Another 5 standout songs from the past few weeks! Enjoy…
1. A$AP Ferg – “Alive” Ft. Dapper Dan
From Fergenstein’s new album Darold. Opening with a bumping Yeezus-esque industrial trap beat, he muses on the emptiness that comes with fame, addiction, suicidal thoughts and even exercise and therapy. And that’s just part one! Leading into a soft psych-soul instrumental, he bars out with creativity and honesty, using off-kilter flows with confessions such as being “unhappy with my appetite and my current weight”. A refreshing, sincere track with intriguing twists and turns.
2. Pa Salieu – “Epiphany (Freestyle)”
In this warmup single dropped before his debut, Salieu hits us with a flow that bobs and weaves in unexpected patterns, delivering long verses addressing poverty, politicians and his personal path. Over an avant-garde synth/Afrobeat mix, he takes us round the world from childhood memories of Gambia, ice caps melting, and back to England with the most purely British reflection on his incarceration: “In my cell chilling and I’m watching Porridge”. His irregular rhyme style sticks out as it, well, doesn’t rhyme all the time, but maybe truths these blunt don’t need to.
3. Planet Giza – “NIGHTS LIKE THIS”
Planet Giza have been bubbling in the underground for a while now – watch this space. This aptly named joint feels like a late night, smoky drive while watching the city lights pass. Produced with a textured backdrop of floaty vocal harmonies and mellow jazz/rare-groove like accompaniments, the rap delivery feels like it’s bridging a gap, with the technicality for the lyric lovers and the coolness and introspection for the new school and alt-hip hop/R&B crowd. With “NIGHTS LIKE THIS”, their day must be coming soon.
4. Mk.gee – “ROCKMAN”
What is it about Mk.gee’s sound that makes it so fresh and unique, while borrowing from yesterday? With his latest release “ROCKMAN” he expands on his signature style that sounds so forward-thinking while paying tribute to riffing from The Police, melodies from Phill Collins, and Arthur Russell lo-fi aesthetics, all condensed into a minimal but perfectly packed main lineup of guitar, drum machine and beautiful vocal arrangements. In a time when big artists like Taylor and Chappell are incorporating the 80’s into their writing, it’s nice hearing something that also looks to that era while sounding totally distinct.
5. Alameda – “I hate your face”
TDE’s latest signing of Alameda might surprise some – on a hip-hop heavy label, her catchy, tongue-in-cheek music is far more alt-rock than Jay Rock. Over some slackly struck Weezer guitars, she gives a big F-you anthem to whoever’s been bothering her, with some pretty hilarious jabs such as “I’d like to speak to who the fuck raised you, I just wanna know if they’re insane too”. The melodies and lyrics are undeniably memorable, bringing a sun-soaked sliver of carefree pop-punk that might make you forget that winter’s coming.