Gregory Porter "1960 What?"

Shout out to Shazam for letting me know the name of this toe-tapper when I was in that boutique wine store. Shout out to Gregory Porter for giving me a soundtrack for walking around and acting like I was gonna drop forty bucks on a bottle of wine.

Grooms "I Think We're Alone Now"

I have really been feelin Grooms' record Infinity Caller, in no small part to the shoe-gaze-on-adderall super track that is "I Think We're Alone Now".

Pusha T "King Push"

It's that Pusha T joint that Joaquin Phoenix produced that we have all been excited for:



Pusha T - King Push from Nathaniel Brown on Vimeo.

EMA -- Past Life Martyred Saints

I was a fan of the EMA record when it dropped a few years back, but I can't say I was in love with it. There were a few songs I liked..maybe even REALLY liked,  but it never truly resonated with me. And then last weekend I had my come-to-Jesus moment with Past Life Martyred Saints.

At the behest of a friend, I revisited the record, bringing with me a more seasoned ear, bloodshot eyes and beer-soaked breath. Sitting on my coach with my headphones on, blankly staring at a Michigan football game wind down, I was blown away by the craftsmanship of the record. I loved the artistic intent of the record, the harsh intensity, the sonic brashness, the not-quite-perfect vocals; it was truly gripping.

To call it pop music would be unfair to both PLMS and to pop music, but it is certainly constructed with that blueprint in mind, even if it is just to color outside the lines. This is most prominent in "Breakfast", where the  structure of the song is traditional pop, with a chanted repetition kicking off the song and remaining throughout, but the content is far too stark and melancholy to be heard on your local station. In "Breakfast" as well as "California",  the use of popular children's lyrics nudges you towards the realization that this is almost a nursery rhyme. Granted, it has taken a strange, weird turn, but at its heart it is a bubblegum pop song.

Call it post-pop, call it alternative, call it whatever gets you through the night, but the most important thing to do with this album is listen, and let it call out to you.

Chvrches -- "It's Not Right, But It's Okay"

Chvrches follow up the release of their debut with a cover of Whitney Houston's "It's Not Right, But It's Okay".

Zane Lowe is just happy to be done with Kanye.

Kanye Gives Classic Kanye Interview, Gets Mad about People Making Fun of it in Typical Kanye Fashion

Kanye was in rare form when interviewed by BBC Radio's elder-statesman Zane Lowe, flirting with the line between genius and complete lunatic. As always, this made him susceptible to criticism and, as always, he did not take kindly to the criticism. His chosen method of retaliation: Twitter.

Clams Casino "Crystals"

Pretty sure this is what Todd had running through his mind when he killed ol' girl in front of Jesse last week on Breaking Bad

Polica "Smug"

New cut from the 'Sota pseudo-super group.

How to Dress Well "I Think Life Might Be Elsewhere"

Only Tom Krell could pull off a stunt like this and make it worth my time to listen to:

Greeks Protest after Rapper is Stabbed

Greeks riot after a rapper is murdered in a brawl by a fascist:


Check out the full story:

http://news.msn.com/world/protests-in-athens-after-rappers-murder

Porcelain Raft "Warehouse"

Porcelain Raft makes wistful, washy whimsical pop that manages to stand out in a world full of wistful, washy whimsical pop.

Below is "Warehouse" off of his latest, Permanent Signal.

Arctic Monkeys --AM

The Arctic Monkeys' newest is the strongest since their debut. Striking a perfect balance between their influences and the contemporary, the record sounds like either the most forward-thinking band in the 70's or the coolest revivalists of 2013.

Side note: S/O to whomever decided to make the drums so thunderous in the mix. It sounds like dude is using Thor's hammer on the tom-tom. Me likey.

Volcano Choir "Comrade"

The fortnight
Eye to eye the culprit
Just rid the fucking pulpit
I ain't giving you another full ride

Active Child "Evening Ceremony"

Active Child is coming through Chicago in a few months. Catch me at the front row.

Chance the Rapper x James Blake - "Life Round Here"

The best parts of both James Blake and Chance the Rapper are on display with this one, which was created after the duo met each other at SXSW. Behold, the beauty of networking:

Superchunk "Driveway To Driveway"

Driveway to driveway drunk
I don't remember this too well
Glad I have the scrapes to prove
Prove it was me who fell
And the names were all we knew
And the names were all erased

Clinton Sparks ft. 2 Chainz, Riff Raff, Waka Flocka Flame "Turnt Up"

Some thoughts on "Turnt Up"

• This song doesn't re-invent the wheel, it just throws 26's on it and straps it to a muscle car controlled by a drunk driver.
• I can't listen to this song at the gym because I will lift all the weights at once. 
• They can't play this song at a bar because someone will catch a bottle to the back of their head.
• This song is the logical conclusion of electo-rap that began with "Stronger" and got "trapped" by Lex Luger and Waka on Flockavelli. 
• Both 2 Chainz and Riff Raff body their verses

Check out the track, appearing on Clinton Spark's My Awesome Mixtape 4.

Active Child "Subtle" Ft. Mikky Ekko

The latest from Active Child is described by the man himself as one of the most sonically challenging songs in his catalog.

Kings of Leon "Dancing On My Own" (Robyn Cover)

Kings of Leon masterfully cover "Dancing On My Own".

Gucci Mane Twitter Rant

What took place last night was nothing short of astounding, as Gucci Mane took to twitter for hours on end to fire shots at Waka Flocka, Atlantic Records, Nikki Minaj and seemingly anyone else that he felt deserved it. Claiming to have slept with roughly 1/3 of all rappers' significant others, Guwop stumbled through the english language like a drunk crossing an icy street, with Twitter serving as the long line of cars that are sitting idly, waiting for him to finally get to the other side.

'Twas a glorious episode. Long live Gucci. Thank god for Twitter.

Beer in the Hand / Beer in the Face: Concert Edition

Time for another exciting round of Beer in the Hand or Beer in the face: Willis Earl Beal Concert.

Beer in the Hand: The man himself. Willis Earl Beal is cooler than you will ever be, so please don't try. It is embarrassing for everyone. I saw the dude before the show at the bar; he was wearing all black, including a black longsleeve of his own design. Oh, and a mask. Yeah, a fucking mask. At a bar. Just because.
He also crushed the concert, putting on a great performance for his hometown crowd.

Beer in the Face: Me. Way too drunk. Like...wayyyyyyy too drunk.

Beer in the Hand: Schubas. Somehow my antics didn't get me thrown out by the britches Jazzy Jeff style. I appreciate that.

Beer in the Hand: The new Willis Earl Beal record, which was purchased at the venue and gifted to me. Shit is next level.