POST CATEGORY : Hip Hop

ROTATION ROUND-UP #4

Time is becoming increasingly precious and difficult to obtain these days but I still have a grá on me for blogging.

So, this is an attempt cover more of what I am listening to on a regular basis, with a relatively quick roundup of what has been on rotation over the past week or two.

Enjoy!

Adwaith – ‘ETO’

Welsh outfit Adwaith – Hollie Singer, Gwenllian Anthony & Heledd Owen – will release the follow-up to their wonderful and Welsh Music Prize winning debut with new album Bato Mato on July 1st via Libertino Records. The new record is led by ‘ETO’, a soaring evocative guitar driven adventure brimming with confidence and ideas. It is shimmering, evocative, life-affirming and moving, and bursting with open-hearted soaring melody’s and lyrical vulnerability – instantly sweeping us along with this stirring anthem. This is Adwaith at their finest; you will be replaying, again and again, and again.

Many Voices Speak – ‘Within Reach’

Many Voices Speak – the project of Swedish musician Matilda Mård – has announced her return with second album Gestures, released on 29th April 2022 via Strangers Candy.

A master of misty-eyed, melancholic and hazy indie-pop, Many Voices Speak has always found its power in its ability to capture an eternity in an expression; found in abundance on her debut and lead single ‘Within Reach’. A six-minute long reflective slow burn that just brims with beauty, as Mård’s elegant, yearning dream-pop makes the world seem to slow down around it, where time stretches out, and you become totally immersed in it. ‘Within Reach’ showcases Mård’s continued growth as a songwriter, one more comfortable in her own skin.

Komla MC vs Fold – ‘Victoria Falls’

Komla MC vs Fold is the unlikely combination of two expats in Leeds, UK. Hailing from Accra and New York respectively, Rob (Komla MC) and Seth (of the band Fold) were brought together by having kids at the same school and united in their undying love of hip hop. Given that Seth’s work with Hip-Hop/Trip Hop outfit Fold has a rep for funky, groovy and cool sounds, it is no surprise that this delivers a healthy dose of all three pitted with a fun and cheeky sensibility. Hopefully there is more to come from this collab – top marks!

The AM – ‘On Joy Road’

The AM – AKA Ann-Marie Teasley – is a DJ with a penchant for Techno and Electro that started out as a classical violinist in Detroit. The AM is releasing her debut EP Black Majik on March 11, and comes fronted by ‘On Joy Road’; an Electro-influenced jam named after the long, dual-carriageway street that connects the centre of Detroit to Nankin Lake and the enclaves on the city’s west side. It is urgent and intense while simultaneously elegant as a hypnotic spell is spun by frantic up-tempo snappy beats, claps, rippling electronics and winding synths, while a warped vocal sample and woozy flourishes fade in and out of view. A mesmerising and thumping dancefloor ready banger.

Clwb Fuzz – ‘Sertraline’

Cardiff outfit Clwb Fuzz return with new single ‘Sertraline’; a magnificent blaze of fuzzed-up spiralling psychedelic-rock. Burning guitars fuzz, ominous eerie synths and swaying, pendulumic percussion, set the swirling stage for Emily Kocan’s haunting vocals, regaling vivid and sometimes far too real dreams, occurring as a side-effect of taking antidepressants. Unsettling paranoid introspection has never sounded so glorious.

Pharoahe Monch & Buckwild – ‘Get Down’ (Remix)

Pharoahe Monch, one of the finest emcees to pick up a microphone, joins forces with revered, veteran hip-hop producer Buckwild, and the resulting track is unsurprisingly spectacular.

Pharoahe Monch & Buckwild are no strangers to each other having worked together on some of Organized Konfusion’s classic albums, and their latest collab ‘Get Down’ (Remix) comes with all the allure and chemistry that characterised their previous work. It is a jazzy, reflective track that drifts along a super seductive groove flanked by vibraphone and snapping drums as it slaloms through a hazy chilled air while Monch’s flawless raps flow smoothly and melodic in the space left to breathe. Smooth, melodic and entrancing – it is just superb!

Check out ‘Get Down’ below:

BURNT – ‘Shadows’ (feat. Frank Lasalona)

California-based outfit BURNT craft a soulful blend of reggae, ska, punk and hip-hop sounds with psych brushstrokes, and inspired by DIY artist subculture, they have independently produced 10 albums since forming in 2003.

