Category: Roundhouse Features

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Blog Roundhouse Features

Unwind to the hypnotic rhythms of ‘Mushroom Funk’ by beatmaker Es-K

By Hazel Clementine

Es-K is no novice when it comes to beats. He has over 50 releases on Bandcamp, with most of his releases being soulful, organic instrumental hip hop beats & beat tapes. His most recent release is a brief but intricately detailed tape titled, Mushroom Funk. His latest projcet Mushroom Funk engagingly blends exhilarating components that sound somewhat retro, taking influence from the 1970’s funk era, soul, and jazz.

Es-K displays a boundless versatility and ear for character-rich sounds, with songs like the title track opener providing hypnotic, crunchy rhythms paired with ornate sonics. The fourth track, “Hot Butter”, is sonically more abstract than the rest of the tape, setting itself apart in the track-list. With it’s rich, syrupy textures, it’s as if you’re gazing at an abstract painting taking in all of the elements and movements throughout the piece. The artist says he almost didn’t include this track on the beat tape because it was the weirdest one out of the other tracks, but it happens to be Es-K’s favorite out of the bunch and we couldn’t agree more.

Support the artist directly by purchasing this beat tape and more of his work on his bandcamp here. You can also take a look at his website which displays not only his music but his artwork as well. Hope you enjoy the beat tape as much as we did!

Listen to Mushroom Funk on Bandcamp HERE.

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Toronto’s Eric Ryan shares potent single “Loose” (ft. Ley Vara)

By Mark Generous

Hailing from the vibrant city of Toronto, Canada, Eric Ryan emerges as a captivating independent artist, but it’s his voice that truly steals the spotlight. Eric’s vocals are like a velvet cascade of emotion, effortlessly navigating the intricate landscapes of R&B, neo-soul, lo-fi, and alternative influences. With roots in the school choir and a profound affection for R&B, soul, pop, and alternative sounds, his voice resonates with a depth that captivates listeners’ hearts.

His latest offering, “Loose” featuring Ley Vara, showcases not just his remarkable vocal prowess but also his exceptional songwriting skills, painting vivid stories of love and passion. In every note, Eric Ryan unveils a world where his voice is the guiding star, and his music is an enchanting journey of the soul, destined for the highest ventures of success in the music industry. One of my favourite artists of 2023.

By 2023, Eric’s music had transcended boundaries, thanks to its mesmerizing qualities, gaining recognition from TikTok influencers and earning a place in the spotlight on renowned music media platforms like Early Rising, Lyrical Lemonade, and CBC Music Toyota Searchlight. Check out Ryan’s latest song “Loose” below and further familiarize yourself with this rising Toronto artist.

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Talib Kweli & Madlib debut cinematic animated music video for “Riches Part Two”

By Hazel Clementine

The music video for “Riches Part Two”, directed and animated by Unjust, starts with the turning on of a television- and as the beat drops, an animated man shoots his gun, while the camera follows the bullet into a third person view. The viewer is then able to see the lyrics come to life in a vividly cinematic experience.

Seminal lyricist Roc Marciano starts the song off verbalizing ‘there’s too many washed rappers the market is crashing’- while the animation exhibits crashing objects outside of a high rise building. The animation then zooms in on another high rise building and briefly shows Roc Marciano on a podcast with Talib Kweli. Then with each verse, the animation transforms into something different matching the rest of the verses from Roc Marciano.

Continuing the animations alongside verses, Westside Gunn starts off the next verse with one of his infamous adlibs which mimics a gun shooting multiple rounds. Two guns appear in the animation shooting bullets in the air identical to his adlibs. When Westside Gunn mentions dreams, an illusion of an empty field with birds flying in sky shows on the screen.

The third verse transcends so effortlessly as Talib Kweli starts to flow over the hypnotizing beat. The fluid animations perfectly illustrate how Kweli’s metaphors are intertwined into his rhymes. From showing birds, fish and New York City to a rare vicious animal over the city; The animation flowed flawlessly over his verse.

The video then ends with the same person who turns on the television at the beginning of the video now sleeping in front of the screen. Concluding that he he fell asleep while watching the music video. A vivid, cinematic new offering from Talib Kweli and Madlib featuring Roc Marciano and Westside Gunn, “Richies Part Two” captivates with its engaging animated visuals and enticing storyline.

Watch the new video for “Richies Part Two” here:

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Paul Cherry releases celestial ambience on new jazzy R&B album ‘Pure Grooves Vol. 1’

By Hazel Clementine

One word to sum up the latest album from Paul Cherry, would be divine. From the windy city of Chicago, DJ and acoustic guitar player Paul Cherry releases a R&B & jazzy fusion titled Pure Grooves Vol. 1.

In 2018, Cherry released his very first LP Flavor which sonically differs from his new release, which gives more of a groovy R&B sound- whereas his first LP gave more of an indie rock feel. The album cover for his new body of work displays the warmth and love that his music exudes. From the sun, moon and ocean all the way to the stars, it’s as if you’re on a magical vacation dancing under the setting sun to the beat of the drum. Speaking of drums, drummer and percussionist Roy Arsenault played extraordinarily beautifully on the third track of Pure Grooves Vol. 1, titled “Don’t You Wish”, angelically sung by Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin. Tenenbaum, who’s an Argentinian singer is known for being one half of the electronic duo Magdalena Bay. The rest of the album proceeds with a multitude of rnb & jazzy elements from smooth jazz to eloquent soulful rhythms.

