Category: Reviews
Kristin Kontrol – X-Communicate
Over the last 8 years, Kristin Welchez aka Dee Dee Penny has driven her band Dum Dum Girls to the top with three acclaimed albums, four EPs, and a host of singles through the group offered indie pop gems inspired by 60s and 80s beats. But one year ago, Dee Dee began to feel limited by that musical style and aesthetic which, as she explained to Filler Magazine, was starting to work against her. She had personally evolved and it was normal for her music to do so as well. Her solution? Adios guitars! Goodbye longstanding producers Sune Rose Wagner and Richard Gottehrer! So-long, Dum Dum Girls! Despite some concerns from her label Sub Pop Records, Dee Dee Penny was put to rest and Kristin Kontrol was born. and “X-Communicate” is her debut project under this new identity.
Fringe Character – Alpine Eyes
The up and coming group Fringe Character don’t call themselves a “hip-hop band.” Rather, they consider themselves a “crew.” This may seem like a trivial detail, but it means much more. With a brand new independent album out called “MINT,” this group’s talent truly comes alive on “Alpine Eyes.”
Mayzin shares the amazing “I Found You”
There is an up and coming artist that has grabbed the attention of many hip-hop fans lately via the internet. 20 year old Mayzin, a product of the Oakland and San Diego areas has generated over 75,000 online plays in less than two weeks with his January 30th independent release “Something I Wanted”. While these may be modest numbers in some regards, they are a testament to the meaningful brand of hip-hop Mayzin is capable of. While some of “Something I Wanted” shows need for improvement, the impressive track “I Found You” shows a great deal of promise and potential.
Chance The Rapper – How Great
The amazing Chance The Rapper’s ability to compose great hip-hop songs has been seen several times over the past few years of his young career. From his first project “10 Day”, to his hit mixtape “Acid Rap”, to his part in the critically acclaimed “Surf“, several stand-out tracks have emerged. Tracks like “Pusha Man” and “Favorite Song” off “Acid Rap” were stuck in the heads of mainstream and indie internet hip-hop fans alike. “Surf”’s “Sunday Candy” had iTunes buzzing and new Chance fans bursting out of the woodwork. Now comes “Coloring Book”, a whole new set of tracks branded with Chance’s signature flare; and “How Great” is a perfect example.
Schoolboy Q – Groovy Tony
There is something haunting about Schoolboy Q‘s video for “Groovy Tony”, but also something very beautiful. The song itself is very dark and gritty, focusing on the character’s rage in the streets and stand-alone attitude, and the video follows suit. Nevertheless, make no mistake, this is art.
Kedr Livanskiy shares hypnotic new track “Razrushitelniy Krug”
“Razrushitelniy Krug” is taken from Kedr Livanskiy‘s debut EP, January Sun, out February 19 on 2MR. Her name translates to
Hinds – Leave Me Alone
In a bit more than a year, a lot of things have changed in the Spanish forest. The band Deers had to become Hinds, because of the threat of a legal action from a band with a similar name, and the herd has been extended from 2 members to 4. What was sounding like a joke, or at least like an exercise without any seriousness, has turned into “Leave Me Alone”, the debut album from one of the most exciting garage band of these last months: Hinds. It is now out via Lucky Number/Mom & Pop.
HighClouds: Best Tracks Of 2015
HighClouds present their 100 best tracks of 2015. Whether you like it or not, it’s that time of the year
