Fort Romeau | Jetée
“Jetée” is the sprawling new house cut from London’s Fort Romeau. The single, deemed “fit for both large sound systems and epic summer travels” by the good people over at Ghostly, is Mike Greene’s debut release on their roster.
[Mike Greene]
alh
Forest Swords | Thor’s Stone
Life moves and shifts but truth is the witness. Love always.
(via @forestswords)
In 2010, Matthew Barnes released one of the most stunning genre-bending albums of the year under the moniker Forest Swords. Produced along the coastlines of the Wirral peninsula in England, Barnes’ Dagger Paths E.P. echoed the organic tone of the sparsely industrialized landscape in which it was created. And in the plethora of bloggers’ “Best of 2010” lists, Dagger Paths was consistently placed in the top tier.
Since then, Barnes has remained rather reclusive, surfacing only behind the scenes to work with artists such as How To Dress Well and Haleek Maul on their recent releases. However, a few days ago, Barnes reintroduced himself with an original piece that will be present on his alleged forthcoming full-length on Tri Angle Records. Reminiscent of his previous work, “Thor’s Stone” is densely textured, boasting thundering percussion, hazy yet fiery vocal snippets, and piano stabs soaked in reverb.
alh
Booma Collective | Help Me Jesus (Valentin Stip Edit)
Booma, a Montreal-based musicians’ collective, is composed of a handful of producers such as Valentin Stip, SolPara, and Pavla & Noura- names that are also present on Nicolas Jaar‘s Clown & Sunset roster. Earlier this week, the group shared a slow burning edit of “Help Me Jesus,” courtesy of Val Stip himself. The track is available for download below.
[Valentin Stip]
alh
P.e.o | To a Dear Friend That I’ve Lost
P.e.o is a producer who we’ve had our eye on for a while. Originally from Belgium, and throughout the year calling Montreal his home, he has just put out an EP titled ‘To a Dear Friend That I’ve Lost’. It’s a tasteful compilation of summer sunset-appropriate dance tunes.
While I enjoy the entire EP, for my mood as of late, ‘Summer Touch’ makes me feel like I’m driving in a convertible with friends after winning the lottery somewhere warm.
Have a listen, and download / donate for the release below-
KO
Disclosure | When A Fire Starts To Burn
In anticipation of their debut record, Guy and Howard Lawrence have treated us to the second track from Settle- a classic house groove driven by a sliced up sample of an impassioned US motivational speaker.
Disclosure’s forthcoming album drops on June 3rd and will feature the likes of Jamie Woon, Jessie Ware, and Sam Smith. And if you’re around, catch them live this Wednesday in Vancouver, courtesy of the good people at Blueprint.
alh
Jacques Greene | On Your Side (ft. How to Dress Well)
A few hours ago, Jacques Greene shared a radio rip of his soul-inflected collaboration with How to Dress Well’s Tom Krell via Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show. “ On Your Side” is the title track of Greene’s forthcoming EP and is very much in the same vein as what you heard on his recent release with Tinashe for Yours Truly and adidas orginals’ “Songs from Scratch”.
Greene’s On Your Side EP will be released digitally on June 3 and physically on July 1. If you’re eager, preorder here.
See previously:
alh
Yugen EP | Koreless
As promised, today was the release date for his Yugen EP on Young Turks. ‘Last Remnants’ possesses tasteful melodies and the dreamy sound that entice my love for Koreless‘s music.
Give it a listen, check the previous single from the EP here, and purchase the vinyl or digital release here.
