Recent Releases:
Voices, Phantogram (Feb. 18): The trip-hop influenced electronica duo from Greenwich, New York have finally followed up their debut LP, Eyelid Movies (2009), with an album that shows a true progression of their songwriting skills. The signature guitar, synth, and vocal manipulation combination that define Phantogram’s sound has become even catchier, and are definitely worth a listen.
St. Vincent, St. Vincent (Feb. 24): The art rock guitar virtuoso, St. Vincent (real name: Annie Clarke), is following up her critically acclaimed album, Strange Mercy (2011), with a self-titled effort. After releasing an album (Love This Giant) and touring with David Byrne, Clarke went right into recording what would become this album. The time that Clarke has spent with Byrne has had a clear influence on her songwriting, which can especially be heard in her first two singles, “Birth in Reverse” and “Digital Witness.” If you loved St. Vincent before (how can you not?), you’ll probably still love her, if not a little bit more, after listening to this album.
Oxymoron, ScHoolboy Q (Feb. 25): While fellow Black Hippy and Top Dawg Entertainment member Kendrick Lamar has risen in popularity astronomically since the release of his album good kid, m.A.A.d. city back in 2012, ScHoolboy Q had been busy working on his first major label debut, following up his acclaimed, independently released album, Habits & Contradictions. While aware of the precedent set by good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Q has never wavered in confidence with his upcoming album, hoping that people will consider it a classic and find it a distinctive chronicle of gangster rap. Based on the singles (“Collard Greens (ft. Kendrick Lamar)”, “Man of the Year,” “Blind Threats (ft. Raekwon)”), this could potentially be one of the best hip-hop albums of the year.
Music News:
James Blake recently teased a potential Kanye West collaboration in an interview, saying that the rapper, who considers Blake to be his favorite artist, had reached out to Blake to potentially work on material. While there is no guarantee that something tangible will come out of this, a collaboration is still something to look potentially look forward to, considering how talented the two are as producers.
Meanwhile, Blake and Chance the Rapper revealed that they plan to become roommates, living together in LA in hopes of creating a “music-making compound.” After meeting at SXSW last year and realizing they were fans of each other’s material, they started collaborating, which resulted in a remix of Blake’s “Life Round Here,” released back in September. No word on when anything will be released.
