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P.R – The Instrumentals
I am a fan of instrumentals. Even before my recent experimentation with meshing my rhymes over them, I have found that a great instrumental can be just as rejuvenating and relatable as a song which I connect to lyrically. I remember listening to beats by producers like Nujabes and J Dilla in high school and discovering then that instrumentals really helped me focus whenever I’d write my own short stories in my spare time, as well as the dreaded essays assigned. I developed an appreciation for instrumentals alone. They mask the ever-going clutter in my mind while the unique instruments lead to all sorts of sounds and scenarios associated when…
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Sonnymoon – The Fear
Anna Wise has one of the most enchanting voices I have ever heard. The quality about Sonnymoon, previously mentioned here, that draws my attention to them again and again is their ultra eerie & indefinable sound. They are masters at channeling several styles at once to create their own individual sound. I discovered the super duo through their Golden Age project, which I fell in love with along with their self-titled LP Sonnymoon. They get me through long hours of transit, and sound especially magical while up in the clouds during a flight, or on a train. I highly recommend both of their projects. True experimentalists, I honestly believe that…
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Mind Noise
I have been reliving that awkward first moment when one of your most replayed songs is the one with your own voice on it! I wonder if I will get used to it. This feels like a good time to share the recurring themes I have noticed as of late. I find myself frequently inspired, and the wonderful thing is that the inspiration comes to me in many forms. For instance, the Flying Lotus show which I attended at The Wiltern was everything amazing that I expected, but there was something he said about how the things we create make us immortal that truly hit me at the right moment.…
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Dumplings én China – Spray Paint My Huffy
Dumplings én China just released a sweet new song titled Spray Paint My Huffy. He describes it as “super vibey and bubble tea-ish” and I agree! The beat is interesting and as colorful as the song’s artwork. If you love music like I do, you won’t be able to resist feeling it, right away! This song, like another one he recently made available, Sorbet, reminds me of bright weather and smiles exchanged on a beautiful day. Songs like this can keep you warm all throughout winter. His words invoke that old summer nostalgia, with references to some of my favorite cartoons growing up. I like that the music he’s been…
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Little Simz – Quest Luv feat. Tilla
Little Simz is slaying all of the boys, and they don’t even know it yet. In a matter of months, she has dropped a thirteen-track EP followed by two more stunning drops, while she is now prepping a third one. She just revealed the visual for her song Quest Luv, featuring the vocals of Tilla. This track is one of my favorites from her E.D.G.E. EP, which I featured here. In this video, she gets up-close and personal to put this emotional song into perspective. This visual left my mind racing. After the first minute of watching, I found that is both comforting and a bit unsettling that so many…
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Etta Bond – #FML & Feels Like Visual
I am so compelled to share this one because I just love it whenever Etta Bond drops random goodies for us through her soundcloud. Each one always seems to match my exact frequency at the time, and she was right on cue adding this one. This calming and beautiful song, Feel My Love, was produced by Chris Loco. It comes weeks after her #COOLNEWURBANTALENT project, which also features his production on the instantly infectious Feels Like. She literally gets better and better, which is admirable because I have been awed by Etta’s lyrical skills and vocals for a while now. This melody is like some sweet echo of the classical…
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thestand4rd LP
thestanda4rd decided to drop a self-titled album on us, for free. In a recent post, I gushed over the mystical visual for this super group’s lead-single, without knowing their plans to release a complete project. They then announced a tour, which I am excited to witness next week at The Roxy in Los Angeles, only days after Flying Lotus and days before FKA Twigs! While festivals cover the rest of the seasons, the Fall time is the most active for unique live shows, I’ve noticed. thestanda4rd is what happens when four unexampled up-coming artists decide to collaborate with some assistance from Dock Mckinney. Dock Mckinney is responsible for two of…
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Xavier Isme – Monotone
Deciding to dive into writing the frolic has introduced me to many inspirational voices. I always reflect on this because it both humbles and energizes me each time I receive a wonderful new submission. It’s another strong reminder that you recieve what you put out. This particularly gifted sixteen year old rapper who I decided to give a listen recently surprised me. Xavier Isme’s newly released song Monotone touches on the topic of identity. He expresses his own struggle while channeling the conflict encountered when deciding who you are and trying to fit into public personas. Topics like this are close to my heart and are especially important to address…
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Lion Babe – INTRO
I am basking in this recent helping of Lion Babe. The duo just released a new teaser video called Intro to promote their EP. It sounds like it could be the opening track if not just a tease. We’ll be finding out more soon enough. The visual features the stunning front lady, Jillian Hervey, twirling and crawling about while enchanting us with her voice yet again. The production is something story-like in this one. We are show more of Lucas Goodman’s style. They are still a bit mystery and it is nice to see a bit of the vision their creating revealed. Hopefully all of the songs to be released…
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LOE – helloe.
So, there is this artist by the name of Loe. I have been playing her dreamy song Freebasing since I first heard it some weeks ago. Last night, I found myself curious about the singer. Her words were intriguing and made me think a lot about what she could be describing. I then check her profile page again and discovered that she just released a project. What a gift that decision became! It is never not amazing how sweet little things like this can happen because these lyrics spoke to me loudly, while the voice delivering them is so smooth. I think you should listen to this on really loud…
