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PressPlay Mixes #017: JR Nelson
April’s guest mix comes from the DC based producer JR Nelson. With his contemplative sound heavy in indie and alternative influences, JR’s bringing something refreshing and raw to the Soundcloud game. Read on for our chat, and listen to the mix below. Hey JR! We love your latest mix for us. What kind of vibe were [continued]
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Prince Has Died
He was 57, and found at home this morning. The report comes from TMZ and has since been confirmed by multiple sources. Don’t really have the words right now. [continued]
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Essentials: “Aurora” – RL Grime
First things first: let’s retire the term “festival trap” when talking about RL Grime. The Los Angeles based WeDidIt affiliate is so much more than cacophonously heavy 808s with an acidic, screeching synth thrown on top of whatever rap hit was big six months ago. Sure, “Aurora” could be classified as “trap music”, but it’s [continued]
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Chicago is America’s Festival City in 2016
Don’t let the proclamation in the headline deceive you: there are gobs, literal dozens, of great American music festivals outside of Chicago. In the same breath, there is also no denying that with seven major-billing music festivals, and at least a half dozen smaller options, Chicago has in 2016 ascended to a top-ranked spot as a [continued]
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Essentials: “Feel It Now” – Gold Dash
I had been taking a little bit of a break from blogging while sorting my way through a stupid-busy spring, when this tune hit my inbox — and I can’t pass up talking about it for just a moment. “Feel It Now” is upbeat and sounds warm enough to bask in its glow. Rich with texture and [continued]
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Step Into Spring With Michael Mason’s Minimix
April may be the cruelest month, but our breezy minimix from Michael Mason will make you enjoy every bit of spring’s sporadic weather. A 20 minute stroll through airy synths and blossoming vocals, the NYC producer and founder of More Creativity Records sprinkles some of his effervescent originals amongst a slew of fan favourites like Kero Kero Bonito, [continued]
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Essentials: “Change for the World” – Charles Bradley
After decades of influence from the masterful Otis Redding and James Brown, the sound of funky soul music has taken a step back for subdued, modern R&B stars like Frank Ocean or Majid Jordan to take the current spotlight. Luckily, we can always count on Charles Bradley to bring back a healthy dose of socially conscious, horn-blaring, solo-screeching [continued]
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EP Review: En Amor – DrewsThatDude
Today HW&W Recordings released DrewsThatDude’s EP En Amor, a project on which it seems like he chose to remain comfortable rather than seriously straining any creative muscles. En Amor feels relaxed and some tracks not only sound similar to others songs within the EP, but also songs produced over a year ago. “Water” is the more upbeat, [continued]

