Chillin' in New Zealand.

Thumpin' Thursday

Kieran Tahir is another talented artist coming out of New Zealand. Bringing us some ambient-glichhop-hiphopinstramentaism. This is some perfect music to sit down and study to, definitely adding this to the study playlist. Some of the glich-hop and hiphop instrumental tracks are excellent and have some really chilled out, relaxing feels that make for some good background music, or just something good to listen to. We'll start with the more ambient stuff in Bazukha.



A more hip hop inspired track in There for Senai has some deep base that will make your speakers rumble. Turn the track up and feel the beat, it has a dark but smooth vibe to it. Good stuff here.


I think Days Went might be my favorite track so far from Tahir. It has such an interesting sound to it, with some short samples and I actually kinda like the feedback effect. This track is really different and I want some more stuff like this!

Download all these tracks on Soundcloud and support some awsome music coming out of New     Zealand. This stuff is bumpin', add it to your chill or howemowrk playlist and enjoy.

Skizzle The Rapper.

Yesterday there was so much good music released I could not cover it all. This here is a lot different from the last couple posts as well. We have the long awaited, much anticipated mixtape "Phases" from Skizzy Mars. I have been listenin' to this guy for a while now and he always throws down a good track. Honestly. His style of hip-hop is indie inspired and he is constantly flowing bars over elctro beats and indie samples, making for a unique blend, and his own brand of hip-hop. Touring this past year with G-Eazy Pay For You features G and is a melodic production with a good vibe. The Come Down is a previously released song that I have enjoyed since the release back in November.



The first track I ever heard from Skizz, Sirens is also featured on the tape and is the song that instantly got me interested in the guy about a year ago. With a hard hitting beat and some sick flow, this song is a Skizzy classic.



One of the new tracks unheard before the release, Sideways brings a similar feel with a solid electro beat that keeps your body movin', accompanied by a catchy chorus and a good vibe, this is a track that just sounds good.



The last song, Phases is the title of the mixtape as well, and wraps up the whole production well. Skizzy talks about his last year of living life and how he has progressed and moved though it. Talking about politics and being confused, these senses of emotion making for a solid ending to the tape. You can download the mixtape on both Soundcloud and on his website. Download Phases

A Rocket to Summer.

Another good release today from A Rocket to the Moon, for all you alternative fans out there. They released their new album, "Wild & Free". Though this album has some songs that are a little more county, which I have never been a huge fan of, but it is still an enjoyable listen. A Rocket to the Moon released an EP with four of the 13 songs off the album back in August, and the album is finally here. Whole Lotta You was one of those tracks on the EP and it us still definitely one of my favorites. Check out the video below.



Ever Enough is another pretty solid tack off the ablum. It almost reminds me of Forever and Always by Parachute. Maybe that too much to say, it is probably just the chorus, but I think so. It is a slower track but is still pretty good.



The rest of the album is pretty solid as well. I remember their last album was the anthem of our summer back in 2010, so maybe this one could be as well. Especially with some more summer like tracks such as You're My Song and Call It All Home. The latter being a bonus track and only on the deluxe edition. Which both of the bouns tracks and the two acoustic songs probably make it worth the extra two bucks. Two other mentionable tracks are Another Set of Wings, another slower song that has some good moments and makes you stop and think. If I'm Gonna Fall In Love is a song with a more country vide to it, but it is still pretty catchy and reminds me of summer nights chillin' around a fire, or cruising with the windows down in the sunshine.



You can get the download for this track Right Here. 

The Album can be Downloaded on iTunes $11.99 for the Deluxe version or on Amazon though the sidebar. Or just find a torrent and have at it!

3rd & Coy Speakeasier EP.

