Exes can’t be friends but “EXES” by Chrissie Límos can stay real close. The track’s intricate production propels Límos’ dynamic vocals into a dreamlike yarn, unraveled melody to melody.
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Why We Like It: Yes Please’s “Turn It Around”
Smooth like whisky and sweet like white wine, Yes Please is thrilling with their upbeat instrumentation and dynamic vocals. “Turn it Around” whisks the listener into an undeniable groove.
Why We Like It: SadoSan and Sentry Sinvil’s “Infinity”
“Infinity” is the castle on a hill of unconventional production. SadoSan and Sentry Sinvil spend the minute-and-a-half runtime rapping over a beat that sounds like a mic dropping down a rabbit hole of lo-fi instrumentation. Their rhymes are tight and their flow manages to snag a tough pocket in the best way.
Lost in the Fire: Hip-Hop and the 2008 Universal Blaze
It’s been one year since Jody Rosen and The New York Times revealed the extent of the damage – and the scope of the cover-up – left in the wake of the 2008 Universal Studios Fire, and whilst hip-hop seemed to escape largely unscathed, the loss runs deeper than just bars.
Manu Dibango and the Soul Makossa
These are unprecedented times, and they’re sure to bring unprecedented losses. Cameroonian jazz pioneer Manu Dibango changed the world with “Soul Makossa,” an indelible record with a special place in hip-hop.
Why We Like It: Rokeaux’s “To: Rep”
There’s an art to autotuned balladry, and Rokeaux is clearly well-versed in the form. Looking for a deep song about the prison of clout chasing or a high-speed flashy banger? “To: Rep” is both.
Why We Like It: Anna Nita’s “Cloud Nine”
Eyes closed, headphones on blast is how Anna Nita’s “Cloud Nine” deserves to be heard. She makes R&B sound effortless with her smooth vocals but it’s the feel of a genuine band that brings a one-of-a-kind texture to this slow burner.
Why We Like It: Foire’s “OUTTA ORDER”
You, yes you reading this. Stop hitting on women when you got a girlfriend. R&B singer Foire brings her opinions on unfaithful men to “OUTTA ORDER” with well polished vocals full of passion. Her pen is as sharp as her critique and the well-layered production accents her best qualities.
Why We Like It: Shadp.’s “Great Escape” Ft. Hookz Murdock
It’s described as “R&B with a hip-hop bounce,” but “Great Escape” could just as easily be “hip-hop with an R&B sheen.” Shadp. and Hookz Murdock spin a too familiar tragedy of love lost but the resulting three-and-a-half minutes feel like they could undo a lifetime of pain.
Why We Like It: Jaywop’s “Big Bad”
Success is more than just a destination for Jaywop. On his new single “Big Bad,” Jaywop is putting in the hours. His cadence flips between rapping and singing and thrives in moments where you can’t tell the difference.
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