Music Spotlight – Favorite Music of 2012: Part 5

ScHoolboy Q – There He Go

There He Go is off ScHoolboy Q’s album Habits & Contradictions. Producer Sounwave builds a fantastic beat off a sample of Menoema’s Wet and Rusting, and ScHoolboy Q’s flow is tonally a perfect match for it. It is an addictive track that is among the best from Q’s great album (another track to check out is Hands on the Wheel). Available for download: here

Sleigh Bells – Comeback Kid

Comeback Kid is off Sleigh Bells’ album Reign of Terror. The track mixes an abrasive (almost metal) Derek Miller beat made up of thrashing guitars and a kicking drum machine with Alexis Krauss’s tantalizingly sweet vocals. It is quite an aesthetically compelling combination (and something that has often been in Sleigh Bells’ favor). Available for download: here

TNGHT – Goooo

Goooo is off TNGHT’s debut EP TNGHT. Producers Lunice and Hudson Mowhawke have created a brazen sound, mixing electronic sensibilities and southern style hip hop 808 drums, which also has a clean precise sheen to it, while still feeling lush. Goooo jumps out of the speakers, and the listener knows they are in for something great when through heavy drums start hitting. Available for download: here

The Weeknd – Twenty Eight

Twenty Eight is off The Weeknd’s album Trilogy (as one of the bonus tracks). The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) was one of the great breakthrough artists of 2011. Twenty Eight (like most of his work on Trilogy) has a dark and regretful tone, while feeling very personal. Doc McKinney and Illangelo provide a simple backing beat, allowing Tesfaye’s vocals to shine (which at times remind me of Michael Jackson). Available for download: here

The xx – Angels

Angels is off The xx’s album Coexist. Jamie xx’s musical accompaniment has a quiet and somber tone, while Romy Madley Croft’s vocals are seductively intimate. The xx seem to use negative space to their advantage in creating an aesthetic environment of intimacy and gravity – as if this track were only for the ears of its listener. There is something very beguiling about it. Available for download: here

ScHoolboy Q – Habits & Contradictions (2012) – Review

ScHoolboy Q – Habits & Contradictions

The Los Angeles group Black Hippy has produced four very good MCs (chief among them Kendrick Lamar). ScHoolboy Q’s first album Setbacks (released last year) was well received and exhibits a few great tracks. On his sophomore release Habits & Contradictions, Q stays close to his indie roots both in the album’s guests and production. Feature wise, A$AP Rocky, Curren$y and his Black Hippy friends highlight the album. The Digi+Phonics (Sounwave and Tae Beast in particular) produce most of the album and do a great job (I especially like Sounwave’s Menomena sample on There He Go). Q also works with better known producers like Best Kept Secret, Lex Luger and The Alchemist, but to more mixed results. A$AP Ty Beats also gives Q a fun beat on NigHtmare on Figg St., and DJ Dahi creates a catchy and infectious track for Sexting (a song I feel like I should not like, but cannot help but like). Like Setbacks, Habits & Contradictions is a good indie hip hop album and shows off ScHoolboy Q’s skill and quality as an MC. While I do not think he is yet quite on the same level musically as Kendrick Lamar, he certainly offers a lot to the genre and this album is a solid work. 4/5

Editor’s Essential Tracks:

1)      There He Go – Produced by Sounwave

2)      Hands on tHe WHeel – Produced by Best Kept Secret, featuring A$AP Rocky

3)      Blessed – Produced by Dave Free, featuring Kendrick Lamar

Available on Digital Download