The Art of Stuffing

We Work Night//Bad Habits

Thank godness the internet in our house came back to life so I could hear “Bad Habits”, whilst perusing  the pages of Abeano.  We Work Night don’t waste time hyping themselves on soundcloud, describing themselves as “2 Producers. One Night, LDN”.

A  wise DJ will spin this when sweat is dripping from the ceiling, punters are feeling euphoric and the night is still young. I defy you to overcome the urge to get down low after you hear the bass on this one.  

Doldrums//Jump Up

The Canadian producer Doldrums (Airick Woodhead) has got bloggers all hot under the collar with his new single “Jump Up”, taken from his forthcoming ep “Eygpt”.

“Jump Up” is made up of spliced guitar chords, trippy vocals and off beat drumming. It puts me in mind of the weird pop on Beck’s “Odelay” album. His latest offering will be available on 4 June via Sotterain Transmissions. 

Seams//Potential

Big congratulations to the Berlin based producer Seams who has just signed to Full Time Hobby. The label will release his new ep in the next few months. He offers us a free taster of things to come with “Potential” which you can download from soundcloud.

Seams’ sound has evolved since 2010’s introspective and thoughtful “Nightcycles” ep.  “Potential” has big beats, reassuring repetition and synths, making for an energetic piece of electronic music.  It appears Seams has taken some inspiration from the sights and sounds in Berlin’s infamous clubs.

You can catch Seams at hipster hole The Shackwell Arms with support from Becoming Real and Enjoyed tomorrow or The Great Escape at the weekend. 

Meek Mill//Amen ft. Drake and Jeremih

Phillidephia’s Meek Mill dropped his new mixtape “Dreamchasers 2” on Monday. “Dreamchasers 2” is bursting with bravado and high profile collaborations with amongst others, Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar.

On ‘Amen’ Meek Mill lists the exciting ways he spends his days. All the partying, sipping on expensive booze and  being a big hit with all the “bad bitches in the building” sounds like hard graft. The song’s gospel feel is reminiscent of Kanye West before his ego got the better of him. Meek Mill is joined by Jeremih and the lovely Drizzy, for a track will most probably be played to get parties started everywhere. 

Only Real//Cadillac Girl

I had every intention of writing about Only Real when I happened up his track via much better blogs last month. Unfortunately, emigrating from Denmark Hill to Camberwell, getting a job and pretending to train for a charity run got in the way.

 West London boy Niall Galvin is a bedroom musician, skater and prolific cereal eater. The twenty-one year old makes lazy pop, inspired by weed, hip hop and artists like Jamie T circa “Panic Prevention”.

“Cadillac Girl” swirls around with a hazy and resonant riff and half sung, half spat lyrics about a lady who is so over it. Currently unsigned, I suspected record labels are falling over themselves for a meeting with the young rapscallion. 

Baio//Tanto. Feat Matias Aguayo

Vampire Weekend bassist and sometimes DJ Chris Baio has impressed the crowds in his native New York for some time. His first solo ep Sunshine is out on 21 May via Joe Goddard’s label Greco-Roman. Baio describes his sound as ‘colourful’.  Baio doesn’t disappoint with his first single, the smooth and sun soaked ‘Tanto’. It’s a joyous track, with Matias Aguayo’s rambling vocals, steel drums and summer vibes. You can catch Baio at this year’s Lovebox festival.

The Streets//Weak Become Heroes (King Krule Remix)

Sunday marked the passing of ten years since the release of ‘Original Pirate Material’. I fell in love with The Streets seminal debut during those halcyon days of my teens with their nods to 2-step and garage; regional vocals and urban fairytales. Mike Skinner should never have doubted the album’s potential as a cult classic and best seller.  

Yesterday, Abeano posted a remix of ‘Weak Become Heroes’  by that little upstart King Krule in celebration. Despite being on the cusp of adolescence at the time of the single’s release, King Krule’s rework is strong. He adds a new verse, showcasing his drawn out and docile tones. The tempo is slowed down so the listener can enjoy the hazy beats, memorable piano loop and Skinner’s languid vocals.  

Lone//Crystal Caverns 1991

 I have vivid memories of seeing Kids in Tracksuits at The Fav in Leeds a few years ago; if they were making music like this perhaps I would have paid more attention. After leaving his electro roots behind, Nottingham lad, Matt Cutler began making waves under the moniker Lone in 2007.

 ‘Crystal Caverns 1991’ harks back to the days when techno and rave music dominated the decks. It has tropical beats, a choppy sample and a healthy dose of euphoria to produce a fitting tribute to the 90s. The single is infectious, uplifting and destined to end up on many a mix in the coming year. ‘Crystal Caverns 1991’ is taken from Lone’s forthcoming release ‘Galaxy Gardens’ released on R&S Records in April. 

Screaming Females//It All Means Nothing

Do not be deceived by the riot grrrl inspired band name, Screaming Females are in fact two lads- Mike Rickenbacker and Jarrett Dougherty and one lady- Marissa Paternoster who formed in New Jersey in 2006.

Screaming Females stay true to their DIY origins with the plucky new single ‘It All Means Nothing’. ‘It All Means Nothing’ is aggressive, unruly and demands the listener’s attention. Front woman Paternoster was keen to ensure the focus remained on the new album- ‘Ugly’ rather than it’s producer, Steve Albini.

I’ve shared my lady musician heroines on here before. It looks like Kim Deal et al will have to make way for the raven haired Marissa, brandishing bloody fingers from overzealous shredding, erratic vocals and a lot of charisma. ‘Ugly’ was recorded at Electric Audio in Chicago and will be released on Don Giovanni records in April.  

M.I.A//Bad Girls

It took me a while to forgive and forget ‘/\/\/\Y/\’, and given I am a super fan, that shit was tough. After keeping everything crossed that the Sri Lanka via Tower Hamlet’s rapper/artist/activist/bad girl would replicate the genius of ‘Galang’, it seems I am in luck.

Today M.I.A released her new single ‘Bad Girls’, which observant listeners will recognise from the ‘Vikki Leekx’ mix tape. The video is released Friday, another controversy baiting offering, directed by ‘Born Free’ director Romain Gavras.

M.I.A unleashes her sophisticated word play and is sounding as self-assured as ever. The track has just enough bass, and lending itself to R&B with a middle-eastern twist.

Maya claims, amongst other things about the relationship between Google and the CIA that her first words in English were ‘Michael Jackson’. She has come a long way since those halcyon days, and is set to perform at Sunday’s Super Bowl with Madonna and Nicki Minaj.

Andrew Bird//Eyeoneye

Andrew Bird released his first single from his new album ‘Break it Yourself’ today. ‘Eyeoneye’ is a buoyant and melodious track, with slightly more frantic vocals and distortion than Bird’s usual offerings.

Fans will be pleased to learn‘Eyeoneye’ contains Andrew Bird’s signature whistles, that would sound contrived if they came from anyone else.

The multi-instrumentalist retired to his barn in Western Illinos, just a stones throw away from the Mississippi river to record the alubm. Bird is due to tour the States in March, here’s to hoping the UK dates will follow.