new track tuesday | "heavy metal and reflective" by azealia banks

"Heavy Metal and Reflective" is the first new track by Azealia Banks to be released since parting ways with her label Interscope. The track marks a new chapter in the Azealia Banks story --- the beginning of her freedom. 

Backed by some sick beats, Banks lets the rhymes flow and ride from beginning to end. With her confidence intact (despite all the controversy that has followed her career so far), Banks lays it down for us: she can and will do whatever she wants. Even without her label's support, she is hot and knows it. And her bravado pays off --- the track does not disappoint. Produced by Lil Internet (who helped with "Yung Rapunxel"), "Heavy Metal and Reflective" is a fresh track. It feels and sounds unlike anything else out there. Azealia Banks has a big mouth, and she uses it well on the track "Heavy Metal and Reflective." Now to wait for the delayed release of her LP Broke With Expensive Taste. 

new track tuesday | "just once" by shura

A year after releasing "Touch," London-based singer/songwriter Shura gives us another beautiful track. Like "Touch," her new song "Just Once" concerns matters of the heart ... a broken heart.

"Just Once" tells the story of a girl seeking escape from a dead relationship --- too many arguments, not enough love (or no love at all). No longer in denial, she's accepting the irreparable loss of love and affection between them two. She considers going out for a random drunk hookup to end things. "If you get my name wrong, I won't get pissed off 'cause I wish I were somebody else," she sings. In line with Shura fashion, the light and soft electronic beats help balance her troubled tale of heartache. 

Press play, and listen for yourself. Hopefully, we don't have to wait another year before hearing new material from Shura. :-)

single of the week | "break the fall" by laura welsh

Not all iTunes free Singles of the Week are created equal. Some weeks are good; other times they fall short. However, this week is worth a listen ... and a download. A free download! 

Earlier this month, I introduced British singer-songwriter Laura Welsh as she released her impressive self-titled EP (post here). Now, itunes has wisely selected her track "Break the Fall" for their free single of the week. 

Listen. Enjoy. Download. For free. And enjoy some more.

new track tuesday | "comin THRU" by kwamie liv

As a follow-up to her single "Follow You," Danish singer Kwamie Liv delivers confidence with her new track "Comin THRU."

What begins as a Lana-esque track soon develops an MIA character. Slowly then suddenly, Kwamie Liv shows her swagger -- “down on this street corner, we make the rules/ I don’t know what you do/ we go higher, we go higher.” 

Despite these allusions, this track is all Kwamie. It's an amalgam of the smoothness/roughness of urban life. With "Comin THRU," she conveys the bravado that the city demands. "The sea is full of sharks, now can you swim (from 5 AM)?"

Keep up the good work, Kwamie. 

new track tuesday | feel the "sound" of telepopmusik

The French electronic collective known as Télépopmusik have just released their new single "Sound." Featuring subtle vocals by Mark Gardener, the track's focus remains on the soft ambient effect it produces.

"Sound" is a fitting addition to their collection of work -- the beats, vocals, and production collectively re-create their moody downtempo aesthetic. The track serves as a reminder that Telepopmusik knows how to work with a minimalist sound. Like the lyrics say, "feel the sound."

Telepopmusik's new album is expected to be released later this fall.

Merci beaucoup, Telepopmusik.

the sound of my heart | "boom clap" by charli xcx

As the Chipotle Cultivate San Francisco Festival nears, let's take a look at one of the artist on the music lineup: Charli XCX. 

Since 2012, I've been following her rise to fame from a music blog stapled artist to the iTunes top charts. She wrote Icona Pop's song "I Love It", she's supported both Ellie Goulding and Marina & the Diamonds on their respective tours, and is featured on Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" track. Her debut album True Romance (2013) was well received by music critics and music bloggers alike. And, she has just released the music video for her song "Boom Clap," written for the The Fault in Our Stars soundtrack.

The track starts with a bam (a "boom clap," to be precise) - similar to how love can unexpectedly hit you out of nowhere. You didn't see it coming. But it's here now. And it feels so good, so so good! Time to enjoy it!

-/-/-/-

First kiss just like a drug
Under your influence
You take me over you're the magic in my veins
This must be love
-/-/-/-

Needless to say that I am very excited to see her perform live this upcoming Saturday in Golden Gate Park for the Chipotle Cultivate SF Festival. And best of all, it's free!! Yes! There's free admission to the festival. As if I needed another reason to love the Bay Area.

new track tuesday | "let me down gently" by la roux

It's been five years since La Roux has released any new music. After breaking through with their smash hit "Bulletproof," La Roux rode that all the way to 2013's Coachella where the duo performed singles off their debut album and a few new songs from their upcoming album. But that was over a year ago, and I kept wondering what became of the sophomore album. I remember enjoying their new material during her 2013 Coachella set.

Thankfully, La Roux have just released "Let Me Down Gently," off their just announced second studio album, Trouble in Paradise. And as the album title suggest, the honeymoon stage is over - it is time to re-examine the relationship.

 -/-/-/-

"Let me down gently
That's what I think I need
But when you let me down gently
It still feels hard, hard" 
 -/-/-/-

At over 5 minutes long, "Let Me Down Gently" builds. It is a song nuanced by its changing beat, refreshing the sound that allows the song to go beyond the typical 3 minute mark. After the 2:40 minute mark, it is #dancethepainaway.

La Roux has also released the tracklist for Trouble in Paradise, which is scheduled to be released digitally on July 7, 2014 via Polydor Records.

1. Uptight Downtown
2. Kiss and Not Tell
3. Cruel Sexuality
4. Paradise Is You
5. Sexotheque
6. Tropical Chancer
7. Silent Partner
8. Let Me Down Gently
9. The Feeling

"Let Me Down Gently" was released on iTunes on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. You can pre-order La Roux's new album Trouble In Paradise now.