KO
Squad. | ˚≈≈WAVE≈≈˚
“Squad.” is a group of 19 and 20 year old kids who it seems would prefer to maintain their anonymity, as judging from the member’s multiple monikers. The tape, titled “˚≈≈WAVE≈≈˚“, features creative hip-hop-grounded beats and raps in which the educated producers convey that they are still ignorant and gangster at heart, despite their perhaps priveleged upbringings. The oversized tee and bucket-hat clad squadron wielded with SP-404s and Maschines have evidently made this tape for themselves, but that is refreshing to see when the majority of amateur producers in this day and age are creating music to appease the crowd and shamelessly plugging soundcloud links into their Facebook news-feeds on the daily. Even the fact that the tape is unmastered adds some sort of charm to Squad.’s work; here is what they had to say about it-
“SHOUT OUT THE SP WIZARDS DFAN, TOBES AND HARPSY. SHOUT OUT THE KID CHINGERS AND THE MASCHINE GURU NOAH. SHOUT OUT OUR ALTERNATIVE WONDER CRAMER AND INTERNATION PLUG RD. SHOUT OUT THE UNTAME LYRICISTS CA$H ROMNEY, GF AND SMOOVE. SHOUT OUT THE MAKERS OF KOOL AID FLAVOUR BLUE ICE, WE FUCK WITH YOU. SHOUT OUT EVERYONE ON A 6 HOUR + ROAD TRIP RIGHT NOW. SHOUT OUT ALL THE LIQUOR STORE OWNERS AND PUSHERS. THANKS TO ALL THE MOMS AND DADS THAT BIRTHED THESE DUDES. thanks, I hope to do this again.”
My picks from the album (in chronological order):
1) “Fuck Oranges” – OPTIMUSINHISPRIME
2) “Stardust” – Solnes & Noahwilliamson
3) ” GOD DAM” – YOLOBEUNG
4) “Ode to the Ladies” – The Smoove Poet
5) “White Lotus” – Solnes & Noahwilliamson
6) “STOOPID REMIX” – LOK NAR
With that being said, all of the work on the album is good, download it.
Atom
Tall Black Guy | Signs & Wonders
[Terrel Wallace, a.k.a. Tall Black Guy]
Terrel Wallace is a musician that produces under the name “Tall Black Guy.” He was born and raised in the city of Detroit, and after absorbing all of the soulfulness and musicality that seems to saturate that airspace, Tall Black Guy spent time in Chicago to perfect his craft. As exemplified in “Signs & Wonders,” Terrel creates soulful beats with heavy hitting drums and jazzy bass-lines, often offering his production up for collaboration with a number of local Chicagoan lyricists. This recording of “Signs & Wonders” was ripped off a Gilles Peterson BBC radio 6 show a couple of months back, and it’s easy to see why it was selected by Gilles as the jam is surely funky and reminiscent of cuts off of The Gaslamp Killer‘s “Breakthrough” LP (Brainfeeder, 2012.)
Cop the 7″ here.
Be sure to check out Tall Black Guy’s label, Tall Black Guy Productions.
Atom
Jon Hopkins | Open Eye Signal (Nosaj Thing Remix)
[Nosaj Thing a.k.a. Jason Chung]
We have reverently lent our ears to almost every track bearing this young LA-based producer’s moniker since he debuted his notorious classic Drift LP via Alpha Pup in 2009.
Following up his recent Home LP release via Innovative Leisure, Chung has put together this remix of Jon Hopkin’s ambient opus–“Open Eye Signal”.
The Open Eye Signal (Remixes) EP is out now via Domino with Nosaj Thing’s rework joined by additional efforts from Happa, Lord of the Isles, and Luke Abbott.
Wolfey
Nosaj Thing x Chance The Rapper | Paranoia
In a timely fashion, Nosaj Thing and Chance the Rapper have premiered their collaboration for Songs from Scratch, “Paranoia,” just hours after Yours Truly released a series of behind the scenes clips.
Admittedly, Nosaj Thing is relatively selective when it comes to asking vocalists to perform on his tracks- Kendrick Lamar is the only other emcee that he has collaborated with. “Paranoia” is the result of a single nights work in Los Angeles’ Ironworx Studio.
alh
Kieran Fearing | Reprieve LP
It was in a small, dimly lit private bar reminiscent of a prohibition era speakeasy where we were first introduced to Kieran Fanning’s Reprieve. The bartender, a friend of a friend of Fanning, had managed to get his hands on an early cut of the album and we, in turn, were given the opportunity to hear Reprieve in an atmosphere that seemed perfectly suited to echo the sounds and stories that Fanning tells.
Though the opening lyric – I walked home without my shoes – swiftly sets the tone for the album, Fanning takes his time in letting Reprieve unfold. Between the melancholic hum of his voice, the piano, keyboard, and subtle electronic elements, there is ample space, quiet moments wherein tension and emotion gently seep in. Throughout, the record is ripe with introspection both in Fanning’s thoughtful words and in the hauntingly beautiful soundscapes crafted by Fanning and his good friend Jonathan Scherk, of Plays:four and 80(sun). In addition to arranging, producing, and engineering the album, Scherk also contributed two stunning ambient pieces – “(Open Four)” and “Reprieve” – which are seamlessly woven into the coherent, emotionally compelling narrative that Fanning has created.
