THE BEST:
‘I Might Need Security’ – Chance The Rapper
Chance
The Rapper just surprise attacked us with four new tracks. This is undoubtedly the best track
of the bunch – it sees the Chicago rapper getting political whilst delivering
playful bars like ‘They think they Heath
Ledger scary, they just Jack Nichols’. The backing sample used throughout
the song is both pretty and hilarious – somehow I don’t think they’ll be able
to make a radio-friendly version.
‘La di da’ – The Internet
This
new smooth summer jam from soul band The Internet is deliciously funky with it’s
wah-soaked guitars and groovy bass playing (it sounds very Jamiroquai-inspired).
Syd’s breathy vocals are as heavenly as ever, although I’m not sure why she
screams ‘Bridge’ like Pharrell at the end of the track (isn’t the bridge the
bit between the verse and chorus).
‘Everything’ – Kaizen
‘Everything’
is one of those rare EDM songs that can remain intense through its build-up and
still serve up a satisfying pay-off. Moody bass and melancholy vocal sampling opens
up the song and the whole song gets busy quickly, but then at the one minute
mark the tone shifts as it hurtles into a euphoric Rustie-like trap section. Kaizen
continues to be incredibly dynamic.
‘Race Car’ – Joseph Tyler
I don’t
think I’ve ever heard production quite like this. Shimmering synth arpeggios
and walking 808 basslines provide a bouncy cartoonish backdrop that’s like some
combination of Panda Bear, N.E.R.D and Gorillaz. It pairs well with Joseph Tyler’s
jubilant lyrics about defying wasted youth.
‘Meteorological’ – Guerilla Toss
Former-noise-rockers-turned-avant-garde-funk-band
Guerilla Toss released a phenomenal album last year titled GT Ultra. It seems
that they’re already thinking about dropping a follow-up, serving up this
groovy extravaganza with a weather channel themed video. The whole instrumental
creatively pitch shifts up at the end and there are more synths than ever – I’m
expecting more electronica from their new release.
THE WORST:
‘Hair Cutter’ – Animal Collective
The psychedelic
experimentalists have gone back to their droney sound and if I’m honest it’s a
bit dull. The vocals also have a cheap mic quality that I’m sure is
intentional, but it just doesn’t work for me.