Author: befree

Vancouver artist Storm Goring‘s “Ain’t That Busy” is a vibey, warm new offering that has us hooked. Over top of a smooth, laid-back instrumental centred around summery, nostalgic guitars, Goring delivers evocative, confident verses that give this track much replay value. A cut off his recent EP How’d We Get Here, “Ain’t That Busy” is a great song to kick back and relax to, or as a soundtrack for late night drives.

Listen to “Ain’t That Busy”:

Written by Jacob Ezra

New York artist Zay Suav has come through with a new single called “Disconnected”. A member of exciting, up-and-coming rap group Bungalow Collect, his latest single is an atmospheric, engaging offering that provides much replay value. Over top of a wavy, layered instrumental containing watery synths and bouncy 808s, Suav provides some sharply written melodies that are immensely catchy. This memorable cut very much has us looking forward to a new project from Zay Suav, and the entire Bungalow Collect as well.

Listen to “Disconnected” now:

Written by Jacob Ezra

21 year old Boston artist Shane Dylan‘s smoky, heartfelt “Around Me”, featuring Jolee Gordon, Red Shaydez, and Seefour, has been chosen as our track of the week. A joint off his stellar new album A Star or a Lonely Dreamer, “Around Me” effectively conjures a warm, nostalgic mood that is completely immersive.

Instrumentally, the track is centred around glowing, hazy Rhodes keys underscored by rich bass and natural percussion. Accompanied by grand, spacey horns, the production is beautiful and mesmerizing. Paired with excellent vocal performances that carry the listener away to another world, this is a song to re-visit again and again.

If you enjoyed this joint, be sure to check out the rest of Dylan’s great new album A Star or a Lonely Dreamer.

Stream “Around Me”:

Written by Jacob Ezra

Texas rapper Fatboyshaun has linked with Portland producer Trox for a new banger entitled “Timmy Chans”. Over top of an immaculate instrumental from Trox, Fatboyshaun delivers a barrage of raw, powerful verses that are engagingly cathartic. His flow is dynamic and his cadence charismatic, hooking us in from the get-go. Moreover, the production on “Timmy Chans” is truly impressive, containing a rugged bass line and head-banging percussion. Paired with ethereal, bright samples that soar over the rhythm section, this beat makes us want to blast this track on repeat.

Listen to “Timmy Chans” here:

New York’s Ben Beal has tapped Elijah Who, REASON, and Mick Jenkins for the laid-back “Coraline”, which finds the three lyricists shining over top of Elijah Who’s glamorous, chilled out instrumental. The production on “Coraline” is exquisite, containing starry keys and psychedelic vocal samples ringing out over top of crunchy percussion. Reminiscent of vapour wave, the beat is memorable and immersive, carrying a hopeful mood. Moreover, the rappers share a natural chemistry as they weave introspective verses full of candid rhymes and interesting flows.

Stream “Coraline”:

Underground heavyweights Nicholas Craven and Boldy James have shared a new song called “Yzerman”, referencing legendary Detroit Red Wings hockey player Steve Yzerman. Here, James demonstrates his silky smooth flow over top of regal production from Craven. The beat for “Yzerman” is truly immersive, centred around elegant, nostalgic strings and reminiscent keys. Underscored by minimal, gritty percussion and rich bass, the beat draws the listener in immediately. Paired with James’ rugged yet laid-back flow and vivid lyrics, this is a release to re-visit again and again.

Listen to “Yzerman” here:

ANDA has shared a new single entitled “Fax Machine”, with Scienze, Jstyx, Cassette, DAE, Shawn McGrath, and Bobbon. This new track is breezy and warm, containing dream-like guitars that drift over organic percussion. Accompanied by wistful keys and rich bass, the beat is truly hypnotizing. Moreover, the vocal performances on the song are captivating and sharply-crafted, adding to the song’s nostalgic, laid-back tone. “Fax Machine” is an engaging, enjoyable collaboration that had us hooked from the get-go.

Listen to “Fax Machine” here:

Written by Jacob Ezra

Naderi & Kevin George have shared a new cut entitled “Lover”. This hazy, intense offering keeps the listener on their toes the entire time, providing an exciting, captivating mood and heavy replay value. Featuring raw, powerful production centred around spacey synths and driving bass, this track is intriguingly nocturnal in sound. The vocal performances here are sharply crafted and catchy, featuring smooth verses capped off by a truly memorable chorus. Overall, this track is an enthralling offering that combines hip-hop, R&B, and alt-pop stylings into an intoxicating concoction.

Listen to “Lover” here:

London’s namesbliss has earned our track of the week with his release “Light of Mine”, an atmospheric offering underscored by head-banging percussion. The heart of the track’s instrumental is made up of airy, dream-like synths that provide an intriguing contrast with the cut’s heavy drums.

Conveying a sense of hoping for something bigger and brighter, the instrumental provides a wistful backdrop for namesbliss’ introspective, powerful verses. His lyrics are well-crafted and thought-provoking, and his rhyme schemes are engaging, as he weaves together syllables in a refreshing fashion. If you liked “Light of Mine”, be sure to check out his recent album of the same name, a heartfelt collection of grime and garage influenced tracks.

Listen to “Light of Mine”

Steve Spiffler, Blu, and Sbvce, all hailing from the Golden State, have shared “Sixty Four (Remix)”, an atmospheric, ethereal new offering. The instrumental for “Sixty Four (Remix)” is centred around psychedelic samples that ring out over an infectious, engaging drum line. The drums are especially groovy, containing dry snares and organic kicks providing a solid foundation for the vocalists’ dexterous, rapid verses. They come through with sharply crafted rhymes, delivering clever line after clever line.

Listen to “Sixty Four (Remix)”: