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lowkey listens
▶ CHRISTIAN HARDY
@ByHardy
Duke Jordan's debut, a Jon Waltz single and an A$AP Rocky freestyle
Okay, so I got caught up in mainstream music in February. Kanye West dropped an album. Yung Lean (a favorite of mine) dropped an album. Bon Iver hooked me for a portion of the month. A$AP Rocky's album from last year has continued to grow on me. I had to give Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' album a listen.
Lontalius — "It's Not Love"
Just like Waltz, Lontalius is someone who I think could have a big year, as he already has a co-sign from Lorde and he's set to drop an album on March 25. Though nearly half of the album has been released in the form of singles, the deceptively-deep Lontalius has hit on nearly all of them. And you can add the simple "It's Not Love" to that list. Now, listen, it's no "Glow," but for what it is (a hook and a repetitive verse) it's beautiful. It's nearly impossible for Lontalius to catch on like Lorde did — his tracks aren't nearly as pop-infused or quite as catchy, but it could be possible for him to have an album that can grow his fan base significantly. With "I'll Forget 17," I think that could be what happens.
Best line: "It sinks it to your head / Hell, it hurts but it's not love."
Kyle Ennui — "mplvn." (ff. Kevin Abstract and Ashley Koett)
What starts off as a light, acoustic-type Beach House track on the front half turns a bit sinister both in lyric and tone on the back half on this Kyle Ennui track. The track features a raspy verse from Brockhampton front man Kevin Abstract on the back half before Ashley Koett jumps with a spacey chorus which carries the song. The two, back-to-back, steal the spotlight on Ennui track, though Ennui does come through strong over the guitar on the front half.
Best line: "Don't let me be alone / I'm afraid I'll die alone / So I'm just hoping that you / know that I've been thinking 'bout you / 'bout 100 times a day"
That left me searching for Lowkey Listens. But I found them, and it turned out to be a solid month. And this month will bring the new Lontalius LP, as well as the Brockhampton collective album — both of which have been featured in Lowkey Listens (and, spoiler alert, are again this month).
Let's jump into some of my favorite tracks from the last month.
Duke Jordan — "Natalie
This piano-driven track produced by Bow was released by Rosemount as Duke Jordan's debut track. The 54-second ballad for Natalie, for whom the song is titled, slips by quickly but leaves an impact. In fact, this track feels like a snippet, but the melody throughout is nearly impeccable. The short, sweet serenade has me wanting plenty more, and that's exactly Jordan's goal.
Best line: "You say you're over this / You say you're over us / But I've been thinking 'bout you'
ASAP Rocky — "Phantogram Freestyle"
Look, nothing A$AP Rocky releases is really that low-key, but this freestyle just hasn't got the attention it deserves. Rocky spits some slick bars, per usual, over an edited version of Phantogram's "When I'm Small" instrumental. It's not the cloud-rap Rocky we're used to but a boastful, confident Rocky who just goes bar after bar on this freestyle.
Best line:"I'm just glad I ain't ever gotta deal dope / Cause the vision was this tradition and the pants"
Jon Waltz — "Justified"
I still believe that Jon Waltz is about to have an incredible 2016. The Memphis musician is currently working on his follow-up to his 2014 album "Alyss." "Anna" was the first single he released that is set for his next project, but this instrumental is even more refined, smoother and catchier. I'm excited for what Waltz is going to do this year, and this is just the start of what he has to come.
Best line:"I can't believe it/ The way you let me on girl"
Brick Grillins — "Foes (Faux)"
I can't put my finger on what it is about Grillins, but he has me hooked. The Canada rapper, again, uses his distinct voice and a hi-hat heavy, trap-infused beat on this track caught my attention. Grillins doesn't have a lot that's incredibly captivating in his lyrics — it's him running through braggadocio lines which can sometimes provide some comedy or realness — but his flow and voice, ultimately, seem to captivate me every time.
Best line: "I want a real skinny model / With a pretty face / I want her tucked up in my arm there / When we walk up in the place"
- Edited by Michael Portman
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