Azealia Banks // 1991

After many a delay (okay, just one), Azealia Bank’s “1991” EP is finally released. It’s good to get something else bar “212” released officially, although thankfully there have been a number of tracks on soundcloud and a few leaks to keep us interested ‘till now.

On first listen, you can immediately see why Azealia decided to call this track 1991 instead of 2004. Starting off with hollow drum kicks, it isn’t long before an early 90s style house beat kicks in and really gets things going. It gets even lower and fuller not long after the two minute mark, which sounds amazing against an array of chopped and screwed vocal effects. The production is basically fantastic - they’ve captured that early 90s vibe with the sound technology of 2012 to perfection. If Azealia herself wasn’t born in 1991 I would have called the track 1994 in honour of myself though.

Azealia’s verses are slick as ever on “1991”, as she continues to switch effortlessly between rapping and singing. It helps that she’s also really good at both. We’ve also got a final mastered version of Liquorice, but it’s “1991” that I’m going to be spinning for the meantime. Hopefully it’ll still sound just as great when we lose this great summer weather.

Jessie Ware // What You Won’t Do For Love

After posting “Strangest Feeling”, “Running” and “110%” I’ve basically come to the conclusion the Jessie Ware is amazing. I’m way behind on getting loads of new music, so thanks to Deluzan I’ve discovered that Jessie has put this new track up as a free download over here on facebook.

A cover of Bobby Caldwell’s ‘1978 classic’ (admit it, you’d never heard it either), producer Sampha puts a 90s R&B spin on the song. There’s loads of synths and muted keys, which combined with layered backing vocals give the song a real sensual feel. You just can’t help but groove when you listen to this song. No one actually knows what ‘groove’ means, but if you’ve hit the play button on this post then you’ve most likely experienced it. It feels good, right?

This cover manages to combine all the best parts of 90s R&B with a modern ambient production, only adding to the sleekness of that groove. Jessie really knows how to make a sexy downtempo, so hopefully her debut album “Devotion” will have a few more of those when released this summer.

David Stewart // Incredible [Feat. Yasmin]

I haven’t been posting much for the past month, sorry about that. I’m trying to revise for my exams, but that’s not going very well either - oh well. I’m going to be on here even less this month, but I’ll try and set up a queue so that the site isn’t too barren. Then I’ll be back in full swing on June 15, once my Media Studies exam is over and posting loads of music. So if you’re another one who’s thinking of pressing the unfollow button, please think twice. Amazing things are coming. Maybe not, but still, you get the point, right?

Here’s some new music to fill that empty space that currently exists on my tumblr. It’s by British singer-songwriter David Stewart, who just so happens to be a guitarist for everyone’s tweeter - Example. His ‘Late Night Viewing’ EP is very good. There’s a lot of downtempo R&B stuff, mixed in with some Hip-Hop influenced stuff too. But while tracks such as the Example accompanied “Run The World” have a distinct British feel, a few of the tracks have that sound which has clearly been influenced by the likes of Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. Mixed in with UK urban sounds and a little pop at times, that’s a pretty combination if you ask me. But you didn’t ask me, so that doesn’t really matter.

“Incredible” is my initial favourite off the mixtape. Mostly because it features the wordscannotdescribehowamazingsheis Yasmin, but also because it’s a really good track as well. With a slow bass groove complete with a nice piano riff and subtle strings, this one’s a bit of a sensual number. “Incredible” doesn’t really have a hook, which gives it that understated feel that made Usher’s “Scream” “Climax” so good. The song builds up bit by bit until you realise you’re at the chorus - and it’s sounds so right.

David and Yasmin’s voices blend really well together. There’s a want in their voices, yet they remain calm as ever on the verses. I love how soothing that makes the track. If you want to hear more go and check out David Stewart’s mixtape. It’s pretty good, and most of all it’s available for free right here. No paypal mess here.

