Cuepoint’s New 11
Eleven of our favorite new songs, week of 1/27/15
Étienne Bernard de Crécy “You”
(feat. Madeline Follin)
(Ultra)
French house pioneer Étienne Bernard de Crécy returns on Ultra Records with the third volume of his Super Discount album series, leading off with the addictive “You.” Madeline Follin’s filtered, echoey vocals give the song an 80s freestyle vibe, while Crécy’s marching metallic bassline pulsates through the speaker, suggesting this song could only be produced on vintage analog synths with no laptop plug-ins in sight.
Jhené Aiko “Spotless Mind”
(Def Jam / ARTium)
Longtime Common collaborator and executive vice president of A&R for Def Jam, No I.D. laces sultry songstress Jhene Aiko with a lush, chilled-out instrumental for “Spotless Mind,” the fourth single from her late 2014 debut release, Souled Out. Aiko’s breezy R&B vocals float perfectly just above Dion’s amalgamation of acoustic guitars, mellifluous hip-hop drums and warm, atmospheric effects. But don’t let the music fool you, Jhené’s words aren’t so friendly: “Shame on me for changing? Shame on you for staying the same.”
Action Bronson “Actin’ Crazy”
(Atlantic)
Larger than life culinary chef / character rapper Action Bronson will soon make his major label debut with Mr. Wonderful this March. Bam Bam goes for a straight-forward backwards boom-bap beat cooked up by Drake producer 40 and his partner Omen. With ridiculous boasts like “All I do is eat oysters / And speak six languages in three voices,” Bronson’s lyrics range from head-scratching to knee-slapping, and are, as always, far from predictable.
NO ZU — “Elation E (Real E State Edit)”
(Home Loan Records)
Indian and Hellenic music provided inspiration for Medusa Music, NO ZU’s newly released EP. We’ve picked “Elation E (Real E State Edit)” to highlight, but all five tracks were worthy contenders. The music sounds exotic, blending Amazonian beats, Oriental synths and Greek spoken-word vocals—percussive dance music at its very best. If NO ZU was around during the height of No Wave in the 1980s they would have slotted in perfectly between Liquid Liquid and The Contortions—CBGB would have been thumping.
Tuxedo “Number One”
(Stones Throw)
Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One took a huge risk with the second single from their March collaborative album by offering a “clean” homage to Snoop Dogg’s orgiastic classic, “Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None).” Jake replays the track from scratch, while Mayer interprets Nate Dogg’s original vocals into a more thoughtful arrangement for all the lovely ladies. The song’s meaning has completely changed—and therefore, so has the name—and we think they did a bang up job (no pun intended.)
Stalley “Always Into Somethin’”
(feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
(MMG)
Speaking of West Coast rap legends, the most underrated member of Rick Ross’ MMG camp, Stalley pays homage to N.W.A on this clever nod to the world’s most dangerous group. Ty Dolla $ign provides the hook, as if he’s reading the tracklist to the Straight Outta Compton album, while the heavy production clearly pays homage to a 2001-era Dr. Dre. Well played, gentlemen.
Majid Jordan “Forever”
(OVO Sound / Warner Bros.)
New music from the man who helped out Drake on the massive hit “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” venturing out solo with his A Place Like This EP on Drizzy’s OVO Sound imprint. The mature, soulful house-inspired backdrop compliments Majid’s cool crooning, which is layered in different octaves, truly using his voice as another instrument. We’re expecting big things and a long career ahead from Mr. Jordan.
Jarryd James “Do You Remember”
(Jarryd James Music)
Aussie newcomer Jarryd James knocked this one out of the park on “Do You Remember,” which is currently making its way up the HypeM charts with over 150,000 plays in the last two weeks. James’ doubles up on his vocals over the haunting, thumping production, giving the song a feeling that treads the line between romantic and creepy. Not on the 50 Shades Of Gray soundtrack, but probably should be.
Mangelwurzel “My House”
(self-released)
“My House” is a howling good tune with a raucous, catchy chorus. Vocalist Cosima Jaala leads the band with Iggy (Pop, not Azalea)-like abandon, rocking the mic like a shaken soda can that’s about to explode. Mangelwurzel is one of the liveliest young punk bands in Melbourne, Australia and their grubby sound is fast becoming the talk of the town. Their punk/jazz fusion offers something a little different for the headbangers to bop to.
Mount Eerie “This”
(P.W. Elverum & Sun)
Phil Elverum is famous for his moody soundscapes and “This” sounds like it’s coming straight out of the Washington fjords. Like thick fog, it quickly surrounds you in a heavy blanket of drone, choral harmonies and ricocheting feedback. There’s something heavenly and a little bit haunting about the song’s juxtaposing sounds, sparking a comparison to Angelo Badalamenti’s Twin Peaks soundtrack, particularly “Laura Palmer’s Theme.” Allyson Foster and Ashley Eriksson’s voices are angelic—if you’re not worshipping them by the end of the song then you’re not listening properly.
Ne-Yo “Who’s Taking You Home”
(Motown)
David Guetta produces this end-of-the-night sure shot from Ne-Yo’s new Non-Fiction LP, which hit stores last week. Guetta puts aside his usual over-produced sound for a more subtle, somber take on the EDM formula. The beats still clock in around 128 and there is a more reserved take on the usual big build up and break down, but Ne-Yo’s clearly taking center stage here. Expect to hear this closing out DJ sets all summer long.
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