Indie Shuffle » rnb

The Weeknd – Kiss Land

Jason Grishkoff — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:39:14 +0000

Sounds like: Drake, Frank Ocean

Song: The Weeknd - Kiss Land [download here]

What's so good?

So, The Weeknd is lining up to release a brand new album titled Kiss Land, and last night revealed the first official single — by the same title.

It’s got all the signature Abel Tesfaye elements: dirty language, a bit of shit talking, sex, and uhhh, lots of whining. The only real standouts for me are: 1) the bridge and transition that takes place around the 3-minute mark; and 2) the fact that the song is almost 8 minutes long. But hey, I guess that’s acceptable if you look at this as two separate tracks in one.

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1. Original post: The Weeknd – Kiss Land

2. Posted in: hip-hop, R&B, rnb, the weeknd, drake

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

French Montana – Gifted (Ft. The Weeknd)

Jason Grishkoff — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:45:14 +0000

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Sounds like: Drake, G-Eazy, Asher Roth, Dizzy Wright

Song: French Montana - Gifted (Ft. The Weeknd) [download here]

What's so good?

I think we might be about to encounter a spate of new music from The Weeknd’s camp. Yesterday he teased a new single called “John Carpenter,” and today he’s joining forces with French Montana on a new song titled “Gifted.”

The song, a typically emo R&B meets hip-hop mashup, is set to appear on French Montana’s upcoming LP, Pardon My French, available on May 21st.

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1. Original post: French Montana – Gifted (Ft. The Weeknd)

2. Posted in: hip-hop, rnb, the weeknd, drake, french montana

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Solange – Looks Good With Trouble Ft. Kendrick Lamar

sweeneykovar — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:58:45 +0000

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Sounds like: Sonnymoon, Knxwledge, Empress Of, Kendrick Lamar

Song: Solange - Looks Good With Trouble Ft. Kendrick Lamar [download here]

What's so good?

Though I’m definitely late to the Solange party, I would say she is my favorite Knowles. I’m no Bey hater, I recognize her importance in the pop culture continuum and all that jazz, but to be frank I can’t listen to her. Beyonce’s songs always make me extremely self-conscious, and by the time she’s telling me to “put a ring on it,” I’m painfully aware I probably can’t afford that ring. Solange, on the other hand, is a more enjoyable listening experience for me.

Her TRUE EP was awesome; pop with substance, sweet but weighty. From the fantastically dapper trans-continental video for “Losing You” to the bittersweet shuffle of “Some Things Never Seem To Fucking Work,” the project was teenage summer love encapsulated. I can almost swear I feel a warm breeze when some of those synths hit.

As an added treat to recently announcing the formation of her new label, SAINT Records, she also released a new version of “Looks Good With Trouble” from the TRUE EP, now featuring 100% more rhymes from Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar.

The West Coast MC sounds more like Andre than usual as he details a lovelorn trip to London, stuck on a tour bus watching old Hollywood classics, wishing a certain someone was along for the ride. While I’m obviously being a bit of a dick (though not without reason), the two certainly have a musical chemistry that makes me wonder what more collaboration would sound like.

Don’t sleep on Solange (like I did) — she’s ill.

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1. Original post: Solange – Looks Good With Trouble Ft. Kendrick Lamar

2. Posted in: Electronic, female vocalist, hip-hop, electro pop, soul

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Thundercat – Oh Sheit It’s X

sweeneykovar — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:25:06 +0000

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Sounds like: Flying Lotus, Knxwledge, Shafiq Husayn

Song: Thundercat - Oh Sheit It's X [download here]

What's so good?

Since learning that Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner was a reluctant solo artist on last years’ Golden Age of Apocalypse, I was expecting the next solo effort from the bass prodigy to come a few years down the line. I was wrong. Thundercat returns this June with Apocalypse, produced by Brainfeeder general Flying Lotus.

