Stumbleine Dawn

I've recently joined a music meditation club at a university. The music isn't so much a focus on meditation rather than just sharing songs that are “chill” or enjoyable.  My first time attending the meeting I was delighted by the final song shared by a student.  The song is entitled Dawn by Stumbleine. Now I don’t really know a whole lot about this band; but this song is pure joy, very reflective.  You can get the files here.

Oneohtrix Point Never Boiler Room Set

Oneohtrix Point Never aka Daniel Lopatin has been one of my favorite artists over the past couple of years. Album after album he's released has gotten more and more impressive. Rift's, Replica, and the latest R Plus Seven. For this post I'm focusing on his L.A. Boiler Room set. I've never had the opportunity to see him live. But I can imagine it's nothing short of amazing. He starts this set with an elongated version of "Still Life" the opening drones that fade into the song are so incredible. I can't imagine how powerful it sounds on a good sound system aka not youtube...
This whole set is honestly some of my favorite music I've ever listened to. The way he mixes his songs are just so powerful. The gem in all of this comes at the end of the video. He layers synths on top of the opening song from R Plus Seven, "Boring Angle." Check this out and enjoy. Really amazing stuff going on here.
 
Also since I'm blogging about OPN. Here's my favorite song from 2013.

Dirty Beaches

Just a tad late to getting around to this guy Alex Zhang Hungtai aka Dirty Beaches.

The reason I'm saying "I'm late" is due to him releasing one final instrumental album under the name Dirty Beaches. 

For Starters I really recommend checking out "Drifters/Love is the Devil."

Dirty Beaches' sound is really obscurely beautiful. Much of the sound is heavy in Reverb. Like a shit ton of Reverb. The track that shines on this album is "I dream in Neon."

 

Panda Bear Mr. Noah EP

Panda Bear is back with more solo material.
I knew for sometime that he was working on a new album. 

To my surprise Mr. Lennox dropped a new EP entitled "Mr. Noah"

also featuring the fantastic "Mr. Noah" off Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper.

I really enjoyed this brief EP; every unique and delightful. I was never thrilled with his

last album "Tomboy" so it's nice to see Panda Bear return to similar sounds from "Person Pitch." 

I'll be posting his song Mr. Noah. Enjoy and look out for "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper due out in January.

 

Like the Moon - Future Islands

Future Islands. One of my all-time favorites,

recently just put out a new record “Singles” in March, after signing to 4AD.
“Like the Moon” off this record was the first song that really stood out. Don’t get me wrong

The entire record is fantastic, but Herring’s lyrics are simply beautiful.

“And I can call you, “friend”

 But I won’t be around

 Silent Chatter, bound

 Just don’t push me out

 We don’t have to speak tonight
 Just don’t say, “goodbye””

Also check out this mash up of Future's Honest and Future Island's Seasons. 

https://soundcloud.com/hoodinternet/future-future-islands

Dark Disco - Alice Glass mix

It’s been a while since I've listened to Crystal Castles.

I was into their self-title and II when they first came out.

Never really checked out III. But hey Alice Glass dropped a DARK DISCO mix.

And it’s nothing sort of amazing.  In under about 20 minutes Alice blends

Skinny puppy, Taz’s Gold tooth Grin, and Britney Spears’ Hold it against me.

And this is just the first two minutes. My favorite part is around 10:54. The song by

 Gesaffelstein called Hatred, just explodes. Been playing this nonstop for over a week now 

and you can download it over on Noisey.

Files
http://noisey.vice.com/blog/download-a-new-mix-from-alice-glass-of-crystal-castles
Track List
http://www.discogs.com/release/5679664

SWANS == TO BE KIND

Michael Gira has reassembled the long time running band Swans.

Much to my surprise, the past two albums have been the most impressive releases to date.

And Swans has been releasing music since the 80’s.

Swans can be a pretty damn demanding band to listen to.

It’s intense, brutal, and downright powerful.

Their 2012 release “The Seer” really set the bar high for bands making a comeback from a long Hiatus.

In fact, Swans more or less transcended and changed their sound in a completely unique and fresh way. They're releasing the best music of their careers. 

There are still some elements of their old sounds that can be heard: the deep vocals by Gira, strange samples, and the general creepiness/eeriness that comes from a Swans Record. The Seer opens with a 7 minute intro “Lunacy” that really sets the tone of what’s to come… For me, the best part about listening to a Swans record is the sheer beauty of something so dark and seemingly destructive. Their past two albums “The Seer” and their most recent “To be Kind” both are albums that have a running time; about two hours. And let’s face it. People aren't devoting two hours to an album in its entirety much anymore. However, if you ever get the chance I recommend giving it a shot. Sitting down and really listening to one of these albums is like a musical journey through sound and emotion; it’s like watching a movie but for your ears.

Swan’s most recent release “To Be Kind” came out last week! Check it out
and experience pure terror and beauty

Tonight's Return

Life has a strange way of overwhelming you sometimes.

Such has been the case the past several months in my life at least.

I've endured some of my darkest times and lowest points.

Thus my musical taste has been extremely dark, moody, and mysterious.

I've spent the majority of the past several months listening to Death Grips.

Literally, every single day. The aggression, the anger, everything about the Energy

I feel when I listen to them it really appealed to my current life and mood.

For this reason and many more I've neglected much of my musical tastes and interests. Not Completely. I've been extremely cautious to what my ears experience lately.  

But I’m working on improvements and much much more. 

Shigeto - No better time than now

Shigeto has done it again. His newest release "No better time than now." is stunning. Some of the best music I've heard this year. Check him out!