StooShe // Black Heart

StooShe are probably the only really good girlband about right now. It’s refreshing to see a group who aren’t making music tailor made for Capital FM’s playlist, and are willing to add alittlelot of personality into their music.

Following two foul mouthed singles, StooShe have decided to show a slightly softer side to their personalities, with new single “Black Heart”. Filled with funky bass riffs, soulful piano melodies and brassy horns, the Future Cut produced number has an irresistible 60s doo-wop vibes, that will no doubt have you swaying from side to side as you snap your fingers and whip your hair. Okay - I doubt any of you will be doing that, but you get the point, it’s good.

What makes “Black Heart” stand out however, are StooShe’s perfectly arranged harmonies. Echoing back to the R&B girlgroups of the 90s, Alexandra, Karis and Courtney’s voices work so well together, setting them apart from rivals whose voices are almost indistinguishable at times. There’s still some fun talky bits here and then, but even without that the song has a distinct sound about it. I have a feeling that might make it good enough, that not even Capital FM will be able to resist playlisting it. It seems Radio 2 will as well, judging from the awful radio presenter’s reaction in this clip.

Mikill Pane // Paper Princess [Feat. Yasmin]

Hackney rapper Mikill Pane has been building up some attention after featuring on Ed Sheeran’s “Little Lady” and releasing two EPs onto Itunes in the past year. He’s now back with collaborations EP “You Guessed It”, which includes features from Ed Sheeran, Example and young, fresh talent Katie Price.

The song that immediately caught my attention was “Paper Princess”, which features none other than the fantastically superamazing Yasmin. The singer’s voice provids a soft chorus against Mikill’s heavy verses, which deal with becoming so obsessed with a woman that he’s never met, that he photoshops photos of him with her. Of course that’s completely unrelatable, as I can’t imagine anyone who could ever become totally obsessed with Yasmin, but it’s a very good song nontheless.

I haven’t heard the rest of the EP yet, but if this dark midtempo’s anything to go buy then it should be pretty impressive to say the least. It’s available for free off SBTV, so click here and hit the download button for temporary happiness.

Nelly Furtado // Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)

It’s been six years since the juggernaut that was “Loose”. That’s a long time in the music industry, but finally Nelly’s coming back with upcoming album “The Spirit Indestructible”. Sure there’s been a Spanish album, a Greatest Hits with some dreary new songs and some features, but this is what we’ve really been waiting for from Ms Furtado - the big follow up.

And she’s come back with a song about hooped earrings. The bigger they are the cooler you are - but of course you already knew that, right? However I take it you didn’t know that everytime a guy passes by Nelly she says “no diggity no doubt”. Well it’s true, that’s what she says. Fun lyrics like that which save this from being a ‘heels so high, drink in the air, let’s go yeah yeah yeah’ type song. But Nelly’s never been like that, so I never expected it from her.

Furthermore the sound of “Big Hoops” definitely separates Nelly from her peers. Instead of doing the normal comeback thing and teaming up with Pitbull on a four to the floor RedOne clone, Nelly’s teamed up with the genius that is Rodney Jerkins to create a quirky urban jam. Darkchild has done his thing on the beat, with heavy drums and an undercurrent of synths proving that bigger is better in the end. This urban-jungle sound may be a bit too harsh for radio, but it’s a perfect progression from Nelly’s Timbaland sound back in 2006.

And just when you thought this comeback was near enough perfect, the last 30 seconds of the song comes in. You thought it was over? No. On top of the countless choruses and hooks there’s a mental drum ‘n’ bass breakdown, before some Matrix slow-mo ish. It’s crazy. My only complaint is that Nelly’s vocals sound like a chipmunk take some getting used to in places, but apart from that Nelly’s touched the sky with her return.

Jai Paul // Jasmine

I’ll be on my third hip replacement by the time Jai Paul has an album out. It took him until 2011 to release “BTSU”, after the demo leaked way back in 2007. Now it’s a year later and he’s finally given us a second song. Except that the song is clearly tagged “Jasmine (Demo)” on Itunes, so it could be a while until we get the finished product.