After a difficult year that included the loss of close friend and collaborator Austin Peralta, I would not have guessed a Thundercat album would sound like Apocalypse. The energy on Apocalypse makes its predecessor sound a bit meek. Thundercat is singing with more confidence, his voice has more of a presence in the mix and his personality shines through stronger than before in his lyrics and performance. Many of the songs are incredibly celebratory and the initial single, “Heartbreaks + Setbacks,” was downright poppy.

With musicians of Thundercat and Lotus’ pedigree, it would be inaccurate to call their first LP as a snoozer, but in the continuum they are creating the sound they presented on Golden Age was definitely in its infancy and is growing up on Apocalypse. The funk is fuller and the grooves are deeper. This is still music for music junkies, for the jazz heads and the beat aficionados, but you don’t need to be any of the previous to dig it.

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1. Original post: Thundercat – Oh Sheit It’s X

2. Posted in: funk, rnb, jazz, Los Angeles, electro funk

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Tink – When I’m Lit (The GTW rework)

Rachel Skotarczyk — Sun, 12 May 2013 15:21:20 +0000

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Sounds like: Azealia Banks, Tink, Iggy Azalea

Song: Tink - When I'm Lit (The GTW rework) [download here]

What's so good?

First I heard of the multi-talented Chicago producer The GTW, aka James King, was a 2010 release called Don’t Smoke The Cigarette. The album was an highly engaging combination of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic elements produced mostly by himself and a few friends, “Half-way Freaks” being one of the stand-out tracks. Those productions, paired with King’s distinctive voice and thought-provoking, sometimes playful, lyrics set The GTW aside as something special.

I was lucky enough to meet and work with James around 2011, and let me say, his presence is as large and as great as his looming stature. In other words, there’s something about King that kind of takes your breath away. Possibly it’s his boundless creativity, his keen style, or just how sure he is about his craft. We formed a bond based on mutual artistic appreciation and I’ve kept up with him since then.

Originally from Nigeria and growing up as a young transplant in Chicago seems to have built an amalgamation of styles now intrinsic to Kings approach, something that he likes to call, “Chigerian.” His latest endeavor is a rework of fellow Chicagoan Tink, ”When I’m Lit.” It’s highly successful in that it far surpasses the original, it demonstrates King’s rolling tribal beats, and hints at his R&B and Chicago house influences.

Keep up with The GTW at his website and explore his other sounds via SoundCloud - there’s so much there to love.

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1. Original post: Tink – When I’m Lit (The GTW rework)

2. Posted in: hip-hop, remixes, R&B, rnb, beats

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

AZEKEL – No Ordinary Love

David Peter Simon — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:54:58 +0000

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Sounds like: Frank Ocean, JULIAN, One Room

Song: AZEKEL - No Ordinary Love [download here]

What's so good?

“No Ordinary Love” is a new slow jam from an up-and-coming London-based R&B artist AZEKEL, whose flow is beautifully disarming while his lyrics reveal an understated intensity. It reminds me a bit of Frank Ocean.

The track is about the relationship between a father and son, a twist on the more traditional R&B love ballad. I’m really digging the mellifluous vibes dancing along the Sade sample. It’s produced by Adelight, another British artist/songwriter who specialises in soulful grooves. Overall, this is a great production that you can download for free.

An EP is on its way for summer, to be released by THNDRLGHTNG Recording. Little is known about the artist himself, but he’s got another great track titled “That Feeling,” which you can check out on YouTube. AZEKEL is definitely someone to keep our eyes on; stay on top of his future announcements via his website.

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1. Original post: AZEKEL – No Ordinary Love

2. Posted in: R&B, rnb, mellow hip hop, frank ocean, chill hip hop

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Gilbere Forte – Nolita (Ft. Active Child)

Aaron Blum — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:05:38 +0000

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Sounds like: J Cole, Sean Rose

Song: Gilbere Forte - Nolita (Ft. Active Child) [download here]

What's so good?

A track featuring Active Child? Yes please. When I saw this new track by Gilbere Forte come through the wire featuring Active Child, it was a no-brainer to give this one a listen.

Even though we first saw Gilbere Forte appear last year with his single “Pray,” this is my first glimpse of the Philly hip-hop artist. I must say, I am a fan of Mr. Forte at this point.

“Nolita” is slower hip-hop ballad that features the hard-to-miss harp sounds of Active Child and the impeccable vocals of Pat Grossi. Gilbere’s flows on the new track are equally praiseworthy.

“Nolita” is the second single from Forte’s upcoming project, Pray, which is due out May 15, 2013.

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1. Original post: Gilbere Forte – Nolita (Ft. Active Child)

2. Posted in: hip-hop, downtempo, R&B, electronic hip-hop, rnb

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Embassy – Forgotten (Short Memory)

hmcclure — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:00:15 +0000

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Sounds like: Ifan Dafydd, Bonobo, Guerre

Song: Embassy - Forgotten (Short Memory) [download here]

What's so good?

Sydney’s Embassy has already been featured a couple of times on Indie Shuffle, but only on playlists – a Sunday Night Chill and before that, a Friday Five. For this talented producer, it’s high time he received a post of his own, and luckily he’s just released a brand new track.

Proficient on jazz bass and guitar, “Forgotten (Short Memory)” shows off his musicianship in the way the track is put together. Staggered beats, echoing samples and of course, that bass, make for one incredibly smooth ride. You can clearly see how delicately this track has been structured in its layering, and it’s interesting to try and pick out Embassy’s varied influences in different sections. Best of all, it’s a “name your price” download on his Bandcamp.

“Forgotten (Short Memory)” is the first release off Embassy’s upcoming debut EP (due out in June).

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1. Original post: Embassy – Forgotten (Short Memory)

2. Posted in: Electronic, ambient, Australia, R&B, minimal electronica

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Pablo Nouvelle – Winter in Helsinki

David Peter Simon — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:29:48 +0000

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Sounds like: Fama Eightyseven, Marvin Gaye, The xx

Song: Pablo Nouvelle - You Do Me Wrong [download here]

What's so good?

I was originally going to cover Pablo Nouvelle’s “Rolling in the Deep” remix, because, really now, who doesn’t love an Adele remix? Then I got addicted to this slo-mo glitch track “You Do Me Wrong,” and everything changed. I finally understood what Pablo meant when he described his music as a “mix of melancholic pop, modern soul and dance music.” The beats are expressive, the Marvin Gaye sample is hard-hitting.

Pablo Nouvelle – a name inspired by French architect Jean Nouvel and 60s Nouvelle Vauge films — is a Swiss DJ who is heavily influenced by soul from the 60s and 70s. You can hear it come across in all his music: lush cuts woven with arty electronica.

His debut, Winter in Helsinki, is a combination of previous releases with new tracks. They’re nostalgia-inducing tunes, reflective of a maturing artist. I recommend you give a few tracks a listen on SoundCloud.

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1. Original post: Pablo Nouvelle – Winter in Helsinki

2. Posted in: Electronic, rnb, the xx, trip hop, beats

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Miguel – Do You… (Cashmere Cat Remix)

Anu — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:34:34 +0000

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Sounds like: Jack Magma, Javelin

Song: Miguel - Do You… (Cashmere Cat Remix) [download here]

What's so good?

On Miguel’s “Do You…” he asks, “Do you like drugs?” but it’s clearly a deceptive chorus, trapping a drug song under a love song. Cashmere Cat might have had a problem with that.

Since “Mirror Maru,” I’ve been open about my instant attraction to Cashmere Cat, and this remix fans the flame. After a bubblegum melody run and a sizzling duet between Miguel’s charming inflections and the hiss of his supposed prey, Cashmere Cat interrupts and ensures that this is a track about a different kind of love.

Put this one on replay cause it’s a trip worth taking twice, and then a few more times. For more where this came from, check out the Cashmere Cat’s SoundCloud, or our inspired playlist featuring the producer here.

