// James Blake - What Was It You Said About Luck? //
The biggest breakout artist of the last half year or so has got to be James Blake. Heralded as the pioneer of post-dubstep, the electronic wunderkind is a fixture in any discussion of what's the shit right now. His more recent work seems to have taken a more soulful turn, with Blake providing the vocals himself instead of sampling. Thought the album is a masterwork, I've decided to post "What Was It You Said About Luck?" - a B-Side from the "Wilhelm Scream" single. It is a minimalistic yet hearty 2:20. As with much of Blake's work, categorizing or even concisely describing this song is very hard to do. There are elements of songs you know and like, but they put together in eye-opening fashion. Gem status.
// Wiz Khalifa - The Race //
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I've had doubts about Wiz Khalifa's staying power in the industry. He'll always have "Black and Yellow," but what else does the super rook have up his sleeve? With Rolling Papers due out at the end of this month, the stoner rapper fom PA figures to keep the momentum going. With "The Race", Wiz pretty much has a sure radio-friendly hit. There's no doubt in my mind that you'll hear this at every BBQ you go to this summer. The super chill vibe (courtesy of ID Labs) is absolutely perfect for that laid-back afternoon.
// The Strokes - Taken For A Fool //
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Since their meteoric rise to fame in the early-mid 2000's, The Strokes have largely failed to fulfill the enormous expectations cast upon them by their supporters. The after putting out First Impressions of Earth in 2006, the group cited artistic differences and went on an extended hiatus. After years of jerking their fans around, the group somewhat unexpectedly put out Angles. The album has glimpses of the sound that brought them to prominence, but also falters in its experimentation with new sounds. Among the winners on the new album is "Taken For A Fool." The track is energetic and sounds like a complete effort (which, sadly, is an accomplishment considering the band's lack of cohesiveness). The guitar licks in the chorus are classic Strokes, and Julian Casablancas vocals actually mesh with the instrumental track instead of just hovering somewhere above it. Hey, it might not be "Reptilia", but I'm just glad they've still got some of the magic left.
// Robin Pecknold (w/ Ed Droste) - I'm Losing Myself //
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For fans of Seattle-based folk sextet Fleet Foxes, Robin Pecknold is recognized as a gifted and honest singer and songwriter. Enlisting Grizzly Bear frontman Ed Droste for a duet is a great look for fans of the two bands. "I'm Losing Myself" is a tale of insecurity and romantic contentment. The two singers' voices in harmony is spot-on, delivered with agonizing purpose. Despite the apparent simplicity of the song, there's an overwhelming quality to it. As the listener, I couldn't escape the crushing weight of Pecknold's confession: "He's a smooth talker, and he shaves his face / And I wonder if you look at me and instead see him taking my place." The song is so undeniably honest; I can't seem to pry myself away from it.
// Red Cafe f. Lloyd Banks & Fabolous - The Realest //
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I've been riding with Red Cafe for years now. He's been on his grind for what seems like an eternity, and I hope that he'll find a way to break through. Off his recent mixtape entitled Above the Cloudz, Caf unites with Lloyd Banks and frequent collaborator Fabolous. Nothing fancy here, just a lot of chest thumping over a typical street beat with air horns and fake flutes... and it's great.