Below are a few of our personal favorites. Lend Fanning your ears and once you’re enamored, head over here to enjoy the album from start to finish, as it was intended to be heard.
See previously:
Kieran Fearing | Glass Of Wine
Kieran Fearing | Glass Of Wine (BOHA remix)
alh
Animal Collective | New Town Burnout (Shabazz Palaces Remix)
Out of my body, out of my mind-
Later this month, Domino is set to release Animal Collective’s Monkey Been to Burn Town remix EP. The four-track album will feature sonic interpretations from Gang Gang Dance, Traxman, Teengirl Fantasy and this take on “New Town Burnout,” a hypnotic, unsettling slow-burner courtesy of Seattle-based collective Shabazz Palaces. Listen below and if you’re compelled, preorder the limited 12” here and get an instant grat MP3 of the Gang Gang Dance and Shabazz Palaces remix.
[Shabazz Palaces]
alh
Clams Casino | Bookfiend (ft. DOOM)
After a short hiatus from the spotlight, Clams Casino has dropped his latest. In a welcome collaboration, notorious iron-masked lyricist DOOM’s complex lyrical formations take center stage until the last third of the track, when Mike Volpe’s vaporous beats stand on their own and are given room to breathe.
“Bookfiend” is set to appear on DOOM’s forthcoming project on Lex Projects.
alh
Kingdom | Corpse
A tough, sinister cut from Kingdom’s forthcoming EP, Vertical XL, has surfaced. “Corpse” follows the relatively light-hearted lead single “Bank Head,” which features LA-based vocalist Kelela.
The Fade to Mind boss will release the 7-track record, his fifth EP, on May 28.
[Kingdom]
alh
Potatohead People | Love Hz (Maricopa Remix)
[Potatohead People]
The good people over at Jellyfish Recordings announced a little while back that they would be hosting a remix competition of Potatohead People’s “Love Hz.” The collective, founded by Eli Muro a.k.a. HeadSPace, is nearing their third anniversary and in celebration, are putting together their third compilation on which the winner of the competition will be featured.
So, after sifting through what we could only imagine as a multitude of entries, Astrological and Nick Wisdom decided on an entry from a little-known producer who goes by the name Maricopa. Knowing these two beatmakers, it’s no surprise why Maricopa’s remix came out on top. With its soft, swinging percussion atop a bed of lush, sparking synths, the piece emits a lush, organic feel that brings to mind the seemingly submerged sounds present on Jürgen Müller’s infamous Science of the Sea.
Serve chilled-
alh
Photo by Simply Gold Productions
Mt Eden | Sierra Leone (Ta-ku Remix)
[Ta-ku]
We first heard Mt Eden’s anthem “Sierra Leone” back in 2010- a time when some of our favorite shows to attend were those of Datsik, Excision, and B. Rich (who now goes by Kastle). Since then, our personal preferences have clearly shifted. However, yesterday, we received a welcome dose of nostalgia when we learned that Mt Eden was finally releasing “Sierra Leone” (officially) alongside a handful of remixes courtesy of araabMUZIK, Ta-ku, Tommie Sunshine, and Live City.
For us, Ta-ku’s rework stands above the rest. Regan Matthews crafts a skittering beat that lies beneath Zolani Mahola’s pitch-shifted vocals, and just when you think he means to progress along the same beat-oriented lines, Matthews drops a heavy, raucous bassline that demands your attention.
If you’re into it, purchase the EP via Ultra Records here.
alh
8prn | Crazy In Love / Forgive Bootleg
Vancouver-based producer Patrick Holland has been busy in recent weeks. While not in the studio or at school, he has been warming up local crowds for the likes of Shlohmo, Groundislava, and Ryan Hemsworth and others as well as playing casual sets at the Chapel Sound nights.