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1. Original post: Miguel – Do You… (Cashmere Cat Remix)

2. Posted in: Electronic, electronic hip-hop, rnb, Experimental electronic, trap

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Tweet Ft. Missy Elliot – Oops (Palace’s RAW version)

Elizabeth Walker — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:25:47 +0000

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Sounds like: Hudson Mohawke, Chris Malinchak

Song: Tweet Ft. Missy Elliot - Oops (Palace’s RAW version) [download here]

What's so good?

I really have little to no information about this track, but wanted to go ahead and throw it here anyways. Nostalgia aside, I’m a huge fan of Tweet’s 90′s jam “Oops,” and pretty much any modern day iteration of the tune.

Hudson Mohawke released an edit of this track a few years back, which has been played repeatedly with zeal. i-D Online just uploaded another take on “Oops” by Palace, and it’s a welcome edit of the original. Sped up vocals add a soulful tinge to the naughty lyrics, and a nice drum kick sets up a minimal, diffused house beat.

This is definitely a late night jam for an intimate moment on a sweaty dance floor.

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1. Original post: Tweet Ft. Missy Elliot – Oops (Palace’s RAW version)

2. Posted in: remixes, house, electronic remixes, rnb, Sampling

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Jai Paul – Zion Wolf

Dwayne — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:24:42 +0000

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Sounds like: Prince, D'Angelo, Flying Lotus, Frank Ocean, Hudson Mohawke

Song: Jai Paul - Zion Wolf [download here]

What's so good?

As you are most probably aware, a collection of tracks posing to be Jai Paul’s debut album recently surfaced online. While most of that has now been cleared, we were left with some remnants which I guess you’d have to consider demos.

One such track is “Zion Wolf,” and for the most part, it sounds exactly like what we’d hoped from the album, finding the invisible strings that link the glitchy electronica of Flying Lotus and Hudson Mohawke with the sensual soul of Prince or D’Angelo. The closest comparison we can make is Frank Ocean, but really Jai is doing entirely his own thing, and that’s part of the reason this is so good.

Although the random release wasn’t exactly out of character, we’ll keep our ears to the ground for something more official coming out, but this is enough to tide us over for now.

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1. Original post: Jai Paul – Zion Wolf

2. Posted in: Electronic, soul, rnb, Flying Lotus, frank ocean

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Jhameel x DWNTWN x Giraffage – Move Me

Jason Grishkoff — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:02:56 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Song: Jhameel x DWNTWN x Giraffage - Move Me [download here]

What's so good?

So, Kitsune is working on a great compilation titled Kitsune America 2, and as part of it have managed to pull together three amazing up-and-comers: Jhameel, DWNTWN and Giraffage.

The combination looks unlikely on paper, but closer inspection weaves a pretty tight connection between the three. For starters, Jhameel and Robert of DWNTWN were roommates in San Francisco’s Bay Area. Which meant that when DWNTWN met Giraffage at the Kitsune America release party last summer, it didn’t take long for them to start thinking about working together!

“Move Me” will be the closing track on the forthcoming Kitsune America 2 compilation, which will be available at the end of April. For full tracklisting and more info visit Kitsune’s website.

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1. Original post: Jhameel x DWNTWN x Giraffage – Move Me

2. Posted in: Electronic, electronic remixes, R&B, chill, rnb

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

DE$iGNATED – Valentine Ft. Kyiki (Kyogi Remix)

Rachel Skotarczyk — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:50:33 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Disclosure, Johnbear, Clean Bandit, Aaron Lipsett, Fion

Song: DE$iGNATED - Valentine Ft. Kyiki (Kyogi Remix) [download here]

What's so good?

Fifteen-year-old prodigy Kyogi, aka Sean Harper, appeared on the Shuffle only once before for a tune called “You Were” — a refreshing collaboration with another up-an-coming producer, Honest.

Kyogi is back, this time with his own knock-out remix of DE$iGNATED’s debut track “Valentine.” Keeping it fresh and funky, Kyogi brightens up the otherwise dingy fuzzhop sound of the original, turning up the dance floor and turning heads, namely some BBC radio 1 noggins.

