Mux Mool, Leatherette, Shlohmo, Gorillaz
As the winter freeze sets in (at least on our side of the hemisphere), we sometimes need tunes to heat up or cool down our minds, bodies, and souls. One of the few things I really enjoy about winter is the special effect that certain tunes can have on me as I’m walking in the blistering cold. Sometimes I can resist feelings of frost bite when I listen to a track that swelters and makes me think of how hot these same streets will be come summer, in a matter of months. Transformation takes place on so many scales, often at intervals outside our everyday perception, here are some tunes to help you capture the real value in those freezing cold moments.
Mux Mool – The Hundred Dollar Beat – Drum EP 2
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has just released a name-your-price follow-up to his ’08 debut in the form of the Drum EP 2. Featuring some incredible artwork from Hydro74, the effect his fans have been reporting since the EP’s surprise release last Friday, coinciding with the kick-off of his winter touring activities, has been tremendous. Each track has it’s own bump, but the pure emotional readings of this melodic and introverted track felt like a good one to share. The energy of the following track on Drum EP 2, Jen & Soda, displays some of Brian’s unique genre-blending as some of the freshest yet in terms of production value. This is one guy who will be hard at work this year, keep it locked.
Bibio – Lovers’ Carvings (Leatherette Remix) – [single]
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, to me, sounds like the music would sound quite different than what it actually is, which is dope, deep, dirty hip hop beats combined with abstract/experimental sample chopping. The vibes are killer, and I was definitely not ready when this track got dropped, as if ‘s vibes weren’t already sick enough, Leatherette steps in and applies the same type of post- production that made other tracks on Ambivalence Avenue, like Fire Ant, so successful. It’s almost like a confirmation being made amongst Yancey’s most dilligent adherents that they have visited those alien realms and brought back the vibe to keep the torch lit. Am I even making sense right now? Who cares, this track sounds so nice.
Soulja Boy – Pretty Boy Swag (Shlohmo Remix) – Pop Massacre
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I was turned onto a super dope FREE compilation from Daedalus‘ label Friends of Friends, called Pop Massacre. Among many killer tracks, this remix of by takes the cake, making Soulja Boy and his Billboard-clenching brethren sound right for non-commercialized settings…picture pop remixes like this to be like a fine sushi restaurant drowning in a sea of McDonaldses. Soulja Boy is an interesting example of my taste in music, as I have gotten temporarily addicted to some of his whimsical, almost nonsensical, effortlessly trend-setting (at least in the mainstream and in high schools) swag. It’s the relentless bump of the bass kicks in Shlohmo’s re-work that makes it tho, truly original indie swag.
Gorillaz – Empire Ants (ft. Little Dragon) – Plastic Beach
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Alright, alright, speaking of the mainstream, I think I have been a bit too judgemental of some releases recently…there is a reason some stuff does well. are by no means an indie group, they were born from the ashes of some of the 90’s bigger acts, which I don’t even need to detail because you already know. You may have already had your fair share of listens to this incredible track, the sweet spot of which is withheld for more than half the track until ‘s intoxicating croons kick in. You may have missed it like I did when I didn’t give Plastic Beach the attention it deserved. Either way, it should be on your speakers, because it’s a testament to how truly blessed musicians and song-crafters can be successful beyond our wildest dreams, yet still make music that appeals to both sides of the coin– those who rarely venture outside the mainstream, and those who abhor venturing anywhere near it.
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