THEY., an L.A.-based “Grunge&B” duo consisting of producer Dante and producer-vocalist Drew, made a loud entrance in 2015 with their three-track “Nü Religion” EP. It was immediately evident that these guys had a voice and chemistry of their own, with subsequent singles like “Deep End” and “Rather Die” managing to both affirm and call into question the accompanying potential with their inconsistent quality. Considering that “Nü Religion: HYENA” is the culmination of all their work thus far, it’s hard to tell whether or not that potential has been realized.

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/289777921″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

The album does start out strong, with Dante’s sharp drum patterns and Drew’s melancholy melodies immediately shining through. It’s not long until we’re back in familiar territory, with mid-2016’s “Deep End” and “Motley Crew” off of the debut EP coming up back to back – two fantastically progressive and yet contrasting R&B tracks that truly show off THEY.’s range and ability.

THEY. spends the length of their debut LP “Nü Religion: HYENA” rehashing old ideas, failing to breathe new life into them.

However, while THEY. spent the beginning of their rising popularity breaking today’s hip-hop/R&B mold, the duo spends the length of their debut LP “Nü Religion: HYENA” rehashing old ideas, failing to breathe new life into them. Maybe a harsh statement, so let me explain. This album has some exceptional highlights – but only one of those standout songs, “Silence”, is even remotely indicative of what THEY. is up to now. Otherwise, the most intriguing moments on the whole album are just the entirety of the “Nü Religion” EP making an unedited encore appearance, save for the 7-month-old “Deep End”. The heart wrenching, vocoded singing on “Back It Up” and the sense of shamelessly not giving a fuck that underlies “Bad Habits” make for some really amazing, memorable songs – and yet it doesn’t feel right to judge this project based on that merit.

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/274474025″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

Yes, it could be said that THEY. have every right to expose their old hits to a new audience by including them on this much more visible release – and they do. The real problem is that the material here that is brand new – or even relatively new – feels like a poor attempt at turning their previous non-formulaic triumphs into a formula. “Truth Be Told”, for example, flaunts drum programming that is nearly indistinguishable from that of “Motley Crew”, and yet lacks all of the spark and freshness. Tracks like “Africa” and “Back Around” are similar offenders, with the added misfortune of creating the impression that Drew’s cache of vocal ideas may be scarcer than it first seemed.

And so, when it comes to passing a final judgment on “Nü Religion: HYENA”, there are two ways to look at it. In a vacuum, this album is solid, possessing no shortage of throwaways, but with high points that really carry a wow-factor. However, examining the LP as a first major step for artists who showed immense promise early on, it’s a disappointment, full of creative stuttering and tons of steps sideways and backwards. All things considered – the wild highs, the off-putting lows, and every single moment of stagnation in between – “Nü Religion: HYENA” just does not feel like the album it could have, or should have, been.

Every weekend, Jince scours through hundreds of SoundCloud tracks to find the best new gems by artists that are flying under the radar.

Check out this week’s playlist and our featured tracks below. It features a mix of new sounds from hip-hop to electropop all the way to indie rock:

Soleima – “Breathe” ft. Hoodboi

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/309306555″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

Not gonna lie, I really wouldn’t mind daydreaming with Soleima. Her collaboration with Hoodboi, “Breathe,” is a laid back track that’s casually punctuated by these amazingly distinct dinosaur-like horns – (lol did i just say “dinosaur-like?”). It’s upbeat without being too douchey, ya dig?

Superior – “I Got You” ft. Rocdwell

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/308012734″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

As a resident of NYC, I can certify that the 90’s rap vibes oozing out of this Superior and Rocdwell‘strack will stain your timberlands with a whiff of subway piss and other authentic golden-era memorabilia.

YOUNG CLANCY – “ALWAYS HAVE”

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/307056017″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

You’ll always have the what? The drugs? oh…well thank god someone does. This track is an exercise in minimal synth flips and drum kicks – it’ll help your break that habit…or perpetuate it. Either way, you can rely on YOUNG CLANCY holding you down.

THEY. – “Dante’s Creek”

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/309135368″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

You couldn’t imagine how excited I was this past Friday when THEY. finally released their debut album, “Nü Religion: Hyena.” “Dante’s Creek” is a downtempo ballad from the album that’ll have you subconsciously reaching for the blunt and a lighter – you’ll be on cloud nine within 60 seconds of listening to this one.