Forthcoming via Shifting Peaks, catch other remixes from Applebottom and Carling Ruse, but most importantly, keep up to date on Kyogi via SoundCloud or Facebook. Enjoy!

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1. Original post: DE$iGNATED – Valentine Ft. Kyiki (Kyogi Remix)

2. Posted in: Electronic, female vocalist, remixes, future garage, rnb

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Joy Orbison – Donell

Dwayne — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:51:21 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Brackles, Shortstuff, Mount Kimbie

Song: Joy Orbison - Donell [download here]

What's so good?

We’ve long since given up trying to predict the next move of enigmatic producer Joy Orbison, yet he’s managed to throw us another curveball by randomly dropping this edit of Donell Jones ‘U Know What’s Up’.

Having appeared in a number of his live sets as well as his XLR8R podcast, his retouching of the rnb classic had whetted a lot of appetites, and is now freely available on Soundcloud, leaving a lot of Joy O fans (and in many a case, their girlfriends) pretty pleased.

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1. Original post: Joy Orbison – Donell

2. Posted in: Electronic, house, deep house, rnb, donell jones

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Nicolas Jaar & Sasha Spielberg – Avalanche (Leonard Cohen Cover)

Dwayne — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:56:07 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: James Blake, Gang Colours

Song: Just Friends (Nicolas Jaar & Sasha Spielberg) - Avalanche [download here]

What's so good?

If you heard Nicolas Jaar’s Essential Mix last year, you might remember this Leonard Cohen cover he performed with Sasha Spielberg (yes, daughter of Stephen) under the name Just Friend.

The cover was a sensual, minimal affair, pretty much what you’d expect from Nicolas Jaar. We loved it, and we’re pleased to announce that the track is being released this week, alongside remixes from Shlohmo and Julia Holter!

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1. Original post: Nicolas Jaar & Sasha Spielberg – Avalanche (Leonard Cohen Cover)

2. Posted in: Electronic, female vocalist, covers, minimal electronica, rnb

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Janelle Monáe – Q.U.E.E.N. (ft. Erykah Badu)

Kavit Sumud — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:13:06 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Erykah Badu, Lianne La Havas, Jill Scott

Song: Janelle Monáe - Q.U.E.E.N. (Ft. Erykah Badu) [download here]

What's so good?

Janelle Monáe is a hero of mine. Transgressed against for her sexuality by a cast of characters in a deeply patriarchal music genre, Monáe never shied away from the scene. Instead, she got the last laugh by releasing the now classic album, The ArchAndroid. On that LP, Monáe re-imagined herself cyborgean, transcending the human body and traditional identities to become a new kind of being, albeit one that struggled with emotion.

It was an album that came into my life as I needed to instill courage in myself to deal with a similar set of issues as Monáe, and it meant the world to me. In fact, “Cold War” is still my 7th favorite song of all time — yeah, I said all time.

“Q.U.E.E.N,” from the upcoming Electric Lady project, finds Monáe as defiant as ever and willing to finally (at least in part) engage with some of those struggles around her queer identity (among other things). The song was inspired by conversations that she continues to have with humanist goddess Erykah Badu, who is prominently featured. Overall, it comes across as anthemic as Monáe has ever been.

“Q.U.E.E.N.” is the perfect “fuck you” track to the close minded haters that litter the American public sphere. I’ll be honest y’all: I didn’t know whether to cry or dance or both the first time I heard the song. It’s just so beautiful for me…I missed Ms. Monáe so much.

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1. Original post: Janelle Monáe – Q.U.E.E.N. (ft. Erykah Badu)

2. Posted in: female vocalist, hip-hop, soul, funk, rnb

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Justin Timberlake & Marvin Gaye – With Your Suit & Tie On (Rrodd Mashup)

Aaron Blum — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:32:13 +0000

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Sounds like: The Hood Internet, Carlos Serrano

Song: Justin Timberlake & Marvin Gaye - With Your Suit & Tie (Rrodd Mashup) [download here]

What's so good?

