SBTRKT creates some mystical and transfixing sounds. Upon pressing play, your hit with this music that leaves you in wonderment. In his latest SoundCloud upload, the masked one seemed to be lurking the underbelly of the ocean to bring out this aquatic feel to “Gloss”. Sparkling and beaming with driving drums and keys, this track sounds like summer. While details are scarce on any upcoming projects, we can only hope releases such as this continue until that time comes.
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Zulu Guru marks the new project featuring two of soul and hip-hop’s most noted purveyors, Jesse Boykins III and MeLo-X. The two have united in creative harmony to create a full LP on Ninjatune. “Black Orpheus” is the first sampling of what awaits until the October 15 release date. Their resonance signifies a new direction, where hip-hop and R&B collide to add elements of soul, Afro-Beat, West Indian, and electronic music all swirled into one extremely progressive sound. Listen and download the track for free below.
Miguel just gets better with time. As recently announced , the R&B hybrid is back with the follow-up to his debut, Kaleidoscope Dreams—set to be released in three parts. After being featured on his Art Dealer Chic series, “Adorn” serves as the projects lead single, thus receiving another video treatment. Elevated all around with an extended version and glossy new visual, the track now has all the shine it always deserved. The first part, Kaleidoscope Dreams: Water Preview, is out now exclusively via iTunes.
I’ve made it no secret that I’m a fan of Delilah. Her music is like the perfect slice of soul, dubstep, R&B, and folk, all fused into one great pop sound. She is both distinctive and refreshing. As the rising star has covered the likes of Chaka Khan and Minnie Riperton, she’s already showed artistic nerve and then some. After releasing a flawless mixtape 2-4am earlier this year, the singer/songwriter has finally released her debut album, From The Roots Up in her native UK. You can preview six of the LP’s twelve tracks below. This lady is soaring…
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—Haim are one of the most exciting acts that music has heard in more recent times. Gearing up for the release of the Fleetwood Mac tribute album, Just Tell Me That You Want Me, the sister trio’s impressive spin on “Hold Me” has been officially unveiled. Though their rendition doesn’t stray too far from the original, the beauty of the girls’ harmonies will make Haim fans fall in love with them all over again.
I saw Mateo’s name circulating the blogs for some time now. After hearing his debut single with Alicia Keys,” Say It’s So,” I wasn’t as pleased as I assumed I would be, thus my interest quickly faded. Fast forward to now, I was once again intrigued by the Stacy Barthe feature and quickly listened to his new single, “Looking You Up.” This time, I loved what I heard. The impassioned and honest delivery from both artists makes this track endlessly appealing. Like Ms. Barthe, Mateo shows great promise. His latest mixtape Suite 823 is out August 1. Download “Looking You Up” below.
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Earlier this year, we posted on the glorious discovery of Essáy‘s “Morning Mountain” and much to our delight, we’ve been blessed with a new gift from the rising German producer. As the lead single from his upcoming release, Old Times, Essáy has done it again; blending heavenly textures of soothing electronica, “Crying at Day/Crying at Night” speaks to the overwhelmingly special quality of his creations.
The xx music creates such an enveloping state. Their minimalistic sound is as striking as it is evocative. Their newest single “Angels” is refined beauty on dopamine. The band recently performed the track at Studio Q and it was perfect. There is a magic to what they do and the music comes to life in such a powerful manner. Their second album Coexist is due out on September 11.
After releasing his critically acclaimed Art Dealer Chic series earlier this year, Miguel has created a wild anticipation for his sophomore album. Instead of taking the conventional route for an album release, Miguel announced that he would be releasing the upcoming LP in thee parts. Much to the delight of his blossoming fan-base, he has released the first of the trilogy, titled Kaleidoscope Dream: The Water Preview.
Crystal Castles is nearly unrivaled with their dark pop atheistic. Back with a new single “Plague,” the Canadian duo has returned to creating their trailing sound of rising synths and vocal mystique. It’s clear they picked up right where they left off. Expect their third album in September.
In other news, Crystal Castles recently announced a new North American Tour.
Artists are people too. They endure, struggle, and lose. Jhene Aiko‘s latest release is a tribute to her beloved brother who recently passed away due to cancer . “For My Brother” is a simple and emotional song written and recorded by the rising star herself . Songs like this remind you just how precious life is, every moment and beyond. What a gift this is…
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Fierce Creatures make quite the first impression. The minute the music hits, you’re transported to a blissful state of sonic euphria. Filled with a melodious arrangement of hard-hitting percussion and bass, their debut single “Catacomb Party” is as sublime as it is groovy.
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This past Saturday, SOM had the pleasure of attending the Global Fusion Festival in our beloved hometown of Philly. As Brandy was tapped as the event’s headliner, this was an obvious no-brainer for us. As most 90′s R&B/pop lovers know, Brandy is a seminal figure amongst her generation’s talent. After a few, but major career setbacks (Behind The Music explains all), she is back with a new lease on life and even more, a new record titled Two Eleven.
After melting hearts with her debut single, “Never The Right Time (Who Do You Love),” Cleo Sol keeps the momentum going with the latest installment of her “Fro Back Friday” series, a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do.” Decorating the R&B classic with her sweet and blissful soul, the cover re-emphasizes why Cleo Sol is one of my new favorite voices in all of pop music.
Looking at Bianca Raquel is like watching a flower bloom; there’s beauty all around. The multi-taltened artist has gone from making countless uploads via Youtube, to opening up for the likes of Idle Worship and J*DaVeY, to now commanding the spotlight with her debut single, “No Hook.”
Reminiscent of 90′s R&B (a true compliment), the track is purley seductive and offers a story of all too common relationship woes. Performed, produced, and penned by that lady herlself, Bianca Raquel is the driving force behind her artistic identity. With all the promise one can muster, this lady is ready to conquer.
The 1970s is truly one of my favorite eras of music. The artists that hailed from this decade were so free, fearless, experimental and of course soulful. When I think of artists that epitomize what this special time in history was all about, the undervalued brilliance of The New Birth comes to mind. I may have not been alive while they were making music, but thanks to my mother, I could not escape from hearing their music growing up.
