Joanne Robertson’s ever-present “Jeans”
"Jeans" is a clear window through which Robertson offers a view into her interior life. Her voice is a Vashti Bunyan fantasy recorded on a laptop's onboard mic with GarageBand reverb — one can easily envision the overheated machine resting on Robertson's bed as she plays. The lyrics of the song are cloudy, though her desert blues-inflected guitar lines leave one content to lie back and watch them drift by. Would a pricey microphone and some studio time have led to a more polished sound? Almost certainly. But then the song would have lost some of its indefinable and revelatory quality: froth on our soul's subatomic soup, waiting for an unguarded moment to reveal itself to us.
"Jeans" is a clear window through which Robertson offers a view into her interior life. Her voice is a Vashti Bunyan fantasy recorded on a laptop's onboard mic with GarageBand reverb — one can easily envision the overheated machine resting on Robertson's bed as she plays. The lyrics of the song are cloudy, though her desert blues-inflected guitar lines leave one content to lie back and watch them drift by. Would a pricey microphone and some studio time have led to a more polished sound? Almost certainly. But then the song would have lost some of its indefinable and revelatory quality: froth on our soul's subatomic soup, waiting for an unguarded moment to reveal itself to us.
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YUNGMORPHEUS’ refreshing clarity
“Playin’ the Same Game,” the second single from his forthcoming album From Whence It Came, is exactly what it wants to be.
“Playin’ the Same Game,” the second single from his forthcoming album From Whence It Came, is exactly what it wants to be.
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Yves Tumor shares new song “Parody”
Tumor’s latest track arrives ahead of new album Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds), out later this week.
Tumor’s latest track arrives ahead of new album Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds), out later this week.
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Saba and No I.D.’s highly anticipated union
Today, they’ve unveiled “Back In Office,” their first single of the year, delivered “from the private collection of Saba & No I.D.” Following his well-received Few Good Things LP from last year, Saba spits braggadocious bars over the Grammy-winning producer’s lustrous beats, proving he’s not a one-note artist. “Got ns askin’ ‘is it jazz or is it rap? / I’m a bit imaginative, I’m where the ribbon at / In the sky I can write like Jack Kerouac / I can say anything, it don’t even have to match,” he raps. With a homegrown connection, the two Chicago artists work side-by-side seamlessly to showcase the city’s soulful, effortless groove.
Today, they’ve unveiled “Back In Office,” their first single of the year, delivered “from the private collection of Saba & No I.D.” Following his well-received Few Good Things LP from last year, Saba spits braggadocious bars over the Grammy-winning producer’s lustrous beats, proving he’s not a one-note artist. “Got ns askin’ ‘is it jazz or is it rap? / I’m a bit imaginative, I’m where the ribbon at / In the sky I can write like Jack Kerouac / I can say anything, it don’t even have to match,” he raps. With a homegrown connection, the two Chicago artists work side-by-side seamlessly to showcase the city’s soulful, effortless groove.
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*billy woods and [Kenny Sega](https://www.instagram.com/kennysegal/)l share Maps’ lead single, “FaceTime*”
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SZA has shared a remix of her SOS track “Kill Bill” featuring Doja Cat. The pair reunite for the first time following their 2021 single "Kiss Me," which was awarded a Grammy the following year and led to a memorably chaotic acceptance speech. Check out the Doja Cat version of "Kill Bill" below.
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Post Malone shares new song “Chemical”
10 months after the release of his fourth studio album, Twelve Carat Toothache, Post Malone has returned with his first new music of 2023, a lovesick pop ballad called “Chemical.” The song is three-and-a-half of sugary guitars and persistently upbeat automated drumming, over which Post belts lines like “You break me, then I break my rules / Last time was the last time too,” and “Outside of the party, smokin’ in the car with you / ‘Seven Nation Army,’ fighting at the bar with you.”
Post Malone NEVER disapoints
10 months after the release of his fourth studio album, Twelve Carat Toothache, Post Malone has returned with his first new music of 2023, a lovesick pop ballad called “Chemical.” The song is three-and-a-half of sugary guitars and persistently upbeat automated drumming, over which Post belts lines like “You break me, then I break my rules / Last time was the last time too,” and “Outside of the party, smokin’ in the car with you / ‘Seven Nation Army,’ fighting at the bar with you.”
Post Malone NEVER disapoints
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Jorja Smith returns with “_Try Me_”
English R&B singer Jorja Smith has taken her time with her follow-up to her 2018 debut Lost & Found, sharing the stopgap project Be Right Back in 2021 and the Joy Orbison collab "Rose Rouge" in 2022. The wait may be finally ending: on Thursday (April 13), Smith shared "Try Me," her first new song of the year and the debut track released on her new label FAMM.
English R&B singer Jorja Smith has taken her time with her follow-up to her 2018 debut Lost & Found, sharing the stopgap project Be Right Back in 2021 and the Joy Orbison collab "Rose Rouge" in 2022. The wait may be finally ending: on Thursday (April 13), Smith shared "Try Me," her first new song of the year and the debut track released on her new label FAMM.