Be sure to check out Pure Grooves Vol. 1 on all streaming services or you can support the artist by purchasing directly from Paul Cherry’s Bandcamp HERE.

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Lord Sko drops off smoky single “James Worthy Goggles”

By Jacob Ezra

New York artist Lord Sko has shared a new single called “James Worthy Goggles”. At only 19 years-old, the Washington Heights native has positioned himself as a true school hip-hop revivalist, proof that classic hip-hop is not lost in the new generation. With an ever-expanding catalogue that demonstrate his potent, refreshing take on classic NY sounds, Sko continues to build momentum within his city and beyond. Following up his recent singles “Finder’s Fee” and “Yellow Tape”, “James Worthy Goggles” emanates with a nonchalant charisma that captivates from the get-go.

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.

Give “James Worthy Goggles” a listen here now.

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Daniel Son and Wino Willy shine on “Frog Legs”

By Jacob Ezra

Toronto emcee Daniel Son and New Jersey producer Wino Willy have dropped off a new song, titled “Frog Legs”. 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.

Warm, hypnotic samples, ethereal backing vocals, and an organic-sounding, infectious rhythm section from Willy underscore Son’s poignant, focused verses as he laces the track with detail-rich lines that have the listener re-winding to capture moments. The expressive track contains just the right addition of charisma, distilling a raw formula from the two artists. A song off Daniel Son and Wino Willy’s anticipated LP, Gris Gris, “Frog Legs” presents a potent, eclectic cut, released on the rising label FXCK RXP. Give “Frog Legs” a listen below now.

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Bryson the Alien and Fatboi Sharif connect for hypnotic single, “Shepherd”

By Jacob Ezra

Bryson the Alien has connected with Fatboi Sharif for a fresh new song called “Shepherd”, produced by ghowste. Portland-based Bryson the Alien is a multi-talented artist who is a member of the group Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon, has been on a prolific streak this year that includes projects such as the eclectic SCREW PAK: ZERO’S SAGA. For his latest song “Shepherd”, he connects with New Jersey standout and the garden state gargoyle of elaborate literature challenging the unknown, Fatboi Sharif, for a hazy, surreal new cut.

“Shepherd” contains moody, eery keys that create a darkly hypnotic atmosphere, suiting the hushed, ominous flows of Bryson and Sharif. They deliver thoughtful lyrics that enhance the nocturnal, meditative feel of the instrumentation. Lulling the listener into something of a dreamstate with its syrupy key chords and baritone flows, “Shepherd” makes for a layered, intriguing cut from the two artists. Give it a listen below here.

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Brown_buddha, LANO, OJ Mountain, and jules filmhouse share fresh song, “STEAM ENGINE”

By Jacob Ezra

Brown_buddha, LANO, OJ Mountain and jules filmhouse have linked for a fresh song called “STEAM ENGINE”. Frequent collaborators and affiliates of the hip-hop and creative collective Hidden Renaissance, the four artists demonstrate a natural chemistry across the metallic, surreal production of “STEAM ENGINE”.

On “STEAM ENGINE”, icy, forward-thinking keys swell above crunchy percussion, underscored by flourishes of ethereal backing vocals. The emcees come through cutting, lyrically-focused verses packed with vivid imagery, while presenting subtly menacing deliveries that suit the ominous production. With tinges of Def Jux in its style, “STEAM ENGINE” is a welcomingly refreshing take on left-field hip-hop sounds. Give it a listen below.

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ArmstrongWW shares infectious offering, “Usually”

By Jacob Ezra

ArmstrongWW has dropped off a fresh single, titled “Usually”. ArmstrongWW, born Armstrong Tanyi Orock, is a multi-genre musician born in Cameroon, and based in Houston, Texas. Starting his songwriting journey at the young age of 6, Armstrong has built a name for himself by creating music that resonates with honesty, demonstrated through potent projects like January 2023’s Recovery. His latest song, “Usually” contains a balmy breeziness and versatile vocal lines that keep the listener engaged throughout.

Instrumentally, “Usually” conjures a warm soundscape with a subtle undercurrent of buoyant energy. Swelling, lo-fi synths, punchy percussion, and infectious bass create a colorful backdrop for Armstrong’s emotive, punctuated flows, as he delivers dynamic verses that build into a memorable melodic hook.

Take a listen to ArmstrongWW’s latest “Usually” here now.

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Dzh shares raw new release “BUMPER HANGIN'”

By Jacob Ezra

Dzh has shared a new song, titled “BUMPER HANGIN'”. Hailing from Madison, NJ, Dante Zaran “Dzh” Henry is a 24 year-old artist and producer who launched his career through a series of versatile, often introspective mixtapes like Under This Hoodie, as well as his debut album Dante’s Inferno. Dzh both emcees and crafts beats, displaying a diverse repertoire for everything ranging from soulful, boom-bap laced instrumentals to hard-hitting trap cuts. His latest song, “BUMPER HANGIN'”, leans towards the latter category with its raw cacophony of powerful synths, immense percussion, and booming 808s. Dzh demonstrates a poignant flow with succinct, infectious bars that enhance the song’s imposing energy. He sounds hungry and focused on the mic, drawing the listener deeper into the track’s blazing soundscape. Give “BUMPER HANGIN'” a listen below now.