Ocean Floor For Everything

“Ocean Floor for Everything” by How to Dress Well // Total Loss (Autumn, 2012)

Tom Krell’s How to Dress Well is one of my favorite things in the world. Hands down. In my opinion, the man has done no wrong so far in his career and now that he’s finally announced his new album (following last year’s excellent Just Once EP), we’ve got a taste of the new material and it’s magnificent. Once again, he slips into lo-fi R&B soundscapes, manipulating his voice to act as an instrument that glides over abstract beats and ambient textures. Of course, I can do no justice with a description, it’s best you just press play and hear one of the best songs to drop this year. Highest recommendation for fans Top Girls,  Active Child, and Balam Acab.

(download) “Ocean Floor for Everything” by How to Dress Well (via HTDW Soundcloud)

Mister Lies - Cleam

“Cleam” by Mister Lies // Hidden Neighbors EP (2012)

Mister Lies is 19 year old, Chicago based producer, Nick Zanca (recently profiled in a Pitchfork “Rising” article). I had stumbled upon his work on Bandcamp a while back, but managed to lose it in the shuffle of constant releases, which makes me feel especially foolish after revisiting it in my “new music” folder after seeing the Pitchfork piece. It’s just been sitting there, without my attention, and that’s an absolute shame because Mister Lies is doing something that I’m always game for, revisiting trip-hop. Sure, it’s not exactly the trip-hop sounds of the late 90’s, but it’s definitely in the same vein as those late night drive records with a sexy (and sometimes melancholic), downtempo beat. “Cleam” is the track that will stand out for fans of Burial and maybe even How to Dress Well, as it’s dark, otherworldly beat is wrapped up in ghostly vocal samples that are both warm and inviting, and chilled to the core. Definitely something you’ll want to be checking out. Highest recommendation for fans of Burial, How to Dress Well, and Massive Attack. 

(stream and buy) “Hidden Neighbors EP” by Mister Lies (via Bandcamp)

Niia - BTSTU

“BTSTU” by Niia // Originally by Jai Paul

This gorgeous, sexy, haunting cover of Jai Paul’s (shit-hot and brilliant as hell) BTSTU has been floating around for a few months, but I never really remember seeing it around, so I thought I’d highlight it on a slow Saturday. Niia takes the original’s abstract beats and strips them clean, leaving only her own backing vocal and the quiet hum of a synth line pulsing in and out and guiding the way. It’s a pretty stellar take and a nice track to remember while getting excited for Jai Paul’s next move (“Jasmine” was a nice reminder that he’s not a producer to turn your back on). Give Niia’s version a spin. It’s a killer take on a spectacular jam. 

(download) “BTSTU (Jai Paul cover)” by Niia (via Niia’s Soundcloud)

Stumbleine - More Than Words

“More Than Words” by Stumbleine // Drifting Youth (2012)

A little over a year back, Stumbleine started releasing material on their excellent Bandcamp page and with each release they’ve grown into their sound a bit more. Their most recent release, the gorgeous and haunting Drifting Youth, was released a few days back and it’s their strongest effort by far. They have a sound that feels wholly unique to the Bristol based band, in that it blends abstract R&B like vocals samples over shoegaze sounds and dream pop production. It’s really something to behold. This track, “More Than Words” is as good a place to start as any. You can stream and purchase the entire new album, and grab their previous EPs for a “name-your-price” charge, at Bandcamp now. Highly recommended for fans of Keep Shelly in Athens, Tearjerker, and Purity Ring. 

(download/stream) Stumbleine @ Bandcamp

Saskatchewan - The Morning (The Weeknd Cover)

“The Morning” by Saskatchewan // Originally by The Weeknd

Hearing Saskatchewan’s spin on The Weeknd’s “The Morning” is an interesting ride. It’s got a dark, jazzy, 80’s vibe that creates sort of a hypnotic, late night chillout. Here’s what they had to say about the creation:

ssktchwn:

A little more than a week ago a friend of mine suggested that we do a cover of The Weeknd. The idea was definitely a stretch for me but I figured it would be an interesting challenge. The end result of our version of The Weeknd’s “The Morning” is like a forensics TV show soundtrack mets sleezy lounge jazz mets saskatchewan. I hope you enjoy.

