thutmose x nombe, “run wild”

thutmose x nombe, “run wild”

With attention to minute detail given by its creators, enticing track “Run Wild” was the perfect lead-in to the brand new 6 track EP, Run Wild. Thutmose – a Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based hip hop artist – and NoMBe – the German-born, Los Angeles-based musical project by Noah McBeth – had already proven they could create luscious soundscapes, paired with lyrics that are descriptive and feel-good in nature.

The rest of the EP is no different, as you can witness below. At times, the duo slows it down to a amore mellow pace – as with tracks “Young & Reckless”, “Soft Top”, and “Summer’s Gone” -, highlighting the soulful aspects of their musical talents. And though we tend to glean positive vibes from the majority of the release, songs like “Summer’s Gone” – despite its hopeful, beautiful message of love – leave a melancholic feeling deep in your bones, foreshadowing that end of warmer months in the northern hemisphere in the coming months.

If you’re ready to be enveloped in a sound that is a buttery smooth version of Drake-meets-Kid Cudi-meets Shop Boyz, Run Wild is calling for you to fall in mutual love.

Keep up with Thutmose here and NoMBe here.

sheridan reed, “inspiration”

sheridan reed, “inspiration”

Over the last year my tastes in music have changed pretty dramatically, and with it how I’m moving forward with my writing and creative process. This playlist is a combination of new styles for me that influenced the creation of “We Should Both Be Here” and the rest of my current original set with a genre range from r&b, neo-soul, chill wave, and funk to soul pop.

Keep up with Sheridan Reed here.

black and blue, “influences”

black and blue, “influences”

It’s a playlist of all our influences & our favorite artists that inspire us. All these artists have contributed to our sound in some way, and each song is on this playlist is very important to us. These are artists and songs that molded Black And Blue as a group and our sound.

 

charlie phllps, “little red light”

charlie phllps, “little red light”

New York-based musician Charlie Phllps is ready to enchant your Wednesday with his soulful new track “Little Red Light”. From the first lines, his vocals take center stage, the instrumentals largely joining in later on in the track. At moments, the song is reminiscent of a modern spin on the late Michael Jackson. The percussion in “Little Red Light” is notable, utilized in a way that makes it almost impossible not to dance in some way to this song. And though the overarching theme is a bit more melancholy than the energy of the song would indicate, we feel like we have a special power — that we might even be a little stronger — listening to this song.

Keep up with Charlie Phllps here.

hall & oates @ sprint center

hall & oates @ sprint center

On July 20th, Hall & Oates graced the stage at Kansas City’s premiere concert venue, Sprint Center. Opening the night with a performance from Train, the duo performed some of their most exhilarating tracks from every era of music they’ve created in, and then some. In fact, Pat Monahan came out on stage after both bands had performed their entire sets to regale the audience with renditions of “Philly, Forget Me Not”, “Wait For Me”, and “Calling All Angels”. It was a show we’re not soon to forget, and we hope to catch them on their next stop through town (every time they come, until they stop performing).

wusa ft. iives, “ghost”

wusa ft. iives, “ghost”

Making their debut release on quickly establishing label Paradise Circus is Berlin-based duo WUSA, who have dropped an undeniable banger in the form of “Ghost.” While there’s a touch of modern R&B to “Ghost,” the general feel is a stellar electronic vibe. IIVES’ languorous yet assertive vocals take the lead on this slice of weekend bliss, a song which should stay on the playlist of beach parties, impromptu park drinking sessions and rooftop gatherings throughout the summer.

It’s a glorious new release that deserves your attention – hit play below to soak it up.

Keep up with WUSA here.

train @ sprint center

train @ sprint center

Train stopped through Kansas City a couple of weeks ago, and we got the pleasure of enjoying their set as they opened for the illustrious Hall & Oates at Sprint Center. The band made a point to hit all the high notes, working their way through hits like “Drops of Jupiter”, “Hey, Soul Sister”, “Drive By”,  “50 Ways to Say Goodbye”, “Meet Virginia”, and many more. Though on previous tours, the band has married couples on stage during “Marry Me”, we were happy to see there weren’t any shenanigans around that this time around.

Though we did witness at least one proposal during that song.

Between songs, Pat Monahan regaled the crowd with selfies, yoga poses, and more. Ever the ladies man, we didn’t stop hearing about his performance for the remainder of the night. And we totally get the hype.

the stubborn lovers, “drivin’ 22”

the stubborn lovers, “drivin’ 22”

Portland band The Stubborn Lovers are here for a good time with their latest single “Drivin’ 22.” Their country-rock vibe shines in this track with an authenticity that only that kind of music can bring. The electric guitar riffs and upbeat vocals make for an extremely catchy tune. The lyrics relate to the child in all of us. They are bursting with nostalgia, with vivid opening imagery of a family making their way down Route 22:

Daddy’s at the wheel of a Ford Country Squire,
Mama’s putting makeup on down to the wire,
Sister’s in the back spilling Goldfish on the floor,
Shepherd’s in the way back scratching at the door.

The track is reminiscent of a simpler time by embodying the ambiance of an American summer. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to go back to the land of family road trips, fast food stops, and even the backseat fights with your siblings.

Be sure to check out their upcoming album Mother Road, out August 17. Keep up with the band here.