In late March, he released his second EP titled Over It via our very own web-based label Blenheim & Celtic. Although Over It did not receive an avalanche of press, the record met with enthusiastic approval from a handful of authoritative music tastemakers including Andrew Ryce, a music journalist who writes for both Pitchfork and Resident Advisor. One morning a week-or-so following the release, while listening to Hemsworth get into the swing of his set for Diplo & Friends broadcast via BBCR1, Holland was pleasantly surprised to hear the opening bars of “Runnin’”, one of the cuts from his recent EP, blend into the mix. Around the same time period, he was approached by WCR Management–the manager behind Kaytranada, a young Montreal-based hip-hop producer who has been making waves in recent months. (Check out our recent interview with Kaytranada here.)
In the past week, Holland added two new sounds to his catalog of bootlegs, which is growing healthily.
Last week he released his hypnotic energetic four-to-the-floor adaptation of “Forgive,” a track off Burial‘s debut self-titled instant-classic.
Today, he dropped his slinky mangled interpretation of Beyoncé‘s epic pop anthem “Crazy In Love”.
See previously:
Evy Jane | Nothing So Great (8PRN bootleg)
Wolfey
Jonwayne | Cool Runnings feat. Zeroh
Jonwayne uploaded another track -”Cool Runnings”- off of his Cassette 2 yesterday, featuring the cool-tounged, Long Beach residing rapper, Zeroh. In case you needed it, (which you didn’t), “Cool Runnings” is proof of Jon’s mastery in beat production and spoken word. If you haven’t heard of Jonwayne before, imagine J Dilla and Notorious B.I.G. had a white baby who grew up playing Nintendo 64 for at least 6 hours a day; alternatively, stream the track below-
Buy Cassette 2 via Stones Throw Records
See previously: Jonwayne | Cassette 2
Atom
Hurts | Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix)
Over the last few weeks we’ve all been incredibly busy, so we sincerely apologize for keeping tracks like this to ourselves. Here’s the Frankie Knuckles remix of UK pop duo Hurts‘ tune, ‘Blind’. Enjoy-
KO
Disclosure | You & Me ft. Eliza Doolittle
New single ‘You & Me’ featuring Eliza Doolittle in from Disclosure. You can pick this one up on the 28th, and their album ‘Settle’ will be out on the 3rd of June. Poppy dance vibes, as per-usual from the UK brothers.
KO
Koreless | Sun
On May 20th, Koreless will release his ‘Yugen’ EP on Young Turks. He has produced some of the most lovely tunes of the last few years in my opinion, so I was hopeful for ‘Sun’. It did not disappoint. Have a listen, and if you’d like, pre-order the 12″ here.
KO
Young Scooter | Columbia (Shlohmo Remix)
Just up is Shlohmo‘s latest. While comments that I can relate to on his facebook page may question the direction of his more recent music, asking things like ‘what happened to this guy?’ [with a link to 'Empty Pools' off his 2011 Places EP], Shlohmo does and always has enjoyed chopped and screwed, R&B, and old southern shit. While many of us may have initially fallen for the fragile musicality of his earlier material, he is doing his thing (well); so maybe you should take the advice of commenter #2 and stop being a “deaf annoying clueless hipster”.
One way or another, here it is. Enjoy-
KO
Jai Paul | Jai Paul
A few days back the mysterious creator of ‘Jasmine’ and ‘BTSTU’, Jai Paul, seemingly (without warning) released his self-titled album. However, we held off on posting his supposed debut due to a series of rumours suggesting that the record was a fake. Sure enough, on Monday morning, Paul opened a twitter account in order to set the record straight and announced that the demos that were released were not uploaded by him and Jai Paul was not his debut album. Paul apparently had his laptop stolen and the tracks were subsequently uploaded and sold illegally on Bandcamp. XL, the label to which he is signed, has issued a statement-
“As widely reported, on Sunday 14th April, music by XL Recordings artist Jai Paul was illegally made available via a fake Bandcamp account. This music was not uploaded by Jai and it’s not his debut album – it is a collection of various unfinished recordings from Jai’s past.
Neither XL or Jai will take any money from the sale of this music. We have been working with Bandcamp and PayPal to resolve this situation and they have told us all purchases will be refunded within the next 7 days.”
(via Pitchfork)
The record has since been removed from Bandcamp. However, if you didn’t get a chance to grab it while it was still around, we’re sure the demos are floating around somewhere on the Interwebs. And we suggest that you search- the songs, though not official, are still fantastic. Two of Paul’s most well-known pieces were present on the album- have a listen below if you haven’t already.
alh & KO
