Breezewax - Love Sounds Like

Enigmatic

Summer is coming to an end; the days are shorter, the weather is colder and the women less scantily clothed -- atrocious, I know. However, before you commit sacrifices in the name of Nordic gods.
Let Breezewax's good time mellow vibes ease you into the fond memories of summer past.

Chillax Trax : Ebo - Come Back

Inebriated Fortune

Ensuing a night of inebriation, intoxication, and overall inhalation, I stirred from what can only be described as a alcohol induced coma, to find a foreign album on my desktop. The means in which I acquired are unknown, the result brilliance.  In order to understand my unexpected fortune, I googled the artist only to find a bandcamp and self description
"
Life Love Beats Volume I is EBO’s 1st instrumental album. The 18-track album consists of hip-hop, jazz, soul, and funky beats. The album is accumulation of beats that EBO has worked on for the past 4 years. It’s a mix of soulful hip-hop, crossing over to synthesizer driven space funk, and inspired by the everyday struggles as an individual trying to make it. The activity of this piece of music is to imagine things that are not possible and take you through feelings of the past, present, and future. The production style mostly consists of live instrumentation over chopped and filtered samples with crisp, raw, and organic sounding drums and breaks. "

After hearing the album in its entirety, there is only one conclusion; I should drink more frequent.

http://eboknows.bandcamp.com/

Beast of the weeK : The XX - Missing

In A Different Way

In a word; transcendent.

Albeit the standard dub-pop-minimalist approach akin to XX music, Missing is completely unparalleled and unprecedented. Romy Madley-Croft's vocals reverberate through your body and split your soul, shattering every fibre of emotional being. Combined with Jamie's palpable performance lustily chanting "My heart is beating, in a different way", the featured track smothers you in emotional desolation

Missing transcends all aspects of music, resulting in what is arguably their best track yet.

Hip-Hop Hump Day : RiFF RaFF - Break Away

Neon Souls : Never judge a book by its cover

Based on aesthetics, the presumption can be made that Hip-Hop artist Riff Raff has an IQ equivalent to a piece of cheese, grammatical consistency for no more than 3 syllables, and the tendency to rhyme 'bitch' with, well, 'bitch'. Having said that, and post listening to his mix-tape The Golden Alien bias have been altered. Containing depth in his lyrics by detailing his struggle into the industry, and I quote

 "Why do they hate so frequently / this dream I have, trimmed in gold...Now I'm focused in my mind"

demonstrates not to judge a book by its cover, even if; that cover has mtv neck tattoos, corn-rolls and grills.

Ann Street Soul Stirrers - Sunny

#Ifyou'refeelingFunky

An excess in talent served along side two hefty portions of funk, drizzled in a layer of soul. Ann Street Soul Stirrers feed your desire to groove.

Brenton Duvall - Hip Hop You Saved Me

Stack that Cheese 

10 

Lupe's release of The Cool was a monumental occasion for Hip-Hop. His distinct and clever word play, untimely flow, and unbridled emotion  breathed fresh life into the ever-decaying game. As for his more recent Lasers, the opposite can be said. I digress. A highlight from The Cool was "Hip Hop Saved My Life", an anthem for those seeking to a better life through means of art. Appealing to anyone, stuck in the slums, or an appreciation for lyricsm and hook, "Hip Hop Saved My Life" was an instant success -- reaching #20 on the billboards.

Brenton Duvall has adjusted Lupes inspirational track and spun it into a flurry of hi-hats and inescapable, indiscernible vocals, in the most positive correlation possible.  Before erupting in a cataclysm, of skewed and augmented Sarah Green vocals, Brenton Duvall fabricates an uplifting intro. Empowering the body, similarly to the Lupe's original.

Please follow Brenton @ :
http://www.facebook.com/brentonduvall

http://soundcloud.com/brentonrules/   

The XX - Chained

We used to be closer than this...

A shadow of self doubt is cast onto the musical-sound scape of The XX's- Chained. Creating an inner turmoil,  reflective  in Oliver and Jamie's exasperated lyrics, echoing "...did I hold too tight, did I not let enough light, in".  While a certain sorrow is detected in the wavering vocals of  Oliver, predominant in her chorus, Jamie bellows an empathetic cry for renewal.  Beyond the lyrics and surface value, chained is excessively melancholic. Tormented by sadness and self pity, the XX encapsulate the post-break up perfectly.

Furthermore, inspired by Burial's two step drums and accompanied by a traditional XX ambient synth, Chained, is undoubtedly beautiful.

Beast of the weeK : Mµr∆ls - I'll Be Alright feat. Passion Pit

Mµr∆ls

Nick Garcia, or Mµr∆ls -- his composing pseudonym,  is self described as "

a guitarist, composer, and producer working out of Boston and LA...ha(s) done mixing and mastering work for various artists including I Love Dinosaurs, The Hollywood Tears, That's Rugby, Smoke Trixx, and Skinny..." 