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Konyikeh’s voice is impossible to ignore
In an era of smooth, stream-friendly music that often slips into the background Konyikeh stands out instantly. Her voice, rich and velvety yet textured enough to make her songs ache on a deep level, is something of a behemoth. On debut single "Sorrow," which is premiering below, Konyikeh sings from the position of inexperience. Written when she was just 13, the song speaks about love, loss, and all that falls between with an anticipatory tone. Like a balloon slowly inflating, it's a song that grows in size and disguises the gaps between its surfaces.
In an era of smooth, stream-friendly music that often slips into the background Konyikeh stands out instantly. Her voice, rich and velvety yet textured enough to make her songs ache on a deep level, is something of a behemoth. On debut single "Sorrow," which is premiering below, Konyikeh sings from the position of inexperience. Written when she was just 13, the song speaks about love, loss, and all that falls between with an anticipatory tone. Like a balloon slowly inflating, it's a song that grows in size and disguises the gaps between its surfaces.
Listen to “Pretty,” the first song from Puma Blue’s new album
Puma Blue is the alias of Jacob Allen, a London-born artist who now lives in Atlanta. For the past half decade or so he has created a lane of jazz-inflected late night comfort music. Across early EPs Swum Baby and 2018's Blood Loss, his music has been a nook to clamber into, shutting the rest of the world out as you enter.
Puma Blue is the alias of Jacob Allen, a London-born artist who now lives in Atlanta. For the past half decade or so he has created a lane of jazz-inflected late night comfort music. Across early EPs Swum Baby and 2018's Blood Loss, his music has been a nook to clamber into, shutting the rest of the world out as you enter.
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Listen to Gabe ‘Nandez’s bullish new project Pangea
At his best Gabe ’Nandez‘s raps like a carousel; there’s an energy to his sharp wordplay that makes it feel as if he could carry on spitting as long as the beat runs. Lyrically, meanwhile, he packs plenty of meat onto the bones of the pared-back Tony Seltzer beats he favors. On his new album Pangea, premiering with The FADER today (April 19) before its April 20 release date via P.O.W. Recordings, he takes a bird’s eye view of society over the past few years and boldly chooses optimism.
At his best Gabe ’Nandez‘s raps like a carousel; there’s an energy to his sharp wordplay that makes it feel as if he could carry on spitting as long as the beat runs. Lyrically, meanwhile, he packs plenty of meat onto the bones of the pared-back Tony Seltzer beats he favors. On his new album Pangea, premiering with The FADER today (April 19) before its April 20 release date via P.O.W. Recordings, he takes a bird’s eye view of society over the past few years and boldly chooses optimism.
Song You Need: cumgirl8 pay tribute to a porn star politician
Latter-day punk provocateurs cumgirl8 have signed with the venerated UK indie label 4AD — home of Big Thief, Deerhunter, Dry Cleaning, Holly Herndon, Jenny Hval, and many other FADER favorites past and present. To honor the occasion, they’ve released “cicciolina,” their first new single in nearly a year. Their most recent release, May 2022’s “dumb bitch,” was also a certified Song You Need.
Latter-day punk provocateurs cumgirl8 have signed with the venerated UK indie label 4AD — home of Big Thief, Deerhunter, Dry Cleaning, Holly Herndon, Jenny Hval, and many other FADER favorites past and present. To honor the occasion, they’ve released “cicciolina,” their first new single in nearly a year. Their most recent release, May 2022’s “dumb bitch,” was also a certified Song You Need.
Shawny Binladen lives for the jealousy on “HATE DATT”
Shawny Binladen's Instagram bio proudly announces his title as the "KING OF SAMPLES," a bold claim to be sure, but one the New York rapper has more reason than most to assert. The 27-year-old is a pioneer of "sample drill," a subgenre of rap with a catch-all approach to selecting samples: everything from well-sourced classics to songs released the very same year is fair game. Shawny has thrived in the overtly referential waters with tracks paying homage to Ms. Lauryn Hill and Yeat, his near-iconic whisper-growl flow bursting with the energy of a secret that just can't be kept any longer.
Shawny Binladen's Instagram bio proudly announces his title as the "KING OF SAMPLES," a bold claim to be sure, but one the New York rapper has more reason than most to assert. The 27-year-old is a pioneer of "sample drill," a subgenre of rap with a catch-all approach to selecting samples: everything from well-sourced classics to songs released the very same year is fair game. Shawny has thrived in the overtly referential waters with tracks paying homage to Ms. Lauryn Hill and Yeat, his near-iconic whisper-growl flow bursting with the energy of a secret that just can't be kept any longer.
Moor Mother and Sovei’s experimental escapade
Moor Mother‘s sophomore album Jazz Codes is a master class in giving vintage sounds a new spin. Released in July 2022, the record is getting a revamp with a deluxe version due May 19. Its newest single, “STORIES,” features Philadelphia singer-songwriter Sovei.
