Category: Blog

Categories
Playlists

Friday Favorites 12/18/20

  1. Show Out (feat. Skepta & Pop Smoke) by Kid Cudi: After 10 years, Kid Cudi has followed up MOTM II with the third installment, The Chosen. Keep your eyes peeled for my review of the new album!
  2. SLIME by Shygirl: UK artist Shygirl perfectly captures the grime of the nightclub with “SLIME.” Produced in part by SOPHIE, the track combines rumbling sub bass with futuristic synth effects and, of course, Shygirl’s primal vocals.
  3. Quiche by Chukwu: This cut by Chukwu features an eerie percussion loop and foreboding bass – the perfect foundation for his gruff delivery and cold-blooded bars.
  4. The Other Lover by Little Dragon and Moses Sumney: Moses teams up with Little Dragon to bring us “The Other Lover,” a meditation on love triangles complete with synth swells and horn lines.
  5. Watch Me (feat. Joey Bada$$) by Statik Selektah: Statik Selektah’s new album The Balancing Act is packed full of features from some of the biggest names in hip-hop like Nas, 2 Chainz and Killer Mike. A personal favorite is “Watch Me,” featuring Joey Bada$$.
  6. JOURNEY by Tobe Nwigwe: 2020 saw the release of Tobe Nwigwe’s THE PANDEMIC PROJECT. “JOURNEY,” with its gospel/hip-hop crossover appeal is a highlight for sure.
  7. What It Feels Like by Potatohead People: This track features a sticky guitar loop, horn sections and verses from T3, Illa J and Kapok.
  8. SUPER TUESDAY! by JPEGMAFIA: EP!, Peggy’s latest offering, is a collection of singles released throughout the year, with “SUPER TUESDAY!” being the latest. This one finds him rapping with a measured flow over a soulful string sample.

– DJ Mango

Categories
Playlists

December 2020 Sample Platter

  1. Suzie Thundertussy by Junie Morrison: The Madlib-produced song “No More Parties in LA” heavily samples this song’s intro to create the backdrop for Kendrick and Kanye’s spectacular verses.
  2. What More Can I Say by The Notations: This song was looped by Knxwledge in the song “What More Can I Say” by NxWorries, where Anderson .Paak sings about his unfaithful disposition.
  3. Huit octobre 1971 by Cortex: Fans of MF DOOM will recognize the soaring vocals of this track from “One Beer,” a highlight on his MM…FOOD album.
  4. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach: Busdriver’s “Imaginary Places” samples the flute motif from this Bach suite and speeds it up to a feverish pace, making for one of the most creative and unique samples in all of hip-hop.
  5. Love Theme from The Robe by Yusef Lateef: Nujabes’ brand of laid back, sample-driven beats were a predecessor to the lo-fi hip-hop genre. “Feather,” which samples “Love Theme from The Robe,” is a great example of this.
  6. Ten Et Tiwa by Alain Goraguer: Flying Lotus flipped this one into what we know as “Black Balloons Reprise” featuring Denzel Curry, which has a eerie flute lead and trunk-knocking drums.
  7. Why Not by Yoko Ono: JPEGMAFIA sampled the intro of this song to make the best for “3 Tearz,” a Danny Brown joint featuring Run the Jewels.
  8. In a Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington: Mac Miller chopped up the main piano motif from this classic jazz standard to make “Diablo,” which is one of his best beats.

– DJ Mango

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Artist Highlight: Thee Sacred Souls

Can I Call You Rose Single Cover

When I first heard Thee Sacred Souls’ single “Weak For Your Love,” I thought for certain that they were a soul group from the 1960s. Their sound is so lovely, vintage, and unique. Made up of drummer Alex Garcia, bassist Sal Samano and ethereal vocalist Josh Lane, Thee Sacred Souls is giving new meaning to soul.

