Hooked On: XXXY – “I Know This (Can’t Be Love)”

Usually about every two-three days I get hooked on a particular song, band/artist or genre. It’s the nature of my ever-changing moods about music and, well, there’s always new music coming out every day. The past month and a half I’ve been away from music so much. I’ve just stuck to hip-hop which I’ll never, ever get tired of. So, I wanted to start something to share what I’ve been hooked on recently. I won’t share the most common bands/artists that we’ve continuously posted on the site before because there’s so much more out there that many of you may not have listened to, yet.

Have you heard of the TV show The Slap? Really, no? A couple of months ago, here in Australia, it was everywhere. You couldn’t turn your channel onto the Australian Broadcasting Commision for two minutes without being bombarded for promos for it.

I am too young and innocent and delicate to watch the show, but I could deduct that is was a whole lot of family arguments, explicit sex scenes and drama. What I was really excited about was the song used for the promo. It was called Jungle, by the up and coming indie darling Emma Louise.

Emma Louise

I came across the song on a whim a few months ago, breaching my internet limits (I’m so rebel) to get it in the Triple J podcast. I didn’t even listen to it beforehand; just pressed “Download” like all good people should. I cannot remember the amount of times I’ve stumbled across brilliant music just because I felt like wasting up the internet usage.

Afterwards, I listened to it. I had, like I said, not heard of Emma Louise, but this song turned out to be a pulsating pop gem, with washes of lush electro sounds, rumbling exotic percussion and her sweet voice earnestly painting a picture of tension. It was beautiful, and quite hard to believe that she was a newcomer on the scene.

WeFess: YouTube Crush

Gabe BondocIf you can sing, you just got that much more attractive to me. Play an instrument as well? Automatic cool points. You compose your own music and write your own lyrics, too? Marry me.

I stumbled upon Gabe Bondoc on YouTube almost three years ago and it’s amazing to see someone who was already so good, get better. He has mad guitar skills, is a great storyteller through his lyrics, and has such a smooth, versatile voice. He can belt it out or flow just as well, and he never disappoints.

I subscribed for his originals, but his covers are just as enticing. And because of his dope delivery and musical style, I confess, Gabe Bondoc is my official YouTube crush.

Here’s a taste of his lyrical smoothness and storytelling in my favorite original of his called “Sober”:

New: OnCue – “Rich Kid”

What makes OnCue so badass is that he sings his own hooks. This “Rich Kid” hook is probably one of the best I’ve heard from him. His last mixtape, Can’t Wait, was filled with solid tracks and decent hooks but he’s on another level with something this fresh.

I’ve always said that he’s one of my favorite rappers when he brings that emotion that fills his every track. He’s always bringing that underdog character and puts his own character in the right places on every track. Just listen to what he says and you’ll see OnCue for OnCue.

Chiddy Bang. Breakfast. Extra Extra Swell. What more do you need?

 

Though this track won’t be on the album, it’ll be on the Grab A Plate mixtape. Make sure to cop Breakfast when it’s out later this month.

Chiddy Bang – Extra Well (Ft. Chip Tha Ripper)

[audio:http://dearsonginmyhead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Extra-Well-Ft.-Chip-Tha-Ripper.mp3|titles=Chiddy Bang – Extra Well (Ft. Chip Tha Ripper)]

New: 2AM Club – “Love Notes”

It’s no coincidence these boys decided to drop a new track on V-Day. When you listen to 2AM Club, everyday feels like Valentine’s Day.”Love Notes” has that iconic 2AM Club feel that reminds you of making YouTube videos of only pictures of you and your then-girlfriend. This is that soundtrack to that “video.”

I reveal too much about myself sometimes.

This is that classic mid-90’s feel with a bit of fresh hip-hop. Think Naughty By Nature and A Tribe Called Quest. Put them in a blender, add that modern swag hip-hop has now and you get “Must B The Music.”

“Must B The Music” is the first single from the De La Soul’s First Serve project.

This album was made with the acclaimed French production team 2 & 4 (aka Chokolate & Khalid) who themselves first met through their love of turntablism. The album concept starts with their story: to fulfil their shared dream of recording a live hip-hop record. To do this they roped in the legendary De La Soul boys who created their alter egos Deen and Jacob for their part in this alternate reality. The four of them set about putting their hip-hop fable together in Paris, putting the producers’ live beats and electro flavours to the duo’s rhymes. The end result is a high-spirited, hilarious journey of hip-hop, skits and beats, where all the action takes place in a hyper-colour, animated world.

 

De La Soul’s Plug 1 and Plug 2 present ‘First Serve’ drops April 2nd via PIAS Recordings.

The beat is so dope this instantly becomes one of my favorite tunes and even video this year. Shout out to my man Ed from Mud Hut Digital for always putting me on some good music.

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