Check out this song by British producer/DJ/musician, Wiley, who’s sign-of-the-times song really hits home with the downturn of the global economy. Besides, who doesn’t giggle every time they hear the word, “scrilla”.
Download: Wiley ft. Daniel Merriweather - Cash In My Pocket (prod. by Mark Ronson)
Is Vampire Weekend as obsessed with Charles & Ray Eames furniture as I am? They recorded this track for the Juno 2, I mean, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist soundtrack. Definitely easy on the ears for the Monday grind.
Download: Vampire Weekend - Ottoman
Here’s a treat for all the Lily Allen fans… and don’t say you don’t listen to her, because I remember her first album was everybody’s jam for a hot minute with all the design school kids. This is the first single off of her upcoming release, It’s Not Me, It’s You which is set for February 9th, 2009.
Lily’s new attitude is about pulling back from the all-nighters and designer drugs to focus on more meaningful stuff. This time around she had a hand in writing lyrics AND music. Before she was writing lyrics to tracks that were pre-made (lame). Speaking of designer drugs, do I smell a remix?
Download: Lily Allen - Everyone’s At It
From the producer who brought you Lil Wayne’s A Milli - Bangladesh’s new artist Muffy Mommy hits you with her new single, DopeBoy. I feel like the overall concept of this song is a similar effort to Estelle’s American Boy except it’s an ATL girl singing about how she is in love with dudes with fresh sneakers from the mall. Very deep stuff. At the very least, it’s original, local, and not another M.I.A. rip-off.
Download: Muffy Mommy - Dopeboy
I was recently lucky enough to receive a copy of Ponderosa’s newest album to preview. All I have to say is it’s great to know that there’s a band from Atlanta that is holding down the rock and roll scene with some class and authenticity. The track I’m posting is one of their slower/softer songs, but the breakdown in the middle that slowly builds back up is really one of the best uses of musical rests that I’ve heard in ages.
I know you can pick up their EP, and possibly this new album at their next show in town at the Star Bar on Saturday, November 1st. Do yourself a favor and go see Ponderosa.
Download: Ponderosa - Girl I’ve Ever Seen
Here are two more tracks that will be on Kanye’s new album, 808’s & Heartbreak, that is strategically coming out during the week of Thanksgiving 2008. The album’s release date has been moved-up from the previously announced December 16th date. Kanye has been quoted saying, “I want y’all to hear it as soon as possible”. He’s making it sound like he’s doing us a favor by pushing the album up, but he’s clearly trying to capitalize on psychotic Black Friday shoppers to increase his first week of sales.
Gone are the days of shutter shades. As you could’ve probably guessed, Kanye is still loving the auto-tuner as he continues to sing his way into a brand new genre of music: mainstr-emo-hop. Life can be sad when you’re a camera-smashing, sneaker-hyping, scarf-obsessed, robot from the future! No one understands you. Not even your legions of groupie-bots! Watch out Kanye, if you continue to encourage your fans to do more self-reflecting, they’ll start questioning their motivations to buy everything you put out.
Download: Kanye West - Heartless
Download: Kanye West - Coldest Winter
photo by Ross Martin
There’s not much known about Mayer Hawthorne, other than a recently inked deal with every hip-hopster’s favorite record label, Stones Throw, and this killer motown/doo-wop track. I’m sure more info will come to light soon and hopefully a few more tracks of this nature. I’m eager to see if this will be remixed-ala-MSTRKRFT and be the new underground club banger this winter.
Download: Mayer Hawthorne - I’m Sorry (Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out)
photo by Larry Luk
Georgios and I were lucky to score some press credentials to the Rehab show at the Tabernacle this weekend. One of the opening acts was none other than hip-hop legends, 8 Ball & MJG. I was able to snap a few decent photos from the evening that I’ll post really soon. But first, here’s one of the tracks 8 Ball & MJG rocked with a live band!
Download: 8 Ball & MJG - Clap On [feat. Yung Joc]
Athens darlings, Of Montreal, brought their carnival show to Roseland in NYC a little more than a week ago and were joined on stage for their finale by Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT. Their cover of the 90’s anthem, Smells Like Teen Spirit was a little rough, but if you close your eyes while you listen to it, you can pretend like you’re a pony-riding, fluorescent vampire too.
Photo by Ross Martin
Here’s an interesting take on NYC’s hipster-friendly band of the year. Brazillian crew, The Twelves have done several great remixes in the past few months including The Black Kids‘ I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You which is my favorite; with this one coming-in as a close second.
Click image to view large
This one is for all you folks that love rock and roll. I’m not talking about Hoobastank and Nickelback… I’m talking about real, down-home rock that comes from the soul. I want to introduce you to your new favorite rock band, U.S. Royalty. Hailing from DC, these boys don’t have problems on stage or in front of the camera. They are constantly scouted for fashion editorials aside from their talent for writing great songs. Check out this amazing new photo of the group taken by one of NYC’s freshest and finest photographers/party-animals, Brad Walsh, and this song off of their digital EP available on iTunes. I definitely can’t wait to hear the LP.
