J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story

J. Cole’s debut is reminiscent of Kanye West’s College Dropout for several reasons. Both artists have a decent education (J. Cole graduated from St. John’s University), both struggled as rapper/producers before being signed by Jay-Z, and both of their debut albums show off their abilities to humbly rap about their journey in to the record industry over soulful beats. After... Read More

Domo Genesis – Under The Influence

With the popularity of Tyler, The Creator and Odd Future growing exponentially over the last few months, what remains to be seen is how the other members of the collective will make a name for themselves as individual artists. The first release since Tyler’s Goblin comes from Domo Genesis, whose stoner-rap has been getting some underground recognition while the deranged... Read More

Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Girls’ first album, “Album,” was largely characterized by it’s influences; Christopher Owens was noted for his nasally Costello-esque style of singing, and their sound was often compared to the jangly and mellifluous pop songs of the beach boys, buddy holly, and a slew of other 50s, 60s, and 70s pop singers. In Father, Son, Holy Ghost, these influences are still... Read More

Bon Iver – Bon Iver

Justin Vernon’s debut LP as Bon Iver was more than just a timely, catchy folk album. For Emma, Forever Ago‘s success came from its intimacy and emotion, set off by a perfectly tragic back story. This story – man loses everything he cares about, moves to a cabin in the woods, writes a hit album – has been twisted and exaggerated to the point that Vernon himself... Read More

TV On The Radio – Nine Types Of Light

After the release of their widely acclaimed album Dear Science (2008), TV On The Radio singer Tunde Adebimpe announced that the band would go on a year long hiatus before returning to the studio. With several members announcing solo or side projects in the following year it became obvious that it would be well over a  year before the band would have time to work on new material. Guitarist... Read More

Bright Shadows

Tokimonsta – the only artist to play twice at the 2011 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival – will be releasing her second EP, Creature Dreams, on May 17. While 2010′s Midnight Menu was an impressive showing of her talent, Creature Dreams is her first release on Brainfeeder Records. Taking in to account Brainfeeder’s catalogue thus far, the expectations... Read More

Review: Shlohmo – Places EP

If you spend enough time searching google and filtering through obscure blog posts, you may be able to find Shlohmo music dating as far back as early 2009. Other than the fact that they were made by the same artist, you won’t find many similarities between those songs and the songs on the Places EP. In two years Shlohmo has been as prolific as many artists are in ten, releasing... Read More

Nicolas Jaar Remixes

Nicolas Jaar just released his awesome debut album, Space Is Only Noise, but he’s also been releasing some great remixes the past few months. Here are our favorites. Jaar’s remix of “Into The Night” takes the classic house sound and adds some new flavor with some layered piano loops and crisp production. By the time the bass comes in just after the two minute... Read More