Gil Scott- Heron (Old and Young)

Gil Scott- Heron has just dropped a new album on XL after 16 years of absence from the music landscape. The album, I'm New Here has been received well by the critics, and it's great to see a legend back on the scene after years of being a junkie.

I Think Ur A Contra

This album seems a little out of place here in the freezing morbid east coast winter, but after a couple of spins through it's starting to shine some rays of light. I like how the songs explore some open space allowing details to creep in with every listen. Similar subject matter to the first album here, but more stylized down the rabbit hole they were traveling through early on. All the influences are still present (Afro-pop, Graceland), but with a Vampire Weekend twist that we may learn to recognize as a sound all on it's own. Check out some of the new tracks on myspace, and pick up the album!

Vampire Weekend

JJ

JJ on heavy rotation....

Free Gucci

Sick new mixtape featuring Gucci Mane remixed by Diplo, Memory Tapes, and Flying Lotus to name a few. Not a huge fan of Gucci, but with every listen I give the guy more respect and am definitely surprised by his lyrical abilities. Hit up the MAD DECENT LINK for the free download.

Blakroc

This new hip-hop project from the Black Keys is shaping up to sound really good. "Stay Off the Fuckin' Flowers" features Raekwon sliding through a scatter shot beat that's held together by a steadily thick bass line. The track never looks back as the instruments build and shift under the guidance of Raekwon's definitive flow. The meshing of Blues/Rock with Hip-Hop isn't a clear winner on paper, but it works comfortably in practice. Rappers always project their life struggles through their lyrics, and the history of Blues stems from the same expression. It may be a stretch, but for some reason hearing Raekwon spit over some hazy guitars just feels nostalgic.

Blakroc

Miami Horror- Sometimes

Imagine pt. 3

The Smith Westerns have benefited from their touring schedule. "Imagine pt 3" ditches the garage for a more straight forward sound that bounces with pop energy. The clarity of the track really shows off the Smith Westerns' enormous potential to write great hooks and huge riffs,especially given that they're only teenagers. I've had this on repeat all day, spin it through a couple of times, and I think you'll feel the same.

Imagine pt. 3