Review: The third volume in the Insense Music compilation series, Insense Music for Dining Room, deepens its exploration of ambient, jazz, chill-out and Balearic sounds, all of which are perfect for serene dining moments. Curated by Tohru Hashimoto with artwork by Jiro Fujita and mastering by Calm, who a key figure in Japan's music scene as well as a renowned Balearic boss, this 7" release shines from the off: side A features Yakenohara's subtle, exclusive take on Bill Evans's 'Peace Piece' which blends his genre-fluid skills as rapper, DJ and producer. Side B offers Noa Noa's warm tribute to Bobby Hutcherson's 'Montara,' a hip-hop sampling favourite. The release precedes a full compilation dropping this May.
Review: It's not often we pass on much trappy EDM to listeners at Juno, but Eprom is a special case, having made a name for himself for pushing the glossy post-dubstep trap style that made many artists like him famous. At the same time, Barclay Crenshaw (Claude VonStroke) is another name in the EDM world whose direction isn't quite the same as Eprom's, but nevertheless shares a space with the former artist for having also remixed Yung Skrrt's wilfully trashy hit 'McDonalds' of late. As both artists have dropped their respective cuts in many a DJ set all over the world, Skrrt's label DIRTYBIRD have now orchestrated a meeting of the two minds - not least to mention this juicy vinyl compilation of the two remixes.
When We Die (Can We Still Get High?) (feat Lil Yachty) (5:05)
When We Die (Can We Still Get High?) (acoustic) (4:29)
Review: YUNGBLUD's hook-up with Lil Yachty is renowned amongst fans for its trippy production and tight, evocative, mind-melting bars. It has never before been on vinyl but this year's Record Store Day rights that wrong while serving it up with a superb, exclusive, introspective in-studio acoustic performance of the track. 'When We Die (Can We Still Get High?)' was first released on January 26, 2024 by Locomotion Recordings and Geffen Records and is a new school mix of alternative rock, psychedelia and hip-hop that explores themes of mortality and escapism with production by YUNGBLUD plus Matt Schwartz and Paul Meany. It's an introspective gem.
The Main Thing Is To Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing
Yonders
Supreme Alchemy
Freequency (with Black Thought)
No Fear Of Time (with Yummy Bingham)
Review: No Fear of Time, the long-awaited sophomore album from the legendary hip-hop duo Black Star, is finally available in physical formats, including a stunning gatefold LP. After a digital-only debut in 2022, this release celebrates the dynamic collaboration between yasiin bey and Talib Kweli, who first captured hearts with their iconic 1998 album. Produced by Madlib, No Fear of Time showcases the duo's evolved artistry, recorded in diverse locations worldwide, including hotel rooms and backstage at Dave Chappelle's shows. The album's unique style flows seamlessly, with tracks like 'So be it' and 'Sweetheart. Sweethard. Sweetodd', igniting old-school vibes while addressing contemporary issues with sharp wit. With their powerful reunion, Black Star reaffirms their influential status in hip-hop, reminding listeners of the genre's rich cultural depth.
I'll Remember For Me, I'll Remember For You (2:02)
Done (Let's Get It) (2:53)
Ready Or Not (4:27)
Michin (3:34)
Away X5 (2:33)
Happy (3:58)
1 Thing To Smash (3:15)
Be Alone In This (2:46)
Review: We are still being treated to superb albums that were written during the Coronavirus pandemic lockdowns and this is one of them. It took shape across a two-year period in New York, Seoul, and London and finds the highly rated Yaeji looking closely at her relationship with anger. In something of a shift away from the sound of previous work, she brings in rock and hip-hop elements as well as her signature house style. The lyrics in English and Korean are dark and self-reflective, while the artist also employs live instrumentation for the first time. Guests include K Wata and Enayet, plus vocals from London's Loraine James and Baltimore's Nourished by Time.
What If Live (feat Griz-O, JPDL - remix - DJ Slaazninja cuts) (1:35)
Review: With a snaffled picnic basket under one arm and an MPC in the other, Yogi (AKA Sam Rose) invites us to "Jellystoned Park" to discover why he is smarter than your average beat-maker. It's the little-known producer's first solo set - or at least the first of his lone albums to be pressed onto vinyl - and an unassumingly impressive affair at that. Utilising a wide range of ear-pleasing samples (from quirky easy listening and AOR, to jazz, funk-rock and folk) and his own skittish, often off-kilter hip-hop beats, Rose delivers a series of short sketches, interludes and blink-and-you-miss-them workouts that tend towards the stoned, bleary-eyed end of the spectrum. The result is a hugely entertaining collection of instrumental hip-hop jams that's a cut above many of its competitors.
Slime Shit (feat Yak Gotti, Duke & Peewee Roscoe) (4:35)
Digits (2:57)
Worth It (3:18)
Tattoos (4:02)
Problem (4:10)
Review: Slime Season 3 is the third mixtape by American rapper Young Thug and it was initially released on March 25 back in 2016. Continuing the Slime Season series, the mixtape features Thug's signature blend of eccentric delivery and melodic flows which now stand alone within the trap genre. Highlights include standout tracks like 'With That' and 'For Ya'll' where Thug combines inventive wordplay with hard-hitting beats. While it wasn't initially available in the UK on vinyl, Slime Season 3 solidified Thug's influence in the hip-hop world and got praise for its and boundary-pushing approach to trap.
