"DWN4U/JEEPS"- BC Kingdom

After several spins, I still don't think I can process BC Kingdom's new bifurcated single "DWN4U/JEEPS". There's the turn from modernist R&B touches (mechanical clapping and restrained synthesizer) to late 90s muted vocals promising to "fly you out to the West Indies."  And as frustrating as a clear lack of chronology is, the group's refusal to pick a tone is equally infuriating. They promise to "be down for you" then turn around to exalt "freaking". When taken together, you'd think the pledge was another attempt to score.

Something about "DWN4U/JEEPS" does lend the tune an unmistakable earnestness though. Anybody trying to play it cool wouldn't go all zoological and swear they'd run "faster than a cheetah" if called upon. Then there's the confessional in the "JEEPS" portion of feeling "tired", a condition no hyper-masculine male would claim. And last time I checked steel drums aren't on a shortlist of en vogue instruments. But the biggest tip-off BC Kingdom's being honest arrives early in "DWN4U". "I can love you 'til the end, if you stay with me my friend" is the unvarnished sentiment. Not: girl, lady, woman, or any number of non-familiar phrases, but friend. That one word alone ensures that no matter what BC Kingdom are aiming for; it isn't for one night only.

"Cash In"- Solange

 

Indie or "alt-R&B" has been floating around for a few years now, defined by early-decade classics like the industrial judder of the Weeknd's House of Balloons or Frank Ocean's sonically restless Channel Orange. And like any nascent "scene", trying to shoehorn disparate styles into such a narrow label is unquestionably difficult. Even between the aforementioned albums, there lies a vast chasm of difference. Trying to define a movement in its infancy is akin to being a gatekeeper while the gate is still under construction.

Solange's Saint Heron compilation (out through her own imprint) ambitiously attempts to catalog the movement, while simultaneously pushing it forward. Similar to Brian Eno's No New York comp, her curative-effort weaves disparate threads together in the hope of crafting a seamless tapestry. The aquatic boom of newcomer Kelela's "Go All Night" nestles comfortably alongside Sampha's twitchy piano-laden "Beneath the Tree". If one commonality can be found, it's a will to "get weird" without forgoing unadulterated pop pleasure. Solange's sole contribution to the album, closer "Cash In" demonstrates the principle as well as any. A lingering organ figure edges the song into gothic romance territory, before cavernous drums spring the track from a dark prison. Clanging bells add color to the monochromatic proceedings. Fraught by the need to "get away" and put the past in the rear-view, Solange's wispy vocals capture the slow-trek of a relationship into an uncertain future. "We don't need to pave our way" she partially hollers early on during the enticing hook. With the release of Saint Heron and a song like "Cash In", she's failed to take her own advice.

Saint Heron is out now through Saint Records.

What's New(s)?

Arcade Fire to perform Reflektor on NPR

As the long steady march to the release of the Arcade Fire's Reflektor continues, the group has announced they'll be performing live on NPR October 28, the day before the album drops. The Canadian septet will play in Hollywood's Capitol Studios and broadcast on NPR's "First Listen". The show is slated for a 10 pm East-coast start on NPR affiliates, and will also be streaming live here. 

Last night, under the guise of "The Reflektors" the band performed on the Colbert Report where they pitched a travel plan to Haiti for Colbert and donned their giant masks for Reflektor track "Normal Person". They saved new single "Afterlife" for a web exclusive, performing under the glow of disco lights. Check it out below and look for Reflektor October 29.

Rustie remixes "Trouble on My Mind"

At some point after the release of Pusha T's engaging solo endeavor Fear of God II in 2011, plans were made for a remix entitled Lucky T. The tracklist 've featured the likes of: Lunice, Machinedrum, Hudson Mohawke and others but never officially surfaced. Today British producer Rustie has given us a taste of his remix of the hedonistic "Trouble on My Mind". Rustie replaces the Neptunes original electronic scrawl with pattering handclaps, Sleigh Bells noise bursts, and tingling steel drum; sending the original song's confidence into overdrive.

The track is available for download here and Rustie is currently touring the U.S. with tour dates below:

10/22 Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones
10/23 Boston, MA - Middle East
10/24 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
10/25 Asheville, NC - Mountain Oasis Festival
10/26 Miami, FL - Bardot

12/15 Los Angeles, CA - Lure
12/17 Seattle, WA - Neumos
12/18 Portland, OR - Rotture
12/19 Vancouver, British Columbia - Electric Owl
12/20 Chicago, IL - The MID

12/21 Toronto, Ontario - Wrongbar
12/22 Austin, TX - Empire Space 

 

Solange announces R&B compilation

If you've ever wished for a compendium of indie-leaning R&B, Solange will soon be granting your wish via her Saint Records imprint. The compilation Saint Heron promises 12 original songs by like-minded R&B artists including: Cassie, Sampha, Kelela, Jhené Aiko, and others. 

Solange herself will be issuing a new single for the LP, which drops November 12. The first single is Kelela's dreamy trap-influenced "Go All Night" found below.