Vinnie the Intern's Blog #6: A Great Week For Music

I had many options on what to write this week. In fact, too many options. So I'm just going to cover them all. It has truly been a great week in music. Four albums have been released over this past week that, I feel, have exceeded all expectations and have much lived up to their hype. I will be going over The Dirty Projector's Swing Lo Magellan, Frank Ocean's Channel Orange, Azealia Banks' Fantasea, and Passion Pit's Gossamer, as well as previewing Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti's forthcoming album, Mature Themes, due this August.

1. Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan

The newest album from David Longstreth and Company is easily their most accessible to date. Swing Lo Magellan features exceptional guitar playing, an emphasis on handclaps (or just rhythm in general), and expansive vocal range that they are often noted for. This album is the last place I would have expected them to travel to after 2009's Bitte Orca, but then again, I said the same thing after listening to the that album after 2007's Rise Above. The unexpectedness that I get with every release is the reason why I love this band. Some immediate standouts for me were: "Dance For You," "See What She's Seeing," "Swing Lo Magellan, and "Just From Chevron."

2. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

Odd Future affiliate had a lot prove with Channel Orange. In the past month and a half he has released the sprawling ten minute track "Pyramids" featuring John Mayer and received much praise from a letter he released on his Tumblr regarding his sexuality which he followed with his performance of "Bad Religion" on Live On Jimmy Fallon last Monday. Channel Orange can be streamed on Frank Ocean's Tumblr. The album has similar subject matter to Nostalgia, Ultra, such as his references to retro gaming (the opener "Start" contains a sample of the opening sounds of a Playstation One). But the difference between the two albums is his focus. There is not one song that drags on or overstays its welcome. Frank Ocean has grown into quite the storyteller, containing much more ambiguity and strength in his songwriting. Some standouts are "Thinking About You," "Crack Rock," "Pyramids," "Lost," and "Pink Matter" featuring two standout verses by Andre 3000.

3. Azealia Banks - Fantasea

I feel that I talk about Azealia Banks a little too much. This must be the third time that I have mentioned her in one of my posts, but I can't help this considering her continuous release schedule and the overall quality of the bulk of her songs. Fantasea, her newest mix-tape is available for free download. Some tracks to check out are "US," "Luxury," "Esta Noche," and "Jumanji." Her third and final release of the calendar year, Broke With Expensive Taste, is scheduled to come out this fall.

4. Passion Pit - Gossamer

Passion Pit's second full length album, Gossamer, is set for release on the 24th, but can be streamed on NRP now. I would say this album is stronger than their great first full length Manners from 2009. The sticky-sweet poppy element is still present, so it is not a large deviation away from the Passion Pit formula, but it is a little more varied due to the album's glitchy textures, probably best exemplified on "I'll Be Alright." Michael Angelakos' falsetto (which is usually the obstacle when I talk to people about Passion Pit) is stronger and better than ever, in my opinion. Tracks to check out: "I'll Be Alright," "Constant Conversations," "Cry Like A Ghost," and the closer "Where We Belong."

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Only In My Dreams (Single)

The last thing that I was excited for this week was the new Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti song "Only In My Dreams" which can be downloaded on 4AD's website. So far, there have been two tracks released, the other one being the Donnie and Joe Emerson cover "Baby," from Mature Themes, their newest album. It is scheduled for release on August 20th. Before Today was an incredible album and Mature Themes has a lot of expectations to live up to, but if any of the aforementioned artists have proved, this seems to be a good time to do so.

Vinnie the Intern Blog #4: The State of Hip-Hop

I have been a hip-hop fan for as long as I could recall. My first memory of hip-hop was playing my brother's cassette of Dr. Dre's "Dre Day" as loud as I could on my boom-box. I chose Biggie over Tupac and Jay-Z over Nas. I shuddered as hip-hop became an auto-tuned, radio-processed mess. But through all of this, there have always been true artists that have continually defined the state of hip-hop. The artists I list in this blog gave me the same feeling that I remembered while listening to "Dre Day" all those years ago. 

WHY? - Sod In The Seed - EP(Anticon/Aug 14th)

Last week Oakland's WHY? released "Sod In The Seed" off their Sod In The Seed EP due out on August 14th. It is WHY? at their finest. With its gripping opening line, "Let's review some recent facts...," I was immediately reminded of the first time I heard Alopecia (2008), my favorite WHY? album (as well as on of my general favorites). The song is available for free download on the band's Soundcloud. The reference of Whole Foods and Mac G4s bring to mind a time when vocalist Yoni Wolf spoke of R. Crumb exhibits, being at a Silver Jews show, and Showbiz Pizza. The band backing the ramblings are sounding as solid as ever. With bells and a steady bass line, WHY? appeal to hip-hop fans and indie rock fans alike.

Joey BADA$$ - 1999 (Cinematic/Creative Control)

Exciting newcomer, Brooklyn's Joey BADA$$ released his mix-tape 1999 with assistance from his group PRO ERA and from producers such as Knxwledge and MF DOOM. While the rousing fact may be that this artist is only 17, I find it equally incredible that this would not be out of place if you nesteled it between A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory (1991) and Wu-Tang Clan's Enter the 36 Chambers (1993). Songs like "Survival Tactics" and "Killuminati" both featuring spots by PRO ERA confidant, Capital STEEZ, are proof that gritty New York hip-hop is not just a thing of the past. Joey BADA$$ and the rest of PRO ERA are true artists to watch out for. Check out the video for "Survival Tactics" below.

Death Grips have earned much praise for their abrasive sound that includes Zach Hill on percussion and MC Ride on vocals. Their videos, similar to their musical prowess, have an emphasis on being innovative without a cushy budget, despite being on a major label (Epic Records). Last week Death Grips released their newest video "Double Helix" off of The Money Store, released in April. 

Another artist picking up quite a bit of attention is Azealia Banks with her debut EP, 1991, released earlier last month. Banks received praise for her single "212" towards the end of last year, which now has upwards of 22 million hits on Youtube. The single, along with the previously released "Liquorice" both made appearances on 1991, making up half the album. The other half, I am pleased to say delivered to these high expectations. Especially the exceptional title-track which takes form more in progressive-house rather than hip-hop. Banks will release her follow up to 1991, the mix-tape Fantasea, next Wednesday.

When I hear claims of the state of hip-hop is in dire need of change, I have to respectfully disagree. There is a lot going on in the world of hip-hop that feels new and exciting. Anyone interested in something new in hip-hop should look no further than WHY?, Joey BADA$$, Death Grips, or Azealia Banks.