Something I Like: The Temper Trap/One eskimO/Miniature Tigers

Alright, seeing as how it becomes harder and harder every week for me to find time to post an indie artist, I figured I'd triple up right now instead of sitting on these guys for another 3 months.  I still have a bunch more which I will either post here in the future or hear on Top 40 radio and regret my laziness.

I'll start with the most well known, The Temper Trap.  You've probably heard their most popular track, Sweet Disposition. If you're digging that nice laidback vibe, you'll enjoy their entire album, Conditions, which has probably been out for a while.



Second up is One eskimO, a band whose main gimmick is that they are animated, Gorillaz style. Unfortunately, the band members expose themselves way too much in real life, which kind of brings down the concept.  Regardless, their main song, Kandi, does a great job of sampling an old Candi Statton song, and their style, an amalgamation of Five For Fighting, Coldplay, and Maroon 5, is still nice to listen to. 



The third and final band for today is Miniature Tigers, who I discovered on thesixtyone about 5 or 6 months ago.  They've got that sound that can by now only described as cookie cutter indie, but the melodies and choruses are so infectious that you don't care.  They have two great albums already out, so pick those up.  Also, if there's anyone in the Houston area who knows me and wants to see them live, they'll be at some cafe soon so just hit me up and we'll go.

Listen To This; 7/30

Alright, I'm gonna try to clear my plate today in hopes of being able to make an indie post tomorrow.

Chiddy Bang- California Girls (rmx.) [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]

J. Cole-Problems

Mike Posner- Bow Chicka Bow Wow

XV- Squares


Wale- Ambitious Girl

Listen To This: Mojo So Dope

I know already hit you guys with a bunch in the last few days, but here's some new Cudi just so I'm not late.

Kid Cudi- Mojo So Dope [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]

Listen To This; Mashups 7/29

Because you can never get enough good mashups. Pick and choose what sounds good to you, but don't be afraid to try something new. Who knows, maybe you'll find a new artist you like.

MashupGermany- I Love The Way You Mix (Lie) (Eminem feat. Rihanna vs. Beyonce vs. BEP vs. The Lion King vs. Chiddy Bang vs. Disturbed vs. Major Lazer vs. Elvis Presley vs. Hard-Fi) [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]

Datahowler- Two Words (Kanye West vs. Stars) [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]

 The Kickdrums- Two Weeks (Grizzly Bear vs. Jay-Z ) [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]


Dieantwoord vs. Enya- Orinoco Ninja Flow [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]

 Hulk Mash-I Want You Back vs. Starry Eyed (Jackson 5 vs. Ellie Goulding) [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]

CCC- And I Don't Wanna Leave Her Now (Marvin Gaye vs. The Beatles) [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]
Wax Audio- Thunder Busters (AC/DC vs. Ghostbusters) [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]

Jay-Z vs. Marvin Gaye- Hello Brooklyn [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]

Kanye West- Power (Party Supplies Dance Remix)

Listen To This: 7/28

Alright, good stuff from the last week, including the long-anticipated Gilbere Forte mixtape 87 Dreams. I got some indie stuff which I'll post when I get the chance.

  Gilbere Forte- 87 Dreams [MIXTAPE]

Usher- Hot Toddy 

Wale- The Eye Of The Tiger

XV- Top Of The Roof

Marky- Journey To Markyland [MIXTAPE]

Estelle- Fall In Love ft. Nas

Ice Cube- Drink The Kool-Aid

Jay-Z/ES Posthumus- Run This Town/ Posthumus Medley

JY- Say Yeah ft. XV

Mike Posner- Please Don't Go


Asher Roth- Seared Foie Gras w/ Quince and Cranberry [MIXTAPE]


Mayer Hawthorne- Reggae So, Reggae No


Bruno Mars- Just The Way You Are

 Bun B- Put It Down ft. Drake

Something I Like: Good Ass Job (spoken word)

Sorry, I've been gone the last week.  Here's something which I just had to post for all you hardcore 'Ye fans and those who say rap isn't art or poetry. These clips are from an a capella performance at the Facebook offices, and one can only imagine how much more insane they'll sound over a hot Kanye beat. I AM SO FUCKING PUMPED FOR GOOD ASS JOB. Regardless of your feeling on his personality actions, you have to admit that Kanye is rapping with a hunger and passion that is all too rare these days.  Enjoy, and start counting down to G.O.O.D Music Day (September  ). Catch up post tomorrow.

Listen To This: 7/17

Here are two completely unrelated songs from yesterday. One is from J. Cole's debut album, and the other is from John Legend and The Roots collab soul remake album.  Still have a bunch of stuff for you guys, unfortunately I'm going out of town for another week so that'll have to wait. 

J. Cole- Premeditated Murder

The Roots & John Legend- Wake Up Everybody ft. Common & Melanie Fiona

Listen To This: I'm Puttin' My Two Weeks

I'm in Discovery Mode right now, meaning I'm listening to all the music I can find trying to find the next big thing. Here's another dope new artist, brandUn DeShay, who kills it over Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks". I've also included two of his mixtapes for your listening pleasure if you like the song. Expect some more new artists as well as new tracks from proven artists in the future.

brandUn DeShay- I'm Puttin' My Two Weeks In

brandUn DeShay- Volume: Two! for the Show [MIXTAPE]

brandUn DeShay- Volume: Three! to Get Ready [MIXTAPE]

BONUS:

KiD CuDi- Erase Me ft. Kanye West (CDQ)

Drake- Do It All

PJ's Play Pen (Where The Shit Goes Down): The Underclassmen

Alright, here's a new segment that you should see time to time by my good friend PJ. Don't let the (not so) slightly homosexual segment name title fool you, most anything PJ likes is straight fire. . Enjoy this.

