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Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez Turns 10

On this day in 2009 Underground Hip Hop supergroup “Felt” released their third album Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez. The group consisted of rappers Murs and Slug, working with a different producer for each album. Felt 3 is arguably the group’s best album, once again switching their style up thanks to Aesop Rock’s unique production. This album signified the end of an era for Underground Hip Hop. The go to scene for Hip Hop heads who wanted to hear substance, flow, and lyricism as opposed to hearing the mindless stuff that was being played on the radio reigned supreme all throughout the 2000’s, and Felt 3 was almost like an unintentional last hurrah, because let’s face it, the majority of artists in the underground scene didn’t really make anything essential in the next decade, but they made their staple in time and influenced a myriad of younger artists taking the D.I.Y. route. What better way to represent the underground than to feature 3 artists representing 3 essential crews in the scene? Slug represented “Rhymesayers” from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Murs represented “Living Legends” from California, and Aesop Rock represented the now defunct “Definitive Jux” label from New York. 3 different styles colliding but working perfectly together with innovative and at times odd as Hell production and an impeccable back and fourth between Murs and Slug as they range from boastful flow and mature themes, to vivid storytelling. I can’t think of a better album to end an era. Happy Anniversary.

Czar Share New Music Video for “A Loathing,” Announce New Album

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Colorado based band “Czar” are pretty new to the Rock world, but it’s evident that the band have been working hard since their formation in 2018. The band will release their debut album on January 31st 2020 via “Black Bow Records,” and what a perfect way to start off the new decade. Through my eyes Rock music is having a renaissance at the moment. Though interest in the myriad of styles and artistry in Rock has yet to reach the mainstream, (if it ever will) bands of all Rock genres have been creating the most captivating music as of late, and now we can add “Czar” to that list. Today the band premiered their new music video for their single “A Loathing,” a track that evokes the spirit of bands such as “Tool” or “Helmet,” but has it’s own staple of melodic accessibility and thoughtful inward-looking lyricism. This song sounds very 90’s, and that’s not a bad thing, because instead of going on a nostalgia trip and completely emulating the 90’s, the band show us that there’s much more to explore in the music that once was on top 20 years ago. You can watch the music video for “A Loathing” below:

Ministry’s “The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste” Turns 30

On this day in 1989 “Industrial” legends “Ministry” released their fourth album The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste.” Diving further into the “Thrash Metal” leanings that popped up on their previous album The Land of Rape and Honey, The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste was the first album that found the band fully developing their signature style of Thrash-leaning “Industrial Metal” with countless samples and unrelenting heaviness. Sole member Al Jourgensen has been vocal about his disappointment with this album, citing the chaotic background of the recording and the fact that him and pivotal band-mate Paul Barker were never in the same room during the recording of the album as the reason for that, but that chaos translated to the music quite well with it’s aggressive and terrifying darkness. This album was the complete reinvention of the band. A reinvention that still hasn’t been matched to this day. Happy Anniversary.

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Le Tigre’s Self-titled Debut Turns 20

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On this day in 1999 “Le Tigre” released their self-titled debut album. Following the disbandment of “Bikini Kill,” lead singer Kathleen Hanna formed Le Tigre with fellow musicians Johanna Fateman and Sadie Benning. Le Tigre were originally intended to be the live supporting band for Hanna’s solo project “Julie Ruin,” but the band took on a life of it’s own and they began writing their own original material. On their self-titled debut the band used organs, samplers, turntables, drum machines, and guitars to create music that was “Electronic” based but featured the feminist political lyrics Bikini Kill were known for, and Kathleen Hanna’s raucous vocals were as strong as ever. This album revolutionized both “Punk” and “Electronic” music, two genres that couldn’t be more opposite from each other. This album is proof that political music can also be catchy and melodic. Happy Anniversary.

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Track Review: Maryze – Bad Bad Dream (feat. Mouth Breather & Forever Next Door)

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Montreal-based R&B artist Maryze has had quite the year. Her debut E.P. Like Moons was well-received and garnered much attention, and following her tour across the U.S. and Canada, her following continues to grow. Much of the Pop/R&B world feels a bit oversaturated at times with countless artists recycling the same clichés and predictable styles, but there are those who innovate, and Maryze is one of those artists. Whether she’s delivering her beautifully soulful vocals over a myriad of musical styles such as R&B, Hip Hop, and Electronic Music, writing thought-provoking content that allows you to look inward and search for self-acceptance, or incorporating French representing her bilingualism, she never fails to display her versatility. As colorful as her music has been thus far, it feels as if there’s always been a darker side just waiting to come out, and now on her new single “Bad Bad Dream,” that darker side is front and center. Produced by Toronto’s “Mouth Breather,” and also featuring a spoken word verse from British artist “Forever Next Door,” “Bad Bad Dream” is a dark yet fun banger that speaks on the terrors of sleep paralysis, and it’s cleverly disguised as a song about a toxic love interest. The song deals with darker subject matter yes, but it’s also not afraid to be playful with it’s bouncy Halloween-like production and sexy vocals. On the surface it can be a fun track to add to your Halloween playlist, but if you delve deeper into the lyrics you’ll find Maryze acknowledging her sleep paralysis and embracing it. She’s making light of it to the point where it’s almost as if she welcomes it. Does she hate it? Does she love it? Does she hate it and love it? Sleep paralysis is a subject that’s seldom explored in Halloween-themed music, and it’s a lot more terrifying than vampires and zombies, but don’t let that scare you off, because this song is immensely catchy with a hook that will stick in your head for days, proving that not all spooky music needs to be embedded in doom and gloom. Maryze is having fun with the darkness, and it’s refreshing.