PS: Drew from THEY. accepted my fb friend request – WE EATIN GOOD FAMMMM

Ben Zaidi – “Irene”

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/309669518″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

This last one’s a slow burn type-of track. It’s a heartfelt tale from Ben Zaidi, an amazing new artist who’s been consistently putting out great tracks for the past year. It’s a sad one, so make sure you’ve got some tissues ready.

Check on Jince‘s playlist every Monday on HighClouds and follow our curator on Soundcloud. Enjoy【ツ】

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um7pMggPnug”]

The single features vocals from Bob Marley’s grandson Skip Marley, production from pop legend Max Martin, and writing from Sia. The video was directed by Mathew Cullen.

Jon Vilardi – The Jetsons meet bland pop? At least Reggae is still being unnecessarily wedged into places it doesn’t belong in the future.

Matias Calderon – God knows I love pop music. With that being said, this is bad beyond words. She has so many hits on her repertoire that this one will be forgotten in 2 weeks. In that video…

Arnaud: I’ve never been a huge fan of Katy Perry that I always found artificial and outdated. The single sounds like music in between two advertising spaces and it is a bit strange to see Katy unveiling a video with a message while she is -for me- a pure marketing product.

Artur Correia: Two words: Utter Garbage

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-NTv0CdFCk”]

“LOVE” is the first track to be taken from her forthcoming album, which is due out later this year. The album is a body of work created by Lana and her longtime producer and collaborator Rick Nowels. Producers Benny Blanco and Emile Haynie also participated on “LOVE”.

Jon

Matias – TBH, I have never been a hardcore fan of Lana, but this track truly surprised me. Despite what Jon just said, for me, this is everything but boring. The only question that I still have is: Until when is she going to use that vintage aesthetic? For the first album it was cool, for the second, it was ok, now it is just meh.

Arnaud: First, I was like “it’s another Lana’s song”. Then, I was like “Finally, it’s another Lana’s song” and then I was “Oooooh, finally I like another Lana’s song.”

Artur: Lana Del Rey has always been a love-hate relationship for me. I love “Born to Die”, I completely dislike “High by the beach”, for example. However, I am in love with this. The aesthetic of the video, the message of the song, the production – everything is working perfectly for me. One of the highlights of the year, so far.

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV8HYokDWeE”]

Thundercat is releasing a new album titled “Drunk” on February 24 via Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label. Kendrick Lamar and Thundercat connect once again on the song “Walk On By,” after they work for Kendrick‘s album “To Pimp A Butterfly”

Jon – Name a more iconic duo. As one of the few people in the world who sacrilegiously feels like “To Pimp A Butterfly” marked a stepped backward for Kendrick lyrically, I really liked his verse here. Thundercat may be a bit outshined on his own song.

Arnaud: I like it, as often with Thundercat. I was actually expecting a bit more from this collaboration. I’m still listening to ‘Them Changes’ and I was secretly dreaming of something as strong.

Artur: I found it quite bland. It is a nice tuesday evening background music in a coffee shop – that is all. And Kendrick is way better in this song than Thundercat.

This new track by Brooklyn-based rapper is produced By Ryan Scott & Stelios Phili

Matias – I always believed in her talent, and I still believe in it. The production is efficient, her flow is raw and violent. And her track “Storefront” remains one of my ultimate favorite hip-hop tunes.

Arnaud: This is not my favorite track of Ahsh but I like her consistent delivering. It is super cool to see that she gains more and more attention as she has a proper music and stylistic niche.

Jon – THEY. – Silence. The singles leading up to the release of the duo’s debut album have been hit and miss, and “Silence” is a reassuring example of the former. It makes good on its titular promise of hushed, smooth vibes, and proves that THEY.’s chemistry is unmatched.

Matias: – I already said it on the THUNDERCLAP column and I will say it again. The new Arca song “Piel” is EVERYTHING. Giving me life until I die. And this new track “Anoche” is giving me a huge boner.

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YW94Psk0Jg&feature=youtu.be”]

Arnaud: The entire EP of Half Waif is just magical. It sounds like Empress of who meets Julia Holter. The favorite title of the EP is “Frost Burn”.

Artur: I have to agree with Matias. The new Arca is perfection.