This is not just another college-kid-turned-rapper-because-I-think-I’m-tight-shit kinda deal. No. Chris Webby is for real. His sick flow, seamless lyrics, and intelligent word and rhyme scheme blow me…. Out of the water. After Sam Abrahms introduced me to his mixtape Teenage Mutant Ninja Rapper, Webby buckled down and cranked out White Noise, Optimus Rhyme, and finally The Underclassman. All while in college at Hofstra University. I actually don’t know about the last album, he might have dropped out. But still, he’s too good. Because The Underclassman just dropped a few hours ago, I’ll dedicate most of the post to it, but first, listen to my previous personal favorite song by Webbs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS5pCP1mycQ yea I know it’s another one of them weed songs, but I don’t like it because of that, just listen to the genius lyrics and rhyme. Lalala.

Speaking of weed, Webby has been known to incorporate the drug, and a few choice others, into many of his songs, so if you’re anti-pot in your music, you might wanna skip this guy. Or quit being a tool and just admire this kid’s flow and priceless metaphors.

Anyways, The Underclassman. Seriously, it’s too good. Tits in and around my mouth. It takes white rap to a new level, and demands serious respect from people of all color. From the catchy background in “I Need A Dollar” (Feat. Mac Miller) to the cascading waterfall of metaphors in “Strong” (Feat. D. Lector), Webby’s new mixtape has it all. Listen to “I Need a Dollar” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylqNUIKUdIE and “Strong” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvwuiQyjp60 and try to tell me he shouldn’t be signed. With a straight face. In addition, Webby throws punches at fellow East Coast white college rapper Sam Adams. Sam Adams blows. That’s all you have to know about him. In Webby’s delicious tune known as “I’m Fresh,” he mentions that “I’m Chris Webby, not your other seasonal beer. That was a joke Sam Adams, relax…” There’s so much to talk about in this new album, I go literally go on for days. Actually that’s probably figuratively, I probably couldn’t last for 3 hours. That’s what she said. Ok I’m done, that was fucking stupid. Just listen to the damn album.-PJ

Chris Webby- The Underclassmen [MIXTAPE]

 Chris Webby- Optimus Rhyme [MIXTAPE]

Chris Webby- White Noise [MIXTAPE]

Chris Webby- Teenage Mutant Ninja Rapper [MIXTAPE]

Something I Like: Gilbere Forte'

Gilbere Forte' is a young Philly rapper who is about to blow up. Though he's only released a few songs, its already clear that this guy is for real. Though his raps aren't the most complex, he has a nice flow and a great ear for beats.  I think it will still be at least a year before he gets any major recognition, so there's plenty of time for you to add your support and help get him to where he deserves to be. Here are links to download almost everything he's released so far in order of what I thought was best.  Enjoy, and look for his debut mixtape, 87 Dreams, which hopefully drops soon.




Gilbere Forte'- 1st Floor

Gilbere Forte'- Take One x Dawn

Gilbere Forte'- My Time ft. STS


Gilbere Forte'- Black Chukkas


Sade- Soldier Of Love (rmx.) ft. Gilbere Forte'

Gilbere Forte'- I Know My Love

Gilbere Forte'- Exhibit G

Gilbere Forte'- Gilbere Forte' Is BLVCK  [MIXTAPE]

Gilbere Forte'- Stakes Is High Freestyle

Gilbere Forte'- T.R.O.Y. Freestyle

Gilbere Forte'- I'm So Appalled Freestyle

Abyss- Elegant Life ft. Gilbere Forte'

Listen To This: 7/11

Figures that my modem would get fried yesterday in a lightning storm the day after it was replaced.  Because of that unfortunate event, here are two day's posts all rolled into one. First I have two hip hop artists indulging their indie side.  Cudder hooks up with Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend (seriously, just call yourself Batman) and Bethany something or other from some band in an ode to summer. The other track sees newcomer Gilbere Forte do justice to a sample of Freelance Whales' "Generator^1st Floor". On the other side of things are a bunch of Roc Nation tracks, one a brand new Jay-Z feature and the others an assortment of Wale features and freestyles.  I still have a lot of good stuff for you guys this week, so stay tuned. Also, congrats to Spain on finally taking it all.

KiD CuDi, Rostam Batmanglij, Bethany Contentino-All Summer

Gilbere Forte- 1st Floor [DIRECT DOWNLOAD]

Rick Ross- Free Mason ft. Jay-Z 

Wale- Women Lie, Men Lie Freestyle ft.  Black Cobain


Wale- Workin'


UCB- Diana ft. Wale

Listen To This: Erase This/Me

Finally have decent speed internet so I thought I'd at least post this new Cudi track (though I'm not quite sure what the actual name of it is).  It's catchy, but I haven't listened to it enough to make up my mind about it and the subject matter is pretty cliche, which I didn't expect from Cudder.  Album is set for September 14th (along with Kanye, Consequence, and Big Sean, hereafter referred to as G.O.O.D. Day), though if it is actually released that day, I will supremely impressed. This will probably the only post I make until I get back. Guess I'll just be a week or two late on the rest of the good stuff. Whatever. I have a legitimate excuse.  Enjoy, and check back starting the 7th to watch me try to play catch-up and for some nice new tunes.

KiD CuDi- Erase This/Erase Me ft. Kanye West