You may stream it here.

Todd Terje - Remaster of the Universe

I discovered this album through Noah Lennox, aka, Panda Bear. It was on his top albums of 2012, I believe. Anyways, the album is very light and crisp. Very enjoyable on these hot summer days!

Culture Shock

I've been playing this non stop lately. The production is just so incredible. Enjoy folks.

Chance the Rapper

I've listened to this mixtape a lot lately. Chance is just so raw and bursting with talent on this. I hope he has a bright future a head of himself. This release has a lot of great production and great lyrics from this 20 year old Chicago native. Acid Rap is available for free, and I will put a link at the bottom of this post. The last song on the mixtape, "Everything's good" has to my favorite! It starts out with a beautiful piano hook that plays thee entire track. While this happens the interlude is a recording of Chance talking to his father. It's great! Check this out!





You can get these files here.

TNGNT

This little EP by TNGNT is "Bumpin." Its only four tracks but it sets the mood. The first three are fantastic, especially Higher Ground. I could play that song all day!


















You can listen to it here.

Higher Ground.

Mac Demarco

     There is something special about discovering a band live before ever listening to them. This in fact, was the case for my first time listening to Mac Demarco. And wow I've been listening to him non stop ever since. Almost obsessively. His live performance was one of the best I saw at Bonnarroo this year, his cover of Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Taking care of business" was stellar!
     Mac has put out two official releases, "Mac Demarco 2, and "Rock and Roll Night Club" both are great and highly addictive. I'm not going to post any links to downloads because I feel these albums are worth paying for. But it isn't hard to locate his stuff online.


Rock and Roll Night club.

                                                                          1. Rock and Roll Night Club
                                                                          2. Baby's wearing blue jeans.
                                                                          3. One more Tear to Cry
                                                                          4. European Vegas
                                                                          5. Me and Jon Hanging On
                                                                          6. I'm a man
                                                                          7. Only You




Mac Demarco 2 (listen to the entire album)
Pretty much every song is great! But the more notable songs are as follows.

1. Cooking up Something Good
2. Dreamin
3. FREAKING OUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
4. Annie
5. ODE TO VICEROY
6. Robson Girl
7. The Stars keep on calling my name
8. My Kind of Woman
9. Boe Zaah
10. Sherrill
11. Still Together

Star Slinger = = Sweet Dreams in the Summer time.

Ah Star Slinger takes me back to my first summer in college. His music will always remind me of that certain time in my life.

      This UK producer had one particular song that always set the mood for great summer vibes. The track is entitled "Mornin'" and features samples from The Staple Singer's song "Let's do it again."

Star Slinger Mornin'

Original Song by The Staple Singers

Another great track from Star Slinger for some summer chilling and grilling. 

Hey why not another? 

This is actually  Teams vs. Star Slinger. Its called Say Please.

Fuck Buttons returns

Fuck buttons has returned with their third LP, Slow focus. I've been a big fan of their previous works Street Horrrsing, and Tarot Sport and Slow focus picks up right where they left off. I feel they just keep improving and growing as a duo. The only chance I had to see them was when they were touring on their first album, and boy can they play a loud show.  Slow focus hasn't been released officially yet, but it has leaked. Also you can stream it over on Pitchfork's website. The opening track is a wild 9 minutes and some of the best Fuck Buttons yet.


                              You can listen to it here. 


An old jam from Tarot Sport,

Killer Mike R.A.P music and Run the Jewels

I had heard great things about Killer Mike's 2012 album, R.A.P Music, but  I put off listening to him for a long time. I got to see Killer Mike this year at Bonnaroo and man can he put on a show! In my opinion I thought he out-shined most of the Hip Hop performers there. Something about a good MC who knows how to involve a crowd thrills me. Anyways his album R.A.P music is great! Its packed with energy, integrity, and lyrics from the heart and soul. You can tell Killer Mike has a lot to say and a lot to prove, and he's doing it with style and great production. I'm not going to post this particular album but I'll post his new collaboration with EI-P called Run the Jewels.
           
                                 R.A.P Music (my personal Favorite Track by Killer Mike)

You can get Run The Jewels here.

 

Sweet Valley

I never really played Zelda as a kid, or ever really, but the bit music is really awesome. Sweet Valley takes Zelda Ocarina of Time and samples game sounds along with the soundtrack to make a couple beautiful songs. The whole mixtape is a great listen. But check out the following tracks in particular...

1. One
2. Where will I go
5. Chaos Speed
6. Eternal Champ
7. Motorcycle Renegade
8. The Great Bay Shrines
9. Sentimental Trash



The album is called Eternal Champ and is free on Sweet Valley's Bandcamp. You can get it here.

Oh Stevie

I've been listening to a lot of Stevie Wonder lately, mostly from his album, "Songs in the Key of Life."
If you haven't checked out this album yet... just do it.

The opening track entitled "Love in need of Love Today" is breath taking. My favorite part is when Stevie Sings, "Did you ever think that love would be in need of love today " at 5:09.


My other personal favorite song off this album is "Knocks me off my feet." I've listened to this song non stop and on repeat. Simply fantastic.

Sorry I've been away. Enjoy these songs!

I've been super busy for a couple of months, but I'll try to blog some more jams on a regular basis. Usually when school lets out, I avoid my computer and enjoy the company of my friends.
     Anyways, here are two songs from Quintin Tarantino movies. The first is from the movie Death Proof (my favorite QT movie) and the other song is a Minnie Riperton song from Jacky Brown.