Finally! I have been waiting for the "All We Are EP" to come out forever! This is a side project done by Chase Coy aka 3rd & Union, and now aka Speakeasier. I really love this more experimental, acoustic and very different vibe from Chase Coy. It has the same chill and acoustic feel in a way but has some auto-tune and more ambient feel than his acoustic stuff. You could say that it is Ambient-Experimental-SpokenWord-Acoustic. The lyricism is good as well, especially on In Your Arms and All We Are. I honestly enjoy each of these four tracks, and currently have them on repeat. The EP released today, March 26, and is available on iTunes for $1.99. If that isn't motivation to actually pick up this EP, i don't know what is. I rarely buy music, unless it is an artist I love and want to support, and Chase Coy is someone I will gladly spend my money on. For two dollars I hope you will too. The only way to listen to these songs is on the Speakeasier Bandpage so click on that and have a listen. You can purchase the EP here on iTunes and you should or through Amazon on the sidebar. This is definitely some music that sounds good.

Mac-Grande.

  

                 
Going a little more mainstream today, but I was really surprised by this track. A single just released by Ariana Grande today, featuring... Mac Miller?? What a weird collaboration. That works surprisingly well. Grande is being compared to Mariah Carey a lot with this track and it is true. It has an R&B vibe to it with some bars thrown in by Mac and I actually kind of enjoy it. Have a listen.



You can get the single on iTunes and Amazon now, or click here for the Download 

YoungSummer FreeEP.

Happy Monday, today is something a bit different. Here is another 3 song EP that came out a little while ago. The "Fever Dream EP" is done by an indie-pop artist by the name of Young Summer. The track Fever Dream is just that, a dreamy song with some wavy vocals that blend well and make for a perfect single. Letter Never Sent is a duet featuring Trent Dabbs that has a wintery feel to it. The harmonies are beautiful and the song as a whole is very low key. Why Try is a slow track that is perfect for a rainy day and the EP as who is very mellow with strong vocals. You can catch the single below and download it off iTunes if you choose.
 

Otherwise listen to the other two track and download the whole EP over on Noisetrade

 

Driftin.

Alright, I know you want some more mash-ups. So here is what we got. A man by the name of Bryce McMurray calls himself the Rick Ross of mash-ups. Pretty sweet title. Also known as DJ Topsider. This guy puts out mash-ups like they are goin' out of style. With one released about every two to three days. Some good, some great. Today I am featuring his "Adrift - EP" including some pretty low key tracks. Featuring three tracks "built off RL Grimes songs." The first is not great, but has some moments that can make it worth listening to. I do enjoy the second track, Thinking of You. The main beat to this song is classic. It was also featured in a Hood Internet track I featured here. Though I do like that track better, this one has a bit of a different feel, and the addition of some different artists that make it sound a little more hectic. While the third track Memory includes some great vocals by Keri Hilson and it is a track that really makes you feel the emotion though both the heart-felt vocals and the tantalizing beat. And is probably my favorite of the three and definitely deserves a download.
 

Download this stuff on the Soundcloud

Free Broke For Free.

Now that its Spring break, time to look for some good study music for next quarter. I think I found just what you are looking for. Broke For Free. An amazing mainly instrumental artist who will tickle your earbuds with a healthy dose of chillwave. Though these first two are remixes Broke For Free aka Tom Cascino, has so much original stuff I have only scratched the surface.

So you like Sufjan Stevens? Then you will love this acoustic hop remix of The Avalanche from Mr. Cascino. Get it here on Soundcloud for a super high bit rate, or on his site. This song is a perfect balance of Sufjan with enough variation to just add to the greatness of his track.
 

So you like Ratatat? Good. Because this remix is one that slightly blew my mind. Ratatat i usually trippy enough with some crazy synths and sounds, but this track really brings in some mellow beats and pauses that really make for a beautiful piece that almost has a Pursuit of Happiness vibe to it, sounding similar to Kid Cudi's track. You can get this both on Soundcloud and Broke For Free Website in a remixes volume put out by the artist.



Lastly is a track that I have been loving for quite some time now. I just really need someone else to hear it. It's titled The Gold Lining (continuing with the gold theme). It just brings a majestic feeling, especially when the base kicks in. Honestly just listen to it.
 

