Episode 3: The Hip Kids
Jacob Mann - 106
I am obsessed with the flatness of this album. Sure there are ups and downs, but in the way a children’s story book has ups and downs. From the track titles to the synth sounds, Jacob Mann’s creativity is governed not by heady ideas, but a certain everyday-ness. He worships at the altar of vibe and lets his fingers feel their way to tastiest possible results. His style is so relaxed you almost don’t notice how air-tight his groove is. This is one of the most efficient albums I have heard, with each 1-2 minute song having enough content to be blown up into full-on orchestral jazz arrangement. 10/10 Curious George books.
Raaginder - Moment in Time
Raaginder is a hook machine. Every melody, from the synths to the vocals to the violin, is delectable. If you ever doubted that violin is a lead instrument, doubt no more. In fact, each treatment of the violin is truly unique. More than anything these tracks feel good. The atmospheric sounds and laid back beats are a walk through a meadow of blooming flowers. Put this on during a work day and for a few minutes you will be on vacation. 1,000/1,000 flowers you pass on your hike.
Sun Kiss - “Chapter 5”
These kushy bass sounds unravel like a slow wave. Picture paddling out first thing in the morning with the sun peaking out just enough to warm your face. There is nowhere to go except deeper into this lofi groove. The Fender Rhodes interjections sprinkled throughout are like chocolate chunks in your trail mix. 10/10 minutes before the sun comes up.
Josh Johnson - Freedom Exercise
It is always exciting to find a jazz album that can bridge the gap between compelling composition and real improvisational freedom. When used right structure and melody can elicit more creativity than total openness, and that's exactly what Josh has achieved. It feels pointless to parse out the jazz from the hip hop from the rock in this album. It is simply speaking the language of today's music. Tasteful and understated, and at the same time boundless and explorative. 10/10 tracks on repeat.
Adam Ratner, Jacob Mann, Sam Wilkes, Tamir Barzilay - “Into the Wave”
It's a hard thing to do: create chord changes that are unexpected and still somehow completely natural and intuitive. The lyrics, melody, harmony, tones, and rolling groove come together in a way that numbs the ego and, as the title suggests, folds you into the blanket of the universe. If you have been missing going out to the club to hear your favorite instrumental soloists, don’t skip this one. 1 billion / 1 billion grains of sand on the beach.
Caleb Veasey, Erin Bentlage, Clinton Patterson - “Goodbye Eyes”
Fearlessly moving through textures and landscapes, this arrangement showcases Caleb’s inventiveness. The song explores the complicated and oftentimes contradictory stages of saying goodbye. Rationalizing your feelings only for the emotion to finally set in: first sorrow, then self-affirmation. This is one of those songs that opens up from listen to listen. It has of some my favorite drum textures, slippery harmonic turn-arounds, super clean vocals, and oh yeah, a shredding guitar solo. What’s not to love. 5/5 stages of grief.
Cor.Ece, Priscilla Perry - “I’m Scared”
The track starts as if moving through emptiness itself. The sound design plays with sparseness and density in a way that pulls the listener right into the track. When the beat comes in, the tempo has some real heat behind it. The lyrics and vocal performances boil over in sincerity, giving you goosebumps and a real sense of desperation while you have a dance party in your living room. 10/10 things to be scared of.
Joey Archie, Maya Paredes, Levi Gillis, Greg Lewis - “Where Do We Go From Here?”
Joey knows how to paint with all the colors on his pallet. He utilizes warm and familiar jazz harmony, synth sounds that make you smile, and lyrics that are brutally honest and cathartic. Joey speaks for us all with a bold and simple spoken word. The sound design is compelling; the dancing saxophone with a spacey tone, piano that is clear as day, and vocals that are sweet and cutting. Good vibes come from bad situations, and the contrast between the delicate vocals and the hard edges of groove underlie the duality of life post 2020. 100/100 times a day that I ask myself “Where Do We Go From Here?”
b-ded - “Don’t Trip”
This is a message that we need to hear from time to time. We all have what Ru Paul would refer to as our “inner saboteur”, and it is in fact “as clever as we are”. The melody is super catchy, and it is supported by an intoxicating groove that is deftly puzzle-pieced together. The complex and morphing beat feels surprisingly spacious and free. I might just prescribe this song to myself once a day. 10/10 doses as long as symptoms persist.
Efajemue, Josh Auckland, Zephyr Avalon - “Me Myself and I”
If someone asked me for an example of tasteful fills, I would send them this track. I can’t think of another way to say it, the drum sounds are amazing. The entire groove starts to blossom the closer you listen. It is stunningly varied while perfectly complimenting the ups and downs of the composition. The bass is bouncy in a way that perfectly offsets the laid back vocal performance and free-flowing melody. The trumpet and synth punctuations nestle right between the vocal phrases. 10/10 times this track has me making the stank face.
Ted Taforo, Lenka Shockley - “Tired of Pretending”
This groove slinks along like a Sunday stroll. The sun is out, the birds are chirping, the neighbor waters their lawn, and thoughts of dread and anxiety drift through your head. Ted’s lyrics are rarely dressed up in flowery poetics. They are up front and always honest. The chirping keys, slinging guitar riffs, airy wind arrangement, and the soaring vocals of Lenka work together to create an enticing forward momentum. 10/10 houses you pass on the way to go get a donut on Sunday morning.