Since the 1990s, the list of underground hip-hop stalwarts to gain cult-like followings runs deep and potent. Punchline specialists like Big L and slick spitters like Mos Def and Talib Kweli of Black Star emerged as prominent figures on the East Coast prior to the turn of the century. Come the early 2000s, Atmosphere and … Continue reading Earl Sweatshirt – Some Rap Songs
An inside look at the prolific SoCal outfit and their creative inspirations.
Every era has its group of entertainers that eventually achieve household name status. From Michael Jackson and Prince to Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, each generation of music is keen to producing a select number of individuals fit for center stage. Anderson .Paak is perhaps one of this decade's notable show stopping performers. A multifaceted talent … Continue reading Album Review: Anderson .Paak – Oxnard
Nearly two years in the making, the Curren$y and Freddie Gibbs collaborative album which fans have been waiting on could not have come at a better time. Curren$y, never one to slack on musical output - an ironic contrast to the stoner persona evoked in his music - has a discography now pushing well over … Continue reading Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – Fetti
Colter Wall's music embodies the mythos of a travel-worn troubadour on a seemingly never-ending journey. His rich baritone voice cuts through the dry sound of his guitar fearlessly and forcefully, yet maintains the calmness of still water in the summertime. His sound is rooted in foundational elements of country and folk music: lonesome tales of … Continue reading Colter Wall – Songs of the Plains
In its most bare form, folk music is powerful enough to bring people together and shape culture through compelling storytelling and imagery. Even today, there is still a place and an audience for the singer-songwriter who leans on little more than their voice and guitar to craft their songs. Marissa Nadler finds herself in this … Continue reading Marissa Nadler – For My Crimes
Catharsis (noun): purification or purgation of the emotions, primarily through art. Amid releasing two records in the span of a year with psych rock outfit The Shorelines, Santa Barbara based singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Maxton Schulte found himself with an abundance of written material, much of which largely stemmed from significant personal experiences and feelings towards … Continue reading Maxton Schulte – Retrograde Emotion
Kadhja Bonet's soul music is in a unique class. It's composed into dense layers of classical instrumentation and rich vocal arrangements, pulled together harmoniously to produce a spacious psychedelic sheen. Her latest album, Childqueen, employs these characteristics to depict a deeply personal journey in which she seeks to detach herself from the unavoidable influences of man's … Continue reading Kadhja Bonet – Childqueen
In a world of diminishing indie rock icons, Mitski is blossoming into one of the independent scene's most beloved singer-songwriters. The 27-year old Japanese-American musician, widely known for her nomadic lifestyle and endless touring, is much more than a measly indie rocker. She has a subtle knack for giving pop songs an artsy flair, frequently … Continue reading Mitski – Be the Cowboy
Amid J. Cole's ascension into being one of rap's biggest names, it can be forgotten that not only is he an MC, but also a producer - and a good one at that. I am of the belief that J. Cole may actually be better at making beats than he is at rapping. Now, I … Continue reading Top 10 J. Cole Beats
Midwest/East Coast wordsmiths milo and Elucid are at the very heart of the progressive hip-hop movement that has been beaming over the past five years. After a few track collaborations on each other's solo works, they've assembled to form Nostrum Grocers, a tandem that combines milo's off-kilter poetry with Elucid's inventive, New York persona to form … Continue reading Nostrum Grocers – Nostrum Grocers
When we look back at this musical decade in the future, it will largely be remembered for the dominance of hip-hop. A handful of artists will come to mind when we think of who helped push the genre into such massive commercial relevancy: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, Future and many others. At the … Continue reading Top 10 J. Cole Songs
The Orlando two-piece is charmingly indie at heart who has recently seen increasing popularity, developing an affectionate fanbase all over the U.S. and beyond.
Miller's greatest hits and jammiest deep cuts coexisted in bluesy matrimony at his show last Saturday night in Los Angeles.
