The holiday weekend has come to a close, and I'm sure no one's thrilled about returning to work today. At least it's a short week, so that bit of silver lining should help us all get through unscathed. I had a chance to dive into some new music and spend some quality time with a few new albums this weekend, and I've included some of what I heard on this week's Tune-Up.
Smooth R&B/neo-soul crooner Maxwell has returned with his first album in seven years, blackSUMMERS'night. It's a much welcomed come back, but what's he really coming back to? The R&B genre is has been on a sharp decline for more than a decade, replaced with more alternative groove sounds. Needless to say, I'm happy blackSUMMERS'night is here for all of us to enjoy. His new LP is still in the same soulful vein of his previous records, but with added electronic arrangements. "III" is a perfect example of the progressions he's made as an artist.
Dev Hynes, better known as Blood Orange, is an eclectic musician who's been on the indie radar for a few years now. This past week, he was so eager to share his latest work that he released album Freetown Sound three days ahead of its scheduled July 1 date. For those who haven't heard Blood Orange , you'll likely hear his strong Prince influence at first, something he doesn't shy away from. The album has been scoring rave reviews so far, and is likely already in the running for Album of the Year. "Squash Squash" is a horn-laced, mid-tempo R&B-flavored cut about losing a love after finally letting your walls down.
Nobody does ambient electronica better than Tycho; the project of Scott Hansen has been one of my favorite artists ever since I first saw him perform here in Tampa some years back. He's a rare talent who can wring a great deal of emotion from his music without using a single lyric. Tycho just released soaring new single "Division," which features lush soundscapes and post rock influences, but stays true to Tycho's lingering ambiance. I can't wait to hear more material off a hopefully soon-to-be announced LP.
1. Maxwell, "III"
2. Blood Orange, "Squash Squash"
3. Still Parade, "Walk in the Park"
4. Badbadnotgood, "In Your Eyes" Feat. Charlotte Day
5. Roy Woods, "Switch"
6. Tycho, "Division"
7. Logic, "Super Mario World"
8. Harrison Brome, "Sex Calls"
9. Cool Sounds, "Dance Moves"
10. Sur Back, "Trophy Daughter"
11. Negative Gemini, "Don't Worry Bout the Fuck I'm Doing"
12. Fyfe, "Better Man"
13. Van William, "Fourth of July"
14. Oxblood, "Teenage Crush IV" Feat. Korallreven
15. Flamingosis, "Transparency"
