Hey there. I’m Ryo Miyauchi, senior staff writer for the entertainment section. When I’m not writing here about events in San Diego, I’m checking up on all the new music coming out. I’ll be writing over here so I can provide you guys with the latest on what’s going with current music at large. Feel free to talk to me on my Twitter, which you can access here or below on my info page.
To start things off on this blog, here are five great tracks from February worth your listen.
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“Rumble” by Kelis
In a rather surprising turn of events, Kelis signed on to electronic music label Ninja Tune for her upcoming album, “Food”, out Apr. 22. While I thought the soul singer was going to be singing over some low key dance beats, single “Rumble” lays those bizarre ideas to rest. Kelis strips it down to her roots, singing over classy piano and horns. What first sounds like a “can’t get over you” love song gets flipped with a triumphant ending as Kelis shakes things off like a boss.
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“Out of the Black (Joe Goddard Remix)” by Neneh Cherry (ft. Robyn)
On Feb. 24, the great Neneh Cherry returns with “Blank Project”, her newest original album in 18 years. A notable collaboration in “Blank Project” got to be “Out of the Black”, a fresh duet between Neneh Cherry and Robyn. While the original beat produced by Four Tet is a solid buzzy affair, Hot Chip member Joe Goddard extends the duet into a sticky disco. The alternate flip works even better and more fitting as Cherry and Robyn invite people to get up and dance.
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mwNbTL3pOs]
“Lookin’ Ass” by Nicki Minaj
In addition to her killer freestyles over Young Thug’s “Danny Glover” and PTAF’s “Boss Ass Bitch”, Nicki Minaj slays an epic Detail production for the ferocious “Lookin’ Ass”. Minaj goes off on her hit list as she exposes the fakest and the wackest of dudes. She’s on her serious-ass rapping mode here, holding back her eccentric voice for some real talk. You can find this monster of a song in the upcoming Young Money compilation, “Rise of an Empire”.
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gSE2NK8SDQ]
“Crime” by Real Estate
At this point in its now third record, New Jersey band Real Estate isn’t going to step away from its golden, jangly guitar sound. If this creative direction is going to keep creating gems like the breezy “Crime”, then I have no problem. “Crime” is a timeless guitar song that sounds so easy-going. Real Estate practically plays your problems away as long as you keep this song close. And if you want to play this song on guitar, Real Estate has a handy video teaching you the chords.
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idllxjHbX7w]
“Prince Johnny” by St. Vincent
St. Vincent’s new self-titled album out Feb. 25 is a stunning record with Annie Clark playing at her most direct. A slower jam than the other two singles, “Prince Johnny” matches the grand feel of, say, “Cheerleader” from “Strange Mercy”. Though whimsy, Clark doesn’t hold back. She looks straight through you and confronts face to face. Listen to this, grab the album on release date, and catch her Mar. 19 show at the House of Blues.
