Release Date: 4 June 2024
Kaytranda
TIMELESS
Montreal’s finest is back at it again with his third full-length LP and boy, it’s an instant classic. In my opinion, Kaytanada is one of the premier producers in contemporary music. He’s carved a unique sound that no one has been able to reproduce, with independent sounds and a steeze of his own, blending electronic, funk, hip-hop and influences from around the world. As has become standard in anything he releases, the beats are clean, crisp and sure to get you grooving and it contains heavy-hitting features that always seem to complement their chosen beat perfectly. Timeless indeed, this man does not miss a beat.
Genre:
Electronic, Dance, Hip-Hop
Tasting notes:
Excellently polished listening, some real floor movers throughout
Standout Tracks
Call U Up (Feat. Lou Phelps), Feel A Way (Feat. Don Tolliver), Please Babe is a great dance track
Looking for more:
Listen to his older stuff if you haven’t before, also try Channel Tres & Lou Phelps
Release Date: 7 June 2024
Peggy Gou
I Hear You
This is the South Korean dance sensation’s debut studio album since bursting onto the scene with floor movers such as Starry Night and I Go. After an inspirational spoken word piece to open Back to One had me instantly grooving whilst driving round and giving the album a whirl for the first time. The album also gets a bit experimental with DnB influences mashing with the usual East-Asian influences Gou frequents. Real fun album with some tunes that’ll get the party cranking.
Genre:
Dance, Electronic
Tasting notes:
What the vibe of the song is, some listening recommendations, situation to listen etc.
Standout Tracks
Back to One is the first proper song on the album and is a banger and obviously (It goes like) Nanana which was a smash hit as a single.
Looking for more:
Pelican by Phairo, and Channel Tres (who’s coming up a lot this week!)
Release Date: 7 June 2024
Robert Glasper
Let Go
In the artist’s words, this one is made to help users recalibrate mentally. Glasper said in an interview with Apple Music “My whole career everybody’s been saying my music is meditative”. This is his way of giving the people what they wanted, and I must say he’s hit the mark. He’s made a wide range of different music throughout his career, I first heard him when a friend showed me his 2016 album ‘Everything’s Beautiful’ where he remixes and revamps Miles Davis’s legacy. He’s also a part of the Dinner Party which has been one of my favourite recent jazz projects, which consists of the star-studded cast of Terrace Martin, 9th Wonder, Kamasi Washington & Glasper himself.
Genre:
Jazz, Ambient
Tasting notes:
Background music for self-recalibration, contemplative mood
Standout Tracks
No real standout, this one is best listened to as a whole piece. Flows from song to song
Looking for more:
Similar vibes to Andre 3000’s flute record, try stuff from Matthew Halsall which is also very subtle and
Release Date: 7 June 2024
Ski Mask the Slump God
11th Dimension
A pioneer for the modern generation of ‘Soundcloud Rappers’, this is the first release from Ski Mask since 2021. When I saw this had come out I was excited, as I’ve always been a fan of his work. This album is fun and energética and as always, it’s contains clever lyrics and play on words. Despite this, that album lacks a little bit of depth. Ski Mask often amongst the word play and funny lyrics has deeper commentary on the world, but this seems to lack that somewhat. still a good album with some great party tracks, but not his best work.
Genre:
Hip-Hop, Rap, Trap, Soundcloud Rap
Tasting notes:
Some great wordplay and lyricism, high energy listening
Standout Tracks
Tuk-Tuk made me laugh, Earwax was a very good tune, Monsters Inc. which has a good feature from Future.
Looking for more:
Comethazine, XXXTENTACION!
Release Date: 19 August 2002
Clipse
I'm Not You
Old but gold, this one has been in my rotation again recently. From the album Lord Willin’, this tune is generally overshadowed by Grindin’ off of the album, which was one of their biggest hits. However, I think it is some of Pusha T’s best lyricism from this period, and has a killer beat. It features Jadakiss, Styles P & Rosco P Goldchain.
Genre:
Hip-Hop, Rap
Tasting notes:
O.G 2000’s Hip-Hop
Looking for more:
Any late 90’s/2000’s Hip-Hop
