Music isn’t solely distributed through physical copies anymore, the tradition that consisted of playing an album from start to finish after its’ purchase has long been thrown out the window, and let’s face it the Digital Era is confusing, more confusing than a millennial that believes polyamorous relationships will actually work. If you aren’t technically savvy as you used to be, or just considered not technically savvy at all, here’s a list of songs you might’ve been too lazy or too skeptical to click on the side of your “recommendations” tab on YouTube.
You Never Show Your Love- Jessy Lanza, DJ Spinn & Taso
If you’re an underground music junkie, you might’ve heard her Affectionate Glitchy-R&B single “Kathy Lee” that crashed every blog back in 2013. Jessy Lanza has always been the one to catch the undergrounds’ public eye, incorporating elements of “footworking” music to elements of early 2000s R&B into the likes of her production, and not to mention her angelic vocals that suits her self-produced tracks as well. Here on the collaborative track with DJ Spinn & Taso “You Never Show Your Love” she showcases many of her talents on this mid-slow tempo jam, delivering vocals that’s strikingly similar to the late R&B singer Aaliyah. If you feel as If you’re a little bit late in the game getting to know the triple threat no need to worry, she just released her latest sophomore effort “Oh No” May 13th you have plenty of time to catch up.
Shyness- Thieves Like Us
I’m just going to go ahead and coin them as one of the most “underrated” bands ever. The Swedish-American Berlin based Band first rose to prominence in 2007 when they released their first visual assisted single “Drugs in My Body”, which soon led them to have a cult following of fans that whom of course loved their music, but their creative visual edits that consisted of Swedish Art House styled films. Though they haven’t released a single since 2012, their most popular single to date “Shyness” which is an Italo Disco, Post-Punk, Glam filled number, is a prime example of why their loyal fans will continue to hit replay until their return.
Much More- Ethereal (feat. Alexandria)
It’s safe to say Awful Records is the first Hip Hop collective in a long time to consistently put out good quality music, and one of their most promising artists on the roster “Ethereal” is indeed a true example of why consistency should be their middle name. Ethereal is no stranger to the hip hop underground scene, he’s been in the game since 2011, making beats as one half of “Optimus Pikachu” and even releasing an album under Yelawolf’s Imprint. This particular selection, which is a single off of his mixtape “He’s on Fire 2” is an Alternative Hip-Hop Southern Driven number, heavily sampled by L.T.D.’s Hit Single “Love Ballad” featuring Songstress and fellow label mate Alexandria.
You Are The Right One- Sports
If you aren’t a fan of Indie Rock, this band will for sure have you believing you were a fan all along, and that you just haven’t discovered their band yet to believe so. “Sports” is a Canadian based Indie Rock band and believe me they are awesome, and this single “You Are The Right One” which is a single taken off of their album “Naked All the Time” is proof indeed that they are. It’s definitely a “crushing on you” summer anthem and it’s one of the smoothest songs you’ll ever hear, with its funky bass, and guitar line that you could’ve sworn was taken from Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight”. If this song doesn’t make you love indie music than I don’t know what will.
Nothing For Me- Junglepussy
Music that solely focuses on the social politics of African American Women has never been a taboo in the industry, especially during the 90’s where male hip hop artists were often boycotted and looked down upon for their often vulgar and overly sexualized imagery of women displayed through their lyrics. But it’s also important to know that most women chose not to react in such an offensive and protestant way, some simply responded with “Well if Men can do it, then so can we”. With that being said we would’ve never had outspoken female rappers such as MC Lyte, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, and Missy Elliott influence a wave “Womanism” amongst African-American women. Of course this wave of influence continued to inspire many women for many more years to come, even if died down for a moment it never left, and in this day and age it seems as if it’s slowly making an uproar again, this time in a humorously charmingly demented way. The New York Native African American beauty “JunglePussy” has every right to be listed within the lineage of female rappers that have helped spark the modern wave of Black Feminism, with her witty yet satiric lines and confident yet playful delivery, spitting lines about healthy foods and self-love, it’s clear that she’s exactly what this world needs. This playful braggadocious track “Nothing For Me” is taken from her debut album “Pregnant With Success” and let’s just say, besides Beyonce’s hit “Sorry” this track should definitely be the anthem for “boy bye”.
