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Track Reviews

Estelle & John Legend – Freedom (Feat. Talib Kweli)

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The gift turkey swooped in on Fri and let loose a free EP from Estelle and John Legend, Sing & Flow. The seven song EP contains retooled songs from both artists (including Freedom) and cool new collabs (Estelle and Legend go in on Jay Elec’s “Shiny Suit Theory”). “Freedom” has that early sort of Kanye sound, the sped-up soul samples, the laid back yet punchy drum tones and, yes, tones of of the Legend man. Despite no solo LP releases, 2010 has been kind to Ellen Degeneres’ favorite soul singer. (The Wake Up LP w/ The Roots, tracks with Magnetic Man, that pretty cool Arcade Fire cover, etc) Talib contributes a nice verse, and Estelle shines here too.

Estelle & John Legend – Freedom (Feat. Talib Kweli)
Purchase / Purchase


Estelle – American Boy

Rating: 8.0

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reviewed by
11-27-10

Blu – BNG (Prod. Flying Lotus)

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Blu drops some wild and crazy visuals for the “BNG” track he did a while back with Flylo. “BNG” is rumored to be apart of Blu’s oft-delayed but still upcoming No York LP which will be out sometime.

Blu – BNG (Prod. Flying Lotus)
Info

Rating: 8.4

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reviewed by
11-27-10

The Streets – The Day After The Day Off On One

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Bloke Mike Skinner drops another in his series of twitter-released bombs. This vid comes in response to a piece by The Guardian’s Jim McMahon citing The Streets’ man’s use of the web. The commentary to Mr. McMahon is no doubt brilliant but how sick is that beat on the track. Props to Skinner for keeping us interested.

Love,
The Technological Void we’re all pissing into.

The Streets – The Day After The Day Off On One
Info

Rating: 8.7

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reviewed by
11-27-10

Radio Citizen – Summer Days (Feat. Bajka)

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Radio Citizen is the brainchild of Berlin-based artist Niko Schabel. He and his revolving collective of players released Hope and Despair, the follow up to 06’s acclaimed Berlin Serengeti LP last month on jazz imprint Ubiquity. “Summer Days”, our track from the record, features a laid back, acoustic guitar driven arrangement, and some subtle yet sultry female vocals.

Radio Citizen – Summer Days (Feat. Bajka)
Info

Rating: 8.4

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reviewed by
11-26-10

Penguin Prison – Golden Train (Acoustic)

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A blah electropop track is transformed here on this live acoustic version of “Golden Train” by Penguin Prison. Supported by a killer vocal (WOW!) and just a knockout tune (really shown off here in this sparer version), the song soars. One of the better melodies and vocal performances (Check that falsetto) of the year.

Penguin Prison – Golden Train (Acoustic)
Penguin Prison – Golden Train (Acoustic)

Rating: 8.2

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reviewed by
11-26-10

Deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon (Feat. Greta Svabo Bech)

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Here goes the CDQ of “Raise Your Weapon” which will be included as part of Deadmau5’s 4 x 4 = 12 LP. The Mau5 man seems bound by nothing, style and genre included. On the track he tackles dubstep and the result is flat out phenomenal. Greta Svabo Bech chips in with an equally dope vocal. Get into it below.

Deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon (Feat. Greta Svabo Bech)
Info

Rating: 8.2
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reviewed by
11-26-10

Adele – Hometown Glory (High Contrast Remix)

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Adele – Hometown Glory (High Contrast Remix)
Purchase

reviewed by
11-25-10

Foals – One (Swedish House Mafia Cover)

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Foals take it into party mode with this five alive cover of the Swedish guys for Radio 1’s Live Lounge.

Foals – One (Swedish House Mafia Cover)
Purchase / Info

Rating: 8.6
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reviewed by
11-24-10

Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone (Prod. Jeff Tweedy)

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Everybody’s favorite corduroy jacket wearer Jeff Tweedy penned this tune for the gospel legend’s LP of the same name that came out in Sept. Mavis is one of the greatest singers ever period and she sounds fantastic on this track, Tweedy also produced. Mavis’ ability to emote, her ability to just connect each tone, and wring it out, and just pry that feeling out of herself and out of the listener is really unparalleled. “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself” are classic jams, but some of our favorite Staple Singers material is the group’s more spare early spirituals albums on Veejay Records. Check’em out, if you’re not familiar.

Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone (Prod. Jeff Tweedy)
Purchase / Info

Rating: 8.4
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reviewed by
11-24-10

Beady Eye – Sons of the Stage

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Liam and the boys make good on the b-side of their new 7-inch with a remake of the 1991 underground NY hit “Sons of the Stage”, from indie-brits World of Twist. It’s a psychedelic stomper and we love it. This tune wants you to dance.. so DANCE!

Beady Eye‘s debut LP is expected February 28. They also recently announced a handful of European tour dates (below). Apparently the band will be in Europe during the end of March… no SXSW guys? Get a free download of “Bring The Light” at the bands website HERE …

Beady Eye Tour Dates 2011
Glasgow Barrowland – 3 March
Glasgow Barrowland – 4 March
Manchester O2 Apollo – 6 March
Manchester O2 Apollo – 7 March
London Troxy – 9 March
London Troxy – 9 March
Paris Casino de Paris – 13 March
Koln Live Music Hall – 14 March
Milan Alcatraz – 16 March
Madrid La Reviera – 18 March
Amsterdam Paradiso – 21 March

Beady Eye – Sons of the Stage

Beady Eye info / buy it / Pretty Green

Rating: 8.5
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reviewed by
11-24-10

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll (Jakwob Remix)

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Came across this remix crawling the internets for jams. Jakwob’s one of our fav producers of the dstep universe. Here he goes in on the YYYs tune from last year. Get into it below. Wub Wub Wub Wub.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll (Jakwob Remix)
Purchase / Info

Rating: 8.0

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reviewed by
11-23-10

Destroyer – Chinatown

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“Chinatown” is new from Dan Bejar’s band Destroyer. The track, which is going on our Tuesday Night 8:54 PM chillout mix, is as smooth as the Wednesday before T-Giving is long. Splashes of dreamy synth and sax float in the mix framing a vaguely Asian instrumental frame. Destroyer’s Kaputt is out in Jan on Merge.

Destroyer – Chinatown
Purchase / Info

Rating: 8.5

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reviewed by
11-23-10