Swimming Feeling, the new album from Chicago recording engineer Seth Engel’s band Options, is out today. As heard on lead single “Toast,” the project presents an interesting blend of rock subgenres. I hear some power-pop in there, a bit of mathy emo, a smidge of fuzzed-out DIY crunch that reminds me of Ovlov and early […]
Jay Som’s Old Backing Band Fime Made A Fine Debut Album
If you know one thing about the Los Angeles rock band Fime, it’s that they used to be Jay Som’s backing band. Technically they’ve been around since 2015; Jay Som’s Melina Duterte recorded and produced their 2019 EP Sprawl. But when Jay Som’s European tour was cancelled due to COVID, they had a bunch of […]
Joey Bada$$ – “Where I Belong”
Brooklyn boom-bap revivalist Joey Bada$$ is only 27, but he’s been in the game for well over a decade; his breakthrough mixtape 1999 celebrated its 10th anniversary last month. Last month is also when Joey was supposed to release his new album 2000, his first since 2017’s All-Amerikkkan Badass. Because of sample-clearance issues, Joey had […]
Stream Richmond Hardcore Band Downfall’s Supremely Mean Debut Album Behind The Curtain
I’ve seen the Richmond hardcore band Downfall play a medium-sized club and a small living room, and I feel comfortable saying that they crush in pretty much every situation. Downfall’s whole style is choppy, heavy down-the-middle hardcore. They aren’t trying to put any new kind of spin on the ball; they’re just trying to throw […]
Calvin Harris – “New Money” (Feat. 21 Savage)
EDM superstar Calvin Harris likes to party, and he also likes to facilitate other people’s partying. Back in 2017, Harris released his super-summery party-jam collection Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1, which was full of collaborations with big-name stars. Harris recently announced plans to follow that album with Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2, a new LP […]
Birthday Boy Sufjan Stevens Releases Alternate Versions Of “Fourth Of July”
Today is Sufjan Stevens’ birthday. You wouldn’t know it to look at the foxy motherfucker, But Stevens is now 47 years old. Naturally, then Stevens is celebrating his big day by releasing a couple of alternate versions of what might be his most devastatingly, gut-rippingly sad song. What a treat! Stevens included “Fourth Of July” […]
Video: Fivio Foreign Ft. Queen Naija, Coi Leray “What’s My Name”
Destiny’s soldiers. Fivio Foreign spreads love the Brooklyn way in his new video featuring Queen Naija and Coi Leray. The song’s hook borrows excerpts from Destiny’s Child’s 1999 hit, “Say My Name.” Directed by Benny Boom, the clip finds the self-proclaimed King of New York partying in Brooklyn and getting hot in a Ram truck […]
Video: Flo Rida “What A Night”
Oh, what a night! Flo Rida makes it a night to remember on his latest bop, “What A Night”. In the celebratory clip featuring Flavor Flav, the Miami hitmaker takes the non-stop festivities from city to city. In Vegas, he turns up on a party bus with friends, performs at venues in Atlanta, and enjoys […]
Cardi B Ft. Kanye West, Lil Durk “Hot Shit”
Oof, oof. With her highly-anticipated album still in the horizon, Cardi B ups the masculinity with her new single “Hot Shit” featuring Kanye West and Lil Durk. Over Tay Keith and Banbwoi’s knocking bass line, Cardi brings more money moves on both her opening verse and infectious hook. Durkio adds his ratchet bars, while Yeezy […]
DJ Drama Ft. Fabolous, Benny The Butcher, Jim Jones, Capella Grey “Forever”
New deal, new music. Hot off his new deal with Atlantic Records, DJ Drama ushers in the power move with his new single “Forever” featuring a few heavy hitters. Produced by Don Cannon and lead by Capella Grey’s triumphant hook, Fabolous, Benny The Butcher, and Jim Jones reference their upbringing, street smarts, and longevity. “Forever” […]