Welcome to the 29th entry of the Weekend Tune-Up. So glad to have you with me and to share these new tunes with you. There was so much fresh music that dropped this week, I had a difficult time curating the playlist, not a bad problem to have.The one-man group from Oakland who calls himself Day Wave is back with an excellent new single about an ex, something we can all relate to. I really dig his blend of sunny pop intertwined with synths and lo-fi vocals. Disclosure released another new track from their upcoming album, and it's a jam. As long as they keep dropping new music, I'll keep sharing it. Aussie rapper All Day released his debut LP Startup Cult last year, but it never made its way to the States up until today, which marks its debut in the U.S. The entirety of it is a pleasant surprise, but I really love the minimalist laid-back beat on "Find Me." Duran Duran's Paper Gods is out today, and I have't had the chance to soak it up yet, but I've liked what I've heard so far. "Universe Alone" is a slow building tune that allows Simon to flex his vocal muscles, then drops in the beat, guitar, violins and synths.They still have it. (A review of the album by my fellow blogger, Gabe, is forthcoming.) Indie rap duo Blackalicious has returned from a 10-year hiatus with their fourth record, Imani Vol. 1. It's jam-packed full with 16 cuts and it's lovely. I chose "Inspired By," which finds rapper Gift Of Gab waxing his literate rhymes over playful production.
The sleeper tune of the week comes from Airbird & Napolian. "J.Park" is off their first LP, Mr. Foolish, due out November 18. "J.Park" is a chill driving tune that immediately evokes Boards of Canada, one of my favorite groups. The atmosphere is thick and hovers over the flickers of bleeps and electronics. Throw this on in the car, set it to cruise and let the day melt away. I'm eager to hear the rest of the album...
1. GEMS, "Got It"
2. Jay Rock Feat. Busta Rhymes & Macy Gray, "Fly on The Wall"
3. EL VY, "I'm the Man to Be"
4. Day Wave, "Come Home Now"
5. Gabrielle Aplin, " Slip Away"
6. Disclosure, "Jaded"
7. TOPS, "Anything"
8. Diiv, "Dopamine"
9. Airbird & Napolian, "J.Park"
10. Louis The Child Feat. K Flay, "It's Strange"
11. Duran Duran, "The Universe Alone"
12. Allday, "Find Me"
13. Astronauts, etc., "See You"
14. Youth Lagoon, "Rotten Human"
15. Blackalicious Feat. Bosko, "Inspired By"