1. The 1975 - The 1975 (2013)
This British outfit may call themselves The 1975 but they sound like something straight out of the 1980's. Their self titled debut is a party ready record that serves as an apt soundtrack for the young, hot, hip and happening.
Essential Track (s): "Settle Down" , "She Way Out"
2. Cut 4 Me - Kelela (2013)
The L.A. based singer of Ethiopian descent serves up a mixtape which is equal measure post-dubstep synths and warbles and mid to late 90's R&B. The result of a collaboration with UK based producers Nguzunguzu & Kingdom is stunning.
Essential Track (s): "Keep it Cool" , "Send Me Out"
3. Nothing Was The Same - Drake (2013)
With his third major label release, Toronto's very own cements his title as a hip-hop superstar which is quite interesting considering that Mr. Graham is, in all honesty, more R&B than he is hip-hop. When he does rap though, he sounds restless and invigorated. The look works for him.
Essential Track (s): "Furthest Thing" , "The Language"
4. Saint Heron - Various Artists (2013)
Mrs. Carter's little sister, Solange, has carved out quite the career for herself. She continually proves that she is worth more than the shrug than people often used to give her. To commemorate the next stage of her career, the launching of her own label Saint Records, Solange Knowles has released a compilation of music she deems notable in the rise of nu-r&b. If this collection is anything to go by, there is a lot to look forward to.
Essential Track (s): "Faded " Jade J , "Relax" Starchild
5. Sunbather - Deafheaven (2013)
I used to wonder how people could sit through 10 minute + songs...and then I met Deafheaven. They are all thrashing guitars, rolling drums and throaty screams...and I love it. They often offset these loud moments however with more quiet and tender ones which only adds power to the songs. At first I couldn't understand a single thing the front man was saying (screaming), and the truth is sometimes I still cant but when I listened to the album while reading the lyrics I realized that the angst, pain, frustration and wistfulness of the lyrics are mirrored perfectly in the soundscapes the band creates. And it is beautiful.
Essential Track (s): "Dream House" , "Vertigo"
This British outfit may call themselves The 1975 but they sound like something straight out of the 1980's. Their self titled debut is a party ready record that serves as an apt soundtrack for the young, hot, hip and happening.
Essential Track (s): "Settle Down" , "She Way Out"
2. Cut 4 Me - Kelela (2013)
The L.A. based singer of Ethiopian descent serves up a mixtape which is equal measure post-dubstep synths and warbles and mid to late 90's R&B. The result of a collaboration with UK based producers Nguzunguzu & Kingdom is stunning.
Essential Track (s): "Keep it Cool" , "Send Me Out"
3. Nothing Was The Same - Drake (2013)
With his third major label release, Toronto's very own cements his title as a hip-hop superstar which is quite interesting considering that Mr. Graham is, in all honesty, more R&B than he is hip-hop. When he does rap though, he sounds restless and invigorated. The look works for him.
Essential Track (s): "Furthest Thing" , "The Language"
4. Saint Heron - Various Artists (2013)
Mrs. Carter's little sister, Solange, has carved out quite the career for herself. She continually proves that she is worth more than the shrug than people often used to give her. To commemorate the next stage of her career, the launching of her own label Saint Records, Solange Knowles has released a compilation of music she deems notable in the rise of nu-r&b. If this collection is anything to go by, there is a lot to look forward to.
Essential Track (s): "Faded " Jade J , "Relax" Starchild
5. Sunbather - Deafheaven (2013)
I used to wonder how people could sit through 10 minute + songs...and then I met Deafheaven. They are all thrashing guitars, rolling drums and throaty screams...and I love it. They often offset these loud moments however with more quiet and tender ones which only adds power to the songs. At first I couldn't understand a single thing the front man was saying (screaming), and the truth is sometimes I still cant but when I listened to the album while reading the lyrics I realized that the angst, pain, frustration and wistfulness of the lyrics are mirrored perfectly in the soundscapes the band creates. And it is beautiful.
Essential Track (s): "Dream House" , "Vertigo"
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