This is part of a FreEP from Broke For Free and there is plenty more where that came from. On his site there are at least 10 free downloads and most are Eps. Over 53 tracks. I would also recoment As Colourful As Ever off of "Layers" as well as Like Swimming from "Leaf". This should be a good start to some good tunes you can sit down and study to, or just make them your sound track to... whatever. Instrumental music is good like that. Check this guy out!

Goldroom.

More Wax Nostaligic! My favorite remix right now been putting out some really good stuff and I've been getting into some Goldroom lately. Get that indiedisco bummpin'. This remix of Sweetness Alive is one that makes summer feel closer than it really is, and is a breath of fresh are air.


Get the download on his Facebook, and Here.

Then we have another remix of Nights in Nantes, another solid track that is remixed by Keljet. Known for remixing Hoodie Allen's No Faith in Brooklyn. This remix is a bit older, but is still good enough to share and you can get the download on his Soundcloud. 



Now for a track from Goldroom himself. Goldroom has a lost of solid tracks for free on Soundcloud and this is one beat that I have been enjoying rexcently. A lot of disco based stuff that I have been loving, and can add a funk heavy vibe to a track. Another song that makes me think of those summer nights on the beach. Download this off his facebook page and enjoy some good music.

Dream Catching.

Here we have two songs that compliment each other. They are supposed to be listed to one after the other and almost bring a sense of warmth while listening to them. Especially in the second track. It has rainfall as a background which gives it a rich sound and keeps you eager for where the song will go next. These tracks are produced by another New Zealand artist in Zacho Fraser. I cannot wait to see what else starts coming out of New Zealand.




Download for both tracks can be found on his Bandcamp.

Got Me Feelin' Like Gold.

There have been a lot of solid gold songs coming out recently, and this group of tracks all have gold in the title (seems like it has been a common theme recently in my music findings). Time to kick back and relax to some audible gold rushing into your eardrums.

Starting off with Gold Situation,  a hip-hop song that has a tune that almost reminds me of Stereo Love in a way. Though it is slowed way down and has a much more relaxed feel to it. Vrai and Olu put together a good track with this one and Vrai has a mixtape dropping later sometime in April. 

Check the Download

Next up is a remix of a Wake Owl song, Gold and it is done by Noah Hyde / Magic Sword. I have not heard of any of the artist's involved in this production, but Magic Sword has gotta be magical right? This song is one that keeps me wanting more from the producer. It has a good balance to it, overall being a pretty mellow track, and is just upbeat enough to add to that spring playlist.

 

Lastly is another track from the always ambient Catching Flies. I featured his Ep here on the blog last month and am exciting for anything coming from the artist. This remix does not disappoint, having a dreamy feel with some darker synths and deep base. It's one that you will want to get a good pair of speakers to listen to.
 
Available to download on Catching Flies Facebook page.

Plug in Mixtape.

Looky what I found. One of my favorite artists out there, Plug in Stereo, has two free mixtapes out. This one is a 4 song mixtape of acoustic covers that Plug in Stereo has done. It came out back in 2010, so it has been out for a while. None of these tracks are pure gold, but if you like Plug in stereo you should enjoy these covers. I knew a few of these songs were out there, I just didn't know how to get my hands on them. So here they are!

 
He also has a Mixtape Vol. 2 on Purevolume, which was in my first post on the blog which you can find right here in case you missed it. There are an additional four covers on there and some pretty solid ones. The cover of Mean maybe one of my favorites of those. 

Last is one other FreEP off bandcamp, it is made up of three songs that he decided to re-record. So nothing new here, but if you want some more free music, or just a Plug in Stereo sampler, have a listen and download this stuff!

 

CHERUB FreEP.