Moor Mother‘s sophomore album Jazz Codes is a master class in giving vintage sounds a new spin. Released in July 2022, the record is getting a revamp with a deluxe version due May 19. Its newest single, “STORIES,” features Philadelphia singer-songwriter Sovei.
GHÖSH go full satanic camp
With all the pomp and circumstance of a 10-car pileup on I-76, GHÖSH are crashing headlong into the ears of an ill-prepared listening public. The Philadelphia synth-punk/hip-hop duo of guitarist/producer Zach Fairbrother and lead vocalist Symphony Spell are celebrating their recent signing to Ramp Local with the announcement of their forthcoming EP PRISMASSIVE and the release of its lead single, “Devil Lady.”
On the new track, Fairbrother places a sloppy, shreddy guitar lick over frenetic, synthetic drums that can only attempt to keep up with Spell as her blistering bars race ahead of the beat. “If the devil’s real, then you’re lookin’ at her,” she raps on the hook, to which Fairbrother responds with his best impression of a nu-metal hype man: “Turn the bass real loud now when you’re lookin’ at her!” The white-knuckled chaos fizzles out neatly ahead of the two-minute mark.
With all the pomp and circumstance of a 10-car pileup on I-76, GHÖSH are crashing headlong into the ears of an ill-prepared listening public. The Philadelphia synth-punk/hip-hop duo of guitarist/producer Zach Fairbrother and lead vocalist Symphony Spell are celebrating their recent signing to Ramp Local with the announcement of their forthcoming EP PRISMASSIVE and the release of its lead single, “Devil Lady.”
On the new track, Fairbrother places a sloppy, shreddy guitar lick over frenetic, synthetic drums that can only attempt to keep up with Spell as her blistering bars race ahead of the beat. “If the devil’s real, then you’re lookin’ at her,” she raps on the hook, to which Fairbrother responds with his best impression of a nu-metal hype man: “Turn the bass real loud now when you’re lookin’ at her!” The white-knuckled chaos fizzles out neatly ahead of the two-minute mark.
xaviersobased and AyooLii’s “Pop Trunk” is a fever dream
An intriguing new voice to emerge from the internet rap ether, xaviersobased has constructed an insular world painted with corrupted pixels. His music carries the unmistakeable traces of SpaceGhostPurrp's raw haze and the narcotic melodies of Drain Gang; for his new song "Pop Trunk," he heads to Milwaukee, home of the song's other toplined artist AyooLii.
An intriguing new voice to emerge from the internet rap ether, xaviersobased has constructed an insular world painted with corrupted pixels. His music carries the unmistakeable traces of SpaceGhostPurrp's raw haze and the narcotic melodies of Drain Gang; for his new song "Pop Trunk," he heads to Milwaukee, home of the song's other toplined artist AyooLii.
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CFCF’s remix of The Life is pitch-perfect bloghouse
You know that a musical reboot is faithful when your whole body cringes as you remember your questionable fashion decisions from that era. On his remix of "Grace," the debut single from New York indie rock project The Life, CFCF has turned in an Ed Banger-ified version of the track. It's as slick as leather jackets with too many zippers and taut like the jeans that many of us would slide into to go to the DJs playing the kind of music CFCF is tapping into here.
You know that a musical reboot is faithful when your whole body cringes as you remember your questionable fashion decisions from that era. On his remix of "Grace," the debut single from New York indie rock project The Life, CFCF has turned in an Ed Banger-ified version of the track. It's as slick as leather jackets with too many zippers and taut like the jeans that many of us would slide into to go to the DJs playing the kind of music CFCF is tapping into here.
Confidence Man and Daniel Avery’s hyper-rhythmic “On & On (Again)”
Australian group Confidence Man are the musical equivalent of the friend you call when you want a good time. Their 2022 album TILT arrived with optimal timing; its blend of maximal electro-pop and big tent hooks providing the bridge between lockdown kitchen discos and the return of summer festivals. They are fronted by Janet Planet and Sugar Bones, a duo who wear their hedonistic influences on their sleeves, quite literally. It's not unusual to catch them on stage in a Madonna-style canonical bra (complete with LED lights) or the kind of suit David Byrne might consider in need of hemming in a little. Their whole vibe is tongue-in-cheek, TILT was released on April Fool's Day, while never descending into comedy territory.
Australian group Confidence Man are the musical equivalent of the friend you call when you want a good time. Their 2022 album TILT arrived with optimal timing; its blend of maximal electro-pop and big tent hooks providing the bridge between lockdown kitchen discos and the return of summer festivals. They are fronted by Janet Planet and Sugar Bones, a duo who wear their hedonistic influences on their sleeves, quite literally. It's not unusual to catch them on stage in a Madonna-style canonical bra (complete with LED lights) or the kind of suit David Byrne might consider in need of hemming in a little. Their whole vibe is tongue-in-cheek, TILT was released on April Fool's Day, while never descending into comedy territory.
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