Hold the phone! I’ve heard a ton of “Suit & Tie” remixes, but this one takes the cake.

Homeboy Rrodd, out of Mexico, has been pushing mashups for a while now, but it wasn’t until Wait What reposted this new mashup that I’ve heard of Rrodd — I’ll definitely be following him in the future.

I am going to go out on a limb and say this is the best “Suit & Tie” remix, mashup, edit, you name it. What do you think?

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1. Original post: Justin Timberlake & Marvin Gaye – With Your Suit & Tie On (Rrodd Mashup)

2. Posted in: indie pop, remixes, rnb, mashup, the hood internet

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Drake – Girls Love Beyonce Ft. James Fauntleroy

David Peter Simon — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:51:28 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: The Weeknd, J. Cole, Lil' Wayne, Beyonce

Song: Drake - Girls Love Beyonce [download here]

What's so good?

Look, I know Drake is divisive. Some of you really don’t like him, and that’s cool. But I still think you can’t miss this smooth track. It’s a moody little ballad produced by Noah “40″ Shehib and features the silky voice of James Fauntleroy, the man responsible for much of JT’s The 20/20 Experience.

Typical Drake on the delivery: lyrics that melt into the beat with a backtrack that waxes and wanes. What really makes this track worthy of posting is how he twisted the legendary hook from Destiny Child’s “Say My Name.” I’m also digging the more melancholic and introspective side of his words; as always, he alludes to this ambiguous narrative that you can’t read. Either he’s totally self-absorbed with his life, or oddly unpretentious in sharing the ups and downs? I think you know where I stand.

No matter what you think, Drake’s on his way back, and we’re looking forward to covering the next album. There are a few tracks hinting an imminent release — check out the DJ Khaled/Rick Ross/Lil Wayne joint “No New Friends.” If interested, follow the ovo SoundCloud for more.

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1. Original post: Drake – Girls Love Beyonce Ft. James Fauntleroy

2. Posted in: hip-hop, R&B, rap, rnb, the weeknd

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Janet Jackson – Someone To Call My Lover (Giraffage Remix)

David Peter Simon — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:17:20 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: XXYYXX, Siik, Majestic Casual, Blackbird Blackbird

Song: Janet Jackson - Someone To Call My Lover (Giraffage Remix) [download here]

What's so good?

Here’s a killer Janet remix from SF-based producer Charlie Yin, a multi-instrumentalist who puts out sample-based R&B. This track is superb: slowed vocals with groovy beats served up just the way we like them. The claps around 1:54 will make your mouth water. Too delicious.

Last time we covered Giraffage was back in December, when he remixed The-Dream’s “Shawty is Da Shit.” Since then, he’s put out an excellent album on Bandcamp, called Needs. It has the typical electronic soul style, and if you dig this track, I promise you’ll love that entire thing. Don’t miss “All That Matters,” a heartfelt song featuring the old school hit “Number One Love.”

I highly recommend you download/buy the entire thing – all purchases go “straight towards funding his future musical endeavors.” Meanwhile, this Janet track is available for free download on SoundCloud.

Giraffage’s also been touring all over the world it seems. And in good company, too, with folks like TOKiMONSTA and Blackbird Blackbird. You can check out his upcoming tour schedule on his website. He’s hitting Europe in May, more dates coming soon. Stay connected with him to see if he’s coming to a city near you on Facebook.

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1. Original post: Janet Jackson – Someone To Call My Lover (Giraffage Remix)

2. Posted in: electronic remixes, R&B, chill, rnb, female vocalist remixes

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Coultrain – Streams & Rivers

sweeneykovar — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:16:13 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Bilal, Hawthorne Headhunters, Sa-Ra

Song: Coultrain - Streams & Rivers [download here]

What's so good?