The trio first began as a duo when Garcia and Samano formed an instrumental band in 2018, aiming to capture the Chicano soul that they both grew up with. However, after connecting with Lane over Instagram in 2019, the band truly started to evolve. Not only was his soft falsetto a beautiful addition, but his songwriting skills lead to their first single, “Can I Call You Rose?,” a soft romantic ballad.

After receiving a record deal in April of 2019, the group was asked to open for Mac Ayres in San Diego. There, they realized their potential when fans went crazy for their relaxing yet astounding sound. Unfortunately, at the time, the band had yet to put any of their music on major streaming platforms, preferring the authenticity of vinyl releases.

Even amidst pandemic craziness, Thee Sacred Souls has managed to release their previous singles, “Can I Call You Rose?” and “Weak For Your Love,” and two new ones, “Will I See You Again?” and “Give Us Justice,” on Spotify and Apple Music this year. All are twinged with the romantic soul, groovy baselines, and gentle rhythms that they do best. While these four songs are the extent of their discography, the future looks bright for Thee Sacred Souls!

Check out their website and Instagram (which might I say are both wonderfully designed).

– DJ Butter

Categories
New Album Review

Cecile Believe- “Plucking a Cherry from the Void” Album Review

ALBUM: “Plucking a Cherry from the Void” by Cecile Believe

RELEASE YEAR: 2020

RATING: 9/10

BEST TRACKS: “Stay Open,” “Living My Life Over (Extreme Vocal Edit” and “Bitch Bites Dog”

FCC: Explicit

It feels like it was only a couple days ago when Cecile Believe dropped her first album “Made in Heaven” in May (you can read my album review here 🙂 ). And now she has blessed us yet again with another EP- “Plucking a Cherry from the Void.” The EP cover is really what drew me in– the glitter nails and tiny cherry are SO cute!! 

Speaking of “Made in Heaven,” Believe takes one of my favorites from the album and transforms it into the 5th song on “Plucking a Cherry from the Void”– “Living my Life Over (Extreme Vocal Edit).” I didn’t think the song could get any better, but I was wrong!! I actually find myself listening to the Extreme Vocal Edit way more than the original version. This along with “Stay Open” and “Bitch Bites Dog” have to be my favorites. 

“Bitch Bites Dog” reminds me a bit of Rina Sawayama. It’s very pop, but also kind of hard? Plus, there’s an incredible classical music interlude towards the end of the song, that contrasts the rest of the song beautifully. If we could go to the club, this would be playing. 

“Stay Open” on the other hand, is much more calm and more reminiscent of “Made in Heaven.” It reminds me a bit of Magdalena Bay and Caroline Polachek. It’s sooo pretty and just makes you wanna bob your head– the perfect song to drive to. This song has to be my favorite off the album <3 

I hope you give “Plucking a Cherry from the Void” a listen and love it as much as I do. 

Xoxo 

-Gab

Categories
Miscellaneous

Concert Shoes

When people talk about their favorite concert experiences, they often recall the performances, the crowd, or the people they shared it with. But for me, one of the most important parts of the live music experience is one that I think most people overlook – the shoes you wear.

Grey suede Air Force 1 Mids, signed by Tierra Whack

First up we’ve got the grey suede Air Force 1 Mids that I purchased from Plato’s closet back in high school. They frankly aren’t the most stylish shoe, but what makes them special to me is the signature from none other than Tierra Whack. I had the privilege of seeing her live in September of 2019, when she performed at Memorial Hall in UNC Chapel Hill. When she came out the concert hall turned into a mosh pit, and everyone got out of their seats to join the party. I was surprised at how interactive she was with the crowd and as a result Tierra Whack is one of the most down to earth performers I have ever seen.

Adidas signed by JPEGMAFIA

Up next we’ve got my beaters, my babies, my everyday shoes – a pair of nondescript Adidas I got from Burlington Coat Factory for 25 dollars. These are my go-to concert shoes because I know whatever I wear will get stepped on. They’ve been to family events like Anderson .Paak and the TDE Championship Tour, to mosh pits at Denzel Curry and Wage War (shoutout to The Saw for taking me to my first metal show!) and even WKNC’s own Double Barrel Benefit. They became one-of-a-kind when they were signed by JPEGMAFIA, who I saw live in New York in Mary of 2019. These shoes have truly been everywhere. They were on my feet during some of the most memorable moments of my life, and though I will have to retire them soon, I will always cherish the memories they were a part of.