Lifted from recent album Reaching for the Sun, latest single ‘Shadows’ features Frank Lasalona on vocals and provides a superb introduction to their wears in four minutes flat. It swaggers along a deep and seductive groove while the collective energy and hypnotic power of reggae vibes bathed in flourishes of bleary eyed psych and Latin flavours, making for a companion for Lasalona’s richly smooth vocals to flow. A wonderful amalgam of hip-hop and reggae with a soulful core that will leave it’s mark you and powerless to resist its magical charms.

Check ‘Shadows’ below and the album is here if that is to your liking:

Justy – ‘Rinse, Repeat, Regress’

Justy is an independent musician & singer/songwriter from Staten Island, New York inspired by the likes of J Dilla, Amy Winehouse, NoName, and Lauryn Hill.

We were introduced to Justy’s delectable talents through some super singles last year; a smooth, soulful and lush blending of hip hop, R&B, soul, jazz and pop, and filled with soul searching, heartbreak, loss, self-awareness and renewal. Building on these aforementioned attributes, Justy has returned with new single ‘Rinse, Repeat, Regress’. It is a smooth, soulful and super chill tune as soothing melodic vocals cruise cooly above a gentle bed of pattering beats and seductive groove. ‘Rinse, Repeat, Regress’.is totally captivating and marked by impactful lyricism and deep emotional weight as it slinks through a woozy atmosphere peppered with lush melodies, sunny tones and chill vibes. As with previous releases ‘Cool’ and ‘Love Letter, Pt.3’, ‘Rinse, Repeat, Regress’ is yet another reminder of why we should look forward to the arrival of Justy’s forthcoming debut album, which is in the works at the moment. 

For now, tune in to ‘Rinse, Repeat, Regress’ below.


Deyah – ‘Ultimate Dinner Party’

Fresh off the back of winning the Welsh Music Prize 2020 with excellent album Care City, Cardiff MC & producer Deyah, has returned with brand new single ‘Ultimate Dinner Party’.


The new single continues a trend established by the excellent self-produced and self-released Care City; real prowess for honest, personal and introspective tales backed by laid-back vibes and slick beats. A warm but wistful synth purrs amid a hazy nocturnal air, marked by an overwhelmingly laidback, chilled vibe while a slick, snappy and quite skittish beat ping pongs around the woozy atmosphere. As great as this is, everything is secondary to Deyah’s voice. A rich soulful voice delivering an honest, personal and powerful tale with a distinct and precise lyrical flow. Deyah is one of the most exciting and unique artists to cross my path in a while, no word of a lie, ‘Ultimate Dinner Party’ has been on repeat for the past two weeks. Simply superb.

Listen to  ‘Ultimate Dinner Party’ below now and while you’re at it, check out Care City as well.

El Levtchenko – ‘After Hours’

We were introduced to Brazilian / American pairing El Levtchenko and their lush, sun-kissed and world encompassing sonic distillations throughout 2020 – offering beautiful and beguiling bouts of escapism as they did. 

El Levtchenko’s sound is magpie like, in the very best way possible, borrowing from a world of influences; there’s Cuban guitar music, a touch of hip hop, some Middle Eastern and African influences, funk and soul, and a whole lot of beautiful psychedelia. Their latest single ‘After Hours’ is – like previous singles ‘Hopeton Overton’ and ‘Sunday Social’ – a perfect exposition of their well honed style. It is an intoxicating brew, built on seductive grooves and cool, calm and chilled vibes, offering a zen-like state as it drifts along a funky, hypnotic groove as guitars chime and chords strut their languid wares amid the late night vibes. This is super chill, beautifully addictive and mellow, while oozing nocturnal vibes, it is a tune make the day better no matter the hour.

Check out the sunny delights of ‘After Hours’ below:


Albums of the Year 2020

Compiling music lists is always a nice way to reflect on a year, so in keeping with tradition, here are my favourite records from 2020.

This year I’ve narrowed it down 10 and there is little between them to be honest. Recommendations from readers will be greatly welcomed.

10.Whyte Horses – ‘Hard Times’

Manchester psych-pop outfit Whyte Horses’ latest endeavor continues on from where 2018’s ‘Empty Words’, as they whisk us off to a land of blissful, dreamy psychedelia, sounding both familiar yet fresh. Ostensibly feeling like a mutating shape-shifting pop art project, ‘Hard Times’ feels like a mixtape with a difference. It isn’t just simply selecting tracks, choosing the running order, but  recording and producing a selection of much-loved songs while rounding up some of your favorite artists into the bargain. Sound like fun? That’s exactly what Whyte Horses have pulled off on their third record.

Listen in full here.