Not only is he a talent musician, but furthermore is an exquisite remixer. Transforming Passion Pits - "Ill Be Alright"  to an ultimate break-beat extravaganza, he creates the perfect summer jam . Containing a rising crescendo, and fluttering high-hats Murals will have you shaking harder than Michael J Fox.

for more of Nick's work, please visit;

http://soundcloud.com/nickgarciaproductions
 http://itsmurals.bandcamp.com/

Hip-Hop HumpDay : Eminem - Searchin'

A Contemporary Miles Davis : No Junk, No Soul

 Much like the cosmos, the progression of  Eminem's music is ever expanding. Crossing all realms and subsidiary genres of Hip-Hop, he is arguably the most influential, within the respective category.  Incredibly akin to Miles Davis in that regard, he also share a similar quality, further stated by Brian Griffin "...but Early Miles Davis...No Junk, So Soul".  Ever since Eminem's sobriety his quality of music, much like the drugs in his veins, has withered and depleted. So in honour of addiction, whether it be; drugs, alcohol or the theme predominant in Searchin', ladies, we present early Em.

Beast of the weeK : Last Emperor - Do you Remember?

Do you remember Last Emperor? Probably not.

Simultaneously to Eminem, Last Emperor was inducted in to the Dr Dre. family in Early 2000, thus being completely overshadowed and slept on. Albeit completely distinctive styles from his counter part, Marshal Mathers, Last Emperor posses an equal comprehension of lyricism. Reflecting on his youth in, Do You Remember,  we are regaled with fond memories of; star gazing, the struggle of childhood, and BMXing. Accompanied by an euphonious melody produced by guitar, Do You Remember transports you days of simplicity.

Cedar Trees - Your Ex Bitchs' Mix

Cedar Trees - Best Bitchs' Mix

Hip-Hop Hump Day : Childish Gambino - Wonderful

"..Nah baby, you're way too hood for me..." a quotation from a lights turned on, a release prior of gambino, epitomizes the album Royalty.  Gambino strays away from his original, heart-felt, song writing and progresses and develops a unique style. Albeit a tad 'street', it encompasses his skills in production and writing completely.  Uncommonly, Wonderful is not produced by Donald Glover, rather Boi-1da,  yet is still fantastic. Furthermore, the song features Josh Osho enlisting his vocal talents, allows  the song to be remincient of a Kanye West, John Legend collaboration. Despite the majority of the album embodying Gambino's new style, a minute collection of songs maintain his original roots; Wonderful being one of them.

The hook " .. I never dreamed it would get this far, my heart keeps asking, how did it get so wonderful.." encompasses Donald's career exceptionally.

Royalty is a far cry from Child Gambino's earlier work; Cal-de-sac, EP, and  camp  however, its wonderful to see how Donald Glover finally find his own unique style and flow.

Beast of the weeK : Michael Merlot - People Talk

 ...How life is a bitch, but death does all the flirtin...

Influenced at an early age, Michael Merlot has always had a passion for hip-hop, that and basketball. Recently dropped his very first song; "directed at people in the city...people talking, people whispering, that whole concept."

Currently he is a janitor at WPHS.

[Lyrics]
I just landed on this planet
god damn it,
they can't stand it


Cause after two seconds they want a nigger to vanish
Cause offer two free-styles they already compare us
They embarrassed
But they know 
the flow 
is bananas 


Look
Imaginary Players,
With imaginary hoes 
With money they ain't got
With cars they ain't drove
 Guns they ain't popped,
And drugs they ain't sold
I'm about to be the king of the shit
 you ain't know? 

 Being doin' this shit 10 years
dam, you ain't blow? 
Thought you were as nice as me,
 but now you ain't sho?

It's funny how the rap game can be so uncertain
How life is a bitch, but death does all the flirtin'
One minute you on stage
next its closed curtain,
You thought you had a style,
but now it ain't workin' 

Perfect
I love it when niggas just feel worthless
 Dropped a little cyph
 and got my whole city nervous
You actin' like bitches
Niggas tuck your skirts in
 I'm barley scratching the surface
 Barley got a spot,
Niggas they wanna take mine 
Michael Merlot, 
but they whine through the grape vine 

How ironic, 
Every line platonic,
that means they cant fuck with me
but they stuck with me
whisperin
expecting that shit to still hurt
I don't respect shit 
unless it direct like Spielberg 

this is that college shit 
that marijuana scholarship 
that move a ounce outta your dorm room to get your dollars quick
who the fuck you want a problem wit
I'm the new king
kiss the ring and acknowledge it.
 

