Monday Mixtape, Vol. 113

in

Lots of upbeat jams for ya this week from some tried and true winners.

If you can’t notice that the first track is live by Natalie Prass, that’s because her silky voice and great band behind her defy expectations. I’ve seen her play live to a group of about eight people, and she’s a talent, one I wish got a bit more recognition.

Speaking of great live acts, the cherubic lead singer of St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Paul Janeway, gives everything he has when you see him live, and these guys just released a new album, which I’m a bit disappointed in but still looking forward to seeing them live in October to perform a bunch of their great jams, including the catchy “LivWithoutU.”

“Moonlight” might be the best Disclosure song I’ve heard, this song in a very loud car just crushes.

All this upbeat music is recipe for a little downturn in vibes which AlunaGeorge and Bas provide. The Bas album is one of the better rap albums of the year, not amazing but solid. “Tribe” with J. Cole might be my favorite track on the album, I just love when the drums come in a 0:45.

Wale has gotten better with age. It’s somewhat surprising he’s still around, but his last three EPs have been great.

Finally, we end the mixtape with BRONCHO, a no frills rock band that bring a little bit more swagger and reverb to this track than their usual. Pump it!

Have a good week all.

Playlist - Wait...Rock?

in

If Kurt Cobain was the beginning to the end of rock, Imagine Dragons pulled the plug. I gave up. But interestingly enough, bands have been popping up that just have that sound. I can't explain it exactly, but rock sounds more instinctive and less calculated than any other music. The best rock music is never trying to impress you. It is what it is. Take it or leave it. That FU mentality is the vibe I hear in these new (except for the established vets Sleater-Kinney) artists. Plain and simple, they rock. SO FOLKS, do not despair, rock is breathing, and they may be taking the respirator away.

Read More