Sick Girl- Abra
Ethereal isn’t the only promising artist under Awful Records, First Lady Abra has been causing quite a stir on the blogs with her dark 80’s pop single “Roses XOXO” and her minimalistic R&B piano driven track “Fruit” all taken from her self-produced album “Rose”. The “Darkwave Duchess” released a track on soundcloud called “Sick Girl” that could either indicate that it was a scrap from the “Rose” album, or could possibly be a hint at a another project to come in the near future. The single is a curious alternative pop R&B number that lightly samples Silk’s R&B hit “Freak Me”. With a sample of a tiger’s roar in the beginning and playful synths that sound as if they could be from a Vengaboys song, the track will surely make you feel as if you’re on an adventure.
Mangrove- Young & Sick
He was once a visual artist that designed album covers for artists such as Foster the People, Robin Thicke, and The Velvet Teen, until he decided to give a hand at making his own music, let’s take the time to thank the universe that he did. The single “Mangrove” is taken from his self-titled debut album “Young & Sick” not to mention it’s the album’s opener and it’s one of the best openers any album could have. The track begins with a soulful piano backed up by a groovy tempo reminiscent of a Hall & Oates song, with the song’s bridge going into a silky-smooth R&B breakdown, in which I’m not lying to you when I tell you that that part of the is by far the best part of the song. This song is perfect for a summer’s day cruise.
Body- NIIA
You may have heard her on the hit “Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)” alongside Wyclef Jean, Akon, and Lil Wayne back in 07’, ever wondered where she might’ve gone? Well for instance she toured the world, joined a jazz band ensemble, released covers every now and then, and then decided to bless us with an EP called “Generation Blue” back in 2014, and there’s one particular track that’ll make you want to abuse the replay button and it’s called “Body”. The Robin Hannibal produced track sounds so elegant and soulful, much to the likes of his other work with Quadron and Rhye. With the melodic ballad driven keys that draws you in in the beginning, and the playful bass brought into the chorus that makes you want to stay. You just can’t deny the chemistry between NIIA’s vocals and Robin Hannibal’s production, they make a song about a one night stand sound that beautiful.
URL IRL- Cities Aviv
He first came on to the scene with his mixtape debut “Digital Lows” and left the blogs wanting more. Known for his eclectic production style with a cloud rap flow much reminiscent of RZA and Guru (1/2 of Gang Starr) this single proves that he is a rap gem of this generation. “URL IRL” which is a pseudonym for “YOU IN REAL and I IN REAL” is taken from his debut album “Come to Life” and it should be considered one of the dance tracks of our generation, with his jagged, energetic, vaporwave reggaeton, unapologetic lyrics over this post-punk, futuristic, disco beautiful mess. The self-produced rapper should be named one of the gods of “Genre-Blending” right along with Hiatus Kaiyote, Switch, and M.I.A. Do your-self a favor and include this track in your playlist.
Poppa- Smino (Feat Julian Bell)
This St. Louis born Rapper/Singer should be one of the reasons why the “Midwest” should finally get the recognition they deserve for being just as diverse as any other region on the map. The track “Poppa” taken off the rapper’s debut EP “BLKJUPTR” is an R&B track that sounds as if elements of UK’s “2 Step Garage” were used in the making, and it’s perfect. The rapper shows off his rap skills, which seems too fresh and almost too original to compare his skills to the likes of any other rapper that came before him, over the bouncy mid-tempo selection, right before the song breaks down into a soulful Jazzy “V103” selection with an electrifying elegant guitar solo. Smino is definitely someone to look out for before his major come up, I would definitely give this track a listen.
