[Experimental] MODEL 86 – When You Realise… EP

After hearing MODEL 86’s song “MONO” which was released a couple months back, I knew I would have my eye on this London-based producer. He is fresh to the scene but he is no novice to the world of creating music. His inspiration and ability are up there and if he keeps to this route he might become a well known taste maker. “MONO” served as a stellar promotional single preceding a full EP. It communicated the general sound and feeling behind the idea he had for this project, and it had me eagerly waiting for more.

Now the entirely of the EP is upon us and the creativity MODEL 86 was able to bring to that single resonates throughout the whole album. It is titled, “When You Realise People Are Not One Dimensional Characters In A Movie Of Your Life.” This abstract unorthodox title fits the album’s unique style. Throughout the record, MODEL 86 dives deeper into his inspirations and experimental curiosities.

With hip-hop, electronic and pop influences, MODEL 86’s songs span a diverse sonic palate. The two leading tracks, “Holdin’” and “MONO” are much more straight forward compared to the second half of the album. But the tracks flow together well. “NEED 808” serves as a perfect midpoint. It resembles a disjointed popular electronic song where a catchy melody is taken by storm, overrun by quick high hats, unpredictable hip-hop rhythms and glitchy vocal chops.

Any fans of forward-thinking hip-hop and electronic music will find something special here. So explore the new MODEL 86 EP, “When You Realise People Are Not One Dimensional Characters In A Movie Of Your Life.” 

’Holdin’
’MONO’
’NEED 808’
’Fake Life Jackets’
’Fallin Dust And Snow In A Ray Of Sun’
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Mayowa – Fight This Feeling (Prod. Milo Mills) [TMN EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE]

(Credit: Malika Favre)
Mayowa
Fight This Feeling (Prod. Milo Mills)

It’s been a while since we last heard from Mayowa (slightly over a year in fact), and a lot has changed in that time. For starters, he’s since opted to use his full first name, adding the “wa” onto Mayo in an effort to get back to his Nigerian roots. Also, after an extended stay in the City of Angels, the Chicago native is back to turn things up in his hometown. Despite the long hiatus, Mayowa is picking up right where he left off, reuniting with frequent collaborator Milo Mills for a bouncy new cut titled “Fight This Feeling”.

Aside from being the potential song of the summer, the genre-bending single also serves as an ode to independent women everywhere, with Mayowa expressing his admiration for one lady in particular, while also urging her to toss out all her inhibitions. Featuring a sample of “Moments of Love” by Art Of Noise, the track itself blends together an eclectic mix of hip-hop, R&B and future bass, as the talented rapper/singer constantly shifts gears throughout–which makes sense when you consider his main goal with his music:

I enjoy stepping outside of my comfort zone and experimenting with different styles. I don’t want to be held in the box of just ‘hip-hop.’

As we mentioned, Mayowa recently made his return back to Chicago, and in order to celebrate his homecoming he’s putting together a show this Friday at Home Bar called “Lituation”, which promises to be a lit situation. If you’re in town make sure to snag some tickets for the show right here.

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Saturday Selection Vol. 10

Saturday Selection

Here we are at volume 10 of Saturday Selection. It feels good. What makes this so enjoyable is the fact that we’re lucky enough to get great music released every week, and we’ve got the artists & producers to thank for that! Whenever, wherever, and however you can, support these talented people. They make our lives better and the least we can do is attempt to reciprocate by showing we enjoy what they create. On that note, let’s explore what we’ve found from the last week!


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San Holo – Still Looking

You may have caught this tune in our latest Wednesday Workout segment, but it’s so good that we just had to mention it again! With that being said, San Holo needs no introduction. He’s been on a roll for a while now, especially since his monumental release “We Rise”. He’s taken to bitbird to show off his latest track, and the first taste of the label’s upcoming Gouldian Finch compilation. “Still Looking” is textbook San Holo in the sense that it combines the best of melodic, trap, and bass elements into his festival-ready style. It’s carefree. It’s substantial. It’s innovative. Enjoy this one when you just want to feel good.


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KHAI – Alive

Here’s what’s cool about Khai: he’s unapologetic in his ability to detail exactly how he feels in his music and creates something beautiful around that principle. “Alive” is the latest shining example of this and, after his awesome If You EP, we’re just so glad to he’s back at it. There’s an air of optimism amidst the brooding production in this tune, and the balance between the two defines this stellar single as one of Khai’s best releases to date. Play this tune when you’re feeling a little down, but you’re also sort of okay with that.


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Jerry Folk – Where I’m Going

Jerry Folk has been on an interesting journey with his music as of late. Each release really has been something entirely different from the last, and this is somewhat the mission statement of loosely structured project, The Kids Tape. With “Where I’m Going”, he actually lends his own vocals to the radiant production that juggles prominent and funky slap bass, smooth keys, and an overall sense of positivity. Enjoy this one with the windows down.


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g l u e 7 0 – Conclusions

Sometimes all we need is a little bit of lo-fi in our lives. Some may find it stale, but when it’s done right, it’s pretty phenomenal. g l u e 7 0 is here to provide some of the best of it. “Conclusions” feels like a hazy and slightly distorted dream world driven by a hip-hop influence while scant vocals flutter every which way across the soundscape. You sort of get drawn in without noticing, and before you know it, you’re digging through the entirety of g l u e 7 0’s material. The magnetism of this sort of music is tough to deny. Listen to this one on a late summer night right as the sun is going down.


