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New Music

New Dre Skull – “First Time” (Feat. Megan James & Popcaan)

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April 15, 2013
New Music
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Last Summer, Mixpak boss and Calvin Broadus collaborator Dre Skull released the infectious dancehall-crossover tune “Loudspeaker Riddim”, but the track didn’t ever really catch on. Just under a year later, Mixpak’s profile has risen exponentially and the man born Andrew Hirshey has been penned in for a number of hiiipower collaborations, including bringing in Megan James (of Purity Ring) and Jamaican vocalist Popcaan for an redo of “Loudspeaker Riddim” that is sure to reach the furthest extremities of the blog body. James’ vocals have always lacked a certain emotive quality for us, but she excels on the surface of Dre Skull’s production, rising above the shimmering synths and booming kicks. “First Time” is out now on Mixpak.

Stream Mala’s Essential Mix, New James Blake Remix

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April 13, 2013
Mixes, New Music, Remixes
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It’s a party, it’s a party, it’s a party. Recently, dubstep dundodda Mala got behind the decks to turn in a  BBC Radio One Essential Mix and did not disappoint. Naturally, Mala threw in his fair share of dubplates and exclusives including the legendary “Anti-War Dub VIP”, but the highlight of the set came at the very end when he dropped James Blake’s (as Harmonimix) long awaited remix of “Maybes”, which has been floating around in various lo-fi forms for nearly two years now. The track still does not have a release date, but this is the first quality rip we’ve received since it was first debuted. Don’t just skip to the end though. Turn the lights off, light one up, let the speakers rattle and let Mala take you on a two hour journey.

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New Pusha T – “Numbers On The Boards” (Prod. Kanye West & Don Cannon)

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April 11, 2013
New Music
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Is “Numbers On The Boards” an ode to Jay-Z or a slight shot at Hova’s relinquished hustler persona? Are Kanye and Don Cannon channeling Hell Hath No Fury-era Neptunes? How much of a roll did Hudson Mohawke have in he production process? We’ll probably never get the answer to these questions, but one thing we do know is that Pusha T is back in all of his snarling glory. We’ve all known that Pusha sounds best icy, minimalist beats and it appears that he’s finally gotten back that made us fall in love with the Virginia Beach brothers back in the day. “Numbers On The Boards”

Obey City Remixes The Range’s “PS 3”

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April 11, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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In two weeks (April 22), Rhode Island-based producer The Range will release his second EP, Seneca, on Donkey Pitch, a tape that’s been on our calendars since it was announced. While we love The Range’s glittery take on footwork, the remix package is what really caught our eye. Howse and Supreme Cuts have reworked Seneca cuts and yesterday, we were lucky enough to get Astro Nautico don and recent LuckyMe signee Obey City’s take on The Range’s “PS 3”. The original is fine and all, but it’s a little too benign for my taste and it just needed that extra oomph to take it to the next level. The percussion is just that much more visceral on the Brooklyn-resident’s take, allowing The Range’s original strings and vocal cuts to occupy the open space in between drum hits. Stream below and head to XLR8R for a free download.

New Mak & Pasteman – “Chunky”

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April 9, 2013
New Music
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Both Mak and Pasteman have shown that they have the ability to function on a highly successful level as solo artists, but they’re really at their best when that ampersand connects their respective monikers. At some point in the coming weeks or months, the duo will let loose and independently released white label featuring two brand new tracks. The a-side will feature a rework of Kendrick Lamar’s “Swimming Pools (Drank)” (potentially titled “Jimmy Kendrick’s”) while the b-side will be be focused around Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay”. For now, the white label, tentatively titled MAP001, has no release date, but in the meantime, you can grab “Chunky” for free right now. The track is a throwback of sorts in its simple composition and retro-sounding chords, but its focus on bass weight aligns it more with contemporary houses like Hypercolour and Dirtybird. Stream and download “Chunky” below and listen to a radio rip of “Jimmy Kendrick’s” after the jump.