Soulful nomad Coultrain returns to his Seymour Liberty narrative with his full length album Jungle Mumbo Jumbo on Plug Research. The homie Kenny Fresh of Fresh Selects gives us the context around the first single, “Streams & Rivers”:

“Streams & Rivers” - a song which embodies 1 of the 7 different female characters that Seymour encounters throughout the course of the album. Following up on the found material, mixtape style of the story’s previous chapter, GodMustBeABoogieMan, and the vintage loops of his debut, The Adventures Of…, Jungle Mumbo Jumbo takes Seymour’s journey in new sonic directions, with strictly original production and live instrumentation found throughout, mostly leaning in a Latin-inspired, psych-jazz direction.”

Below, Coultrain himself explains the deliberate purpose behind the timing of “Streams and Rivers” as well as Jungle Mumbo Jumbo:

“This year, the spring equinox falls on March 20th. The March equinox happens when the sun crosses the celestial equator – an imaginary line around the sky above Earth’s equator moving south to north. The equinox is a time of fertility and creation. It’s a time to clarify desires, to set intentions, and also a time to plant seeds for the future. This is a time to celebrate. A time of rebirth and renewal. To celebrate it, the first single from Coultrain’s latest offering, Jungle Mumbo Jumbo, will be released. It is entitled “Streams & Rivers.” It was composed by Jason “The Dirty Lynt” Moore, with additional instrumentation by I, Ced and Erik Rico. It is the story of a poetess who is entrapped in the ever elusive arms of her heart’s desire, Seymour Liberty, this is the story on the surface anyway. It also draws many other underlying themes, those of which you must allow your imagination to decide.

The album’s release date is April 23rd. The number 23 has held a mystique that has lasted for centuries: the number “2” being division, male and female, day and night and wisdom in Hebrew esoteric philosophy. The number “3” being the Holy Trinity, the essence of all things, for time consist of past, present and future, male and female are made of spirit, soul and body, space is defines by height width and depth. The number ”5” being the key to the entire system, is intimately related to the Pyramid, the perfect 5th in music, the five senses in man being taste, smell, touch, sight and hearing. and 2 + 3 = 5, they are one in the same. So from the number of vertebrae in a human spine, to the number of chromosomes each parent contributes to create life, to the number of grandmasters of the knights templars, to the law of fives, the number of the latin alphabet has 23 letters. its significance can go on and on, it is an enigma. the magic of this date is boundless.”

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1. Original post: Coultrain – Streams & Rivers

2. Posted in: soul, R&B, funk, rnb, jazz

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Movie Soundtrack: Django Unchained, Ft. RZA, 2Pac + More

Philip Friedman — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 13:00:07 +0000

The Western has long been one of the quintessential forms of film. From John Wayne to Clint Eastwood, there have been plenty of classic cowboy flicks complete with shoot outs, romance, and suspense. Such films have garnered many fans, one of them being indie filmmaking maestro Quentin Tarantino, whose newest film Django Unchained is his own flavor of Western.

Starring Jamie Foxx as Django, Django Unchained tells the story of an escaped slave-turned-bounty hunter who comes up with an elaborate plan to buy back his wife from evil plantation owner Calvin Candie (played brilliantly by Leonardo Dicaprio). With an all-star cast and all the gore and outlandishness that we have come to expect from a Tarantino film, we get exactly what we should in a movie: sheer entertainment.

The soundtrack for the movie is a musical smorgasbord filled with traditional western tracks, amongst others. Quentin Tarantino has long been famous for his inclusion of some obscure musical gems in his movies (pulled from his own record collection), but the Django Unchained soundtrack also sees Tarantino reaching out to the world of contemporary hip-hop.

Tracks written specifically for the movie — like Rick Ross’ “100 Black Coffins,” and RZA’s “Ode To Django,” playing over the closing titles — proves that Tarantino really does know what’s going on in the world of hip-hop. There was also a clever James Brown and 2Pac mash-up from Claudio Cueni, not to mention a beautiful acoustic piece sung in Italian by Elisa Toffoli and a track written by John Legend.

Django Unchained proves that all things are better with hip-hop, westerns included.

