tall Tall Trees and more
Me Like Bees – “The Ides” This Joplin, Missouri based band has been releasing quality music since it’s inception in 2009, but have reached new heights with their recent album, The Ides. The title track for the album is one of the most accessible and well produced songs from a low-key band that I’ve heard recently. The best part about the Bees’ musical style is that … Continue reading Tracks of the Week: Me Like Bees, The Front Bottoms, Common and more
NEEDTOBREATHE – “The Heart” My favorite part about this particular song is the progression from simple folk, to more intricate poppy folk mixture. The lead singer starts off with only a simple guitar riff backing him, and a muffled, rhythmic stomp. But as the song continues, piano joins in, followed by a synthesizer, xylophone and multiple polished backup singers. The song resembles Edward Sharpe and … Continue reading Tracks of the week: NEEDTOBREATHE, Michael Kiwanuka, and Bad Books
Darwin Deez – “Radar Detector” If anything, Darwin Deez has a very distinct sound, and Radar Detector is a good barometer of what that sound is. Most of Deez’s songs are very poppy, while having a very lo-fi beat. He is geared much more towards the actual sound of his samples, rather than trying to replicate how a live band would play. In regards to … Continue reading Tracks of the Week: Darwin Deez, Wild Party, Souls of Mischief
Flying Lotus (feat. Kendrick Lamar) – “Never Catch Me” FlyLo is only the producer for this song, meaning he’s in charge of the instrumental. As far as vocals go, Kendrick’s going to be the only guy you hear. For hip hop fans, this is a match made in heaven. Both of these artists are currently in the midst of releasing their best works (Kendrick and … Continue reading Tracks of the Week: Flying Lotus, Bear’s Den, and Donovan Woods
Chance the Rapper & The Social Experiment – Tap Dance The underrated duo, made up of rapper Killer Mike and rapper/producer El-P, has returned, releasing a single to their upcoming new mixtape Run the Jewels 2. The beat is everything one has come to expect from an El-P beat: busy industrial samples, and a rapid pace. Like many other hip hop songs, the rapper’s style … Continue reading Tracks of the Week: Chance the Rapper & The Social Experiment, DEERPEOPLE and Saint Motel
