Friday, December 29, 2017

"I Got That Boom Boom Baby Bring the Bass"


Despite never seeing any of the Pitch Perfect movies, I'm a bit of a closet Anna Kendrick Stan. Mad respect for her talent as an actress, singer, and just about everything else she decides to do. In case you missed it, the third rendition of Pitch Perfect dropped this week. The reviews may not be living up to previous versions, but the good news is there are a few noteworthy tracks that found their way onto the soundtrack.

The most noteworthy of those new tracks is Iggy Azalea and Zedd's collabo. Boom Boom is as energetic and in-your-face as you'd expect for a song landing on a Pitch Perfect Soundtrack. Armed with plenty of sass from Iggy and a vibrant beat from Zedd, there's plenty to sink your teeth into. Sure it's as pop as can be, but the EDM twist implored me to give it a second listen. Check it and a whole lot of songs from the movie on iTunes or Spotify if you're as curious as I was...#PitchPerfect3



Iggy Azalea & Zedd - Boom Boom

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

" Go Dung, Go Dung, Go Dung, Go Dung, Go Dung"


Credit Major Lazer for being the first group to blend reggae/dancehall influences into one of the more exciting sounds in EDM today. Other than speaker rattling bass, you never really know what's going to be under the wrapping paper when you press play on a new track of theirs. Their new one below prominently features vocals from Trinadad and Tobago's own Kes. Feel good doesn't scratch the surface on the vibe of Go Dung. The upbeat, booty-shake inducing beat mixed with the smooth island-flavored vocals make for a fun track all-around. There's even a Major Lazer-esque repetitive, tribal hook to contrast against the smooth lively steel drum sprinkles mixed throughout. Despite not being available on Spotify or iTunes yet, feel free to stream this one to your heart's content on Soundcloud...#GoDung

Major Lazer feat Kes - Go Dung

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Run the Jewels' Oh My Darling Gets Flossed


Combine the raw energy of Run the Jewels with the rowdy Trap vibe of Flosstradamus and what do you get? A dope, arena filling, headphone shattering symphony of bass with spicy ad libs. For a bit of context, check out RTJ's original, Oh My Darling (Don't Cry) before jumping into the remix...



Rather than a steady rumbling bass and machine gun raps, the remix) takes a more instrumental driven stance from the start. There aren't more than a few bars repeated and chopped from the original, but it's safe to say Flosstradamus picked the most incendiary samples. The mix of clangy percussion and bass reminds me lot of the type of stuff RL Grime and Baauer put out. Needless to say, it's a good look and a fresh take on a classic RTJ track...#OhMyDarling

Run the Jewels - Oh My Darling (Flosstradamus Remix)

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Imagine Dragons & Khalid Up Their Game on Dope Medley


It's about time someone stepped up and took a swing at innovating on the remix. Normally remixes have either a new beat or new vocalist added to it, but what happens when two songs are blended together into a medley. Sure, it's been done before, but not like the Imagine Dragons and Khalid did below.

The track starts with about 45 sec of Khalid's early 2017 single Young, Dumb & Broke. Then the beat flips into Imagine Dragon's single from last Spring, Thunder. Then Khalid jumps back in momentarily around the two minute mark. From there it's one big back and forth chorus-fest, bouncing from one song to the other. I can't stress how impressive it was that they teamed up on a seamlessly mixed version of the two tracks together. Rarely do remixes deserve a standing ovation, so join me in getting off the couch to give this medley the love it deserves...#KhalidImagineDragons

As a bonus, check out the medley performed live from the AMAs back in late November...



Imagine Dragons, Khalid - Thunder / Young Dumb & Broke (Medley)

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Timbo Returns to Spotlight on Grab the Wheel


There aren't many producers that can hang their hat on a distinct style that any self-respecting fan of music would recognize. Timbaland is an exception to that as his combination of deep bass snare kicks are as trademark as it gets. Like on his new one with Atlanta rapper 6lack, Grab the Wheel. Those stop-and-go kicks with steady tapping percussion is something I've been missing dearly in my life as Timbo's productions have slowed over the years. Better yet, if you fast forward to the 2:40 mark, he pulled a Justin Timberlake a la LoveStoned/I Think She Knows style beat switch as the track glides to an end. They may be small touches, but it underscores the creativity that's generally lacking in Hip Hop production these days.

One thing we can all be grateful of is that Timbland kicked his painkiller addiction and he's back to making new music. Cheers to that and don't be bashful in copping the new one on iTunes or Spotify if you're as Timbo-starved as I am...#GrabTheWheel



Timbaland & 8lack - Grab the Wheel

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

"Hey Ms. Parker, Can I Shovel Your Snow?"


A Christmas mixtape from Chance the Rapper and Jeremih you say? Who woulda known? It's far from the unlikeliest of collabos, but a Christmas themed mixtape wouldn't have been the first guess. Unexpectedness aside, there's a real smooth, throwback element to their new one below that I really dig. The tranquil, repetitive, lullaby-esque guitar riff produces a dreamy canvas for the duo to take the listener on a dreamy, winter-themed journey.

Full disclosure, I haven't had a chance to dive in on the 19 track, double-disc mixtape yet, but Ms. Parker has me convinced that exploring the album is well-worth my time. Unfortunately, the mixtape isn't available yet on Spotify, but that shouldn't stop you from wearing it out on Soundcloud. Lord knows there's a huge void in modern Christmas music, so anything that can give poor Mariah's All I Want For Christmas a break is a welcome addition...#MerryChristmasLilMama

Chance the Rapper & Jeremih - Ms. Parker

Sunday, December 17, 2017

"My Sins Need Holy Water, Feel It Washing Over Me"


It's been a relaxing two weeks off for the GWDJ crew, but we're back after it starting with the most eye opening collaboration in recent memory. I say that with hesitancy as Eminem's new album is chalked full of interesting, high octane efforts like the one below. The sheer novelty of hearing Ed Sheeran's quietly powerful vocals mixed with Em's forceful bars is hard to put into words. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the gruff tone Eminem showcases on his new album, but there's no questioning his vigor and energy on the mic is alive and well. There's a lot to comb through with Revival, including collabos with Alicia Keys, Skylar Grey, and Pink to name a few, but early reviews have been positive. You can bet that as we put together a few end of 2017 mixes, there will be plenty of Eminem sprinkled throughout...#Revival



Eminem feat Ed Sheeran - River

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