1. Original post: Movie Soundtrack: Django Unchained, Ft. RZA, 2Pac + More

2. Posted in: hip-hop, acoustic, rnb, soundtrack, movie soundtrack

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Song: Rza - Ode to Django (The D is Silent) [Downloa d]

Song: Elisa Toffoli - Ancora Qui [Downloa d]

Song: John Legend - Who Did That To You? [Downloa d]

Song: James Brown - Unchained (The Payback/Untouchable) feat. 2Pac [Downloa d]

Song: Rick Ross - 100 Black Coffins [Downloa d]

Eric Lau – Everytime (Ft. Rahel)

Rachel Skotarczyk — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:26:45 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: House Shoes, Leigh D Oliver, Karriem Riggins, Solange

Song: Eric Lau - Everything [download here]

What's so good?

Don’t know where this gem has been hidding, but we’re sure glad we stumbled on London-based Eric Lau.

His lo-fi hip-hop productions conjure up nostalgic memories of musical rendezvous with J Dilla records and chilled out evenings. There’s a vibrant selection of tunes on his SoundCloud that will have you melting into the wide open space of Lau’s good taste.

“Everytime” is a stand out R&B track, with great vocals from Rahel, and I just can’t get enough. It’s silky smooth, infectious, insanely bouncy and short enough that it’ll make you want to hit replay over and over again.

We’ll definitely be waiting on the tip of our toes for Lau’s upcoming sophomore album, One Of Many, but if you’d like to pre-order, head here.

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1. Original post: Eric Lau – Everytime (Ft. Rahel)

2. Posted in: downtempo, chillout, rnb, Instrumental Hip Hop, beats

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Ladi6 – Ikarus

Dwayne — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 15:10:14 +0000

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Sounds like: Andreya Triana, Jill Scott, Georgia Ann Muldrow, Erykah Badu

Song: Ladi6 - Ikarus [download here]

What's so good?

Ladi6 makes music that sits right on the fence between electronic and soul — covering similar ground to Bonobo and Flying Lotus’ work with Andreya Triana.

Her new track, “Ikarus,” features deep, soulful vocals that recall the 90s neo-soul explosion, but they’re placed over a beat that sounds decidedly more modern.

It marks an experimental turn for the New Zealander, but one that looks like reaping rewards if her upcoming third album carries on in this tone. Enjoy!

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1. Original post: Ladi6 – Ikarus

2. Posted in: Electronic, female vocalist, soul, rnb, neo-soul

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Phoenix – Entertainment (Blood Orange Remix)

Kavit Sumud — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:32:19 +0000

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Sounds like: Prince

Song: Phoenix - Entertainment (Blood Orange Remix) [download here]

What's so good?

Dev Hynes is a modern day musical medic. Sometimes red-hot artists like Kavinsky and Phoenix release anticipated singles that scorch the charts right out of the gate. These singles burn the air like sun rays in a nuclear winter; we’re so caught up in basking our bodies in their warmth that we don’t notice the tracks wandering around confused, heat-stroking out right in front of us.

But Dev Hynes, aka Blood Orange, notices, and he rescues the track from itself, cleans it up, gives it two hots and a cot and then sends it back out to the world a less feverish version of itself. In this case, I was so excited to hear the first new single from Phoenix in five years that I overlooked that the stanzas and chorus didn’t feel like a cohesive song; instead, upon repeated listens, they felt at odds with each other and it muddled the premise of “Entertainment.”

Hyne’s smooth, Prince-esque production skills are the perfect complement to this track, streamlining its vision into an ode to unrequited desire. Hynes introduces Mutya Keisha Siobhan as backing vocalists who turn the chorus into a yearning plea and bleed effortlessly into his transformation of Thomas Mars’ performance. It all makes for one undeniably heartbreaking affair.

Check out more At Blood Orange’s SoundCloud and grab a free download of the track at Phoenix’s.

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1. Original post: Phoenix – Entertainment (Blood Orange Remix)

2. Posted in: female vocalist, remixes, electronic remixes, rnb, phoenix

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.