An Evening with Silk Sonic

A fun little blast of classic soul revivalism.

Surahn- "Watching the World"

Stream: Surahn- "Watching the World" Some tight, groovin', and danceable pop from Surahn on "Watching the World," which is set to be on this dude's forthcoming EP on DFA Records. While the label has always been a supporter of various forms of alternative dance music, this track sidesteps weird eccentricities in favor of some disco chic. Aside from a modern recording, there's not much that sounds new about this track, but the tune itself is certainly catchy and admirable. Give "Watching the World" a listen via the link above.

Graveyard- "Goliath"

Old school psychedelic Swedish rock outfit Graveyard is bringing those nostalgic sounds along with a pretty clear message about the state of the world.

Despite what some YouTube commenter might have to say about the previously mentioned message it shouldn't be that hard to grasp for most people especially when you consider the title of the song. Basically it deals with ideas of oppression and topics that really fit the bands 70's psych rock aesthetic. This brand of stoner rock has always been appealing instrumentally to me as it has an organic jam-like feeling to it that not a lot of other genres can really capture. It does that will still remaining fairly heavy and focused; it's clear that Graveyard has a pretty strong grip of this style of music and are just working on making it more complex either instrumentally or in the case of this song a lyrical message.

Foxygen- Take the Kids Off Broadway

If you've been keeping up with my videos, then you know how much I've fallen for this new, up-and-coming singer-songwriter duo known as Foxygen. They've got a new EP titled Take the Kids Off Broadway coming this July on Jagjaguwar, but the band has this EP streaming in full on Bandcamp right now. So feel free to listen, pre-order, and all that jazz.

Marvin Gaye- What's Going On

Classic week continues with a review of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. What do you think of this album? Love it? Hate it? Why? What should I review next, eh?

WATCH THE REVIEW

Stream the New Dusk Warrior LP

Are you the kind of crate-digging soundmonger who considers 70's b-movie soundtracks ear candy? If so, give Dusk Warrior's latest, Overdrive Sunrise, a listen. These guys--Nicholas Shapiro and Michael Osso--have created an album of instrumental snippets that could be described as "undeveloped ideas" if they weren't obviously so skillfully crafted. With plenty of tasty melodies and impressive arrangements, each song projects its own gamut of imagery. Strong flavors of spaghetti western and Bacharach/Mancini 60s-love-pad-delica dominate the album's sound. The best tracks are inventive and playful, especially the titular "Overdrive Sunrise," which jets around modishly like Roger Moore on a global hunt for Kim Jong-Il. Hear it via the player above, and download it on Bandcamp.

Tracks From Brand New Wayo

The trailer above is no joke. What you're seeing is real. It's a 15-track compilation of Nigerian funk, disco, and boogie music recorded in the late 70s and early 80s.

Some of these tracks sound like they could have been huge hits in the U.S. if they had distribution. But on others, the fact that they music is being made in another country is extremely obvious, which results in the kind of oddball dance music that probably would have gotten released on Rough Trade records when post-punk outfits like Shriekback were a hot ticket.

It's an unbelievably fun collection. Scope some tracks from it below. Look for this thing via Comb and Razor.

Mixed Grill- "A Brand New Wayo"

Amas- "Slow Down"

Joe Moks- "Boys and Girls"

Oby Onyioha- "I Want To Feel Your Love"

Stream the Florian Droids' LP

Uno, Dos, Tres, Quatro! Florian Droids’ self-titled debut LP goes from 60s psych to 70s prog through their bubbling Latin musical stew. These accomplished musicians have created a mashup of subconsciously familiar riffs and sounds from the days of album rock.

These guys are bursting with talent, and if they do imitate, at least they copy from the greatest. Their skill in blending experimental ideas with vintage sounds goes back to a time when a bong and a floating pig were all you needed for a great evening. Lets hope that the haze of smoke fades to give way to a very promising future for Florian Droids.

Stream the band's new, self-titled album above, and get more info on Bandcamp.