That’s it! Do you have a cherished pair of concert shoes?

– DJ Mango

Categories
Weekly Charts

Daytime Charts 12/15

Mamalarky Album Cover
ArtistRecordLabel
1MAMALARKYMamalarkyFire Talk
2PEELPeel [EP]Innovative Leisure
3SOFT BLUE SHIMMERHeaven Inches AwayDisposable America
4NOTHINGThe Great DismalRelapse
5QUARTER-LIFE CRISISQuarter-Life CrisisSaddle Creek
6WISH TRAPSCatch ItDivan Rouge
7BABEHEAVENHome For NowSelf-Released
8EARLY EYESSunbathing [EP]Epitaph
9HYPOLUXOHypoluxoTerrible
10BEAU DEGAHoly CannoliSelf-Released
11KIWI JRCooler Returns [Advance Tracks]Sub Pop
12PAT JUNIORI Thought I KnewBe Absxlute
13SINAI VESSELGround AswimSingle Occupancy
14TOBIElements Vol. 1Same Plate/RCA
15WILSON’S PROMWilson’s Prom [EP]Self-Released
16BLESSED“Structure” [Single]Flemish Eye
17BUTCHER BROWN#KingButchConcord Jazz
18DRY CLEANING“Scratchcard Lanyard” [Single]4AD
19ROUTINEAnd Other Things [EP]Friends Of/Dead Oceans
20SYLVAN ESSOFree LoveLoma Vista
21IDLESUltra MonoPartisan
22DISCLOSUREENERGYCapitol
23CASHINOVABig DragonStophouse
24CARIBOUSuddenlyMerge
25DON TOLIVERAfter PartyWMG Atlantic
26KELLY LEE OWENSInner SongSmalltown Supersound
27YVES TUMORHeaven To A Tortured MindWarp
28MOUNTAIN GOATS, THEGetting Into KnivesMerge
29OSEESProtean ThreatCastle Face
30BABE RAINBOW, THE“Zeitgeist” [Single]Self-Released

TOP ADDS

ArtistRecordLabel
1HETHER“Sex Wax” [Single]Hether4theweather
2EASTER ISLANDTake All The Time You Think You NeedFrightened
3SUMEAUThis Is Not A DreamSelf-Released
4FOGFogesqueSelf-Released
5TEKE TEKE“Kodomo No Kuni” b/w “Onigami” [Single]Sub Pop
6ARLO PARKSCollapsed In Sunbeams [Advance Tracks]Transgressive
7PEOPLE IN GENERAL“Take It or Leave It” [Single]My Dog Ate
8WE ARE JOINERSClients [EP]Self-Released
9MUUN BATOMuun BatoSelf-Released
10FENNE LILYBreachDead Oceans
Categories
Weekly Charts

Chainsaw Charts 12/15

Venom Prison - Primeval Album Cover
ArtistRecordLabel
1VENOM PRISONPrimevalProsthetic
2BOUNDARIES Your Receding WarmthUnbeaten 
3AVERSIONS CROWN Hell WIll Come For Us AllNuclear Blast
4VISIONS OF DISFIGUREMENTAeons of MiseryRealityfade
5ALPHA WOLFA Quiet Place To DieSharp Tone
6JUSTICE FOR THE DAMNEDPain Is PowerSelf-Released
7DAWN OF ASHES The AntinomianArtoffact
8WAGE WAR“Surrounded” [Single]Fearless
9UPON A BURNING BODY Built From War [EP]Seek & Strike 
10ACACIA STRAIN, THESlow DecayRise
Categories
Weekly Charts

