Set to release on August 8, “Cold” by Boy in Space is a great new R&B track that packs a mighty punch in the depth of its lyrics. With opening sounds reminiscent of a lullaby, this song will launch you deep into your feelings, “Both you and me no we gotta let it go/ Laying on the ground wondering why it’s so cold”. Deeply questioning the problems in a relationship, there is something we can all relate to with this track.
For fans of Fletcher, SHY Martin, or Chelsea Cutler there is a lot to look forward to here with Boy in Space. His R&B meets pop culture sound will have him on the up and up for many years to come, so be sure to keep up with him here.
“Live It Up”, the newest single from LA up-and-comer James Delaney, opens to the playful bounce of a video-game bop and a twinkling tropicality – but don’t let that fool you. A closer listen reveals an ennui that borders on ironic.
To clue you in, the very first lyrics paint a picture of a certain brand of indulgence that feels very 2019: “We’ve been wasting time getting high and watching shitty tv shows / Feeling comatose in our dirty clothes.” Split right down the middle, the lyrical content of “Live It Up” resorts to indulgence and lethargy to escape life stress; while sonically, it’s neutrally cheery – a notion that is paralleled in the song’s structure, as the verses bear the weight of Delaney’s approach. Radiating synth and an unchanging mellow tempo meet Delaney’s clear-cut chorus, ringing with a might-as-well attitude: “Live it up, live it up, live it up.” The last few bars close out on a sax solo, whose hum suggests that Delaney is already off to follow his own advice.
Montreal born Chiiild has recently dropped an idyllic hit single in “Count Me Out”, with hazy vocalism gently pressed over the top of true R&B beats creating delicious soul food for the ears. Picture Tame Impala teaming up with D’Angelo for this celestial sound that crosses genres from the classical beginning to the jazzy blues ending. If the sound itself isn’t enough to draw you in then the lyrics will by promoting feelings of self-love with the insistence that you can bounce back from anything. The chorus, “Don’t count me out because I’ll come back” will get your head slow nodding along to the beat within the first thirty seconds.
Chiiild will also be heading overseas towards the end of this year but has promised more music for Fall of 2019. One thing is for certain though this is definitely an artist to keep your eye on moving into the future.
9/14 — Vancouver, BC — Vogue Theatre
9/15 — Seattle, WA — The Crocodile
9/17 — Portland, OR — Hawthorne Theatre
9/19 — San Francisco, CA — The Regency Ballroom
9/21 — Los Angeles, CA — Fonda Theatre
9/24 — Houston, TX — The Studio at Warehouse Live
9/25 — Dallas, TX — Trees
9/27 — Atlanta, GA — The Loft
9/30 — New York, NY — Brooklyn Steel
10/1 — Philadelphia, PA — Theatre of Living Arts
10/2 — Toronto, ON — Phoenix Concert Theatre
10/4 — Detroit, MI — Magic Stick
10/5 — Chicago, IL — Metro
10/7 — Boulder, CO — Fox Theatre
10/9 — Salt Lake City, UT — Metro Music Hall
10/11 — Santa Ana, CA — Yost Theater
Its power lying in consistency, the unstoppable groove pulsating from Garçons’ “Froggin” is immediately infectious. The track expertly weaves influences of Afrobeat, R&B, and hip-hop to churn out a jam that resonates deep.
This track bares a party-ready confidence, marked by incisive marimba, dangling cowbell, and a beat like the fuzz of a blown out speaker. Vocalist Deelo Avery’s vocals strategically shift in and out of the forefront of the mix, blending a satisfying crescendo, as the vibrating bass is met by the contrast of tight claps. Garçons have meshed these elements to pump out an instant head-nodder that remains breezily versatile – “Froggin” is equally effective in capturing a solitary focus or entrancing a crowded dance floor.
While “Froggin” finds freshness in an emphasis on dance beats, this track comfortably parallels the R&B leaning of Garçons’ previous work. The last release from the Ottawa duo, comprised of vocalist Deelo Avery and producer Julian Strangelove, was 2018’s Body Language. If the next work they put out is anything like “Froggin”, we’re totally on board.
There are certain experiences in life that are universal to all of us and with his new hit “Memorial” Devendra Banhart is able to capture and express the full realm of one of these experiences, loss. His lyrical genius provides metaphors that paint an intense picture of mourning and grief as seen in the human realm. When asked about the song himself, Banhart said, “Memorial is about loss & the strangeness to feel so numb and yet, so completely heart-broken-open…” The song was written for three people he loved the most in life as a tribute to ones who are taken from us too soon. It’s a perfect example of an artist trying to understand death, and truly features the different stages in the process of grieving. Banhart was able to cross musical boundaries with a waltz-like background bass and forefront finger plucking from the lead guitar while his wavering vocals carry the listener along. “Memorial” is just one song from Banhart’s album Ma coming out September 13.
Devendra Banhart North American Tour Dates:
09/27/19 – Dana Point, CA @ OHANA Festival
10/15/19 – Ventura, CA @ The Majestic Ventura Theater ^
10/16/19 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore ^
10/18/19 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom ^
10/19/19 – Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre ^
10/20/19 – Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall
10/22/19 – Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre
10/24/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Theatre at Ace Hotel
10/25/19 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Yost Theater
10/26/19 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
10/27/19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
10/30/19 – Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater *
11/01/19 – Omaha, NE @ The Slowdown *
11/02/19 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater *
11/03/19 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *
11/05/19 – Memphis, TN @ The Hi Tone *
11/07/19 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs (Levitation)
11/23/19 – Leon, Guanajuato Mx @ Tecate Bajio Festival
11/25/19 – Mexico City, Mx @ El Plaza Condesa
11/30/19 – Detroit, MI @ Museum of Contemporary Art *
12/01/19 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall *
12/03/19 – Montreal, QC @ The Olympia *
12/04/19 – Boston, MA @ The Wilbur *
12/05/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel *
12/07/19 – Washington, D.C. @ 930 Club *
12/08/19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *
* w/ Black Belt Eagle Scout
^ w/ Daniel Higgs
For more on Banhart himself be sure to check him out here.
Pop rock outfit Swimming With Bears – comprised of Joe Perry (Lead Vocals / Bass), Alec Conte (Lead Guitar), Jonny Boy Kerr (Rhythm Guitar), and Ryan Hannasch (Drums) – recently released their upbeat single “Don’t Think About It”, and we’re all in with the energy on this one. The accompanying video, however, is on a whole other level. Take four guys and throw them into an enclosed area with instruments and see what unfolds! We love this video because of its simplicity, and we love the guys even more for the personality that they pour into their performance. We’re guessing this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their live performance chops, and we’re thrilled. Check out both the song and its video below, and let us know what you think on Facebook!
