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KANSAN.COM
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lowkey listens
February is going to be a good month for popular music. Leading that new music is Kanye West's "Waves." Beyond that, Macklemore and Yung Lean are each set to release new albums. If you're an OVO fan, beyond Drake's album announcement, Majid Jordan is set for his self-titled release this month as well.
CHRISTIAN HARDY
@ByHardy
Lontalius — "Glow"
I think 2016 could be a huge year for Lontalius. His name, beyond his moniker, is Eddie Johnston, and he's been picking up traction on SoundCloud ahead of his debut album, "I'll Forget 17," which is set to release in March. It's easy to see why Lorde and Ryan Hemsworth are fans. The New Zealander isn't just making easy-to-listen alternative; he's making ballads. This track in particular is about having harsh feelings
toward an ex, then, in hindsight, coming to the realization that the relationship and that person is still important. This laid-back, synth-pop track is easy to listen to and incredibly introspective; I'm looking forward to his full debut.
Best line: "It's easy to forget how much you made me feel / But I won't tell / But it's easy to forget how much you won't make it well"
Nothing. Nowhere — "I'm sorry, I'm trying"
The range Nothing. Nowhere shows on this track is quite impressive, from emotional, smooth pop to a sing-song verse to a full-on rap verse. The vocals are tasteful and fit onto the track like butter.
I couldn't find out a whole lot about what is behind the name "Nothing, Nowhere." From what I can tell, it's a 23-year-old solo artist from Massachusetts who just released a six-
But if you're not into popular music, here's a few tracks you can listen to instead:
track EP with oilcolor. From track to track, one thing that stays consistent is the raw emotion in his voice; that's something that will keep me coming back in the near future.
Best line: "All of the things that I've taken for granted / Is now everything that I wish hadn't ended / All that I hated is now what I miss"
Earl Sweatshirt — "WIND IN MY SAILS"
Sweatshirt released a trio of tracks last week on his SoundCloud "important_man464," one of which sampled Kanye West. However, this one stood out, as it's the only one with a verse. It's classic Earl Sweatshirt — well-thought out lyricism, deep beats and a well-chosen sample. The Alchemist produced the track, which samples the Captain Murphy and Madlib collab, "Children of the Atom."
It was difficult to choose a best lyric on this track, as Sweatshirt jumps from weed to fathers to God to blackness. There seems to be
a bit of a shift with Earl since "I Don't Like Sh*t, I Don't Go Outside": less self-depreciation, more outward and, at times, even introspective thinking. While I never see Sweatshirt coming out of his dark, thought-provoking style of rap, it was good to hear something from him that didn't make you concerned for his health.
Best line: "Moses with a makeshift staff / Sending ripples through ya / And through the land / And the river been a plan / But when I go to grab it slither out my hand"
Brick Grillins — "BiPolar EP"
I found Brick Grillins while peeking around the corners of Sound-Cloud for my last Lowkey Listens, and then he popped up again with his seven-track EP, and I was not at all disappointed. Grillins has a way of imposing himself on tracks not only because of his flow but because of his unique, up-and-down voice. No matter what Grillins track you're listening to, it'll grab you. Over these seven tracks, he
bites the strong, bassheavy production from Gray Jacques. While the Jacques'production slaps on the first three tracks, he slows it down on "Selfish," a track Jacques features on. In the same way Grillins has a distinct voice, Jacques has a distinct style of production, and it's evident throughout the EP.
Best tracks: Channel feat. Teddy, Selfish feat. Gray Jacques
Stalin Majesty - "In Da Cut"
J. U. posted this trap-infused instrumental on his SoundCloud about a month ago, and Stalin Majesty, an Atlanta-based rapper, came in and did it justice. While J.U.'s production stands front and center on the three-minute track, Majesty's flow is perfectly executed.
In a world full of badly-executed aggressive hip-hop, it's important to not only come across excited in their delivery but to do it well, and Majesty does that well on this track.
Best line: "What's a pawn to a king / What's a king to a god?"
- Edited by G.J. Melia
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