Underground Charts 12/15

AFRIQUA Colored Cover
ArtistRecordLabel
1AFRIQUAColoredR & S
2BKTHERULALove SantanaRula
3FLYING LOTUSMoreFlamagra
4GHETTO SAGE“Häagen Dazs” [Single]Self-Released
5SOLANGEWhen I Get HomeSaint Records/Columbia
6PRINCESS NOKIAEverything Is Beautiful/Everything SucksSelf-Released
7ARI LENNOXShea Butter BabyDreamville
8CHESTER WATSONProject 0POW
9DISCLOSUREENERGYCapitol
10BABYXSOSA“Everywhereigo” [Single]1602599
Categories
Weekly Charts

Afterhours Charts 12/15

Kacy Hill Six Umru Remix Cover
ArtistRecordLabel
1KACY HILL“Six (umru remix)” [Single]Self-Released
2KLLOMaybe We CouldGhostly International
3JAMES MASSIAHNatural Born Killers (Ride for Me) [EP]Levels
4NAMASENDA“Wanted” [Single]PC
5KITTYCharm And Mirror [EP]Pretty Wavvy
6CHRISTINE AND THE QUEENSLa Vita Nuova [EP]Because/Capitol
7JESSY LANZAAll The TimeHyperdub
8HIMERAMore Than Friends [EP]unseelie
9DREAMWEAVERCloud9MagicCrafters
10PLANET 1999DevotionPIAS
Categories
Miscellaneous

DJ Mango’s Top 5 Albums of 2020

DJ Mango's Top 5 Albums of 2020
DJ Mango's Top 5 Albums of 2020

2020 was a year that had its ups and downs, musically and otherwise. Here are my 5 favorite albums to come out this year, in order:

5. græ by Moses Sumney

Album art for græ by Moses Sumney

Coming in at number 5 is græ by Moses Sumney, a two-part epic of an album that saw its full release in May of this year. If Aromanticism was any indication of what was to come from Moses, græ is a full realization of his talents. Over the span of twenty tracks the singer explores a wide array of topics, from love to identity to masculinity.

Favorite tracks: “Cut Me,” “In Bloom,” “Virile”

4. Circles by Mac Miller

Album art for Circles by Mac Miller

Up next is Circles by Mac Miller, a posthumous body of work released in January. Less than a month after the release of his previous album, Swimming, he was pronounced dead. From someone whose career ended at its height, Circles serves as a kindred spirit to Swimming and it is a testament to his incredible growth not only as an artist but as an individual.

Favorite tracks: “Good News,” “Everybody,” “Hand Me Downs”

3. Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 by Tkay Maidza

Album art for Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 by Tkay Maidza

At number 3 on this list is Tkay Maidza’s Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2, released in August. This short but sweet album is a prime example of Tkay’s versatility as an artists, as she explores familiar yet uncharted territory in the realms of hardcore hiphop, alternative R&B and indie soul. Check out my review here!

Favorite tracks: “24k,” “Shook,” “Awake”

2. UNLOCKED by Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats

Album art for UNLOCKED by Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats

2020 has been so long that I almost forgot this EP dropped in February of this year, but I’m sure glad it did. As two of the most consistent artists in the game right now, a project from Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats is a match made in heaven for any hardcore hip-hop fan. Denzel’s frantic, wordplay-intensive rapping is the perfect fit for Kenny’s grimy, sample-laced production.

Favorite tracks: “DIET_,” “Take_it_Back_v2,” “So.Incredible.pkg”

1. Agüita by Gabriel Garzón-Montano

Album art for Agüita by Gabriel Garzón-Montano

Last but certainly not least, my favorite album to come out this year has got to be Agüita by Gabriel Garzón-Montano. The range that GGM displays here is something that is truly remarkable. From alternative R&B to indie soul to Latinx hip-hop, Gabriel Garzón-Montano does it all with his own unique flair. Check out my full review here!

Favorite tracks: “With a Smile,” “Muñeca,” “Bloom”

What are your favorite albums of 2020?

– DJ Mango