Almost exactly 22 years ago at the legendary 1995 Source Awards, when tensions between east and west coast rap outfits were at an all time high, a young Andre 3000 made a statement that announced Southern hip-hop as a force to be reckoned with. "It's like this, the south got somethin' to say," he proclaimed … Continue reading Denzel Curry – TA13OO
Their music is capable of going different speeds in different directions at the same time. Whichever way it's going and no matter how fast, it always evokes a magical, fully-realized feeling.
Featuring albums from Brothers Osborne, Jackie Cohen, Lauren Ruth Ward and more.
Mention Kanye West and immediately music heads will conjure up their opinions over which of his first seven albums is his best and why. Over the past five years this exercise has been exhausted and beaten to death, so much so that the fun in discussing the greatness of Kanye's career usually sounds like more … Continue reading Kanye West – ye
If there was one Kanye West release this summer I could expect to be completely lackluster, it was his collaboration with Kid Cudi. It's not that I had zero hope for this project, but my personal interest in the career trajectory of both artists has long been going in the opposite direction. To my surprise, … Continue reading KIDS SEE GHOSTS – KIDS SEE GHOSTS
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Courtney Barnett, Leon Bridges, Ski Mask the Slump God and more. Clairo - Diary 001 EP Diary 001 EP is as cute and charming as its title implies. Clairo's … Continue reading New Music Roundup: June
Josh Tillman's fourth commercial release as Father John Misty is his darkest creation yet. Written over the course of a six week period where Tillman was couped up in a hotel, estranged from his wife, seemingly embarked on a journey of binge drinking and self-destruction, God's Favorite Customer is a much more conventional set of songs than … Continue reading Father John Misty – God’s Favorite Customer
From the first moments of Pusha T's DAYTONA, one can sense the tight-knit display of bravado and artistry they are about to experience in the duration of the record. "Pullin' up in that new toy, the wrist on that boy rockstar like Pink Floyd," he raps on the opening lines of "If You Know You … Continue reading Pusha T – DAYTONA
Few bands in the modern era are as definitive to a particular sound and style as Beach House. The Baltimore duo, comprised of vocalist and keyboardist Victoria LeGrand and guitarist Alex Scally, has captured the hearts of indie music fans with their lush, ethereal soundscapes since the mid 2000s. Their first two records introduced them … Continue reading Beach House – 7
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month's edition includes new releases from Janelle Monae, Kimbra, Post Malone and more. Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino Arctic Monkeys take a 180 degree turn for their first record since 2013 … Continue reading New Music Roundup: May
Coming fresh off the release of his first EP, 'Kingdom Hearts,' Linc is on a mission to fulfill big aspirations.
Alternative and experimental hip-hop has always had a thriving underground scene since the early nineties and even into the new millennium. Today the genre continues to prosper thanks to fresh artists willing to experiment with sound and push the envelope with lyrical content. Whether its unorthodox beats, eccentric flow or radical bars, this niche section … Continue reading JPEGMAFIA – Veteran
Since his early days as an up and coming rapper-producer, Jermaine Cole seemed destined for greatness. After a solid stretch of raw, purist-friendly mixtapes, the once aspiring basketball player got his initial shot in 2009, signing to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label with enormous expectations set for him. It took Cole a couple commercial releases to … Continue reading J. Cole – KOD
At 23 years old, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that Joey may still have his best music ahead of him, but don't sleep on the greatness of this early chapter in his career.
Social media celebrity turned trap-rap queen, Cardi B, has been dominating internet hip-hop culture since the arrival of her smash hit "Bodak Yellow" last summer. However, until early this year, it was hard to judge whether Cardi had what it took to turn the monumental success of her breakout single into sustained relevance or if … Continue reading Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy
Texas born singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves has long captured the hearts of contemporary country fans with an enchanting voice and stunning looks. In recording her newest album, Golden Hour, she set out to cross genres, documenting her growing personal life in the process. Her fourth release on Mercury Nashville Records diverts slightly from her country roots and … Continue reading Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