Pretty damn accurate. I’m into it. I’m loving the bedroom pop/ r&b / dream pop crossover sounds. Definitely worth hearing for fans of How to Dress Well, Active Child, and Top Girls.

High For This (Weeknd cover)

“High for This” by Top Girls // Originally by The Weeknd

With a few small releases, Top Girls have proven themselves one of my most eagerly watched new acts. Combining the lo-fi r&b soundscapes that you might hear on a How to Dress Well record, with the more overt beats and atmospheres that you might find on a Burial or James Blake record, they create something really special and exciting. Here with a cover of The Weeknd’s “High For This”, they bring that sound alive in dark, haunting, and sexy glory. Highly recommended. 

Frank Ocean - 4 Tears

“4 Tears” by Frank Ocean // Demos (2011)

I’m not sure why, but this track has been on repeat in my head since the first time I heard it this morning. Sure, it’s not my usual thing to post here - but Frank Ocean has a way with melody and word I just can’t help but adore. It’s only two minutes of sweet, melancholic pop music, so I suppose that I’ll be pressing repeat a few dozen more times. 

Keep Shelly In Athens - 'Campus Martius'

“Campus Martius” by Keep Shelly in Athens // Campus Martius EP (2011)

They barely had their foot out of the door and they’re already back with another EP. “Campus Martius” is the first single from that forthcoming EP, and my initial feeling is that if this track had been part of the wonderful Our Own Dream EP, then it would have been the standout track in the collection. “Campus Martius” carries with it a gorgeous, somber piano ballad that plays as the main instrumental as glitch beats and haunting r&b vocal samples shuffle across the surface. It’s a beautiful, standout track from a band that’s had a pretty incredible year. Highly recommended. 

Supreme Cuts - Trouble

“Trouble” by Supreme Cuts // Trouble (2011)

Chicago’s Supreme Cuts traffic in sexy music. No way around it. It’s dark, hypnotic, experimental beats with a lo-fi r&b bend. They call themselves “future R&B” and that’s an apt description. Definitely worth your time, especially if you’ve been vibing on How To Dress Well, Top Girls, and The Weeknd in recent month. If so, then this will be a welcome addition to your ears. 

(stream) Supreme Cuts @ Soundcloud

Dose - Future Vision

“Future Vision” by Dose // Future Vision (2011)

Wow. It would be easy to just lean back and get lost in this gorgeously nostalgic trip through r&b beats and chill vibes. This track could go on for hours, but sadly, it’s only three minutes long. Luckily, the repeat button was made for just such an occasion.

(download) “Future Vision” by Dose (via Soundcloud) 

Top Girls - Spells

“Spells” by Top Girls // We Will Rise EP (2011)

It’s impossible for me not to love something that sounds like the dark, hypnotic, ghosts of an eerie dance party being broadcast over crackling wires from some other dimension. The haunting vocals calling out from beyond the swirling synths and cascading beats don’t hurt either. Top Girls are on top of their game and have produced one of the best EPs of the year with “We Will Rise”. 

(stream and purchase) “We Will Rise EP” by Top Girls (via Bandcamp)

Top Girls - I Know You Suffer

“I Know You Will Suffer” by Top Girls // We Will Rise EP (2011)

Top Girls continue to drop dark, hypnotic, sexy jams on the reg and I am happy to consume them. The recent rise of the lo-fi experimental r&b movement (How to Dress Well, Active Child, Deptford Goth, etc…) has been one of my favorite go-to genres to watch, and Top Girls fit perfectly among those sounds. I’m excited to see them grow and expand as some of the other groups mining similar vibes have been doing on subsequent releases. Exciting, dark, sexy stuff. 

(stream and purchase) “We Will Rise EP” by Top Girls (via Bandcamp)

(via danceyrselfclean)

Deptford Goth - Time

“Time” by Deptford Goth // Youth II EP (2011)

Soaring synths and crashing percussion are the sounds that kick off this wonderful sonic mash, but then the beats start to break apart and the warped vocals come in (sounding not unlike Pat Grossi of Active Child) and the whole thing just melts together in pure ear candy. London’s Deptford Goth is absolutely one to watch. He’s onto something special and I can’t wait to hear more. 

(pre-order) “Youth II EP” by Deptford Goth