Shak. - Lately

Continuing the streak of mysterious producers, here is Shak. All that is 

known is that he is18 years old and from Netherlands.

This cut here oozes ambience. The mix is quiet, percussion clinks

and clanks, bass swells gently and guitar melodies speak from miles away.

For his second song, this young man shows a lot of promise.

Sister Crayon - Floating Heads

On their debut 'Bellow,' Sister Crayon spun trip-hop with a combination

of samples and live instrumentation

It seems like they have ditched the MPC for just primarily live 

instrumentation. From the sound of this song, it was a great 

decision.

Off their upcoming EP Cynic via Fake Four Inc., this joint finds lead singer
Terra Lopez in excellent form (as usual) - smooth, spectral and haunted.
The band lays down a bed of distorted keys, pulsating bass, reverbed
picked guitar and driving drums to complete the magic.

It's create watching these guys evolve.

XXXIΛIXXX - 소원을 말해봐

XXXIΛIXXX are from China. That's the most I can tell you since

I do not speak any Chinese language and everything about them is 

in that. But good music crosses even those barriers.

Over a dark anthemic trap beat, these two songbirds say.....something

in a very catchy melody, reminiscent of pre-Nick-Cannon Mariah.

It sounds so good who cares what any of it means?

Wait is there an app that can translate this?

Manu Shrine - Wave Form

Manu Shrine, from Russia, joins the growing ranks of mysterious

musicians, pumping out dopeness from beyond our fingertips,

somewhere between the shadows.

His sound is definitely, post-dubstep by way of chillout -

 a softly pulsing bassline, echoing pianos and the skittering

percussion oft associated with post-dubstep. What enhances

the intimacy he creates here is how he has the male and female 

vocal samples play off each other as if they are trapped in a

duet within a ghostly realm.

It's melancholia made beautiful, longing made bearable.

Usher - Climax (Lindsay Lowend Remix)

Usher and Diplo had a scorcher on their hands about a year ago with

their collaboration on 'Climax.' Undoubtedly, between then and now,

several hands have touched it with intent to remix but few this funky.

Lindsay Lowend spins it around with chunky bass, a steady ambient pad

then goes into a bridge with swirling synths and electronic horns. It ends

on a more sedate... climax with Usher's vocals layered

upon each other.

Effective nonetheless.

Droop-E (feat. Nite Jewel and J. Stalin) - N The Traffic [Video]

Droop-E has been quietly killing the beatmaker game. On the low, he's
contributed several gems to E-40's (his dad) past few releases and also
put out a mixtape of his own where he flipped all Sade samples.

In anticipation of his upcoming EP Hungry and Humble, he has joined forces with

fellow Bay Area brethren J. Stalin and bedroom dream pop siren Nite Jewel. 

Its encouraging seeing rappers continue this new trend of collaborating with

non R&B/less conventional singers. Big Boi got up with Phantogram and

Little Dragon, Danny Brown is going to be heard soon with Purity Ring.

Nite Jewel turns up with a smooth hook that complements the beat which 

is a laid back knocker with UFO synth squiggles, naughty xylophones,

heavily reverbed chord stabs and a Jeep-ready bassline.

The video is slick, depicting a 1930s Bay Area scene, drenched in hazy

light, cigar smoke and muted colors. Everything is old school swank, 

everyone moves in slow motion.

Of course, E-40 shows up.

Purity Ring - Grammy (Soulja Boy Cover)

In 2012, Purity Ring made a big splash in the indie pop circle, signing to 4AD

and dropping their well received gem of a debut album. Well, its a new year and 

Purity Ring has not left us without some dope shit to step to. 

See sweet baby Jesus still loves ya!

But a Soulja Boy cover? Well trust that Megan James' maple syrup coated
throat would come with a nimble flow and a catchy melody to
obliterate Corin Roddick's twinkling beat. 

It's awesome but twice as awesome because its a Soulja Boy cover.

Karmin could learn a thing or two from these guys.