Rich Gang - "Take Kare" (feat Young Thug & Lil Wayne)) (4:22)
Quarterback (feat Migos & Peewee longway) (5:03)
Rarri (feat Young Ralph) (3:07)
Stunna (4:06)
Best Friend (3:30)
Power (3:10)
Calling Your Name (5:01)
No Way (4:32)
Mine (2:37)
Freaky (5:33)
Be Me See Me (3:23)
Overdosin' (3:01)
Again (feat Gucci Mane) (2:47)
That's All (3:50)
Udiggwhatimsayin' (3:05)
Draw Down (4:19)
Wood Would (3:30)
Review: The original entry in the Slime Season series from Yung Thug is a mixtape filled with highs and lows. While the rapper showcases his eccentric style and talent, the compilation feels like a patchwork of unfinished ideas. Some tracks are fast-paced while others, like 'Hey I' and 'Best Friend' shine as highlights. Thug's strongest songs display subtle, carefully structured melodies, and many have high replay value, especially the opening tracks. Despite this, the mixtape features standout moments, such as 'Draw Down' and 'Wood Would' which demonstrate his lyrical unpredictability and emotional depth and remind why Thug is so revered in trap.
Review: Your Old Droog emerges with Movie, an introspective exploration that marks a significant evolution in his career. Cloaked in anonymity a decade ago, the Ukraine-born rapper has since carved a niche for himself in hip-hop, showcasing his sharp lyricism and distinctive style. The album's title derives from a nostalgic phrase from his childhood, symbolising moments of unexpected joy. With features from Method Man and Denzel Curry, alongside production from industry heavyweights like Madlib and Just Blaze, Movie is both engaging and emotionally resonant. Tracks like 'A Damn Shame' highlight his vulnerability, while 'Mantra' delves into his immigrant experience. Droog balances introspection with a playful edge, as seen in the catchy 'Yodi Dodi'. His storytelling shines on 'The Sandbox', addressing poignant themes of struggle. Ultimately, Movie stands as a layered masterpiece, affirming Droog's status as a thoughtful artist ready to embrace the spotlight.
Review: When Your Old Droog first emerged in the hip-hop scene, he was shrouded in mystery. Born in Ukraine and raised in Brooklyn, he became known for his sharp lyrics and distinct, gritty delivery. His self-titled debut marked the beginning of a prolific career and quickly established him as an underground force with mainstream appeal. Over the years, Droog has gained widespread recognition and earned co-signs from hip-hop legends. With his latest project Movie, he embraces a new chapter by collaborating with Method Man, Denzel Curry, and producers like Just Blaze and Madlib to showcase the full range of his artistry and personal journey.
Stream Of Consciousness (feat Lianne La Havas) (2:39)
Rules Of School (2:54)
Sad Makeup (3:49)
Peace Reign (2:30)
No Prince (2:45)
Winter Is Not Dead (4:04)
Jaxon (feat Pos From De La Soul) (3:43)
Feels Good To Cry (feat Yusuke Nagano) (3:49)
Review: Swedish-Japanese vocalist Yukimi Nagano (best known as the lead singer of the post-punk and electronica group Little Dragon) shares her debut album on Ninja Tune, embodying the best of her charms as a solo artist whose space away from the band allows her ample time to reflect on her own emotions. Born of the first production 'Sad Makeup' - a song about the inevitably, always-botched attempt to suppress and sweep sad feelings under the rug, and the ways this backfires when around close friends - the entire album in fact threads a narrative yarn centring on the overcoming of "darkest nights", externalised in the repeated mention in the lyrics of Sweden's long, dark and shivery winters. Taking cues from everyone to filmmaker Ingmar Bergman to collaborator Lianne La Havas, Nagano wears her vulnerability on her sleeve.
Review: Yuna's self-titled debut album came with three tracks produced by none other than Pharrell Williams. That was a decade ago when she was just 24 years old and one of the hottest properties in the scene. Freshly signed to Fader for the album, it was a great showcase of the young singer's voice across a mix of sounds that took in r&b, soul and pop with a mature edge and moving emotional narrative. It was initially only put out on CD but a decade on that is corrected as Fader drop this vinyl version just in time for Christmas.
Review: To the best of our knowledge, Sweden does not have a particularly active cloud rap scene, though Stockholm's Yung Lean has been delivering notable albums in the Deep South-pioneered style for the best part of seven years. Of course, as new album Starz shows, his typically lo-fi, pop-tinged take draws just as much from frowning EMO rock as it does from, say, crunk or classic cloud rap. He's undoubtedly good at what he does and Starz boasts plenty of highlights, not least the fragile sweetness of 'Outta My Head', the auto-tune sporting 'Acid at 7/11', surprise Ariel Pink hook-up 'Starz' and the impressively heavy 'Boylife in EU'.
The Amazing Randi (feat Kool Keith & Fatboi Sharif) (4:36)
This Or That (2:09)
Tell Me Something Different (3:07)
Review: Featuring a stellar lineup of guest artists including Boldy James, Kool Keith, Grip, Blu, Fatboi Sharif and more, here's an album that truly showcases a seamless synergy between Real Bad Man's atmospheric production and YUNGMORPHEUS's captivating lyricism. From the stony and atmospheric ambiance to the funky undertones, each track on the album offers a unique sonic experience that pushes the boundaries of traditional hip-hop. Real Bad Man's meticulous attention to detail in tailoring the beats to complement YUNGMORPHEUS' flow is evident throughout the project, resulting in a cohesive and engaging product. YUNGMORPHEUS's introspective lyrics delve into themes of dichotomies and self-reflection, adding depth and substance to the album's narrative. Tracks like 'Tripleback Tuck,' 'Just The Three of Us,' and 'Flick of The Wrist' showcase his lyrical prowess and ability to effortlessly navigate complex subject matter. With The Chalice & The Blade, Real Bad Man and YUNGMORPHEUS have crafted an album that transcends genre conventions, delivering a thought-provoking and sonically rich experience that is sure to resonate with fans of innovative hip-hop.
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