Baby Osama - Only Girl In The NBA
First hearing this I thought “how has nobody thought of this before, this shit just sounds like it was just meant to be”. The sample/interpolation of Katy Perry’s iconic hit song transformed into a early 2010s Chicago drill/Glo-beat was just a match made in heaven. Baby Osama also matches the energy and slides on this shit effortlessly. Chief Keef would be proud.
Lil Shine - Jeans Soaked (prod. Jxyy2k)
Continuing on from the influence of Chief Keef, we have the underground’s favourite codeine sipping quirked up white boy Lil Shine hopping on glo-beats but with his current signature sound of having the mix being so blown out that it will rattle your entire skull. The instrumental has enough energy to make you RKO your entire family and to add to that the Scarface end credits theme adds to its dramatics. Shine’s vocals also soar through as he sounds like he should be in a 90s boy band and surprisingly holds his own even being bombarded by all the craziness. Initially I wasn’t too fond of Lil Shine but wow, this shit is too good!
Nettspend - shine n peace
More quirked white boys lead us to a rising controversial figure in the underground. Like Lil Shine I initially brushed off this guy but as soon as I saw the viral clip with fellow 1c34 member xaviersobased hitting the zaniest dance move I’ve ever seen, I was entranced. This beat sounds like getting into an elevator going into heaven at 100mph. Bars like “I’m looking at the sky thinking about how high it go” & “I can't even lie, like this the time, and we gon' shine in peace'' inspiration flows from the track. Like yes, we gonna fucking make it!
xaviersobased - left hand (prod. muney jordan)
Xaviersobased is on a fucking crazy run. Another artist in the underground scene getting lots of hate online but is arguably the most influential throughout the past few months. Rapping on an ancient Spaceghostpurrp beat, Xavier mumbles throughout the track but this shit goes too damn hard for some reason. The part where the beat reverses and xavier continues honestly sounds like the universe unravelling and makes me feel like the one part in the music video where xavier is looking vacantly at his hands with existential dread.
(41) Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter - Strangers
NY drill rappers love to shout their arses off. However here you have 41, the Brooklyn rap crew screaming their lungs out about love, lust, relationships and trust. When I first came to the realisation of what this was really about, severe whiplash came to me, like this type of vocal delivery was usually reserved for very different subject matter. But the craziest thing here is that it actually works as the passion delivered in their voices really sells it. Jhene Aiko’s vocals floating behind the Jersey drill beat really glues everything together into something worthwhile *chefs kiss*
Oddwin - WARIO AND WALUIGI (FT. Tablez) [prod. Sl4yyer!]
One of my favourite YouTubers as of recently dropped probably one of the very few “Nerdcore” singles that I actually enjoy and is not just listenable but pretty great. Oddwin used to be primarily known as a producer however has blown up as of recent, but i’ll get to that later. Here he raps over a heavenly sl4yyer! jerk beat which sounds like a psychedelic ice cream truck with Tablez going unnecessarily hard singing like an angel descending from heaven. These guys are just being silly, doing whatever they think is fun and making great music along the way. Just have fun!
JAWAN: Chaleya (Hindi)
Let me preface this with the fact that I'm a south asian living in the UK and growing up listening to Bollywood music or Indian music felt cringey and that me listening to this music in my spare time would make me “uncool”. There was an issue were I thought that indulging in any media not just music from my own culture felt like I was “freshie” and I was ashamed of having to be associated with that media having thought it was bad just because it originated from India. It felt common to be ridiculed for liking these things because it made you seem “fresh off the boat” even among other south asians. For a long time this made me avoid enjoying art from my culture. There was almost self-hate perpetuating as in me as I thought “Why do you like these things?”. But then time went on and the shame I had began to shed as I realised that ridiculing people due to their having interests relating to their own culture was idiotic (and probably racist). There is beautiful art within my own culture and what is there to be ashamed of, what is wrong with being strongly tied to your own culture when it comes to the media you enjoy.
Okay enough of my life story, let's get into the actual music now and oh my fucking god!. How does a song released not even half a year ago elicit such strong nostalgic emotions? Strong vibes from early 2010s bollywood are felt yet it still sounds so modern. Bringing out such feel-good emotions as well as strong feelings of yearning you can’t just not feel something when you listen to this. Arjit Singh and Shilpa Rae both cruise elegantly throughout and it just sounds gorgeous. It may just be nostalgic feelings clouding my judgement but damn if this isn’t one my favourites of 2023.