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Brenmar Remixes Dom Kennedy’s “My Type Of Party”

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April 9, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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brenmar my type of party

Dom Kennedy’s minor-hit “My Type Of Party” is one of the more interesting “party” tracks of the past few years in that it’s really not meant to be a party track in the truest sense. He’s getting head on the sofa and ignoring the “niggas sniffing that coca”, truly Dom’s sort of party. Seeing the potential in Dom’s original, New York by-way-of Chicago club maestro Brenmar took “My Type Of Party” up to 130 BPM and essentially turned it into a more conventional party anthem. This is probably not Dom’s type of party anymore, but it certainly works for us! Stream below and download here.

Jacques Greene & Tinashe Collaborate On “Painted Faces”

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April 9, 2013
New Music
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Screen shot 2013-04-09 at 9.24.50 AM

For someone who claims to not even “fully understand” pop music, Jacques Greene shows an incredibly impressive ability to craft infectious hooks out of abstract, dissonant vocal samples in his solo music. If he were to consistently work with an established vocalist, it’s hard to imagine exactly what direction his music would take, but I’m sure it would be groundbreaking. Recently, Greene got in the studio with prodigious Kentucky-born singer as part of Yours Truly’s “Songs From Scratch” series and our fantasy came to life. “Painted Faces”, is the result of that session and, while distinctly Greene, also features a clearer vocal component than any of his previous work. Greene’s sybaritic chords and thumping kickdrum play off of Tinashe’s longing vocals in a way that belies the relatively short amount of time the two have worked together. Like the Shlohmo/Jeremih “Songs From Scratch” feature, this pop/house hybrid that bridges the gap between tactful, below ground sounds and more overt, established pop melodies and song writing. It’s a brilliant combination and one we can only hope comes to fruition again in the future. Stream “Painted Faces” below and hit the jump for the full “Songs From Scratch” feature.

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New The-Dream – “IV Play”

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April 9, 2013
New Music
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Over the past two years or so, we’ve taken great joy in a certain development in North American popular music. We’ve discussed it once before, and, after a few years of dismal monotony, pop music is (finally) getting weird again. Vocalists and producers are reaching further and further into unconventional territories and for the first time since Virginia Beach ran the charts, pop music is genuinely exciting again. Of course, much of this progress is occurring in the R&B realm and, hate or love his past work, The-Dream is at the pin point of this particular creative explosion. On May 28, Terius Nash will release his fifth studio album, IV Play, which will feature an impressive list of guest spots from Jay-Z, Beyonce, Pusha T, Fabolous and more. You can stream the title track below, a song that takes some pretty overt influence from Ginuwine’s “Pony” and R. era R. Kelly. Like most of The-Dream’s other work, both vocal and production, “IV Play” will sound incredible on a huge system and is sure to incite more than a little bump n grind action.

New Bicep – “Rise”

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April 8, 2013
New Music
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With the Stash EP set to be released on April 15 via Aus Music, Bicep have let loose another tantalizing preview in the form of “Rise”. In a similar vein as fellow EP cut “The Game”, “Rise” is dark, moody and a far stretch from the indulgent, peak-time tracks that caught everyone’s attention in 2012.  There are no diva vocals here and no ecstasy-inducing hooks. “Rise” is repetitious as hell and feels somewhat rough and unfinished. It’s not the type of track that will catch the average listener, but just wait until that perfect late night moment and it will bring out the very best in a dancefloor. Stream below and pre-order Stash here.

Jaw Jam Remixes Next’s “Wifey”

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April 8, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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jaw jam

And once again, Will DiMaggio aka Jaw Jam flips a sexy, late night anthem into something even more fitting for 4 AM club play. From the producer’s mouth:

This remix came together rather differently, as I initially set out to remix an entirely different song. While in search for the acappella for Dexplicit’s “Wifey4Lifey”, I came across a vinyl rip of “Wifey” by Next. The acapella is one of my favorites lyrically (your are so crucial girl / so critical girl), and I rarely work with male R&B vocals so I thought I’d give it a shot. Plus I never really understood why people don’t say “wifey” anymore.

“Wifey (U Are So Beautiful)” was originally intended for a Symbols release, but was (questionably) rejected and is now available for all of you beautiful people. I trust that you’ll know the time to throw this one and utilize to its full potential.