By Jacob Ezra
LOS KEMET- “Barter 7 (Dig Dat)”
LOS KEMET‘s track “Barter 7 (Dig Dat)” stands as one of the more potent songs from this fall. Sonically, “Barter 7 (Dig Dat)”- produced by @guttylim0 & Zach Neiss– uses warm grooves and immersive keys to conjure a feeling of assurance and confidence, laden with crisp percussion that locks in a hypnotic rhythm. LOS sounds light on his feet on the microphone, weaving together dynamic lines with ease and never falling into a predictable rhyme pattern. Even throwing in subtle yet memorable melodic flourishes, LOS demonstrates his diverse skillset as an emcee and vocalist with “Barter 7 (Dig Dat)”. Watch the music video- directed by Thomas G– here.
Lord Sko- “James Worthy Goggles”
New York artist Lord Sko captivated us with his single “James Worthy Goggles”- a song off his engaging recently album United Palace. On “James Worthy Goggles”, Sko delivers silky flows atop smoky guitars, winding flutes, and warm bass that conjure a hazy, laid-back soundscape. He sounds comfortable in his lane and in the pocket- delivering detailed, observational verses atop the relaxed production. Dropping some quintessentially NY lines and shouting out Stack Bundles, he paints a vivid picture of his life in his city on “James Worthy Goggles”, drawing the listener into the track’s atmosphere in the process.
Blu, Real Bad Man- “Bad News”
West Coast legend Blu and prolific production outfit Real Bad Man‘s project Bad News made waves throughout the underground, and the title track proved to be a standout from the project, released with an engaging music video. “Bad News” finds Blu lacing the track with poetic, thought-provoking lines at a rapid pace atop dusky, subtly ominous strings and horns. As organic percussion and memorable bass build up a hypnotic groove, he launches into a verbal assault that keeps the listener on their toes with each line. The new visual, features crisp shots and an attention-grabbing performance from Blu, capturing the track’s vigorous energy. Watch the music video here.
Daniel Son, Wino Willy- “Frog Legs”
Toronto emcee Daniel Son and New Jersey producer Wino Willy‘s song “Frog Legs” caught our attention in September for its warm, vibrant sonics and powerful vocals. This eclectic joint from the two prolific artists contains an undercurrent of powerful energy- expressed through Son’s elaborate flows and Willy’s atmospheric, cathartic production style.
Nebula.- “Jive” (prod. JUNE!)
Louisiana artist Nebula.‘s frigid song “Jive”, produced by JUNE!, remains as one of our favorite songs from this autumn. “Jive” is a claustrophobic head-trip of a track that is unafraid to experiment and dabble in psychedelica, making for a captivating listen. Nebula.’s vocal tone suits the ominous edge of the production, while he keeps his flows dynamic in a manner that entices the listener and has them guessing.
Chelsea Reject- “I Just Wanted 2 Yell LOL”
Brooklyn artist Chelsea Reject demonstrates her versatility with the punk-infused rhythms of “I Just Wanted 2 Yell LOL”. Further proving that her artistry cannot be placed in a box, Reject draws from her roots in hip-hop with a raw, lyrically-focused vocal performance while also injecting hearty doses of punk in the track’s infectious bass-line and raucous delivery. An expressive, genre-bending offering from the Brooklyn standout, “I Just Wanted 2 Yell LOL” conveys a carefree creativity that is simply refreshing.
Voidness, HLP- “Toquinho”
A song from New York artist Voidness’ recent project It’s Windy Again This Morning/The Short End, “Toquinho” is nostalgic and fresh, making it a perfect soundtrack for the autumn months. His flows are poignant and focused, with a laid-back delivery that injects just enough presence and energy to keep it engagingly dynamic. The breezy production from HLP is a gift to the ears, with drifting Spanish guitars floating in a freeform manner atop organic percussion.
Lo Artiz- “la bruja”
Miami-born, LA-based artist Lo Artiz‘s song “la bruja”- from her recent album LOVE LACED- shows layers of depth in its songwriting and lyricism, taking on a mystical tone that captivates from the get-go. Backed by a tapestry of watery, expansive keys, starry synths, and rich bass, Artiz shines with sleek, emotive vocals laced with dynamic melodies. With an undertone of catharsis, “la bruja” makes for a poignant song with themes of women accessing and wielding deeper powers- providing a fierce roar within the patriarchy of the music industry.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 