Lav's Music Corner

5.  TURN YOUR HEART AROUND  - SBTRKT The strange phenomenon of new SBTRKT singles being lightyears better than anything on the project's new album from last year continues. This is a short but sweet track that really puts its head down and grinds out a pummeling pseudo-industrial little dance track with tight loops and fuzzed-out vocals for a mostly pretty irresistible result.  Listen 4.  PHANTOM BRICKWORKS VII  - Bibio Another helping of the familiar solemn piano and isolating ambient compositions of Bibio's  PHANTOM BRICKWORKS  series feels perfect right now. It also feels in line with the trio of singles released so far from the upcoming ambient-focused project. This may be my favorite of the bunch offering up another bulky runtime that manages to impressively weave together a beautiful, gentle series of piano passages effortlessly.  Listen 3.  PLAY DEAD! PLAY DEAD!  - Vylet Pony Color me surprised as someone who has always had mixed ...

Late again, sorry I was on vacation, take some deep breaths and enjoy. 5.  Weedkiller  - Ashnikko I think Ashnikko might have out-Dorian Electra'd Dorian themselves this week. In what is easily my favorite single from this new Ashnikko era so far they're getting cutthroat and living up to the song's aggressive title. While it's mostly the strong hook that wins me over I also have to say some of the clever vocalizations and stretching of their range as a singer pay off big time.  Listen 4.  Fallin'  - Joey Bada$$ If you had Joey trying his R&B side out on your 2023 bingo card, you're probably well on your way to winning. You'd be in even better shape if you correctly predicted that the results would actually be kind of good. As is often the case with crossovers like these, the hook suffers with singing that is sufficient but needs a bit more to help sell it.  Ultimately, I'm kind of surprised the sound and sentiment of the song are pulled off so well ...

All of a sudden there's quite a few EPs to be covered and we're pretty light on new records this week. So let's handle some recent short-form projects from the world of hip hop. RED & WHITE EP - Lil Uzi Vert It's no secret that I've been a pretty big critic of some of Uzi's music in the past but at the very least I can say that one of their most enjoyable projects to date was technically the most recent one not counting his collaboration with Future.  Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2  remedied many of the big problems I had with Eternal Atake , namely much stickier hooks and many features that helped make up for some of Uzi's shortcomings as both a rapper and singer. So I was a little suspicious going into this nearly 30 minute EP once I saw that Uzi is handling the entirety of vocal duties by themself. Thankfully both the production and songwriting here are better than on EA and while I think there is still some distance between Uzi and their biggest contem...

Joey Bada$$ is a New York rapper and member of the Pro Era collective who broke onto the scene a decade ago with a now-classic debut mixtape 1999  which was released when Joey was still a teenager. After pivoting from his NY boom-bap style into a more conscious and political focus on is 2017 album All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ , Joey is returning with 2000 , a sequel to his original breakout mixtape. Review by Lav: Despite a discography that is pretty slim compared to some of his contemporaries, largely due to the 5-year gap between studio albums, Joey Badass has carved out a place for himself among the top-tier artists of today. He did this by emerging as an extremely talented individual at a very young age and continuing to impress with both his music and his far-reaching collaborations. Even though I've enjoyed some of his side work ultimately this is what I was waiting for, not only a full-length return from Joey but also a project that's thematically connected to his still legenda...

Look at me. After almost being late two weeks ago and being late last week, this feature is actually coming out on time. Not just on time but even a few hours earlier than usual.  Enjoy <3 5.  Aquamarine  - Black Thought & Dangermouse (Feat. Michael Kiwanuka) One of the gifts that keeps on giving this year is the upcoming Black Thought and Dangermouse collab which delivers one single after another with not only great instrumentals and Black Thought's lethal delivery, but some awesome features as well. This time they team up with Michael Kiwanuka for a dramatic and totally intoxicating hip hop jam. Listen 4.  get high, breathe underwater (#3)  - teen suicide The return of teen suicide has been one of the more welcome additions of 2022 and Sam Ray's project is now two for two on new singles. This lo-fi indie cut is breezy by design packed full of swirling pianos and charming vocal harmonies. While it doesn't rewrite the book on this concept clearly the proj...

