★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening
spacey ambient new age guitar electro
Floating on a groove
Positive vibe: both ambient and pleasant space rock.
https://www.discogs.com/E-Ruscha-V-Who-Are-You/release/11661002
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4kfGw7agMg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK_iXt-KIIo
Spotify
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
modern productions of golden age NY house with observational, self reflective lyrics delivered in mantra like form.
Tired of the club but still wanna dance
This feels like a genuine record. It takes a house sound that I remember, updates the production (using precise songwriting) and adds great vocals singing about thoughts / anxieties that I ruminate over (love, technological anxieties).
Jamming on: most tracks but ‘you ain't so big’ and ‘body’ make a nice pair.
https://www.discogs.com/House-of-Feelings-New-Lows/release/12511643
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyt-GJYvCCc
Spotify
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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
poppy trap rap
Big ballin at the mall
This is my introduction to juice wrld. A nu-school rapper with a style that makes use of autotuned melodies. Lil Uzi was my first exposure to that kind of thing and I prefer him overall, as he is naturally more distinct. Future serves as a welcome juxtaposition to juice wrld with his more aggressive dark 'street' stutter.
The poppy production is fun and makes for an overall easy album(actually really like the production on 'no issue’). Unfortunately the whole thing feels.half-assed: a couple of pretty good singles at the start and then a bunch of filler.
https://www.discogs.com/Future-4-Juice-WRLD-WRLD-On-Drugs/release/12679811
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQgjRsr1W1k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbzfAUSELtI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAfdAlzGgdA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXiGiAsYAR8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql8VcSMmlkI
Spotify
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
Chilled out r&b indie rock
Lights dim low
Enjoyable but nothing particularly ambitious or new. Easy funk.
https://www.discogs.com/The-Internet-Hive-Mind/release/12269361
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB3gWkhLkxM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xyDg9Tco5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIqvRzEIqIo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRbYJ66RpHk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIgkFRZV-4k
Spotify
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
polished and well produced electro pop. Has a seriousness and rock aspect to it, an approach like downtempo.
Sounds like a show for 30 somethings thrown by Spotify and Stella Artois at a 'loft space’ with visible air ducts
The album takes a bit of time to get going but I like it. At times it feels generic and overly polished but tracks are rich and varied enough thanks to the great guests (Holly walker's vocals adding the most).
They seem like they'd be fun live. Just the right amount of positive energy while still maintaining an open jam feel. Reminds me of thievery corporation.
https://www.discogs.com/Maribou-State-Kingdoms-In-Colour/release/12448883
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT78T4jcMsI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtvvdtzk4dw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwujOBXy1Fo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyX3EWdtbmA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAgJG6yJ5U8
Spotify
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
Classy reggaeton
👏👏
First I've heard this dude, like what I'm hearing and see a lot of potential in this style. Guess it's kind of similar to r&b/rap or some other global hybrid that's become the recent trend. Anyways it works: good upbeat energy with that classic reggaeton bump keeping it alive. What separates this from the corny bodega beat is solid production that gives this a sleek sexy modern appeal. Tracks are better towards the beginning but it works overall. Suggested for fans of global pop.
https://www.discogs.com/J-Balvin-Vibras/release/12615542
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZcQNebnWrU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnJ6LuUFpMo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzgw0XldTC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTs1RFjWidU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zn4dAuZ2RU
Spotify
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★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening
Prince singing while playing the piano
An intimate session with the purple one
An interesting artifact that I think all Prince fans should hear once. Here we have a sketchbook like view of Prince's songwriting process (Purple rain, for instance, is just a brief thought in this session. It would be fleshed out months later). Intimacy is immediately established given the stripped down nature of this recording: gone are the sequenced to perfection drum machines and synths that would obscure him at times. It's as if you're hearing him with his guard is down and the beauty of his songwriting takes center stage.
While Prince's multi instrumentation ability is common knowledge here we learn he's a fantastic piano player, effortlessly toying with melody.
I see, feel and understand his soulful approach to music better after listening to this. Not because of the final product but the heart that goes into it.
Essential listening and gem in his esteemed catalog.
https://www.discogs.com/Prince-Piano-A-Microphone-1983/release/12548164
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5-HEBGPzFM
Spotify
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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
White boy modern r&b, young thug
Fake hipster
I sorta like this, it's carefree fun; maybe need a drink with it. The sound feels superfluous, like they're trying to capitalize on a trendy vibe rather than a true inspiration. It reminds me of that vampire weekend side project 'discovery’ but not as good.
https://www.discogs.com/Maka-9-Durkin-Waterproof/release/12555469
Spotify
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
electro hip hop with an 80s light funk vibe
Vaporwave sunset
Pretty good for a background listen. Short and sweet with flirtations of vaporwave.
https://www.discogs.com/Fitz-Ambroe-Submerse-Villa-Rosa/release/11979710
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PqePdh9r0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0_4Mqvk9fk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPv4JXG3QWE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSzoVRPOqQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xKrOIVQsdg
Spotify
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
Hip hop beats with a backbone of 80s gfunk
Cali cool
Modern and slick production with just the right amount of vocals mixed in. Couple notes on tracks:
Left and right being a better track. Goes into a light r&b thing at times.
Hot shit is a bit forced, taking the original and scrubbing it if it's rawness.
Mind control is ok
While the album is uneven and boring at times I like it overall.
https://www.discogs.com/Bluestaeb-Everything-Is-Always-a-Process/release/12135628
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X3kqctM9lQ
Spotify
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