Kindness is the musical alias of up-n-coming UK artist Adam Bainbridge. He made some waves at SXSW a few months back then went on to release his EP called World, You Need A Change Of Mind [ HERE ]. The highlight is undeniably the song House which is something special. It doesn't instantly grab your attention but gradually pulls you in with its hypnotic mixture of chill wave and dance music. If this song doesn't make you fall in love with the dude, I'm not sure what will.
The man with the smoothest flow in the rap game - A$AP Rocky of course - has been keeping busy over the last few months since signing his $3 million dollar deal with Sony. He's been chilling with his homie Theophilus London and his "dream girl" Lana Del Rey as they record fresh material. Following up from from the much praised LiveLoveA$AP mixtape, will be the debut album called LongLiveA$AP . It'll drop in July and should feature exciting appearances from Santigold, Pharrell and Jay-Z amongst others. Fresh off the press, Goldie [ mp3 [...]
Xylos: Summerlong [ mp3 ]
Cro: Easy I'm not gonna pretend I speak German, but this is pretty fly. German rap, accompanied by some very good looking visuals. No complaints. [Side-note: for what it's worth, my sister tells me this song is about a German chick called Isabelle - shortened to Easy in German - and features some cunning word play]
Last week, one of the most anticipated tracks of the year - round my parts at least - saw the light of day after a series of tantalizing snippets and sample clearance issues. I'm speaking about Big Spender by the inimitable Theophilus London of course. The trend setter is ahead of the game as usual and brings in fellow New Yorker ASAP Rocky to drop some slick bars over a killer Shirley Bassey sample. This is a party starter of a track if I've ever heard one and - if there was any justice in this world - has the potential to [...]
The good folk over at the Hype Machine are streaming the brilliant debut album from Clock Opera called Ways To Forget . I'm not sure how much longer the stream is available for but check it out immediately. This is definitely one of the best pop records I've heard this side of 2012. Full of choppy synths and electronics, this experimental album is so much better than it should ever be.
Apologies for the sporadic updates of late. University finals have come into play.
You might remember I posted a song by Shadows On Stars a couple months back [ HERE ]. Ever since the release of the excellent Now You're Mine, the band have been tantalizing us with new material. Well, we've finally got the full product folks. Even better, the 13 track debut album is completely free to download [ HERE ]. It's tough not to like this double act, their brand of indie-pop/rock is just that delectable. Blessed with an innate pop sensibility but they also know when to rock out. Sweat Pant Bandits has captured my imagination and is featured below:
Drake: HYFR This right here is my anthem. Hell yea fucking right. And let's be honest, who doesn't want to see Lil' Wayne in a panda mask? Sidenote: There have been some weird and wonderful reactions to the video [ HERE ]
Slam Donahue: How To Be Cool This slice of indie-rock is a little rough around the edges but it's all the better for it [ mp3 ]
It's only fair that I give you a warning, listen to this track once and you'll fall head over heels. It's that good. The Neighbourhood [ tumblr ] are a crew of five hoodlums who hail from Newbury Hill, California. They previously released a song in February called Female Robbery that got a couple spins on Radio 1 after a little feature in NME . But the track pales in comparison with the new single Sweater Weather [ mp3 via Pigeons & Planes] which if fairly sensational. They're playing it stealthy so far and [...]
The four Aussie lads by the name of Van She are prepping a new record release and have hit us with a tasty sampler. The title track Idea Of Happiness [ music video ] is synth heavy cut that builds towards an awesome chorus. Fingers crossed, if it's anything to go by, the new album will also be full of infectious hooks and massive choruses. Idea of Happiness was recorded in Sydney but mixed in Los Angeles with Tony Hoffer (worked with Phoenix, M83, Air) and should see the light on July 10. Be sure to give the band and [...]
Hoodie Allen: No Interruption I'm not gonna lie. I used to think that Hoodie Allen was gimmick and refused to listen any of his music out of principle. I felt that he hopped on the Chiddy Bang wagon and sampled everything and everything to gain unworthy attention. His Pep Rally mixtape was well received online but I never gave it a chance. Either way, he's back for more and is releasing original material this time round for his new album All American . I'm a little embarrassed but I'm digging the [...]
In order to wet your appetite before the full feast, San Diego pop/rockers TV Girl have released the first single off their upcoming EP. I Wonder Who She's Kissing Now [ mp3 ] is a retro number featuring longing vocals and jangling guitars. Full of good vibes, it's arrived just in time for the summer. If your ears like what they're hearing, be sure to check out last years post on the duos previous material [ HERE ] and keep an eye out for the new release.
Hot Chip: Flutes This one has grown on me over the last couple weeks. The beat alone is a work of art. Flutes is the first taster off the upcoming new album In Our Heads out June 11th.
It would be an exaggeration to say upcoming Seattle rapper Sol has been causing waves with the release of his new EP Yours Truly , but a few ripples have certainly been sent across the vast ocean of blogable hip-hop. His new release is a thirteen track album/EP/mixtape (what's the difference these days?) which can be streamed over at his BandCamp page. He's got a very effortless and charismatic style which helps him deliver both smooth verses and melodic choruses. A skill many rappers have tried and failed to demonstrate (Kanye West anyone?). The project was released in January but [...]
Bendon Shields: Simonstown Jesus and Brendon Shields might not have too much in common, but one things for sure, they were both born in Bethlehem. Far from Israel, Brendon is actually from the rural South African town of Bethlehem where religion comes second to wheat plantations. Biblical references aside, his debut album is called Truth & Recession and features the impressive Simonstown embedded above. What sets him apart from your typical singer/songwriter is the poignant lyrics which describe the everyday difficulties of love in a recession. It came out towards the back [...]
Eclectic Eavesdroppings
Avicii – Two Million
Beck – I Just Started Hating Some People Today
iamamiwhoami: kin - Teaser