Hopefully the XL signee has a lot of hidden gems stored on his computer that are just waiting to be released - but somehow I’m not so sure. But despite the lack of product, what Jai Paul has given us has been pretty brilliant. This supposed demo of “Jasmine” is a thing of beauty. With an soulful melody laid among a whole bunch of studio trickery, Jasmine is a Neo-R&B work of genius. Sure, this genius may come at a lengthly pace, but when you get a funk laden piece of distortion such as this then it’s well worth the wait.

Hopefully “Jasmine” will get as much notice as Jai’s last single did. After being sampled on a Drake demo and by Beyoncé on the brilliant “End Of Time”, it seems that his small amount of excellent material sure is getting some attention. Maybe some of music’s stars should take note that quality is better than quantity ~ but please don’t take that mantra quite as far as Jai Paul.

GOOD Music // Mercy; (Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean, 2 Chainz)

I love getting new Kanye, so I was pretty amped when I got home from the Belfast meetup yesterday to find the lead single from Kanye’s GOOD Friday label album had been released.

Kicking off with a dancehall sample courtesy of the late Fuzzy Jones, “Mercy” is a slightly off kilter Hip-Hop banger of the high quality we havecome toalways expected from Yeezy. The beat is hot, reminding me of slightly more unearthly version of “N***as I Paris”. I’m already imaging a dark video with 90s cars driving through tunnels and people hanging about the LA docks at night - basically the video I imagined for “N***gas In Paris”, but without the whole Paris element. Not that it’ll happen, but it’s nice to get those images in my head nonetheless.

2 Chainz & Big Sean go hard with their verses, with Pusha T going that little bit further with his rhymes. But it’s Kanye’s verse that really caught my attention on this track. Along with the references to Lamborghini’s throughout the song (they need to be in the video too), Kanye cleverly mentions everyone’s favourite big girl Precious and his recent hit with Jay-Z - all this is given through a surprisingly quick delivery making it the highlight of the five and a half minute song. While 5 minutes may seem quite long, there’s so many elements to this track, so I doubt you’ll be bored while listening anytime soon.

Yuna // Live Your Life

I heard this song after Yasmin posted it on her twitter a while ago, and meant to download it and put it up here. Well that completely escaped my mind, so thank you to anonymous for bringing this amazing track back to my mind.

Signed onto popular online music website FADER’s label, Yuna is a Malaysian artist who seemingly glides the boundaries of folk, pop and R&B-Soul. “Live Your Life” is the current single from the 24 year old, who seems to be gaining a little more interest with the Pharrell produced number. Against a soft string and drum arrangement, Yuna’s voice sounds calm but assertive, as she delivers a message of power and taking control of your life.

“Live Your Life” has a great subtlety about it, with a sound that reminds me of UK singer Delilah meets Sade. It’s a smooth track, with a top class production that gives it some sort of understated quality. It’s nice to see Pharrell producing something so good these days, especially with an artist who’s so unknown. Hopefully good things will come of Yuna this year, but while you’re waiting grab a free download of “Live Your Life” here.

Kendrick Lamar // The Recipe [Feat. Dr. Dre]

“The Recipe” is the first single from Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar’s major label debutm, “Good Kid in a Mad City”, which is set for release later this year.

An ode to pretty woman and LA, the track sees Kendrick team up with Dr. Dre, after having the benefit of being championed by the Hip-Hop heavyweight for a while now. While not delivering one of his finest verses, Dre still sounds good against the Scoop DeVille produced instrumental. However, it’s Kendrick’s hazy rhymes that really steal the show, showing promise that he might have great things to come in 2012.

This west coast anthem features a suitable Twisted Sister sample, which adds a slightly trippy effect to the song’s laid-back, breezy feel. The drum kicks add a smooth, chilled feel to song, making this the perfect recipesong for the warmer weather. If only that California Sun could head over to Northern Ireland for a while.