NIKOWOODYEAR - i jus need my dick sucked W/ buffetboyjohn (Prod. KiZiP)
This doesn’t have any right to be as good as it is. Longing for oral sex and blowjobs NIKOWOODYEAR sings his heart out taking this shit way too seriously making for a listening experience which is both hilarious and heavenly. The instrumental also sounds like witnessing the most stunning person you’ve ever seen and it all sounds so charming. On paper this shouldn’t work, a song about needing sloppy toppy whilst sounding so pleasant. This is real rap and when it comes down to it, sometimes you just need some glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp, glurp.
Young Nudy - Peaches & Eggplants
Boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw,
Anyways, Young Nudy delivers raunchy raps about hitting girls (your girl in particular) from behind. Straightforward and to the point there isn’t anything groundbreaking going on but damn is it addictive. There would be occasions where I would be going about my day as usual and then “boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw, boaw” would just appear in my head. Even on occasions at work it would ring in my head during the most unnecessary occasions.
Amon - Not Responsible (SLOWED VERSION)
this shit still destroys me pic.twitter.com/upnduKIvqK
— tayler (😬) (@billdifferen) December 3, 2023
Speaking of addicting, the amount of times I’ve seen this clip is unreal. Seeing this video of these two guys dancing just takes me the fuck out but the song goes too hard. The repetitiveness of the song almost borders the song on tedium but switches up every now then to stay afloat but goddamn that piano is so addictive, a guaranteed earworm. No wonder this blew up on TikTok, this is another case of if you listen to this even once the tune will ring out in your head wherever you are.
Izaya Tiji - I Eat Humans (prod. OK)
Izaya Tiji has amassed a cult following within the underground however has never quite clicked with me when going through his discography. Few singles here and there however have caught my ears as of late. Izaya Tiji is definitely someone to keep an eye on and this single most definitely proves this. I Eat Humans sounds like final boss music. OK (who has been on an insane run across the underground) produced an instrumental which sounds like the culmination of facing all the trials and tribulations faced in your life putting your all into a final battle to eradicate them (I may have gone overboard with the description). Izaya also pulls out a ridiculous vocal performance producing odd high pitch vocal runs throughout the track which adds to the craziness of everything. An insane song through and through.
Veeze - Not a Drill
Everytime I listen to a track off Veeze’s latest album Ganger I almost always end up listening to the entire album because it’s just that good. Not a Drill is the intro to the album and what an intro it is! Detroit rapper Veeze delivers the craziest bars with his signature sleepy delivery and the beat is hard-hitting and sounds like a battalion going into battle with a fleet of aliens. Veeze's lyricism is fucking wacky with bars like “Three hoes on me at once, this shit like Alvin and the Chimpmunks” and “This cup full of all rеd like it beef with Crippin”. Ganger just might be album of the year, Veeze is just that guy.
BabyTron - #CERTIFIED
We’re still in Detroit but here BabyTron takes a shroom-fueled trip to Milwaukee. BabyTron channels the energy of Certified Trapper with one of his most goofiest vocal performances. Throughout the track BabyTron sounds like a gremlin and occasionally just starts shouting but doesn’t that stop him from delivering his wild punchlines as usual. While personally he doesn’t reach the heights that he’s previously done that doesn’t stop him delivering quirky one-liners like “Pull up on they block and drop a ninety from the right anglе” and “Deep in my bag, I'm lookin' like I'm tryna grab fries”. The wackiest Milwaukee beat also just adds to the track with its weird detuned bells and constant clapping. BabyTron may not be at his best but is a whole lot better even when he is goofing off and getting high than some people trying their damn hardest.
