
Well, it’s about that time. We’re now 6 months into the year, and I think it’s about time I gave my piece of mind about how things are going musically. So far, there have been some amazing releases, and I’m just gonna go ahead and let you know about my top 10. As a sidenote, some of the newer releases have not been counted, just because I haven’t had time to give them enough spins.
10. NASA – The Spirit of Apollo
N.A.S.A., the combined forces of DJs Squeak-E-Clean and Zegon rallied the troups and managed to make one of the most awesomely guestlisted albums of all time. And even so, they managed not to be outshined by their guests, striking a very nice balance between the beats and the vocals.
9. Nosaj Thing – Drift
Nosaj Thing may be a name you’re somewhat unfamiliar with. But he’s been holding it down in the circle of out-there electronic and hip hop producers like Flying Lotus and Samiyam for a while now. His debut album Drift manages to reminisce of his peers’ styles, while being distinctly unique, with heavy use of synthesized vocal choruses, and slightly more structured tunes.
8. Passion Pit – Manners
Passion Pit is my breakout artist of ‘09. Their debut album Manners is packed with potential hit singles. The music is ceaselessly cheery, heavily synthesized, and makes great use of samplers. Plus, Michael Angelakos has the falsetto of an angel.
7. Jade – It’s My Heart, Cookie EP
When I first head Jade, she blew me away. The former Star Trak signee created an excellent piece of work, with help from folks like Theophilus London and Chuck Inglish. Straight up vocal pop with excellent production across the board.
6. Diamond District – In The Ruff
Straight up 90s boom-bap emulation from 3 of DCs finest MCs? How could it get better than that? Oh yeah, by releasing it as a free download (although if you want the dirty version, or a physical copy, definitely make sure to go out and support the release).
5. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Since when do bands like Grizzly Bear debut so high on the Billboard charts? Since they managed to fill out their sound with driving percussion, while still maintaining the integrity and charm of their old stuff. Plus, Two Weeks is a jam that’ll make even the strictest hip-hop heads nod their head.
4. Fresh Daily – Tomorrow is Today
“In a time when music is being mass-produced on earth, one MC is embarking on a voyage to beyond.” Fresh Daily takes us on the voyage with him, moving from spaced out beat to spaced out beat, all while keeping the rhyming on point.
3. Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati
The Okayplayer cosigned trio has made some great music in the past. But they’ve never been as on-point or inspired as when they moved to Brooklynati (a portmanteau of Brooklyn and Cincinnati). The album has a raw energy, but polished sound that I’ve never heard before, and will be hard for anyone to capture again. It has the same obvious chemistry as Moonlighting, but each of the guys seems to have stepped up their skills.
2. Print – Comic Books Unlimited
Holy shit! An album told from the perspective of Clark Kent/Superman that’s highly metaphorical, excellently produced, sincere, and features a gang of Super Friends. Print can rhyme his ass off, and he also seems to have the power to inspire the best out of a lot of his peers. He’s also got a great taste in beats, and creates a very nice atmosphere throughout the project.
1. Theophilus London – This Charming Mixtape
Theophilus London is my current musical obsession. Since Jam! dropped, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the moves he’s been making, and it seems like he’s finally starting to break through. He’s being heralded as the “New King of Pop” by some, and although that’s a very high honour, it’s too hard to pigeonhole his genre like that. He can be lyrical and thought provoking just as easily as he can make a well crafted party track. And sometimes he does both at the same time. The mixtape shows off a lot of his talents, but I get the feeling there’s a lot more up his motorcycle jacket sleeves.
RUNNERS UP:
Mos Def – The Ecstatic
A great outing, but there’s just to much recycled material beatwise for me to put this in my list.
Cunninlynguists -Strange Journey Vol. 1
Kno has never been so on point with the production, but the album is too much of a compilation, and not enough of an actual album for me to count.
The Cool Kids & Don Cannon – Gone Fishing
Don’t get me wrong, The Cool Kids are DOPE, and I love their music. But sometimes it just gets a little too repetitive and blends together in my mind.
That’s it from me… hope you like what I have to say. But hit up the comments if you’ve got something to add.
peace,
-the judge
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July 1st, 2009 | Tags: cunninlynguists, diamond district, don cannon, Fresh Daily, grizzly bear, jade, mos def, n.a.s.a, Nosaj Thing, passion pit, Print, tanya morgan, the cool kids, theophilus london | Category: Music | Comments (1)