Artist of the Month : Logic

LOGIC

Logic - 30,000 by Drugs and Mirrors

From its infantile state, in the early 1970s, to the contemporary cash-cow today, hip hop has been around for over 30 years. Like all musical genres, it has grown, matured, and flourished, but it has also strayed from its original roots. In it's juvenile stages, hip hop was praised for it lyricism with intellectual capacity, focus on social development, and addressed personal issues. This can not be applied to the majority of modern hip-hop.  With that said it is beyond refreshing to see a new artist emerge, who maintains the integrity, and emobiment 'classic hip-hop'. This prodigious artist is Logic.

Logic - Addiction by Drugs and Mirrors

 Fresh off his sophomore mix-tape, Logic shows dedication that makes a Tibetan  Monk temple look like a shanty town of homeless people.  His apparent skill, and realism allow him to shine through the plethora of mediocrity.

Logic - All I Do by Drugs and Mirrors

Logic had originally confirmed to sit down with Drugs and Mirrors to do an interview. Unfortunately due to time constraints, he was unable. The team here at DnM completely understands, and looks forward to more work from this outstanding individual.

Logic - As I Am by Drugs and Mirrors

Beast of the weeK : Madeon - Teaser Part 1

Contemporary French Renaissance

Madeon Teaser Part. 1 by Drugs and Mirrors. 

Madeon, the leader of the French House Renaissance, wields a Novation Launchpad, slamming out insane EDM tracks, one after another. At the ripe young age of 17,  Madeon has created a musical outside the pants hand-job, with his most recent release, titled 'teaser part 1'. So while listening, dancing, and flat out grooving, be wary of Rick Hanson.

Ushering in with a fluttering synth pad, accompanied by angelic vocals, and soothing piano, Madeon grabs you by the collar only to say ' I am going to melt-your-fucking-face-off', metaphorically speaking, of course.  Proceeded by drums that drop in unison with a filtered chord progression, the song truly begins.

Chillax Trax : Apparat - Goodbye

I Won...

Goodbye by apparat

We fear the inevitable, for we are destined to succumb to its permanent ambiguity. Yet with the knowledge of the unknown, many men lead lives of avoidance, which enslaves the mind, body and soul in a state of stagnancy. Where men take no steps, take no chances, only to slumber, burdened with the weight of regret. This, is the folly of man, the true ban of existence. Only once, death is acknowledge and accepted may the first step be taken taken, which inevitably ends in death.
Appart's - Goodbye is the entire embodiment of crossing the threshold.  Accompanied by a lone, sullen piano, and near marching beat, Goodbye definitely is encapsulation of accepting fate, and taking the first and final step. In which a voice from the other side echoes
'Neither ever, nor never / Goodbye / Goodbye' 

Beast of the weeK : Brenton Duvall - Phone Rings Goodbye ( Mike Posner + Jon Brion )

Eternally Chill

Brenton Duvall - Phone Rings Goodbye ( Mike Posner + Jon Brion ) by Drugs and Mirrors

 If someone stated that Jay Electronica and Mike Posner could adequately justify the same beat, large hunks of cinder block would be hurdled in the general direction, only to be preceded by excessive bludgeoning for such erroneous statements. Post-trial and conviction, I would stand morally and musically corrected. Brenton Duvall mashes Mike Posners - Save Your Goodbyes with Jon Brions - Phone Call, in  pure melodic cacophony.  Surprisingly, the inflection and cadence of Posners vocals fit perfectly with the looped guitar of  Phone Call.  In Brenton's remix he; revamps the beat, in a two-step minimalist approach, extends the vocals and adds the slightest dash of reverb.  Despite the heart-ache, break up lyrics, the track develops quite the soothing sensation, a brain smothered in vics vapo-rub.  
Its result, is surprisingly enjoyable.

DnM

Hip-Hop Hump Day : Shad - The Calling feat Jermiside & Destruments

"I Caught a Glimpse of Heaven, It's Beautiful as Hell"

Shad - The Calling ft. Jermiside & Destruments by Drugs and Mirrors

  Featuring  Shad, 'The Old Prince', once prior on, Drugs and Mirrors, did not assert the lyrical talent this man posses.  His flow and rhymes are immaculate, and his ability to hit the the beat, which is produced by Danny Diggs, is ineffable. 
Starting with an echoed announcer expressing his pleasure and excitement in introducing the up coming artist, a feeling which entirely mutual, the track begins. Which smoothly progresses into then 2nd verse, where Shad explicitly describes the effect of music through him and onto the crowd, where 'fellas heads bounce, and the ladies hip gyrate / noise projects and reflects, the joy in my face"  Slowly, the hook digs in, embedding its self in your sub-conscious, easing the anxiety of everyday life.
DnM

Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - Blow Your Mind

'Le Sex'

Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - Let Me Blow Your Mind by Drugs and Mirrors

*Warning* Pleasure ensure that the following items are in close distance; attractive members of the opposite sex, condoms, and a music playing device, because this song will cause le sex.

M83 - New Map

It is easier to beg for forgiveness, than ask for permission.

M83 - New Map by Drugs and Mirrors

 

Malice is a difficult feat to overcome. It takes bold character to look past the injustices, and analyze the bigger picture. Furthermore, it is challenging to forgive, even if it's a simple slip of a friends tongue or the sharing of unreleased music by independent journalists. It takes an even stronger person to not sue said journalist.  Luckily there are cures for the sullen spirits and head hanging woes of ill will, such as M83's 'New Map'.  A shoe-gaze anthem that promotes a strong, insatiable desire to close eyes, sway-heads, and tap feet. 

'New Map' seems to maintain M83's originality and homage to 80s synths and sounds yet, like an inter-racial dopple-ganger, has a few underlying resemblances. The last quarter of the song bares a striking kinship to Broken Social Scene, with allegro horns and airy high hats. Regardless, of influential sources, the song is outstanding among his 2 disc album 'HurryUp, We'reDreaming'. It's only true folly is the potential , forgivable,  repercussions of an early release. Which, as experience detects, is both highly positive or extremely embarrassing.   

DnM