Corey Lingo - Ever Since (prod. Xangang & Maxmadethebeat)
Corey Lingo is so under appreciated. From being a member of the Beat Pluggz collective which pioneered plugg music, to approaching the pluggnb genre (subgenre to plugg) with actual vocals which would usually be reserved for more traditional R&B. Corey can really sing, he sounds a mix Usher and Chris Brown but reducing him to that would be reductive to his sound. Delivering the most heartfelt and angelic vocals, Corey floats on a beat which sounds like it's been delivered from God himself. Xangang (who helped pioneer pluggnb) & Maxmadethebeat really knocked it out of the park but Corey's vocals undoubtedly elevate the song to be something special out of the overpopulated sea of pluggnb.
che - Tony Tony
Prepare your ears because what you're about to experience might be the equivalent to audio assault. Tony Tony is absolutely insane, with the mix almost being “deep fried” and everything sounding like you're in the middle of a 9.0 magnitude earthquake. At first hearing this you will definitely wince at the immense wall of sound but there is something so satisfying about listening to this, sounding like everything will collapse in of itself. It feels almost like an immense catharsis of all the pent up energy that the producer has been going on in their life (shout out to them). Nevertheless, amidst all the chaos che comfortably cruises throughout the track like it's child's play. It definitely is a unique listening experience and oh lord is it cathartic.
Triz, DJ Arana - Fuzil dos Drake
Don't relax just yet as we're now on a trip to Brazil with some baile funk. While I'm not an expert on baile funk (I'll hand that to fellow blog writer billdifferen) this definitely felt like something unique within the genre, DJ Arana is definitely someone to look out for. The track almost gives an eerie uneasy vibe, almost like you've stepped into a haunted house unknowing of what might happen yet instead of your usual haunted house, this house is located in the favelas of São Paulo. A low-end bass hum perpetuates throughout the track adding to eeriness, but, all of a sudden a beat switch happens which wakes you up from your nightmare and now your suffering from sleep paralysis whilst having to dance to a tune which sounds like your never ending alarm clock. Whilst all this is Triz sounds otherworldly tying everything together in a perfect bow.
DJ Arana, CACAU CHUU, MC NINA - Chuva de Perereca
Staying in Brazil with DJ Arana, Chuva de Perereca is definitely a journey. I was initially on the fence with baile funk, being interested in the mind boggling production choices but being simultaneously put off by that alongside the bizarre loudness of everything. Soon I gave it a chance with an open mind with DJ Arana and was swept away. Initially giving it a chance due to having noticed the track featured two female MCs who I hardly noticed during my initial listening experiences with baile funk. Both MCs sound so sassy and eat this shit up. DJ Arana's absurd production choices are made throughout with changes happening almost every 30 seconds, nothing overstays its welcome and feels refreshing because of that. What is in the water in Brazil?
Tainá Costa, DJ Arana - Minha Vez
On our final stop on the baile funk tour, we have DJ Arana continuing to make the most outrageous sounds whilst still making it danceable and still slap hard as fuck. The first half the track sounds as if you were trying to make a beat playing with the metal pipes at a construction site then evolves into the world's loudest phone Nokia ringtone. All this ridiculousness is happening with a thumping bass drum glueing everything together and just making you want to bust a groove. Crazy things are happening in Brazil so keep your eyes peeled and protect your ears.
pakaowlla - Haul
In South Korea pakaowlla decided it was time to save the Korean hip hop scene by dropping Haul. pakaowlla raps over this bubbly New Jazz beat with ease matching the energy of the beat with his high energy vocals. Despite myself not understanding a lick of the Korean language I could feel the passion and yearning through his vocal delivery with pakaowlla rapping about his lost relationships (presumably if the translation app I used was correct, if not I'm a fucking idiot). This song feels like a breath of fresh air in the midst of recent output from the Korean hip hop scene. The Korean hip hop scene is in dire need of some actual quality music like OH MY FUCKING GOODNESS!
HavinMotion - I Just Want U
HavinMotion is a DMV rapper who just happened to come across my radar very recently. I Just Want U is a track which showcases HavinMotion's potential to cultivate a sound that hasn't been heard before. The beat with all its dramatics involves every part of it ringing off, open hats snares, percs blaring throughout the track but it miraculously works. Every part going off almost bordering on a cacophony, that's what makes this so special. HavinMotion rips through the track with enough energy to charge anyone up even when he is rapping about his current relationships. It includes the most overplayed sample flip from recent years yet it still manages to feel like something fresh and only adds to what HavinMotion is talking about. The DMV is really making something special here.
