New Album Release: Arian Saleh - Undone

I finally got around to checking out Arian Saleh's new album, which released a week ago. Wow... just... wow.

Like his previous album, this one is a wonderful mix of different styles of music, some, such as dirty hip-hop and dubstep, I was surprised but quite delighted to hear in such a different environment. And being a fan of strings, it was a welcome sound to hear cello, and plenty of it. As I progress through Undone I feel like I'm coming in and out of different worlds of music, guided by an incredible voice.

This particular song, Cut Me Loose, seemed to resonate with me enough to pick this to post. There's a mix of harsh and emotional within this song that's just... I've been thinking about an adjective to accurately describe what I feel but I can't. One will probably come to me once I post....

Saleh's new album can be purchased on iTunes or purchased and streamed in its entirety through his website.


[Last.fm] [Soundcloud] [Facebook] [Spotify] [Website]

Bomani "D'mite" Armah - Moment of Silence

I have not been updating much lately. And I really don't have a good excuse. I need to try to keep to at least a 3 updates a week schedule...

Anyway... Bomani's "Read A Book" video became wildly popular. But sadly, it's the type of one-hit-wonder viral videos that doesn't quite bring attention to the rest of its creator. You look on the last.fm page and in 6 months Read A Book received 500+ views and the next one down had received 6. He was in SXSW once, though. That's always a good thing!

I don't usually feature much hip-hop and rap to my blog, not because I don't like it but because I simply don't subject myself to the style of music. I do like this guy's stuff a lot, hence this post.


[Last.fm] [Bandcamp] [Facebook] [Myspace] [Website]
(Albums are available on Bandcamp for purchase, New Classic Mixtape is available for free.)

Emily Wells - Symphony 1: In the Barrel of a Gun

Major thanks to my friend in Boston for introducing me to her. I'm always on the lookout for good hip-hop, but this takes it even further as a hip-hop fusion that I wouldn't have even imagined. Indie, folk, classical all with a hip-hop beat as well as some beautiful vocals and occasional throwdown (or however you call it), this was definitely a treat. This was the first song my friend showed me and it has to be one of my favourites.

[Last.fm] [Facebook] [Myspace] [Website]
(Albums are available for purchase on iTunes.)

Bike For Three! - Always I Will Miss You. Always You.

[Last.fm] [Bandcamp] [Facebook] [Myspace]
(Album up for purchase on iTunes.)

Astronautalis - The Wondersmith And His Sons

I've heard some interesting things, but this is the first I've heard any kind of fusion between hip-hop and indie.

[Last.fm] [Bandcamp] [Facebook] [Myspace] [Website]
(Albums available for purchase on iTunes. His bandcamp seems to just have one song, Midday Moon.)

Dessa - Dixon's Girl

[Last.fm] [Bandcamp] [Facebook] [Myspace] [Website]
(Albums available for purchase on Bandcamp or iTunes.)

P.O.S. - Optimist

I feel the general view of this genre has been twisted because of popular artists and their complete unoriginality and lack of true passion for the music. I used to be among the many that despised the genre. But now I'm intrigued, now I want to hear more like P.O.S. and Katrah-Quey. Hopefully in the up-coming months there will be more gems of this genre.

[Last.fm] [Bandcamp] [Facebook] [Myspace] [Website]
(Albums available for purchase on iTunes.)

Katrah-Quey - Every Moment (feat. Analyrical)

I was never much a fan of hip-hop, even being heavily into trip-hop. However, when I stumbled upon Katrah-Quey, he gave me a new outlook on hip-hop. He adds a cool jazziness that is very appealing to me. While I don't ever see myself getting into common hip-hop that is infamous for making up ridiculous terminology, I'm definitely becoming more open to the genre.

[Last.fm] [Bandcamp] [Facebook] [Myspace] [Twitter]
(Mid-November EP available for free download on Last.fm. Other albums available for purchase n Bandcamp.)