Look out, world, for Mikal Cronin. The SF bro of Ty Segall has got work. “Am I Wrong”, an unreleased track, toes the line of the sort of drop out pop of Wavves and the more straight up melodic indie tones of Real Estate. If you’re feelin that, than you’re prob gonna be into Mikal Cronin so go get it, girl.
Mikal Cronin – Am I WrongMikal Cronin 
(Bandcamp) (Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Contributed by Trevor Meyer
If you’re into blues, rock, and/or soul, you’re going to love Gary Clark Jr. His influences range from Stevie Ray Vaughan, to Snoop, to Cream, etc. Some of his more bluesy material such as “Bright Lights” and “Don’t Owe You A Thang” remind me of blues rock icons, Ten Years After and the Black Keys. Not only can this guy shred your face off, but he can also soothe your soul. The soulful, slow burner “When The Sun Goes Down” is an absolute delight. One of his other, slower songs, “Things Are Changing” is an eloquent, soul ballad – one of the best I’ve heard in years. Gary’s versatile songwriting is undeniable. Mr. Clark Jr. is one of the most promising up and coming artists. He is lighting up the internet music world and there is no telling what great things are to come from this man in the future.
Gary Clark Jr. – Things Are ChangingGary Clark Jr. 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
We love this! “Heaven” from Shock, a new band out of SF that features Dan Judd of Sorcerer, is great. On the track, an excellent space disco bed frames up the breathy chanteuse vocals of Terri Loewenthal. Catch a little surrealist dance party below.
Shock – HeavenShock (Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Contributed by Trevor Meyer
I recently took a listen to Luise Pop’s single, “Black Cat.” This four piece is based in Berlin and Vienna. “Black Cat” is a truly enjoyable song. The song has a multifaceted range, featuring crescendos, decrescendos, tempo increases and decreases, and a nice bouquet of harmonies to boot. This is the Luise Pop’s third release and I recommend checking out their earlier music as well. I can’t wait to hear more from this band.
Luise Pop 
(Official)
Rating 7.9
Jakwob delivers a strong return on “Electrify”. The track still holds to some dubstep elements but grabs on to pieces of current pop dance music, house and rave. It’s a big tune that should only expand Jakwob’s sphere into the new year.
Jakwob – ElectrifyJakwob: (Myspace) (Official) (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.1
Tyrese & Rozay take it all the way back on this remix for “Stay”, as the pair are joined by the one and only Faith Evans for this smoothed out spin on the track. The original’s 2005-era R&B as 2011 R&B sound is replaced for a full on 90’s throwback. You can imagine Faith bleeding it out in 3D Jurassic Park-style cgi in front a waterfall or bonfire on the beach. Bad Boy for life.
Tyrese – Stay (Remix) (Feat. Rick Ross & Faith Evans)Rating 7.9
Here goes some beautiful remix work by UK artist S.Maharba of Shlohmo’s equally beautiful “Ghosts Pt. 2”. S.Maharba drops a nice heavy pulse to frame up Shlohmo’s gorgeous harmonies and melodics. We are into it.
Shlohmo – Ghosts Pt. 2 (S.Maharba Remix)S.Maharba 
(Soundcloud) (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Fiend (yes, that same Fiend that was on No Limit Records about 10 years ago) steps up to something smooth and buttery. Rappers get old too. And on a Friday night at age 35 a couple Hank Mobley 45s sound a bit more real than Silkk Tha Shocker. (word up to Silkk.)
Fiend – Take a Pull (Feat. Smoke DZA)Fiend 
(Wikipedia)
Rating 8.0
Re:Mix Labs goes live in Los Angeles this week, starting tomorrow the 6th and going until Sunday the 11th. This is the final stop for Re:Mix, which started at CMJ in NYC and made pit stops in Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas.
Sponsored by the Hyundai Veloster, one of the more unique cars in recent memory, the Re:Mix events are free as long as you RSVP, kind of like a private party where everyone’s invited. Yeasayer spin tonight as part of the Grand Opening Reception, then Skrillex, Mark Ronson, Nas, Pretty Lights and more take stage tomorrow night, there’s an Art Walk on Thursday, panels and Fashion Show on Friday culminating to Saturday’s KCRW session and Boxer Rebellion headlined performance (presented by Filter). We’ll be there, snapping shots and jotting bon-mots on our not-so-smart phones.
When it rains it pours – there’s a bevy of great shows in the City of Angels this week, with Re:Mix Labs leading the way. Be sure to stop by 401 S Main in Downtown LA for all the action.
Re:Mix Labs (Event Info) (HyundaiVeloster)
Hood goes in, Busta raps the same flow for the 5000x time, and Yelawolf takes the track. “Shit Done Get Real” is off Ace Hood’s The Statement 2 mixtape which drops in full on Friday.
Ace Hood – Shit Done Got Real (Feat. Busta Rhymes & Yelawolf)Ace Hood 
(Official)
Rating 8.1
The indiesphere loves Perfume Genius. Will the indiesphere still love him after he releases an album called Put Your Back N 2 It? (due Feb) Stay tuned. For now, take a listen to the bare, emotive, great track “All Waters”.
Perfume Genius – All WatersPerfume Genius 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.5
The Raveonettes cast their line out into the tempest that is the holiday song. Originally recorded in 2001, “The Christmas Song” (I expected this to be a Mel Torme cover too, but sadly, no.) doesn’t exactly sound like your typical Christmas song, it sounds much more like your typical Raveonettes song (+ some jingle bells). So we’re offering this simple phrase for Raveonettes fans from 1 to 92, MERRY CHRISTMAS.
The Raveonettes – The Christmas SongThe Raveonettes 
(Official) (Twitter)
Rating 7.9