Written By: Steven Sandoval

Date: 10/25/19

Sorry Share New Song “Right Round the Clock,” Announce New Album “925”

The wait will end next Spring. In Spring 2020 we’ll finally get a full-length album from U.K. band “Sorry,” a band that have been making waves in the music world for the past few years with their sharp Rock? Pop? Post-Punk? Honestly they’re their own genre, and many have been itching for a full-length album, well… today we’ve been blessed with great news. The band will release their debut album 925 in Spring 2020. Today the band released the album’s lead single “Right Round the Clock,” and it’s a fun track with an interpolation of a song that will be recognizable for “Tears for Fears” fans. You can watch the video for “Right Round the Clock” below:

Nine Inch Nails’ “Pretty Hate Machine” Turns 30

On this day in 1989 “Nine Inch Nails” released their groundbreaking debut album Pretty Hate Machine. Recorded almost entirely by sole member Trent Reznor, this album took the “Industrial” style and combined it with elements of “Pop” with traditional verse-chorus structure that added accessibility as opposed to bands such as “Ministry” or “Skinny Puppy” whose music was on the more harsh and tumultuous side. This was the beginning of Reznor’s typical lyrical themes of angst, depression, obsession, addiction, society, and religion, and the sincerity of it all still to this day can resonate with anyone whom feels misunderstood and alienated. Sure this album sounds instrumentally skeletal compared to what followed in the “Nine Inch Nails” discography, but I can’t think of a better starting point for what became an important legacy in music history. Happy Anniversary.

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Chelsey and the Noise Share New Song “Are You Afraid?”

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As far as i’m concerned, “Chelsey and the Noise” are one of the most innovative acts in Industrial/EBM music today. They adopt traditional Industrial sensibilities all while fearlessly incorporating a darker version of Pop to make us dance and even Metal to make us thrash. Halloween is upon us, so of course we need a new track from the duo, and on their new single appropriately titled “Are You Afraid?” they deliver an enticing combination of EBM, Metal, and even a little Trap, proving once again that they aren’t afraid to drag the genre of Industrial kicking and screaming into the new age. Don’t be afraid to listen to this track. Link below:

https://m.soundcloud.com/chelseyandthenoise/are-you-afraid

Charlotte Adigéry Shares “Yin Yang Self-Meditation”

Charlotte Adigéry released some of the best music of the year back in early February. Her E.P. Zandoli was a forward-thinking and artistically-stunning odyssey of fearless “Pop” which drew influences from “Electro” and a myriad of synth-driven styles, but managed to create her own distinct style. Many of us have been itching for new music from her, and today Charlotte Adigéry pushed the envelope even further with Yin Yang Self-Meditation. This is a meditative experience which finds Adigéry utilizing meditation to explore her own personal fears and insecurities in an attempt to let go and find a place of serenity, and it is truly impactful. Backed by hypnotic production from her partner Bolis Pupul, Adigéry becomes vulnerable mentioning all of the thoughts that cross her mind, and they’re all relatable and also drive the listener to a place of serenity. “This tape is an invitation to myself and eventually others to look inwards. It is a ritual for letting go. I was tired of being stuck in a narrow mental reality and I wanted to look beyond. The suffering is not caused by the problem itself. We worry about not having enough. We are anxious about rejection. We fear being misunderstood. We even fear things that lie in the future we do not control. In this meditation I invite you to follow my voice into my own mental state, through paralyzing thought-patterns and blind fears I want to say goodbye to. Openness can lead to understanding, unity and compassion,” Adigéry explains. Yin Yang Self-Meditation is available on a limited edition cassette, download and streaming services via “DEEWEE Records.” You can watch the video below:

Danny Brown Shares New Song “3 Tearz” Featuring Run The Jewels and JPEGMAFIA

Danny Brown is set to release his new album uknowwhatimsayin¿ this Friday on October 4th. Today the Detroit rapper has shared a new song off the upcoming album titled “3 Tearz,” and it features “Run The Jewels” and JPEGMAFIA on production. This follows his previous singles “Dirty Laundry” and “Best Life.” You can listen to “3 Tearz” below: