In what could be considered a ludicrously audacious move, The Weeknd chose to open Echoes of Silence with a Michael Jackson cover. This, apart from initiating a deluge of #mindblown twitter posts, turns out to be frankly inspired as it fits into the rest of his catalog scarily well. It actually makes you reassess the Jackson original with new found realization of how dark it is, rather than questioning its place here. The initial loops of breathy, shuddering, sighs reinforce this suggestion that the third part of the Balloons trilogy will maintain the lurid atmosphere and thematic concerns of hedonism and intoxication that were established in the first mix-tape of the trilogy, House of Balloons, back in March. Sure enough, the lyrics, when layered together with woozy, faltering synth, convey the obsession with sex and drugs, whilst the undercurrent of violence is reflected in recurrently bellicose production elements: when the drum machine beat comes in on D.D, it cuts through the texture like a gun shot and Outside are intermittently punctuated by blasts evocative of muffled explosions.
After up and coming artist Micah Freeman served fans with a tasty appetizer which consisted of a three track preview of his upcoming debut album The Timepiece. The main dish is almost done and ready to be served soon enough. There is a saying that goes “Good things come to those who wait” and after the wait Micah does not disappoint with the album.
Nicki Minaj aka Onika Maraj aka Young Money Mistress aka #yougetthegist released the video for “Moment 4 Life” yesterday, which is the third single from her debut album Pink Friday. The clip takes stage as a modern fairy tale, featuring Mr. Young Money himself, Sir Drake, as Minaj’s knight in sullen armor.
SBTRKT’s debut album has been called dub, dubstep, chillwave, trillwave, dance, pop, folk and everything under the sun by critics and fans alike. I don’t blame them though. Putting a label on something this new is how we relate to things these days. But, if the album is indication of anything, genre is dead, and SBTRKT’s indescribable production is the nail in the coffin.
Here’s a goodie I’ve been saving on my mac for myself. Just thought I’d share. It’s that good. Atlanta based producer Savvy Society mixed “Afromerica,” the sample for Kanye West’s single “Power” with Major Lazer’s “Pod De Floor” and A-Trak’s mix of Drake’s “Money To Blow” for Tabloid. Savvy Society’s upcoming project Tribal Dance features new songs by indie music darlings like Sye Spence, Corinne Stevie, Richelle L. Brown, Jay Scott & more will be released soon. Until now enjoy this. Listen and download after the jump.
2010 may have sucked when it came to substance and clear common sense. Chris Brown I’m talking you. And of course underage four loko lovers around the world. But at least we had a full 365 days of awesome music. I can’t say enough about the amount of exceptional material artists put out this year. Indie darlings like Theophilus London & J*DaVeY kept us content with the most ingenious tracks and music heavyweights like Kanye West & Cee Lo gave us albums. Yeezy’s twisted fantasy, Katy Perry’s sugar coated pop bliss, Gil Scott Hering’s rebel anthem, this is our soundtrack for 2010. Find out what albums made the first part of our list from Art Nouveau editor Kendrick Daye aka GreatEclectic and pop culture journalist Swiper Bootz.
Sexy rock super trio Dragonette come to Atlanta to a pop clash in midtown’s Drunken Unicorn w/ Barry Brandon. The Canadian musicians are new to the pop scene and have a lot to say about almost nothing.
Read More2010 has been a good year in terms of music. Gil Scott-Heron, Drake, Janelle Monae all dropped albums already. Not to mention this Summer we can expect hot stuff from M.I.A., The Dream and more.
Read MoreAlbums leak. But Young Money has a leaky faucet somewhere. When arguably the Summer's biggest Hip-hop album leaked yesterday, the Internet exploded.
Read MoreSinger/Songwriter Jay Scott offers his take on Drake's "Find Your Love" and we approve. Jay produced the track. You can hear more from Jay when his debut album "Fear of Love" drops July 20, 2010.
Read MoreHere's the latest from emcee Carmine. This is a freestyle over Drake's new single "Over." Here's what Carmine had to say about the track.
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