One day late, sorry, busy weekend. Not wasting any more time.  Enjoy <3 5.  Graveyard Love  - The Mars Volta While it's clear that we won't get the full picture of this new Mars Volta record until it can be digested in its entirety but these singles certainly seem to predict a change of pace. With clearer and hookier melodies, less overwhelming instrumentation and a short runtime it's a fine outing though one that certainly stands out for the band. Listen 4.  RUN  - Killer Mike (Feat. Young Thug) Killer Mike is back with his first solo single since Run The Jewels became america's sweethearts and it features a fellow Atlanta legend in the recently incarcerated Young Thug. For the most part the track is a parade of Mike's accomplishments as a veteran in the hip hop community who has been one of the definitive conscious voices in the genre for over 20 years. Despite its general lack of ambition that song is still an exciting anthem based on the charm and stature...

While this may not have felt like a big week for singles Thursday night, when you take the entire weeks trickle down of anticipated new songs and album announcements into consideration it is actually pretty significant, so lets try and work through it. Enjoy <3 5.  RAP JASM  - Moor Mother (feat. AKAI Solo & justmadenice) moor mother just continues being one of the most unique, creative and innovative voices in all of hip hop and all of music in general. While this new song plays it a little bit straighter than her typical outing if anything it only makes her credentials as a hip hop renaissance woman even stronger.  Listen 4.  Ricochet  - Preoccupations One of the most acclaimed post-punk acts of the 2010's is back after a four-year absence and what they've brought with them is one of the most lively songs of their entire career. With clearer vocals and drums that punch through the blurry guitars in the mix this certainly isn't the Preoccupations you reme...

As the pendulum does swing, last week was a bit dry by singles standards but this week featured a flood of new tracks to choose from. Enjoy <3 5.  Because  - Danger Mouse & Black Thought (Feat. Joey Bada$$, Russ & Dylan Cartridge) Before I broke down every single element of this posse cut I will just say that yes the contributions are inconsistent among the various rappers as to be expected. But the song still has so many great facets starting with another killer retro instrumental from Danger Mouse that Black Thought and Joey in particular sound excellent over.  Listen 4.  Skin Of My Teeth  - Demi Lovato I never thought I'd say it but this Demi Lovato punk song actually has some grit to it. While it never fully leaves the realm of pop flavored punk compared to many of their contemporaries Demi proved they can really up the ante. The song is not only unafraid to touch on some of her past controversies and traumas but it does so with a vengeful venom t...

With the elation of last nights UNC basketball win over Duke in their own stadium during Coach K's last ever regular season game I am feeling excited and generous. To that end I still don't see this release week as being one of the better ones of the year so far and more debate than I'd like to admit came purely in trying to find tracks that I was even comfortable enough putting on the list. Enjoy <3 5.  Matilda  - PUP If you're impressed by PUP's consistently ability to blend the raw sound of punk with the genuine emotional expression of emo then this song will be right up your alley. It doesn't have the most impressive or memorable riffs and refrains but the real highlights is how swiftly and effectively it bounces between emotional tones throughout. Listen 4.  Angelica  - Wet Leg On the back of an impressive run of post-punky singles from one of the most acclaimed young bands out there, they stripped it back to basics for this track fusing a slinky pop sen...

Last week indie got off to a ridiculous start in 2022 and this week it was raps turn to have tons of notable releases within just a few days. The only difference, these tracks average out to a MUCH weaker group and other genres of music still managed to sneak into the ranks of the best singles this week. With some major disappointments these are the tracks that still managed to rise to the top. 5.  Jackie Down The Line  - Fontaines D.C I've been one of the bigger critics of this band over the last few years but this may be their best single yet. The driving rhythms and monotone delivery make for a confrontational sound but I could never call the song overly aggressive or loud. This is also the first time I've thought the band used vocals in a really effective way to combine with the dark sound of the instrumental to create something really interesting.  Listen 4.  Surround Sound  - JID (Feat. 21 Savage & Baby Tate) This was a collection of talent that was al...

Nyck Caution is a New York rapper and long time member of the Pro Era hip hop collective. He released his first mixtape back in 2016 but attracted much more attention on collaborative projects like his mixtape alongside Kirk Knight, Nyck @ Knight , or the Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies and Underachievers super group Beast Coast. Those projects led up to this, his debut album which features numerous Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies members in its tracklist.  Review By Lav: While Nyck Caution has never been one of my favorite Pro Era members he does have plenty of standout moments and consistently shows up to contribute solid material to nearly every project he appears on. Most of my favorite Nyck Caution moments thus far come on the Nyck @ Knight  mixtape where he and fellow Pro Era member Kirk Knight deliver sharp introspective hip hop dark intimate instrumentals to great success. Given how many years its been since Nyck's last solo mixtape I was hoping we would see improvement and whi...

