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<\/a>5. “The Heart – Part IV” [SINGLE] by Kenrick Lamar<\/strong><\/p>\nThis new addition to rotation may be one of the better diss tracks of the past decade – even without any knowledge of who the lyrics are referring to. There are suggestions that it may be Big Sean who is under verbal fire; and others say it is Drake. The song shifts both stylistically and lyrically in tempo, masterfully keeping pace with Lamar’s intensity and emotion. The most exciting hint is a reference to April 7th. Is this hinting towards another single release? An EP? Is the world lucky enough to see Lamar firebomb competition with a new LP? Time will tell.<\/p>\n
4. “Ascension (ft. Vince Staples)” [SINGLE] by\u00a0Gorillaz<\/strong><\/p>\n One of five tracks dropped by the Gorillaz project in anticipation of the new LP, this is by far the standout. This track sees Vince Staples priming himself in familiar electronic territory\u00a0over fast-paced sampling. This track contains a speed that maintains a sense of urgency that carries through to the end. This track stands out particularly for the seamless collaboration between Vince Staples and the Gorillaz that expands both of their abilities to the extent that the track benefits both of them. Unfortunately, this is not true of all of the recently release Gorillaz singles.<\/p>\n 3. “Imperial” by Denzel Curry<\/strong><\/p>\n Denzel Curry is a rapper that has drawn a lot of attention lately – particularly for his ability to merge relatively unexplored samples with oral athleticism. From track to track, Curry is a machine gun rattling off images of corruption, violence, and overcoming adversity with a sort of swagger that rarely is perfected in the same way. Though this album is not perfect, it is a call to attention for anything Curry attempts in the future.<\/p>\n 2. “Silver Eye” by Goldfrapp<\/strong><\/p>\n Goldfrapp has had some time to perfect their craft. Thankfully, this english electronic duo finally has. This album borrows song structures from their contemporaries that typically inhabit a more calm theme – and then amp up the volume and intensity. While this album may not band, it certainly reverberates.<\/p>\n 1. “A Crow Looked At Me” by Mount Eerie<\/strong><\/p>\n Get out the tissues. This is an album penned by Mount Eerie’s Phil Elverum for his recently deceased wife. Three tracks in, one will find it nearly impossible not to tear-up over the heartfelt and heavy lyrics. Quiet guitars dance with a watery drum machine tuned. There isn’t a whole lot to back up instrumentation, but despite this, the melodies find a lot of strength in their simplitcity – drawing more attention to the stories told through lyrics.<\/p>\n TOP 5 CHARTS<\/strong><\/p>\n 5. “Turn Into” by Jay Som<\/strong><\/p>\n Jay Som is Oakland-based musician Melina Duterte and her answer to 2016\u2019s \u201cTurn Into.\u201d Although Duterte has been quietly releasing strong releases for a few years now, the college radio world can no longer ignore her with what is an incredibly heartfelt and emotion-packed guitar-driven record.<\/p>\n 4. “Vita Lucinda” by Cavegreen<\/strong><\/p>\n Cavegreen is an electronic project that places a heavy focus on atmospheric sounds. Each track carries a significant melody surrounded by ambient sounds – typically jungle-themed. Added only last week, the fact that this album hopped so quickly to number four shows how quickly KJHK is taking to this Washington-based duo.<\/p>\n 3. “Fresh Air” by Homeshake<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n From KJHK Staffer Doug Bybee:<\/p>\n “Fresh Air<\/em> is the third album by Homeshake, the solo act of former Mac DeMarco guitarist, Peter Sagar. Sagar moves further into his bedroom RnB, this time singing about (mis)communication in washy falsettos over plunky synths. This album burns slow the whole way through, soundtracking your sophomoric AM hours with brief flashes of funkiness. ‘Every Single Thing’ has a wonky hop to it with a chorus to play hooky to. ‘Getting Down Pt II’ and ‘TV Volume’ feature Homeshake\u2019s signature discordant guitar strums recalling his debut In The Shower<\/em>. Peter\u2019s bass picks up pace on ‘Khmlwugh’ bouncing up one of the strongest hooks on the record. The title track \u201cFresh Air\u201d is a nice breather as Peter prepares for his hot air balloon coma in ‘This Way.’ Although not before slipping in the funky alarm clock of ‘Serious.’ Some of the tunes get a little breezy, but some solid anchors keep it from blowing away. Best served at 9am, 2am, and on rainy days.”<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n