Cuepoint’s New 11
Eleven of our favorite new songs, week of 11/04/14
Wu-Tang Clan “Ruckus In B Minor”
(Warner Bros.)
Good news for the loyal army of Wu-Tang fans: the long-awaited final album A Better Tomorrow is now slated for a December 2nd release. And the relentless “Ruckus In B Minor” is the record that will lead the iron-flagged ship on its glorious final voyage. Reportedly produced by the dream team of RZA and Rick Rubin, the track includes appearances from the entire Wu-Tang Clan(!), including Cappadonna and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Driven by dynamic, resonant live instrumentation, this spirited anthem will have you chanting “Still #1" right along with Meth.
Priory “Weekend (Oliver Nelson Remix)”
(Loud War Music)
What is it about youthful choir choruses in modern pop music that gets us every time? In the tradition of Justice “D.A.N.C.E.,” Cash Cash “Overtime” and Gorillaz “Dirty Harry,” Priory’s original version of “Weekend” utilizes an ensemble vocal for its stick-it-to-the-man indie jam. But Oliver Nelson’s new remix tones down the occupy-all-streets attitude, transforming “Weekend” into a funky steppin’ song, snatching bits of the hook and building a pleasant grooviness, to great effect.
Penguin Prison “Calling Out“ / “Elephante Remix”
(Downtown Records)
Penguin Prison aka Chris Glover impressed us last month with the release of the happy, Hall & Oates influenced “Calling Out,” featuring whimsical piano percussions and a carefree chorus. He doubles up this week with a satisfying dancefloor remix from Elephante, who increases the tempo to 128 BPM while managing to preserve the light-hearted integrity of this likable track.
A-Trak “Push”
(feat. Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow)
(Fool’s Gold)
A-Trak is a man wearing many hats—so many hats, in fact, that one of them has its own Twitter account. Haberdashery check-ins aside, A-Trak defies expectation once again, delivering some sleek, sophisticated piano-driven house, following his recent street level hip-hop work with Lex Lugar. Uplifting vocals from Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt top off this gorgeous collaboration, featured on EA Sports’ FIFA 15 official soundtrack. Goal!
Laidback Luke “Stepping To The Beat”
(Mixmash)
Heading into the new year, Laidback Luke seeks reinvention in both sound and design with his new single “Stepping To The Beat.” Notably, the cover art for the single abandons his Mixmash label’s longtime aesthetic of colorful graffiti mural covers for a sleeker, cleaner look, suggesting that change is in the air. This applies to the song itself, a melodius mesh of pumping synths and contagious hooks that might have you doing exactly what the song says. Effectively putting the “D” back into EDM.
Above & Beyond “We Are All We Need” (feat. Zoë Johnston)
(Anjunabeats)
Beautiful progressive trance from seasoned champions of the genre, Above & Beyond team with vocalist Zoë Johnston for an exemplary collaboration that became the title track for their new album. Ms. Johnston’s floaty vocals are an elevation for the ears, while A&B’s symphonic soundbed soothes the soul. “As the writing process unfolded we kept noticing a recurring theme,’’ the band revealed in a statement about the album, due in January of next year. “Zoë hit it on the head with the beautiful song ‘We’re All We Need’ and after a minute’s thought, we had our album title.”
Until The Ribbon Breaks “Revolution Indifference” (feat. Run The Jewels)
(Peter Lawrie Winfield)
You might know this electronic rock trio led by Peter Lawrie Winfield from their 2o13 video “Pressure” (it sampled 90s film thriller Lost Highway), or from their appearance on Killer Mike and El-P’s first Run The Jewels project (“Job Well Done”). The dynamic rap duo returns the favor on “Revolution Indifference,” adding punchy verses to this futuristic/fatalistic single. Given that the Jewels’ new album has been in endless rotation the last week, this collab acts as the perfect bonus track.
Nas “The Season” (produced by J. Dilla)
(Def Jam)
Speaking of Run The Jewels, with the massive popularity of the group on Nas’ Mass Appeal imprint, we’re sensing a return to strength for the sound of “real hip-hop.” Look no further for evidence than Nas’ own new single, “The Season,” which doesn’t aim for club or radio play whatsoever. Rather, Nas drops streetwise vocals over the “Gobstopper” instrumental from J Dilla’s immortal 2006 LP Donuts. It’s an already-classic break injected with new life through Nas’ stream-of-consciousness flow.
Michael Jackson
“Rock With You (The Reflex Re√ision)”
(Soundcloud)
Rising producer The Reflex has been liberating a series of ear-erecting “re√isions” of soul classics from the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Kool & The Gang, James Brown and others by literally remixing the tracks. Taking elements of the isolated acapellas and multitrack stems from the original recordings, The Reflex has been lovingly reconstructing classics from the ground up, using only the song’s organic elements. He’s been at it for four years, and we’re still impressed with his newest re√ision to the timeless upliftment of Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You.”
Oh Wonder “Dazzle”
(Soundcloud)
This unisex London duo takes an uncommon approach to vocal presentation by singing their lyrics together, without solo performances. The aural balance of X and Y chromosomes gives their tempered, soulful tunes a peculiar voice, as the lyrics on “Dazzle” suggest to “dazzle me,” not “us.” It’s an androgynous approach that is expertly performed and feels unique.
The 1975 “Medicine”
(Dirty Hit/Polydor)
Released as part of BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe’s reimaginging of the 2011 Drive soundtrack, this ethereal indie love ballad from Manchester-based rockers The 1975 would have fit perfectly in Nicolas Winding Refn’s violent ballet, or perhaps nestled within the Douglas firs of Twin Peaks. An ultra chilled landscape hosts an outstanding performance from the creative quartet.