VAYDA - prima donna
Vayda the Georgia-based artist creates bitesize bangers for the internet. Rapping about being that bitch (she rightfully is because are you listening to this!?) Vayda provides a spunky performance, she really didn't come to play. The jazz influenced Jersey beat just makes you want tang into oblivion and rock your hips to eternity. Vayda’s music being so short just makes you wanna keep replaying it over and over but it never gets tiring. This track sounds like the musical equivalent of sugar rush fueling you for years to come.
Yung Lean x bladee - Victorious
Yung Lean & bladee both tread gracefully on what's essentially a piano ballad. The chemistry between both of these guys are top notch as usual performing with their usual metaphorical and artful lyricism. Whitearmor also does a phenomenal job with the production but that also is anything new. The journey of both of these guys to be where they are now is what the track is about and the inspiration is abundant. These guys recent output have been insanely good and this is definitely an example of that. Listening to this just makes you want to get off your arse and succeed. “YOU CAN EITHER GO HARD OR NOT IT’S A CHOICE”.
Hi - C - v4mP1r3+N1t3m4r4 ft. rockstarcliff & selfmadesav
Hi-C music just reminds you of being a kid curious playing all the random Japanese games on your PS2 with all the interjections of random video game edits from games like BlazBlue, Guilty Gear, Soul Calibur and killer7. VaMP N1t3MaR3 sounds like being injected straight into the matrix except the matrix takes the form of a trap song, also you took a few substances along the way... Whilst Hi-C does his thing on this track the real star of the show is selfmadesav how bursts onto the song rapid fire sounding like a cold blooded hound ready to get dirty if things get serious. They didn’t come to play with this one.
phreshboyswag - obsessed (prod 444jet)
phreshboyswag is another popularly hated artist rising in the underground scene this time hailing from London. While being a part of the New York based 1c34 collective alongside xaviersobased and Nettspend, phreshboyswag music sounds so much more gloomy, pessimistic and oppressive. obsessed feels like you're in the middle of an apocalypse but you don’t care because you're lost in a drug fueled psychosis. The jerk beat from hell rides on while phreshboyswag just raps so casually over the insanity, you just get the idea that he doesn’t care about anything at all. Also the bars “I must walk around at night with my bros” and “I miss my friends, they make me feel at home” is peak, like that’s what life is really about.
SINN6R - mattress (prod.LAZERFOX)
Let's remain at home base in London town with this fiery tune from rapper SINN6R. mattress is obviously a drill track but with sonic influences which I can’t exactly pinpoint but makes you feel like your in a cyberpunk dystopia. This here sounds like if Blade Runner took place in south London. SINN6R blazes through the track with his fast paced flows that you could easily get lost in. UK artists definitely need to start to experiment with more out-there sounds like this.
Len - TRUSSMAN
Who told you grime was dead!? One of the most interesting grime tunes as of recent comes from an artist who isn’t even primarily a grime MC. Okay enough of the hyperbole, the grime scene is still alive and well just not as big as it has been or could be. Len has more in common with artists with Lancey Foux and the like but decided to take influence from his hometown with this eclectic banger. Len flows with no holds barred sounding as charismatic as ever flexing his lavish lifestyle and the consequences if you get on his bad side. The instrumental is definitely grime through and through but with this weird psychedelic flair. The beat still manages to sound fresh while a lot of recent grime tracks hinge on nostalgia (at least from what I’ve heard) and just end up sounding dated. Hope Len continues to make this sort of thing.
Len - MANJUS
Oh what's this? Len has done it again? Damn didn't expect this to happen again. MANJUS off the deluxe version of Lehgoland is expected sequel to the aforementioned TRUSSMAN. Sounding like you're in the middle of the process of crystallisation the constantly looping melody is hypnotic. Len continues to prove himself on this one and is really providing more of what I wanted. Hope Len continues to experiment in this style cause he was really in his bag with this one.
lostrushi - FIRST ROUND PICK (BESIDE ME)
THE CASH SIT BESIDE ME! lostrushi revitalises the energy from the early 2010s with his take on the iconic Meek Mill hit Ima Boss. Lostrushi who usually sounds like you're listening to OSTs from obscure Japanese dating sims on your Nintendo DS that have been dipped into the modern soundcloud scene, here he decides to take it back and inject a new take on existing sounds. In full rockstar mode lostrushi goes all in on this track with a performance of immense proportion. You can feel the angst, the passion and the insanity overflowing from him, lostrushi is a star in the making. Originally I thought this was a usual self-produced instrumental but was surprised when I discovered this was an ancient beat by Jahlil beats, it is a testament to how well lostrushi performed on this one. Dir En Grey would be proud.
Valee - Shrimp Fried Rice
VALEEDATION the collaborative album by Chicago rapper Valee and former classical composer MVW (formerly known Michael Vincent Walker) now beatmaker was a sleeper hit for me. Shrimp Fried Rice sees Valee rap with his signature nonchalant flow with MVW providing a beat which sounds like a film noir soundtrack making Valee sound like a detective deducing a string of unusual murders. Originally I didn't understand the appeal of Valee but seriously this guy can rap. When he starts rhyming Prada and Product, OH MY GOODNESS, he just goes off, this is just too hard. MVW's production on the album compliments Valee so well, we definitely need to hear more of this soon.
xaviersobased - how I feel 2 prod kashpaint
xaviersobased and kashpaint are this generation's equivalent of Duwap Kaine and Nine9. As soon as patchmade took off the ground, the underground had a new sound to latch on to and a whole lot of artists took inspiration. How I feel 2 is what you'd expect from the duo with its simple yet mesmerising piano looping throughout whilst xaviersobased is rapping with his straight to the point raps sounding like he just woke up. The track is uncomplicated yet still manages to sound so addictive. Both artists take inspiration from the short lived jerk scene during the early 2010s but insert a new take on the genre by combining it with the elements found in the current Soundcloud scene. Nevertheless, reducing these guys to just “jerk” would really dumb down what these guys are doing because they are so much more than that.
Jim Legxacy - old place
Jim Legxacy is one of the most exciting acts coming out of the UK at the moment. No one is really doing it like him at the moment. Old place is a perfect example of why this guy is a cut above the rest. The math rock inspired guitar licks going off alongside pulsing jersey club kicks all the while Jim Legxacy emo-tinged vocals sounding as if he came down from heaven itself, there is NOBODY combining all these elements so tastefully. Even when all these elements are combined it still manages to sound approachable, like his entire catalogue could be played on BBC Radio 1 or Capital FM and nobody would bat an ear. Pop music is in safe hands with Jim Legxacy.
SNOW STRIPPERS - UNDER YOUR SPELL
The impression I get when listening to Snow Strippers is of numbing your melancholia by doing a truckload of drugs and going to basement raves. It feels there’s an underlying depression going on within their music, like you're trying to escape these negative feelings inside of you by partying till you die. Something also feels dated and is most definitely tapping into nostalgia for something I wasn’t a part of but there’s just something I can’t pinpoint which makes it so enthralling. NICE BASS BRO!
MOH BARETTA - FIRE DAY
The nuttiest sample flip of 2023 goes to quinn for this absolutely immense tune. The way the sample is chopped is maddening, this shouldn’t work but it does. quinn dissects the sample in the most discordant way but it's the reason my ears perk up when listening. Turning this sensual R&B track (please someone tell me what this is, that song is too good) into something this hard hitting and unique is something special. Insane production here but let’s not discredit Moh Baretta who casually flows on the track with his particular drowsy flow, for him this is light work. Surf Gang is one of the most interesting collectives in music right now and they've definitely got something with these artists (both Moh Baretta & Snow Strippers are part of Surf Gang if that wasn’t clear).
Earl Sweatshirt - Making The Band (Danity Kane) (prod. EVILGIANE & Clams Casino)
This might be cheating as this was released on Soundcloud in 2022 but only received an official release in 2023 but fuck it, it’s my blog. Earl takes an unexpected turn by stepping up on to a beat produced by some of my favourite producers EVILGIANE and cloud rap pioneer Clams Casino. The beat sounds like you're deep in a meditative trance in a forest filled with spirits. This beat is so crazy that even with EVILGIANE’s manic drum patterns with its jittery hi-hats and the other odd percussive elements it still feels obvious that this is in fact a drill beat. Surf Gang’s EVILGIANE (you thought I was done with Surf Gang?) is one of the best out and I don’t know what Clams Casino’s did but shout out to him cause he’s a legend. Earl’s lyricism isn’t as dense as usual but he still does his thing on this one, this is a cakewalk for him, just brilliant.
