The first time I heard NAV was on Travis Scott’s song “Beibs in the Trap”, which was eventually made into a music video. NAV stayed underground after the release until his self-titled mixtape NAV dropped late February. My favorite track from the project is “Good for it” listed below. Check out the entire project on all major streaming services.
Red Bull Records will release on June 23rd “I Don’t Like Being Honest”, the debut EP from Utah band The Aces. “Physical”, the EP’s first stream, is mixed by heavyweight Mike Crossey (The 1975, Fickle Friends). The track gets it’s dough on it’s tranche of undeniable/strong hook writing and candy sweet production. Into it.
“Still Fly” is some real vintage Drake, coming from his 2008 remix of Big Tymers “Still Fly”. The song is an interesting view into the development of the current Drake. The track has a similar melodic flow that he is known for today. Peep drake’s new project More Life on any major streaming service.
The low-key rapper out of east Atlanta, J.I.D, just dropped his album The Never Story. I first found his song listed above, 8701, on Spotify’s “Most Necessary” playlist. J.I.D has a unique style and an intricately lyrical flow that adds character to his tracks. Check out J.I.D’s stuff on all your streaming services!
Deep house is the word(s) on “Upstream”, the dreamy new late night track from Skinnydip. Featuring a set of bars from OG Maco and Lil Yachty collaborator Brandon Thomas and additional production from Tei Shi producer Luca, “Upstream” is an accomplished bit of vibe-y dance music that we’re very much into. Skinnydip are the NYC-based twosome of Jon Hill and Sandro Buccellatti.
Hartlepool band PLAZA fire forward a touch heavier sound on gaze-y latest “Deep In My Head”. The track’s deep in the mix main vocal (into that crusher of a chorus) and delay-driven guitar sequences create a cool expansive quality within the context of the song’s heavy main core. Spin “Deep In My Head” below.
Joey Bada$$ just dropped a new song titled “Rockabye Baby” off his upcoming album ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$. Politically charged and over an ominous beat, both verses from Joey and Q on “Rockabye Baby” are aggressive – including a few very pointed bars in the direction of POTUS.
You know Local Natives are not messing around when they put out their first single, “I Saw You Close Your Eyes, of a new album and create an entire website for the track dedicated to making sure you experience the track exactly how they envision. Head over to CloseYourEyes.net, where you can listen to the track, but only if you grant the website permission to your camera. Once permission is shown, the track won’t play until your eyes and closed, and they have to stay shut, otherwise the track will stop playing. The strong baseline of “I Saw You Close Your Eyes” creates a rooted hook that stays with you even after the track is over. The subtle sounds of the intricate congo drums keeps you wanting more. This track is one of Local Natives’ finest, delivering all the harmonies you know and love with some added texture.
Halifax, Yorkshire band The Orielles preview impressive (the breadth of sounds and influences competently navigated is especially great) debut single “Sugar Tastes Like Salt” for the most excellent Heavenly Recordings.
LA newcomer (and daughter of Unwritten Law frontman Scott Russo) Cailin Russo streams accomplished jazz-laced school of Winehouse debut “September Rose”. “September Rose” is one of the year’s strongest debuts.
“C’est La Vie” by Swindail is an incredible song. He’s teamed up with innanet james and the outcome is absurd. Staying true to his whimsical energized sound Swindail meticulously sprinkles percussion and foley admist james’ lyricism. Stop by SoundCloud to keep up with them.
“Fonda” is the debut single online for London-based five-piece SHEIKH. The track, produced by Ian Dowling who has worked with a couple of bands you may have heard of called Jungle and Catfish and the Bottlemen (that Jungle production fidelity is particularly applicable here), ably bridges that especially difficult nexus of artfulness and accessibility quite well with the overall coherence and stickiness of the track being especially accomplished. Stream “Fonda” below.