09. Aoife Nessa Frances – ‘Land of No Junction’

Aoife Nessa Frances’ debut album ‘Land of No Junction’ draws from an eclectic array of influences – ’60s psych-pop, offbeat folk, orchestral flourishes and flair for avant-garde – which sounds familiar yet fresh, as it meanders through ever shifting scenery that blurs the lines between dreams and reality. Frances’ smoky vocal is a constant and gripping, and no matter the ever changing environs –  waltzing beats, undulating groove,  rippling guitar lines, hypnotic organ hums or swirling psych or hazy blanket of fuzz – it is a voice that shines like a lighthouse amid a dense bank of fog. Land of No Junction is a serene, hypnotic and stunning debut (and one that could have been called Llandudno Junction). 

Listen in full here.

08. Khruangbin – ‘Mordechai’ 

Texan trio Khruangbin – Laura Lee Ochoa (bass), Mark Speer (guitar), and Donald “DJ” Johnson (drums) – are peerless sonic sorcerers and funky force of nature. Borrowing from a world of influences, theirs, and indeed third album  ‘Mordechai’,  is a colourful coming together of different sound, genres, cultures and era; there is funk, soul and hip hop, some Latin, Middle Eastern and Asian influences and a whole lot of beautiful psychedelia. It is an intoxicating brew, built on seductive grooves and mostly cool, calm and chilled vibes, offering either a zen-like sense of peace or funky, hypnotic groovy seduction – or a coming together of both. This is super chill, beautifully addictive and mellow, ‘Moredechai’ is a record to watch the sun go down.

Listen in full here.

07. Silverbacks – ‘Fad’

Irish post-punk outfit Silverbacks long-awaited debut album was worth the wait. Having patiently building a rep with superb single after superb single, there wasn’t too much doubt that ‘Fad’ would live up to its billing. Unspooling the ingredients of their sound is tough; there are touches of post-punk, art-rock, new wave and 90s indie to name but a few as tracks, built around a motorik rhythm and taut groove, rush past with a whirlwind of shifting multi-sensory sound as triple guitars attack. Lyrics are multi-layered and uniquely Silverbacks. There’s is a sound comparable to a place where parts Talking Heads, Television, LCD Soundsystem and Gang of Four can all coexist and flourish. A debut to remember.

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Sherwyn – ‘What’

Sherwyn is a Nashville-raised, Los Angeles-based artist & producer with an undeniable flair for mixing it up and transcending genres, blending hip hop and rap with lashings of funk, new wave funk and alt-rock.

Influenced by artists such as David Byrne, Keith Haring, Andre 3000, and Bootsy Collins, Sherwyn’s output thus far has been superb – ‘My Mind’ & ‘Starfucker’ both irresistible funky, new wave groovers. Latest single ‘What’, while a rather efficient 1:47, is a meatier heavy hitting hip hop meets rock jam. It struts along a bed of seductive big beats and swaggering grooving while a snarling riff and chugging guitar adds to the bite as Sherwyn spits a wishlist for a different world – his delivery confident, defiant and melodic. This is a superb cut with the right amount of everything – just superb!

Listen to ‘What’ below now:


Sal Dulu – ‘Alien Boy 96’

Dublin-based producer Sal Dulu has established a rep in this neck of the woods for fabulous hip-hop flavoured electronic productions with a series of stellar singles last year; ‘Duluoz Dream’, ‘Antasma’ & ‘Tyko’, ‘Buzzcut’.

Continuing this rich vein of form, Sal Dulu has returned with a hypnotic new single ‘Alien Boy 96′ and taster track from his forthcoming debut album, penned for an early 2021 release. It is yet another beautiful piece of instrumental hip hop that transfixes it slinks along a hypnotic groove, underpinned with dusty beats, jazz-inflected keys and slo-mo melodies. A fuzzy ambience and downtempo chill-out vibes, collides with snatches of eerie vocal peek through the atmospheric swirl. It is dreamy and hypnotic, cinematic and escapist, and most importantly a wonderful insight to what we can expect from his album come the new year.

Listen to ‘Alien Boy 96’ below now:

Checkmate Corleone – ‘Southpaw’

Checkmate Corleone is a Los Angeles rapper who’s style draws inspiration from hip hop, R&B, rock, jazz and country.

Latest single ‘Southpaw’ is a slick, smooth and seductive groover. It flows majestically along a bubbling bassline that mingles with head-nodding, shuffling percussion submerged amid a lush sea of subtle and melodic instrumental touches amid woozy vibes and layered sunny charms. ‘Southpaw’ oozes with all the smooth and soulful seduction while Checkmate Corleone gently reveals his greatest attribute; his smooth, smokey voice and melodic delivery.

Tune in to ‘Southpaw’ below: