Kyle Mest

Essentials: “9 (After Coachella) ft. MØ and SOPHIE [KRANE Remix]” – Cashmere Cat

In his remix of Cashmere Cat’s “9 (After Coachella) ft. MØ & SOPHIE”, KRANE crawls into my head and fixes most of my issues with the original. He builds off its best melodic iteration, which only appears at the end, and smooths out the rhythmic progression so there aren’t any jolting stops or jarringly sharp [continued]
Saint Audio Selects: PRIDE + The Stonewall Riots

While Pride Parades have been happening around the world all month, we’ve now reached the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots on June 28th 1969 which began the modern LGBTQIA+ movement. It’s a perfect day to remember the human rights violations that were once legal in the U.S.A., to remind ourselves of the changes that still [continued]
Dancing Queen: An Interview with Sasha Colby

If you’re a fan of drag or pageants, you’ve probably heard of Sasha Colby, Miss Continental 2012. If you haven’t, I’d highly recommend learning who she is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4yyoT021fE Miss Continental is one of the most prestigious international female impersonation pageants. Any additional exploration on Youtube of her club performances over the years will further show [continued]
Album Review: CTRL – SZA

Years after the release of Z, SZA’s album CTRL is finally here and it’s practically flawless. While the musicality, rhythms and vocals are all consistently strong, my favorite part of the album is SZA’s lyricism. With great clarity and depth she explores the complexities and nuances of self-control, love and social pressure, along with the [continued]
Album Review: 9 – Cashmere Cat

I must start by saying I am a longtime fan of Cashmere Cat. I’ve been obsessed since the release of his premiere EP Mirror Maru and his earlier remixes. I admired his fully realized and unique sound, as well as a talent for genre-bending and creating compelling organized chaos. Yet once he started gaining a greater mainstream presence collaborating with numerous popular [continued]
Essentials: “Unforgettable” – MEDZ feat. Kings

Be Rich Records has released the collaborative single “Unforgettable” by New Zealand-based duo MEDZ and the rapper Kings. Kings in particular has been quite on the rise since his single “Don’t Worry ’Bout It” won him the “Best Breakthrough Artist of the Year” at the 2016 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. From the start the [continued]
Album Review: SweetSexySavage – Kehlani

Since Kehlani first announced the name of her debut album, SweetSexySavage, she placed herself within the R&B tradition drawing a parallel to TLC’s much-lauded CrazySexyCool. The video for “Distraction” continued this trend since she moves between different monochromatic rooms similarly to the video for Destiny Child’s 1999 hit “Say My Name”. Even though Kehlani’s You Should Be [continued]
Album Review: Nightride – Tinashe

Tinashe’s new video, released alongside the the new album Nightride, begins with her statement, “I’m so sick of appeasing people”. In a video which transitions from hands manipulating her face and her shouting trapped in plastic to her finally dancing unrestrained and alone, her message is very clear: she’s reclaiming control of her creativity, art, and [continued]
Essentials: “Say It (feat. Tove Lo) [Stwo Remix]” – Flume

From the first measure, Stwo signals that this remix is going to reconstruct the soundscape of Flume’s “Say It (feat. Tove Lo)”. That doesn’t mean he completely morphs the sense of the original. It still maintains its darker and emotionally forceful sensibility; however, his production takes a very different direction and avoids some of the [continued]
Essentials: “Pop Fly” – Jonah Baseball

Jonah Baseball’s new track “Pop Fly”, released on All Good Records‘ Freshly Baked, Vol. 1, keeps you guessing as he seamlessly fits numerous movements into one tight piece. The song works like a multiple course meal, with each dish focusing on a different instrument fundamental to past funk, Motown, and disco classics. The chimes which open and close act more as [continued]