This year has been almost too good for music lovers. I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been having the hardest time keeping up with all the enthralling new music released over the past six months. To make shit easier, and because we get a figurative hard-on for lists, OTIOBR is recapping the first half of this year—in no particular order, of course.
Here’s a newly recorded cut by UK producer SBTRKT. According to his Soundcloud, he’s “back in the studio. working towards eps/ album/ etc.” “Gamelena” is a bubbling track that finds SBTRKT taking a slightly more minimal approach than what we’re used to by him, but it’s a banger nonetheless. Check it out below:
South Londoner Jessie Ware already has an impressive résumé, and she’s been adding to that with some very majestic singles from her upcoming debut album, Devotion. She performed on the tremendous self-titled SBTRKT LP, and her “110%” single from earlier this year is one of my favorites of 2012. With that said, Ware’s latest release is a Bobby Caldwell cover that’s teeming with that rich, soulful voice she has. With production help by SBTRKT-collaborator Sampha, “What You Won’t Do For Love” feels like something pristine and glossy, all the while showcasing her vocal prowess.
Stones Throw is set to release producer/rapper Oh No’s latest album, Ohnomite. The album is apparently comprised of samples from the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Dolemite, which starred Rudy Ray Moore. Featuring collaborations with M.E.D., Alchemist, Guilty Simpson, DOOM, and Roc Marciano—among others—Oh No’s new album seems to be a promising delivery for hip-hop heads of all breeds. A new single, “3 Dollars”, dropped today, and it features a hungry (quite literally, he mentions a buffet) DOOM, in addition to a solid performance by Oh No, both sonically and lyrically. Check out the track below:
Ohnomite is out June 5 via Five Day Weekend/Stones Throw.
Airbird, better known as Joel Ford, has posted the entirety of his new EP, Trust, via FACT. The new 5-track EP features some soot-filled synth-pop that’s not only immediate and accessible, but an ideal balance of nostalgic love for the 80s and progressive synth movements.
Trust is out May 28 on Software.
Check out the excellent new album from indie greats The Walkmen over at NPR.
Heaven is out May 29 via Fat Possum.
We’ve got a ‘new’ track from the creator of one our favorite albums of 2011, and subsequently, a new rarities release. John Maus’ career is one of experimental lo-fi pop, and he’s been doing this shit for over 11 years now. A fast talker and an intelligent human, Maus’ music is quite often a reflection of his somewhat crazed mind. Below, check out and download one of Maus’ unreleased tracks from 2004, “Mental Breakdown”.