Tag: Album

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The Kickdrums – “Blurred Colors”

Alex Fitts, widely known under his moniker/band name The Kickdrums, is a bit of a wizard. With one foot firmly in shoegaze indie rock and the other in the mainstream hip hop world, Alex has made a name for himself by effortlessly blending these two seemingly incompatible genres together as few others can. With their brand new album Blurred Colors with features by rappers R.A. The Rugged Man and Blu, the Kickdrums are back in full force. Standout single “Sunshine Guy” has electro-pop Big Data sensibilities, and it feels especially relevant with the refrain, “All these days are blurring together.” They suuure are. Over the past 15 years, The Kickdrums have shared the stage with revered indie rock acts such as Miike Snow, The Walkmen, Andrew W.K. and Miguel. As a producer, Alex has worked with artists like 50 Cent, Kid Cudi, Freddie Gibbs, A$AP Rocky and Lana Del Rey, […]

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Orrin – “No Adlib”

Orrin is a strange dude. A self-described “collective conscious and cyborg sent by a higher civilization to warn humans about the incoming apocalypse”, Orrin exclusively speaks using plural pronouns. They claim to use music as a vehicle to spread their message about disease, famine, environmental disaster and the overall impending apocalypse. Oh, and of course he went on Dr. Phil. Regardless of who or what Orrin really is, there is undeniable musical talent hidden within. “HARLEY”, the first single off his upcoming full length album NO ADLIB, is a hard-hitting alternative hip hop track merging early 2000’s rock sonics with the modern “punch-in” flow made popular by Rico Nasty and Lil Uzi Vert. The rest of the album is loud, bassy, brash and absolutely filthy. We have the clean mixes, but honestly it won’t make much of a difference. If you’re looking for raw and unique alternative rap, WE got […]

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Markis Precise – “No Wings Without Scars”

Born in Fresno, California, producer/keyboardist Markis Precise took to time-honored traditions of crate-digging to create the sample-based soundscapes that contributed to Central California’s independent hip-hop scene in the early 2000s. His production later evolved to incorporate his lifelong training as a keyboardist, expanding the boundaries of chopped boom bap with the melodic elements unique to live instrumentation. Staying true to his collaborative ethos, Markis independently connected with some of hip-hop’s most talented artists to contribute to his debut studio album The Feeling Of Flying, including features by Brother Ali, Fashawn, Oddisee, Zion I, The Grouch, Ras Kass, Gift Of Gab, Sol and Chuuwee. In its first week of release, the record became the number one added hip-hop album on the national CMJ radio charts, with multiple tracks receiving steady airplay. Following on the success of his debut record, Markis is back with a powerful full-length album No Wings Without Scars […]

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Call Me Ace – “Working From Home: Extended”

Bay Area hip hop artist Call Me Ace is a millennial professional and disruptor who loves to challenge the status quo. In his new EP Working From Home: Extended, Ace reflects on what “survival” means during these virtually unprecedented times: global pandemic, racial injustice, and social unrest. Following the release of Working From Home in February, Ace delves deeper into his attempts to persevere within an unfair system while struggling with exhaustion, repression, and hopelessness. The EP suggests there’s light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s faint. Although the project’s title continues playing on the corporate phrase describing a flexible work environment, the title also symbolizes how the uncertainty of the future continues to be extended. Call Me Ace’s 2019 album Airplane Mode debuted at #3 on the iTunes Top 40 US Hip-Hop Album Chart as well as #50 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album Sales chart. Working From […]

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John Hayes – “The Last Best Place”

Minneapolis-based solo pianist John Hayes returns with his second full-length release, The Last Best Place. Inspired by the unexpected loss of a friend, The Last Best Place captures a range of emotions as well as Hayes’ intimate recording process. Each piece was written softly, late at night, wanting to tell their own story, yet all finding a way to remain connected to the same narrative. “The Last Best Place was very much an unexpected album for me. After recently moving into a new studio I was dealing with several different anxieties. Being on my own for the first time, another unexpected loss of a friend, trying to progress my music. All these things lead to a great deal of uncertainty in my life. It is funny how we always tend to gravitate towards the things that are most familiar to us during uncertain times. For me, that will always be […]

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Nicole Mercedes – “Look Out Where You’re Going”

Since her departure from the Brooklyn indie rock band Debbie Downer, multi-instrumentalist Nicole Mercedes has developed a haunting approach to songwriting that’s wry and witty, yet still vulnerable. Her sophomore LP Look Out Where You’re Going is dreamy and melodic, featuring tastefully arranged organ and synth parts that give the record a profound sense of depth. “This album chronicles the end of one of those long, meaningful relationships that mark a departure from the safety of being attached to someone to the chaos of being on your own,” – Nicole Mercedes Collaborating with producer Joe Rogers (Laura Stevenson, Rubblebucket, Deer Tick’s Andy T), and mostly tracked in her bedroom, Mercedes encapsulates the feeling of long afternoons gazing through rainy panes, desperately longing to be somewhere else. Something we can probably all relate to right now!

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Featured Album: BAILE – Winte EP

Brooklyn-based producer BAILE creates texturally rich electronic music inspired by house music, but with a warm, intimate sound rarely found in the genre. The title track on his new EP entitled Winte puts synths in the foreground with minimal vocal textures and oscillating, grungy bass layered underneath. “Leave Me” featuring Kauf is a breathtaking standout, with a soulful indie folk/electronic hybrid aesthetic reminiscent of Bon Iver. Deeply involved in the EDM scene, BAILE has collaborated on remixes with heavyweights such as DRAMA, Sasha, Beacon, Tim Green and Baltra. He has received frequent airplay on KCRW, Pete Tong & Danny Howard (BBC Radio 1), has been featured on Spotify playlists such as Viral Top 50, The Wind Down, Electronic Circus and Kopfkino, as well as Late Night Electronic and The A List: New Artists on Apple Music.