Download: U.S. Royalty - John Henry
We just got back from Chester French’s in-store performance at Standard. They’re in Atlanta for their second time ever to rock the stage with N.E.R.D., Common, and Janelle Monae tomorrow night at the Tabernacle. Their first visit was spent at Jermaine Dupri’s studio and Magic City, as they mentioned during their acoustic performance tonight. Thanks to Ross Martin of EC for taking photos tonight. If you want to see the rest of the batch, head over to Standard’s blog. But first, check out their new single, She Loves Everybody.
Download: Chester French - She Loves Everybody
Thanks to Zach Wolfe for emailing this photo over.
I “like it a lot” that Bubba Sparxxx is a fan of PROCESS. It is inspiring to know that our graphics have resonated with some of the Dirty South’s best. Here’s a small taste of what’s to come on Bubba’s new album, The Impolite Gentleman, coming out in early 2009.
Download: Bubba Sparxxx - I Like It A Lot
Some may say it is overkill, but the way Eve Massacre crams four hugely popular hipster bangers into the same track contends with some of Girl Talk’s better mash-ups.
[If you get offended easily, skip this download]
Download: Peaches vs MGMT vs Soulwax vs Yeah Yeah Yeahs - F*** The Kids (Eve Massacre Remix)
Just when you thought the coast was clear, comes quite possibly the best Katy Perry remix to date. This mash-up comes courtesy of our boy, Decatur Dan, of The Studio Rats website. You’ve got Ross’ favorite girl mashed-up with ATL banger of the year, “Put On” by Young Jeezy. You wouldn’t expect a combination like this but KP’s vocals fit the track unbelievably well thanks to the Mr. Money Machine, Don Cannon.
Download: Katy Perry/Young Jeezy - I Kissed A Girl “Put On” Cannon Remix
Ok, this band is quickly moving into “new favorite band” status for me. It’s cool enough that they draw their influences from the Beatles, Beach Boys, and other greats, but these Harvard boys actually do it well! Their knack for combining modern slang with their talent for creating cross-genre hits is hard to deny. Apparently they turned down a record deal with Kanye West only to sign with Pharrell Williams’ Star Trak label instead! How cool is that? That’s like our company telling Pepsi that we don’t want to do graphic design for a company that sells sugar water and turning around and signing with Coca-Cola.
Chester French don’t have a full length album out yet, but you can check out these two tracks, People & a remix of Jay-Z’s Excuse Me Miss. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment.
If you like what you hear, you should come to their in-store performance at Standard this coming Tuesday [October 7th] at 7pm. They’ll be giving away Limited Edition CDs and other prizes. More details on the event at Standardatl.com. Don’t be late!
Download: Chester French - People
BONUS Download: Jay-Z - Excuse Me Miss (Chester French Remix)
By now, many of you guys have probably heard Britney’s new single, Womanizer. Regardless of what you might think of her track, you have to hear The Teenagers remix of the song. It is incredible how they’ve injected so much life into the song. It’s complete with energy, dynamics, and well-done transitions. I’m totally impressed here. It just shows the vast differences between hired vs. inspired producers. The results are polar opposites. The Teenagers remixes are currently favorites on my iPod, laptop, and soon to be in my car (if they ever bring gas back to the city).
Wow, our blogs have been more political than ever this week. It’s really been weighing on us to take action with whatever skills we have. Apparently this trend isn’t just here in America. UK-based DJ and producer, Adam Freeland, decided to remix Daft Punk’s Aerodynamic into a pro-Obama chant. Not often do you see Presidential candidates being endorsed through electronic dance tracks. Looks like the rest of the world is hoping for some change too. Regardless of who you vote for, I think it’s a good for young people to take ownership of our right to choose our leaders. So don’t forget to come out to El Bar on Thursday for Voter Registration Night.
Last fall, Jorge and I went to see Tom Morello’s solo project, known as The Nightwatchman, expecting to see face-melting guitar solos as most would expect of Rage Against the Machine’s former axe-murderer. We were caught off guard when he came on stage with an acoustic guitar, did a shot of Jamison, and proceeded to play folk songs.
As you’d expect from Tom Morello, his themes and motivations involve political activism and modern protest. I’m totally cool with that, but sometimes his lyrics are a little over-the-top, similar to those of Rage, but for me the angst-fueled delivery of Zack De La Rocha was more genuine. Morello’s solo project has Dylan, Cash, and Billy Bragg influences and is a perfect soundtrack to a night at the Local or playing Wizard Staff but I wouldn’t take it too seriously. Tom’s already doing that.
Download: The Nightwatchman - Saint Isabelle
Just when you thought this song’s shelf-life was coming to an end, Patrick Stump turns around and records this cover of Kanye’s Love Lockdown in Garage Band because he couldn’t get to sleep. Although this recording isn’t totally polished, Stump’s delivery gives the song some much needed legs and a new perspective.