RealYungPhil - Couldn't Imagine (prod. Gud)
This right here sounds like turning over a new leaf. Closing a chapter in your life and opening yourself up to new opportunities, the start of something different. This is like the credits theme to a 2000s indie/arthouse coming-of-age movie. Gud continues to prove himself as an insane producer. RealYungPhil matches the vibes and comes through with raps about trying to achieve your dreams, never giving up and what you experience in the pursuit of success. Victory Music, the collaborative album between both these guys which came out prior to this single already proved that when both these guys come together there’s something special going on and I hope these collaborations keep happening because this is amazing.
kwes. - Open Up (feat. Sampha & Tirzah)
Rye Lane is my personal favourite film of 2023 and how could I not include this intimate banger. This song just sounds like the epitome of love, perfectly encapsulating the film's themes of being open and honest with each other in relationships and the joy and romance which comes from that. This is such a delightful song making you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Both Tirzah and Sampha have irresistible chemistry with their voices just healing your soul the moment they hit your eardrums. If this song makes you feel things then I highly recommend checking out the film, it's sure to make anyone believe in love.
10-FEET – Dai Zero Kan (“THE FIRST SLAM DUNK” Ending Theme Song)
More soundtracks coming with Dai Zero Kan by 10-FEET from the film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK. I did not expect to like the film as much as I did and was surprised at how serious and poignant the film was as the 1994 series was more of a light hearted romp. Ryota Miyagi’s story just feels so heart wrenching as he tries to live up to his brother’s dreams in basketball and this song just makes you feel the passion he has to achieve those dreams. This shit is super hype with its heavy hard rock guitars alongside the crispy electronic bleeps and bloops going on, and you can’t forget the random engrish lyrics sprinkled in there. Also, that guitar lick at the start and end of the track induces so much melancholic emotions. This is definitely a song you’d hear in an anime specifically made to gas you up and I’m eating that shit up.
Swami Sound - Refuse
When this tune starts playing in Bomb Rush Cyberfunk the whole mood changes and it's beautiful. While I think Bomb Rush Cyberfunk’s aesthetics and soundtrack are nowhere near as the games that inspired it, this tune right here is such a stand out. Simultaneously making you want to bust a move at the club whilst making you cry about your past relationships. Swami Sound is so cool both singing and producing the track, this guy is a monster. Anyways play Bomb Rush Cyberfunk!
Devstacks - Not A Luv Story Ft. Iayze (Prod. Flansie + Noxnova + Ayemajin)
Devstacks music sounds like you're going on a grand adventure in a fantasy themed JRPG. Traversing mystical planes and ancient forests on a quest to defeat the lord himself. Anyways, Devstacks is pioneering this sound alongside Iayze (absolute human trash) called “Regalia”. Iayze is the finest example of how not to live your life and honestly fuck this huge piece of shit. Anyways, whilst the loud arse snare rings off, the melody just encapsulates the feeling of going on an epic journey. You can’t not help feeling that once you hear this beat that you wanna go out on a grand quest. Truly EPIC!
Hardrock - athome
Hardrock is an up and coming rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. Hardrock's often compared to artists within Playboi Carti’s Opium label such as Destroy Lonely and Ken Carson. While it is understandable to compare these guys as they do share a lot of stylistic similarities, this guy is 1of1. This guy’s beat selection is immaculate. This beat is so elegant and luxurious exemplifying Hardrock odd singing vocals (I wouldn’t classify this as rapping) about wanting to retain his newfound position with the riches. Definitely an interesting artist coming up in a space where a lot of people sound the same and keep riding off trends every 6 weeks.
