Tech N9ne – Hood Go Crazy
If the majority of your hip hop diet is made up of Top 40 jams, Tech N9ne probably hasn’t popped up on your radar all that much. However, you don’t have to dig too deep beneath the surface to find the king of the underground. He’s been cranking out independent music that sells like it has major label backing, and now he’s finally getting his shot to shine with an album.
On his latest album, Special Effects, he’s at peak Tech N9ne. He delivers his trademark rapid-fire rhyming style that reaches speeds that seem impossible. He bounces around on beats that create entirely different vibes, bringing a chaotic feel to the record. He’s unafraid to spit lyrics that even the most daring rappers might shy away from. There’s some trouble rectifying skill with lyrical content at times, but if you put aside your troubles, you’ll find earworm jams like Hood Go Crazy that will sneak their way into your head and stay on repeat all day long.
Hop Along – The Knock
Hop Along’s sophomore album Painted Shut serves as a coming out party. The band probably should have blown up with its first record Get Disowned, but instead of slumping on their second attempt, they’ve come out firing. The Knock serves as the album’s first track and an indicator as to what is ahead for the rest of the album. Two guitars duel for attention, and then Frances Quinlan’s husky and commanding vocals kick in to steal the show and hook you in.
Hiatus Kaiyote – The Lung
You probably shouldn’t expect Hiatus Kaiyote to make music with pop appeal. The label-defying group pull influence from all over and meld it into a new form of funk that never holds the same shape for too long. You can catch a glimpse of it on The Lung, a beautifully layered song so packed with production flares that you can tell while listening to it that you’re not going to catch everything going on. It’s an “everything and the kitchen sink” approach to production, but it works out to make an interesting listen.
A$AP Rocky – Everyday
A$AP Rocky gave fans a heads up that his new album At.Long.Last.A$AP would be dropping later this year. To give them a taste of what to expect, he also dropped Everyday. The single features a wide array of support, with guest spots given up to Mark Ronson (of Uptown Funk fame), R&B royalty Miguel, and uh … Rod Stewart? It’s an eclectic collection of talent to be sure, but Rocky’s always been an eclectic dude, and the collaboration is so good you’ll immediately understand how it came together.
Neon Trees – Songs I Can’t Listen To
The latest from Neon Trees is called Songs I Can’t Listen To, but you totally can listen to it. The indie rockers from Utah dig into a fairly familiar topic for most folks who have gone through a rough breakup: the difficulty of listening to music that makes you think of your former partner. It’s a straightforward premise with equally straightforward lyrics, but a kicking drum beat and some driving guitars keep you powering through the bittersweet experience.
