Enjoy.
Tuesday, December 16th, 2008
So I was all set to post some good holiday songs and another Novel song, but the weather in Rochester is just not permitting – it got warm and sunny today. Wtf, world? Here I am, all set for the weather to get cold and you go and screw it all up. Those songs will get up by christmas, they’re great. Anyway, here’s some more weather-appropriate music.
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Rapping over Chromeo’s gorgeous “Momma’s Boy,” AC talks about his girl who’s a little too much like his mom. His message isn’t totally clear (“is it cause she’s loud or cause my shirts are downy fresh”/”told her sit up on my lap, she said no cause that’s her dad’s thing”) and it’s a little hard to tell how he feels. Does he like her? Does she like him? What’s this whole deal about the parents? Nobel attempt, but clarity was clearly not a priority. I always struggle to analyze something, thinking I just can’t understand it, and then I realize it’s just not well-written.
That said, his nice little dig at “Single Ladies” and Beyonce is amusing (“‘If I like you, better put a ring on it,’ – stupidest advice. This goes out to Sasha Fierce for ruining my life”).
It’s certainly better than the Jim Jones “Electric Feel” catastrophe, and I’m glad rappers enjoy new ‘indie’ music, but I wish they would do a little better with it. I’m sure there are some good examples, but the most recent thing that comes to mind is the Jay Z appearance on “Lost!” and I don’t even think that was actually him.
N.A.S.A. (feat. Kanye West, Santogold, Lykke Li) – Gifted [mp3]
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I don’t know how N.A.S.A. does it, but this duo is out of control. A track with three music blog all-stars? Fantastic. His other stuff features even more music superstars (E-40, Method Man, etc), and one of his music videos is complete with Shephard Fairey artwork. This song is great, and just in time for christmas. I really have no idea what they’re saying (but google Kanye’s verse, it’s fantastic. “I’m the king I will not be headed”? Totally sick). But anyway. Check it out. It’s good and stuff.
XV (feat. Ne-Yo) – Used To [mp3]
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This apparently didn’t make the new album (it should be out next year). I like a lot of his stuff so far, some of his flow and tone is like Lupe Fiasco, which is cool with me. It’s smooth and features the current heavy-hitter of Ne-Yo (the man does EVERYTHING). This is a good lazy afternoon track.
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008
New Music At The End Of The Post…
Hey all, this post is coming at the end of an incredibly fun but hectic night. I was DJing at one of the fraternity houses on campus (@ University of Rochester), and a few kids got into a fight. The party went on, but eventually a knife was pulled and the whole thing had to be shut down. Not only that, there was also a mugging right on the fraternity quad. Fortunately everyone was apprehended and nobody was hurt, but what the hell is this? This is the University of Rochester, why the issues? People should be getting drunk and hooking up, not getting drunk and right hooking someone.
It might have put a slightly early end to my night (1:45 AM), but it was INCREDIBLE. There was table dancing, fun times, and the beer ran out a full hour before the party ended. Pictures will go up when I have them. This brings me to my next observation: there seems to be a new pattern every time I DJ. Whenever I DJ on campus, the frat runs out of beer at obscenely early hours. This means lots of people are showing up to drink and they’re getting drunk. But they’re also staying until obscenely late hours (aka 1 or 2 hours after the beer has really run out). This means a lot of people are liking what they hear. Good times for all involved. Except of course, for the mugger.
For all those who came out tonight, thank you. Especially for staying after all the beer was gone. And for all of those amused by me rocking out up on the table, you’re welcome. There were a few tracks that I promised people I would post, and here they are:
Kanye West – Love Lockdown (LMFAO remix)
So you’re not a fan of the new Kanye sound? You’re a hater, he is the first one to really use Autotune responsibly. You expected something like the College Dropout? Get real, he’s an artist and he moves in different directions. You want a remix you can get wasted and sweaty to? Alright, that’s a reasonable request. Try LMFAO’s remix of “Love Lockdown,” sweaty and crunk, with some added dirty lyrics to make the party just a little bit more ridiculous.
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X & Hell – My Fkn Hat
Well let’s be honest, we don’t really like the dress code. I’m not advocating for track suits and lounge wear, but you’re really gonna ask me to take my hat off? Dude, my hat reeks of style. Oh, yeah, maybe it is just sweat. Whatever though, it’s my fkn hat! Seriously though, this is good stuff.
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Lykke Li – I’m Good, I’m Gone
I hadn’t given Lykke Li a chance until just a few days ago. I don’t know entirely what’s wrong with me – first I put off listening to Vampire Weekend until the summer, and then I put off Lykke Li until the fall. Poor decision in both cases. Her voice is light but fierce, and the pianos in this track are just so right. Cheggit out.
That’s all folks, maybe I’ll get around to posting another mix soon. And I’ll be starting a night at one of the Rochester bars soon. And I’ll be DJing a number of formals and other parties before the end of the semester. And yes they’ll be good so stop by when you can. Speaking of good, the new Kanye, Ludacris, 88-Keys, Kaiser Chiefs, Britney Spears, and Q-Tip albums are all worth a listen. Get them where you will.
Friday, September 26th, 2008
Alright, so I’ll have a new mix out soon, I know I owe you one. But here are some great songs to hold you off:
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This song appeared in one of the new Nano ads, and I’m in love with it. It’s like if the Weepies’ “Gotta Have You” met and fell madly in love with Yaz’s “Only You.” It’s a little sad but really beautiful. Not what I would usually post on here, but I do love it.
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Featuring John Legend, this is one of my favorite tracks on the recently-leaked “Paper Trail” album that wasn’t already leaked beforehand. “What Up,” “No Matter What,” and “Like I Do” were all great but this is something different. His cadence is great, the way each line flows into the next, and John Legend’s hook is so not like typical T.I., it’s really a little welcome.
Kanye West – Love Lockdown (Chew Fu Small Room Mix)
This came out probably two weeks ago or so, and it’s worth posting even though you’ll find it all over Hype Machine. Chew Fu manages to do with it what Kanye should have. I’m glad Yeezy has been pushing in new directions but that track just isn’t quite there yet. This, however, is perfect. It’s deep, spacey, and yet still keeps the original spirit of the track
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I don’t know anything about this guy, other than the fact that this beat is incredible and his rap is pretty damn good. This is great Jazz/Hip-Hop fusion. The beat would fit right in with some tracks on Guru’s Jazzmatazz.
Estelle (Feat. Sean Paul) – Come Over
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Remind you of Diana King? Maybe a little? Either way, I like this one a lot, it’s a slow “stir-it-up” anthem and it’s nice to hear Sean Paul slow down a little himself.
And in the “I can’t believe I didn’t post this thing sooner” category…
Kardinall Offishall (feat. Pussycat Dolls) – Tide is High
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I’ve been sitting on this one for almost a month but I never got around to posting it. The beat is great, and the lyrics are so much better when sung by the Pussycat Dolls than Rhianna. Rhianna’s voice just sounds kinda… meh. The Dolls’ voices fit perfectly over this beat and blasting this thing may be my current favorite guilty pleasure.
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
..that rappers let the beat carry their track for them?! Honestly, there are some great rappers out there. Many, many, many. But listen to almost any remix or top 40 rap track and you’ll see what I mean: rappers let the beat do all the work, like “oh, this beat is just so hot that no one will notice that my lyrics are non-sensical and lack a rhyme scheme.” Bullshit.
I get it, you can put out a remix really fast and get on the blogsites if the original is really hot, but oh my god there are some awful remixes that get posted just because they’re remixes. I just listened to the Freeway remix of “Paper Planes” (here), and half of it is great (“top me off like a toupee”? genius), and half of it just doesn’t really flow. Same deal with 90% of the remixes that get posted every day. Bleh.
On the upside, the new Coldplay album is the shit. Violet Hill, end of story. Also, Kid CuDi released a mixtape about a week ago, check out the tracks “Man on the Moon,” and “Is There Any Love?”.
What?! You still want more tracks to check out? Fineeee, you can have another new favorite. Rhymefest (feat. Wale) – Ya’ll Ain’t Heard It From Me. I cannot wait for that album. Speaking of the Chicago side, Kanye did some nice little singing on Bentley Fonzworth’s new track “Everybody” aka “C.O.L.O.U.R.S. (Cool Outrageous Lovers of Uniquely Raw Style). Don’t ask, just do.