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M!NT – Sleepwalker

M!NT just dropped off his Through Darkness EP and it is NICE. It was difficult to only pick one tune from it to talk about, but “Sleepwalker” stood out after a few listens. It’s part spooky, part chill, and wholly great. Without a doubt, the innate sense of head-bobbing-ness (let’s just pretend that’s a thing) is strong with this one with a smoothly riding beat and big presence that’s tailor-made for a night cruise. Explore the city late night and enjoy the flashing lights with this one.


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[Electronic Soul] Tom Misch – Crazy Dream

Tom Misch
Crazy Dream (feat. Loyle Carner)

Tom Misch is the epitome of cool. We don’t mean the contrived and aloof kind of cool, but the calm and collected type that can create some of the smoothest music out right now. “Crazy Dream” explores the hip-hop side of Tom’s production, allowing for Loyle Carner to fire off his effortless verses between catchy choruses.

Not only is this song another solid release in a long list of great Tom Misch creations, but it also is the second single off of his upcoming Reverie EP that’s due out on July 15th. It goes without saying that we’re eagerly awaiting the rest of this project and will be repeatedly enjoying “Crazy Dream” until then. Finish off your day right with this slick track.

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Saturday Selection Vol. 9

Saturday Selection

This weeks has been something else, and I’m still catching up after being at Governors Ball this weekend. We’re primed and ready for another slick collection of new tunes, from Louis Futon to the first cut off of midnight’s new EP, so go ahead and jump right into it. Enjoy!


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O R I O N – Gold Dust ft. Cammie Robinson

This song is from a little while ago, but it was new to us and instantly caught our ears. O R I O N put together a beautiful brain-melter with “Gold Dust”, and the sparse, but angelic vocals of Cammie Robinson are the icing on the cake. The innate feeling of escapism creeps out throughout the tune, and you’ll want to go explore the world as it plays. Enjoy this one on a bright and day. You’ll feel absolutely wonderful.


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SWIMS – Bedrooms

SWIMS is an exciting new duo that combines the best of trap, R&B, and electronic music into a breezy and ethereal creation. Optimized for complete relaxation, “Bedrooms” stands as a strong debut for these two. It’s a serenade with all the right trappings. It hits all the right spots. Soak this one in with a special someone tonight.


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midnight – Native America (feat. The Internet)

The combination of midnight and The Internet is impossible to be apathetic about. Touching on the marred past of the United States, these talented people describe the constant push for the best life available in a seductive fashion that gives the message a new appearance. We’ve been hooked on midnight ever since his XXI Labors EP, and seeing him work with The Internet to deliver such a powerful message only solidifies our admiration of his work. Find some time to really sit and reflect on these lyrics.


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Goldlink – Unique (Louis Futon Remix)

This one is simply fun. That’s no surprise, coming from Louis Futon. He decided to return to his earlier remix roots by flipping this Goldlink and Anderson Paak original into absolutely irresistible scorcher of a dance tune. We’re not even sure what the best part of it is, but there is one thing we know for sure. It’s ALL great. Kick off the shift into warm weather with this one.


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The Geek x Vrv – Coming Up’ Feat Kellylee Evans & Atom

So much soul. The Geek x Vrv never fails to bring out the best funk, hip-hop, and soul crossovers with their material, and “Coming Up” is a vibrant new addition to their stellar sound. Featuring a fourth of C2C and the striking singing of Kellylee Evans, this song triumphs on its 90s rap atmosphere and style that’s revamped and repurposed into a more modern sound. You can’t NOT bob your head. We’re making sure to keep the double negative there just so you know we MEAN it. Throw this tune on when you just want to groove.


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[Electronic] MODEL 86 – MONO

MODEL 86
MONO

MODEL 86 is an intriguing new artist on our radar. His latest track is called, “Mono” and sees the London-based producer blends hip-hop, electronic and world elements effortlessly. This makes for an extremely dynamic listen.

After playing through this one, you might wish you had discovered MODEL 86 sooner. Going back through his catalog, we’re really feeling his other releases as well. Peep this electronic song Holdin’ from a month ago for another taste of the MODEL 86 sound.

But “MONO” is the latest greatest and it might be the perfect out-there addition to your music rotation. There are some cool pitch-bend vocal samples, but hopefully we’ll get to hear a rapper on it at some point too. A few wild bars would really top this one off. If you like the beat, you will want to keep an eye on MODEL 86.

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[Event Review] Project Pabst: Denver

pabstpress

While the influx of major brands into all sectors of independent art over the past decade or so has certainly seen a large swath of fans and critics let out a collective groan; it is events like Project Pabst that at least let us know that some corporations are putting their efforts in the right places. Last Saturday, a pair of us Ninjas set out into one of Denver’s most diversely beautiful neighborhoods, The Five Points/RiNo Arts District (which was conveniently also this writer’s own hood) to enjoy one of the more eclectically diverse days of music we’ve consumed in the Centennial State in years.

We arrived fresh on a sweltering afternoon just in time to see Brooklyn synth-pop outfit Small Black, who if you’ve followed us for some time, know we have developed quite the soft spot for -especially after playing our Halloween TMN Showcase last year. The four-piece paced the day wonderfully, ranging their sound from wistful electro-indie-pop, to chillwave, to lofi 80’s pop, and all of those murky spaces in between. After running through a slate of singles off of last year’s LP Best Blues, Small Black arced their set brilliantly, landing upon their shining star “No Stranger” to wrap up an hour-long set.

Check out the rest of our Project Pabst: Denver review after the jump!

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