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

The xx – Coexist (2012) – Review

Review: After the critical success of their first album (xx), The xx have returned with their sophomore follow up Coexist. The group is made up of Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim (who both front the group) and Jamie Smith (who produces the songs as Jamie xx – he is maybe best known for producing Drake’s Take Care single).

Coexist is moody and frail. Much of it, musically, seems to fall within a specific tonal range. At times it drifts into the background, almost as a monotone hum. And yet, there is also an emotional power (especially in Croft’s voice – sort of a longing sadness). It draws the listener in with its best moments. Both singles, Angels and Chained, stand out above the rest of the album, but there are no bad songs. Jamie xx’s beats are also a strong component of the music. His drums drive the songs.

Fans of The xx will like this album. Casual fans will also find something here too, especially with the singles. It is worth checking out. 3/5

Essential Tracks:

1)      Angels

2)      Chained

3)      Tides

Available on CD and Digital Download

Essential Songs of 2012: Part 7 – Music Spotlight – August 2012

Artist: Dum Dum Girls Song: Lord Knows Producer(s):  N/A Featuring: N/A Album: End of Daze

Artist: Dusted Song: Cut Them Free Producer(s): Leon Taheny Featuring: N/A Album: Total Dust

Artist: Ellie Goulding Song: Anything Could Happen Producer(s): Ellie Goulding and Jim Elliot Featuring: N/A Album: Halcyon

Artist: J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T. and Kendrick Lamar Song: They Ready Producer(s): J. Cole Featuring: N/A Album: DJ Khaled’s Kiss the Ring

Artist: Kendrick Lamar Song: Swimming Pools (Drank) Producer(s): T-Minus Featuring: N/A Album: Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City

Artist: Nas Song: Loco-Motive Producer(s): No I.D. Featuring: Large Professor Album: Life is Good

Artist: Reks Song: The Jones’ Producer(s): Numonics Featuring: N/A Album: Rebelutionary

Artist: Rick Ross Song: Diced Pineapples Producer(s): Cardiak Featuring: Wale and Drake Album: God Forgives, I Don’t

Artist: Talib Kweli Song: Push Thru Producer(s): S1 Featuring: Kendrick Lamar and Curren$y Album: Prisoner of Conscious

Artist: The xx Song: Chained Producer(s): Jamie xx Featuring: N/A Album: Coexist

Essential Songs of 2012: Part 6 – Music Spotlight – August 2012

Artist: Childish Gambino Song: One Up Producer(s):  Childish Gambino Featuring: Steve G. Lover Album: Royalty

Artist: Crystal Castles Song: Plague Producer(s): Ethan Kath Featuring: N/A Album: N/A

Artist: Dusted Song: All Comes Down Producer(s): Leon Taheny Featuring: N/A Album: Total Dust

Artist: How to Dress Well Song: Cold Nites Producer(s): Tom Krell Featuring: N/A Album: Total Loss

Artist: Hot Chip Song: Flutes Producer(s): Hot Chip Featuring: N/A Album: In Our Heads

Artist: Menomena Song: Heavy Is as Heavy Does Producer(s): Menomena Featuring: N/A Album: Moms

Artist: ScHoolboy Q Song: There He Go Producer(s): Sounwave Featuring: N/A Album: Habits & Contradictions

Artist: Tame Impala Song: Elephant Producer(s): Kevin Parker Featuring: N/A Album: Lonerism

Artist: The Soft Pack Song: Saratoga Producer(s): N/A Featuring: N/A Album: Strapped

Artist: The xx Song: Angels Producer(s): Jamie xx Featuring: N/A Album: Coexist