Cherub is a group that has become pretty popular over the last couple years. They have released two free mix-tapes, and are all over the interweb. Their indie-electro-pop style has gained a lot of fans, and the fact that they have released more free music in this "100 Bottles EP" is just icing on the cake. With some already great songs like Doses and Mimosas, being my personal favorite of theirs, we get some other great tracks on this new release. Jazzercise '95 is pretty great, with the funky vibe that brings you back to the 90's, it is a perfect track to be bumpin' to in Spring. While Where We Should Be is a much more laid back track that I can imagine listening to anytime.

Download if you would like to.

LLLOORDDDE.

Here we have a remix of Lorde's Bravado. Stoked that she is already getting remixed, and it by a fellow New Zealander of hers by the name of FFFRRANNNO. He is mainly working on producing for an hip-hop artist by the name of Shear-Jashub, but has some other pretty good remixes out as well. This remix definitely puts a twist on Bravado it takes the darker sound and makes it a little more up beat. This is not up for download yet, which is a bummer. But these two may team up and release something nuts! That's my hopes at least. So we will just have to wait and see. Enjoy a listen for now. This is also the first picture of herself that Lorde has released. It is nice to put a face to the music.



But here is a song to download. It is FFFRRANNNO's lasted work dropping today. I usually am not a huge fan of the super high voice in songs, but this one is not horrible and has a pretty sick hook. So it's something I can stand. Be watching out for both FFFRRANNNO and Lorde. I am excited to see what's next for both of these artists rising out of the New Zealand. I guess Middle Earth is pretty inspirational.

FFFRRANNNO took the download off, sorry :(

Top the Charts.

Here a a few songs i have been enjoying lately. These are all remixes that take some of those chart topping hits and put their own spin on them. Most of these I actually enjoy more than the originals.

Passion Pits.

First off is some chilled out Britney Spears. Till the World Ends was the song of 2012, and I have really been enjoying since I heard it a few months ago. The whole vibe is more mellow and Scott Melker makes great use of the vocals. Its Britney...



Second we have this amazingly chill slowed down rendition of Pumped Up Kicks. The tune almost reminds me of something out of Animal Crossing or something. It is simple but is really complemented by the slowed down lyrics. This is in the Electo-Yacht genre and will definitely be bumpin' in the Royal Ballard Yacht Club.  



Third I have another Wax Nostalgic remix, just incase you did not go and check him out on my earlier post like I told you to.. This remix of the hit Carried Away off Passion Pit's summer released album seems to have been remixed by everyone and their mom, but this is one of the ones i really enjoy. It has a more floaty, bouncy step to it, which just adds to the magic that Passion Pit creates. Get it right... Here



Fourth, we have Taylor Swift's Trouble. Which in its own right, is a super catchy song that you cannot get out of your head. This adds some bass to the mix as well as some appropriately places synths. It drives a little harder than the original and works well with the upbeat tune.

Mish or Mash?

Just dropped today! Or at this time, 1 AM, it would be yesterday. Anyways. Go Periscope's newest mix-tape is finally out! A compilation of 10 new mash-ups that we get to enjoy. Among some of the artists featured are Dev, 3Oh!3, Lights, Purity Ring, Tyga, Owl City, and even some Outkast. With a list that is fairly diverse we get a pretty good range of tracks.

Here are a few of my favorites:







You can get these tracks and the whole mix-tape over at Go Periscope's Bandcamp
Support some Seattle musicians and just download this, I mean its free..

Who Knows. I Care.

Today we have a Stellarific remix goin' on by Wax Nostalgia. Been listenin' to this track non-stop. This is a Local Natives song that is pretty solid and Wax Nostalgia does some incredible work with it, making Who Knows Who Cares into a floaty tune that keeps you movin'. It is quite majestic.



Download this Badboy

Wax Nostalgia only has two other tracks out, but if you like this you will probably like those as well. One of which being a Passion Pit remix. Can't go wrong with that. Definitely looking forward to some more remixes by this guy in the future. Seriously. Just go to his soundcloud and get the other two tracks as well. It's well worth your time.