Chillax Trax : XXYYXX - Eclipse ( Feat Ruddyp )

SUMMER BEAsTS

The most common initial exposure to XXYXX is achieved through, their disturbingly sexy video for About You

Beast of the weeK : WAEK - For You (Feat. Madeon)

Uhhh, Yeah

Uncertainty ensues when listening to WAEKs - For you, for ambiguity lies in who has a bigger influence; early jazz musicians, which is predominant in the outro free-verse riff, or Chris Brown because it beats so hard. The most shocking surprise with today's feature is not that exceptional skill or neck-breaking bass rather the fact that an artist was able to manipulate a Madeon track into something superior.

Escalating in a crescendos of claps and pitch shifting synths for you instantly hooks the listener, much like Chris Brown did Rihanna. Pummelling the listener in submission with an addition of toms and light-airy reverbed vocals WAEK is an utter success. But I digress.

In the last 2 years WAEK has released, approximately, 10 songs. Why such a great absence with even greater skill is unannounced, however they are definitely an artist to keep a watch out.

Beast of the weeK : Active Child - Playing House

It Feels Good

Not since For Emma, Forever Ago has an album so effectively encapsulated pure unbridled emotion, in regards to Active Child; tormented heartache and euphoric joy. A sound created by Pat Grossi, parallels James Blake minimalist dub step, Abel Tesfaye's vocals and Justin Vernon's pure honest lyricism. A highlight of the album "You are all I see, is 'Playing House' which fringes on the darker emotions with an uncertain and ambiguous reflection on past relationships. 
Pat, trained originally as a choir boy has vocals, albeit outstanding on their own, are thickened with a crackling t-pain-esque auto tune. Pat enlists How to dress well a.k.a. Pat Krell to add a brooding self deprecating verse which only amplifies the emotion of anxiety ridden suspicion.

Chillax Trax : Bondax - Settle Down Feat. Last Japan

A melodic stew comprised of mellow garage rhythm, amorous lyrics, and wavering synths wafts through your speakings gracing your palette with euphoric loneliness and pure contentment, in Bondax's-Settle Down. With each listen additional tones and textures are discovered, changing the emotion and your understanding of talent and skill these young producer carry. Between the two of them they have a collective age of 35, and an aptitude for music that surpasses that many years. 

Beast of the weeK : Miami Slice - Good News

"Good News Everyone"

Folks, the days are getting longer, the skirts are getting shorter and connotation between wayfarers and originality stays the same. This can only mean one thing: summer. A time of the year where the awkward introvert leaves his battle station to have his farmer tan washed away by the warm sun, the rich and vain spend more time in a tanning booth than outside and my personal favorite, disco filter-synths permeate the air filling it with vibes o' dance.

Fortunately enough we are graced today by the creamy sound of Miami Slice, a former 8-bit producer turned to the light side, and all its funky glory. Fresh of his first EP release Disco Cuts, MS ensures his name on your ipod summer playlist.

Aritst of the Month : Sam Padrul

The bloggers inbox tends to follow the cliche of 'a needle in a haystack'.  Occasionally blessed with such luck of superb music, however more often than stuck with bails of dry mediocrity. I guess thats when a pitchfork comes in handy. Here at DnM we experienced one of those rare occasions, Sam Padrul, an innovator and unprecedented new-comer in Nu-Disco/Funk.  Sam challenges the current boundaries of the genre by breaking the stagnat trend of loops and samples, by utilizing a vast talent in keyboards and vocals. Generating 100% original tracks  Sam solidifies a place in Nu-field of music.

Top 11 tracks of 2011

1.

The Weeknd - The Morning by Drugs and Mirrors

1. Meet Girl
2. Play The Weeknd
3. ???
4. Le Sex

2.

Tyler the Creator - Tron Cat by Drugs and Mirrors

Yes, we all love yonkers, its depravity and transgression are flawless however, 'Tron Cat' far supersedes  Yonkers in both lyrical content and production skill.



3.

Midnight City by M83

Have you met anyone that doesn't like this song?

4.

Childish Gambino - Freaks and Geeks by Drugs and Mirror

Alright, maybe it because I'm white, maybe its because I love community, or maybe its because Donald Glover is an extremely talented rapper, regardless, this song is a beast.



5.

Jamie xx - "Far Nearer" by vinylandvodka

I feel better when ever this song is near me.

6.

Breakbot - Fantasy by julien92

Disco brilliance

7.

Madeon - Icarus by Drugs and Mirrors

The benefit of being young as Madeon, still having recess and a curfew for ample time to produce songs.

8.

TV On The Radio - "Will Do" by Interscope Records

Ever fall for someone, only to get friend zoned? Yeah, so has Kip Malone, but he eloquently transcribes that jaded-bitterness into a pop-wonder jam.

9.

Gayngs - The Gaudy Side Of Town by lokei aitkus

Lyrically deep, chill as Fuck.



10.

College feat. Electric Youth - A Real Hero by College

Yes, originally released in 2009, but the song and connotative album are just too damn good.

11.

Star Slinger - Like I Do by Star Slinger

J Dilla incarnate as a shaggy haired, British, white guy