FIFTY FIFTY (피프티피프티) - Cupid
Cupid is such a different song in the realm of the K-pop industry. The song sounds much more in the vein of something coming out of the indie/alternative pop scene from artists like Mitski. This is most definitely a song you’d hear at your local Urban Outfitters with white girls wearing vintage wash graphic tees and the baggiest jeans saying they don’t listen to “mainstream” music. However this is certainly a K-pop song with its squeaky clean production. It’s always refreshing to hear something like this coming from the K-pop industry departing into alternative musical styles, but it seems like that won’t be happening anytime soon with this group.
NewJeans - ETA
The only reason this song caught my eye was because of the viral meme of this song being paired with the iconic video of these two girlies gassing each other up but this really did make me understand the appeal of NewJeans music. While I initially thought that the group’s whole schtick was pandering and riding trends of the resurgence of Y2K (which they still definitely are) they are making absolute tunes. The club-inspired songs definitely make it something unique among the gauntlet of K-pop groups coming out right now. The club kicks are thumping driving the entire song whilst the group sing about a guy who likes to run around with every girl they see. This also isn’t the only banger with annoying horn instruments incessantly running across it. K-pop is pretty good right now.
NewJeans - OMG 2 [DJ Sliink Remix]
We’re now on to possibly the best remix of 2023 with OMG 2 a NewJeans remix by Jersey Club icon DJ Sliink. He chops up the original song into something that just makes you wanna shake your hips. Turning a banger into an even better banger is a real feat and could only be done legends. Making an already danceable song into an even more danceable tune. DJ Sliink proves his legendary status with this one.
KASH KRABS - SECRET FORMULA
If you were paying attention around 4000 words ago (goddamn!) I mentioned YouTuber, content creator, producer and artist Oddwin who snapped on his recent song Wario & Waluigi but this is really where the internet really started to pay attention to this guy. Oddwin does a absolutely on-point impression of both Mr. Krabs and Squidward channelling the energy of the internet’s favourite geeked up rappers like Yeat and the like. The crazy part of this is that it actually works and it sounds so good, like what the fuck. Also all the references from Kelpy G, Plankton and Mr Krabs being childhood friends then falling apart is buckwild. This shit is just too much fun to listen to.
Mall Boyz (Tohji, gummyboy) - POOLSIDE
POOLSIDE is just a great feel-good tune. It reminds me of sunny days and hanging out with friends. A summer banger which makes you want to grab all your friends to the beach for a grand ol' time. Something about the strange guitar perpetuating the song just entices feelings of having a good time. Both Tohji and gummyboy come on the track matching the vibe with lyrics about having fun with friends and the random shenanigans that occur during those outings. While I wasn’t really a fan of the new Mall Tape 2 mixtape, this track is definitely a highlight. Also what the hell is “Lomi Lomi yeah” is he saying Love me, Love me yeah, I don’t even know.
dazegxd & MON - Leaving
Now if this isn’t some great gospel, junglism lives on. Dazegxd is currently one of the artists currently championing the resurgence of club sounds from the late 90s and early 2000s. Here we have dazegxd & MON creating a heavenly blend of R&B, jungle & jersey club. Oh my days! when those stomps come in with that jersey club pattern it really just knocks the wind out of you. Dazegxd is really an underappreciated artist and deserves so much more. Still surprised they haven’t gotten massive even with the resurgence of Y2K and a lot of people's interest in jungle and dnb from video game OSTs of the 90s and 2000s. Dazegxd isn’t just an artist relying on the nostalgia of bygone memories & eras but building upon club sounds which have an important and vast history.
Hayden Pedigo - Looking at the Fish
Now you didn’t expect any American primitivism to be on here did you. Hayden Pedigo’s music just sounds so homely. The perfect fit for a return home from a long trip, just so comfy and cosy. The album The Happiest Times I’ve Ever Ignored (what a great title by the way) is astonishing and I would honestly recommend it to anyone and Looking at the Fish is the perfect example as to why this is so good. It is mind boggling how this guy achieves so much with just a single guitar. Another thing is there's a low bass tone throughout the song which just feels like a nice hug. It always feels so warm and fuzzy listening to this. Just listen and relax.
OH MY GOODNESS! That was a trip. After writing this I never wanna type a single word ever again but alas you’ll probably see me soon (sooner than later? who knows?). That’s it probably with lists for a while but keep your eyes and ears posted cause I’ve got some cool ideas rumbling around in my head. Playlist below. Till next time. Take care <3.
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