All year I've gotten requests to review new albums from Griselda records big three artists Benny the Butcher, Conway The Machine and Westside Gunn. Given the heads that the trio have turned in 2020 I didn't want to let the year slip away without talking about their projects. The difference between these projects can often be slight aside from which MC is taking point, they are all reminiscent of classic hip hop, they all dive into personal history of street life and they all feature Freddie Gibbs. But there's a surprising amount of variance between the Mc's styles that made some of the records far more enjoyable than others.  Westside Gunn - Pray For Paris This is the one Griselda record from this year that I'm already seeing pop up on year end lists from major outlets so I thought I would take it on first. It's easy to see why the record has stuck with people so much since it's release all the way back in April starting with the fantastic instrumentals. A s...

Powers Pleasant is a New York hip hop producer and DJ and one of the founding members of New York's own Pro Era. He has been producing music for years for various members of Pro Era including Joey Badass and Kirk Knight as well as fellow New York artists like The Underachievers. After dropping some beat tapes on his SoundCloud over the years but geared up for a new album with three singles featuring high profile hip hop artists. Review By Lavender: I have been an admirer of Powers Pleasant for a long time, particularly alongside Joey Bada$$ over the years. While I respect him a lot as a beat crafter my perception of him as a curator of talent was in dire straights after hearing the first thee singles from this record and my expectations of the album turned out dead on. There are plenty of great beats and verses across this record, but they are bogged down with rappers missing the mark on almost every song. The lead single is one of the best songs on the album and the only ...

Beast Coast is a New York hip hop super group made up of Issa Gold and AKTHESAVIOR better known as The Underachievers, Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice and Erick The Architect better known as Flatbush Zombies, as well as Joey Badass, Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight, CJ FLY and Powers Pleasant all of whom come from the New York hip hop collective Pro Era. After collaborating with each other for years the super group has finally collected to release this album and go on a tour this summer in support of it.  Review By Lavender: While I am a fan of the many artists involved in this grand collaboration I must admit that just a few years ago I would have been way more excited for this project. Joey Badass has always been sharp and even though it has been two years since his last album it was one of my favorite hip hop albums of 2017 and I am still excited for anything he does. Nyck Caution and Kirk Knight however both missed on their most recent solo albums and while I thought their colla...

The Top 10 Artists Of 2017 While the Albums, Songs and EPs list celebrate individual achievements of greatness artist of the Year takes a step further. Everyone comes into the start of a year in different places and everyone leaves a changed artist, whether drastic or minor. The Top Artist Of The Year has always been one of the more subjective lists as it takes into account the perception of an artist beyond their music where opinions differ even further. Acts like Kendrick Lamar and LCD Soundsystem released albums that would easily land a first timer on this list, but when compared to their greater discographies we're left to wonder what could have been. These 15 artists left no room for wishing as they set out to have fantastic 2017's across the board. Honorable Mentions Alvvays In 2017 Alvvays proved they had staying power in the Dream Pop genre, a feat most bands without "Beach" in their name have struggled to achieve. A trio of fantastic singles and ...

Every year this list gets closer and closer to being the "Top 10 Guests SPOTS", as the mainstream catches up with the feature trend that's been in rap as long as there's been rap. Lana Del Rey/The Weeknd, Iglooghost/Mr. Yote and Charli XCX/Carly Rae Jepsen all made solid cases but for likely the last year ever the "Guest" list is limited to rap features. And in a time when there's more rap than ever before it was exciting to know that any day there could be a 200th Young Thug/Travis Scott song or exactly as likely something wildly new like DRAM/Neil Young. This year's list isn't quite as full of surprises as years prior but it's no doubt full of just as good performances. 10. J. Cole - "Legendary" by Joey Bada$$ Who'd have thought that in 2017 J. Cole would be less corny, what a time to be alive. Joey's VERY low key approach made it easy for Cole to hop in and ride along a jazzy, smooth beat and deliver his trad...