Introducing: Boots

Boots is the man behind the stilettos on Beyoncé’s irresistible, innovative, career-shifting and now ubiquitous self-titled fifth studio album.  He has writing and producing credits for Haunted, Heaven, and Blue as well as a writing credit on Jealous.  Being a part of such a huge and well curated project, a high point in the career of one of the already most successful women of our time, and sharing writing and production credits with the likes of Timbaland and Justin Timberlake is in itself a huge accomplishment for a newcomer (PS he signed to Roc Nation in June).  What’s even more intriguing about Boots is that the tracks he was involved with are some of the most abstract, innovative and insightful on the album, Haunted and Jealous being two of the most original to come from Beyoncé in a while.  This elusive and business minded talent has already crafted some of the most accessibly innovative tracks in the pop canon and yet remains largely unknown.  It seems as though Boots has plans to change that though as he has released his second solo track in a year.  It’s pretty much as fantastic as you’d expect, given his credentials.  Dust is a savory and indulgent slow weave through heavy and sparse bass, underlying at time abstract melodies that then morph into top notch pop vocal lines traversing sick drum & bass, with glimpses of detroit house influenced production.  At times like as if SBTRKT produced James Blake with the voice of a 90s pop rock band.  Check it out.  Become a fan.

The 25 Best Tracks of 2013

It’s been an amazing year in music, and while so far I snubbed more popularly rotated albums for The 10 Best Underplayed Albums of 2013, here you’ll see an all inclusive list.  From Lady Gaga to Chvrches to James Black and Rhye- consider this a year in review, or maybe just a collection of songs you need to hear if you haven’t.  So based on a combination of personal opinion (like including a track off Ra Ra Riot’s latest album which was severely critiqued), popularity, and merit, here are the 25 best tracks of 2013.  Subscribe to the Spotify Playlist at the bottom of this post!

Interview: Deptford Goth

South Londoner Daniel Woolhouse, AKA Deptford Goth, released his debut Life After Defo back in March of this year to widespread recognition.  His emotive songwriting and minimal production place him in the school of James Blake, and while on a first listen this album may not stick as clearly, it’s the kind that grows on you; before you know it you’ll have a slew of memories to these songs. Now Daniel is heading to North America for a very brief affair, beginning tomorrow night at Mercury Lounge and Wednesday night at Glasslands.  I had a chance to catch up with Daniel before his NYC appearances.

Rosie Lowe: Right Thing

Artists are constantly shifting and shaping genres; lately R&B and Soul have seen a huge resurgence, and their new iterations are some of the most fulfilling and exciting releases.  I’m thinking anything from James Blake to Rhye to Jessie Ware to SOHN to Autre Ne Veut.  The key to a successful release that isn’t simply following trends?  Good songwriting and good production.  Rosie Lowe has achieved both.  Her debut track Me & Your Ghost, a sweetly succulent nouveau R&B track, straddles the line between minimalist and indulgent production, creating something that remains intriguing throughout without overdoing it.

Context Isn’t Everything

After successfully reinventing themselves and establishing a new and unified sound, Vondelpark (Lewis Rainsbury, Alex Bailey, and Matt Law) release their debut LP Seabed. That being considered, It’s not surprising that Rainsbury would call this record a coming of age album, and post-pubescence has never sounded so tactfully (and maturely) sensual.

Pop – not watered down.

Lúcio da Silva Souza, operating under the name Silva, was seen making waves with his second full-length, Claridão.  Brazil’s Rolling Stone named it one of the 25 best releases of 2012, and being among great company (Brazil had an amazing year in contemporary music), his record comes out on top for me.  Silva’s previous work snatched the attention of James Blake’s producer, Max Colton, who mastered Claridão.