Latest Soul Posts

[Soul] The Internet – Special Affair

Posted by Ash El Gamal - June 8, 2015

The Internet Music
Special Affair

The Internet, an Odd Future-affiliated band spear-headed by Syd and Matt Martian, have continued expanding on their neo-soul, funk-influenced style since first hitting the scene back in 2011. With two studio albums out, The Internet are already a step ahead of similar groups that have been popping up as of late, and the polished sound on their latest single certainly reflects that. Keeping genre boundaries as ambiguous as ever, “Special Affair” contrasts with some of The Internet’s more complex compositions proving a minimalistic tune fueled by a down-tempo, organic bass line and Syd’s silky, seductive vocals. As its name suggest, the track is a lustful and intoxicating ballad that, once again, demonstrates that, with Syd on the mic it’s virtually impossible to falter. On The Fader‘s premiere, Syd talked a bit about stepping out of her comfort zone with this late-night anthem:

I wasn’t sure I was the one who wanted to say those lyrics. With our first two albums, I don’t really say fuck what’s in your phone, let me take you home. It took me being like, so what? I’m 23, this is what I’m supposed to be talking about, this is how I’m supposed to be feeling. Our group is so funny, because people don’t even realize it’s a girl singing about a girl.

Along with “Special Affair,” The Internet’s also announced their upcoming third studio album, Ego Death, which drops June 30th and can be pre-ordered here.

[Feel Good] Jackson Breit feat. Sophia – Tell Me Something Good (prod. by Carneyval)

Posted by Clayton Warwick - June 3, 2015

Jackson Breit
Tell Me Something Good (prod. by Carneyval feat. Sophia)

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We don’t know about you guys, but we’re ready to kick off our shoes, lace up our boardshorts, and lie by the pool with a frosty adult beverage. It’s warm and sunny out here in Denver and now we have this shimmering, summertime tune to accompany us.

We’ve been a fan of this Virginia Beach silky-smooth vocalist for quite some time, with posts reaching all the way back to 2012. Some were remixes with original vocals, some were just straight up originals, but one thing was always constant – that goddamn gorgeous voice.

Today’s track is a soulful, gospel-inspired tune featuring vocalist Sophia and a repeat appearance by Carneyval. It rides along the familiarity of Rufus’ original, with the borrowed choruses that will have you singing along in an instant. The verses are all new though, courtesy of Mr. Breit.

If you’re at work, please don’t hold us, Jackson Breit, Sophia, or Careyval accountable for your intense need to get up and head outside. If you do though, make sure to keep this on repeat for a bit.

[Indie Electronic] Bells Atlas – Sugar for the Queen

Posted by Ash El Gamal - June 2, 2015

Bells Atlas
Sugar for the Queen

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Bells Atlas have already established themselves as a local favorite in Oakland’s burgeoning music scene, and for good reason. The band’s brand of “kaleidosonic soul punch,” as they have so eloquently described it, masterfully mixes electronic and acoustic elements with soulful, avant-garde vocals for a hypnotizing sound. We had a chance to catch their performance at The New Parish a few weeks back and that style translates into an undeniably moving live experience.

Today, the talented four-piece released their latest EP, Hyperlust, a short-but-sweet collection of songs, many of which they’ve rolled out over the last few months. “Sugar for the Queen,” the second offering from the project, dropped yesterday and serves as a perfect introduction to their sound. It’s a dynamic and textured track that draws the listener in with duet vocals backed by unique guitar-plucking and scintillating percussion. The song steadily evolves into blissful psychedelia making for an enchanting, thought-provoking listen.

Get lost in “Sugar for the Queen” above and head over the Bells Atlas’ Bandcamp page to pick up Hyperlust.

Get to know R.LUM.R [TMN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Posted by TMN Staff - May 14, 2015

R.LUM.R
Show Me

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Since premiering “Show Me” two months ago, we’ve been anxiously awaiting more music from this up-and-coming Orlando artist. Unfortunately, we’re still a ways off from hearing “Be Honest,” so we’re giving you the next best thing: an in-depth interview.

Take a few minutes off from whatever it is you’re up to and get to know the intriguing R.LUM.R

What does the name R.LUM.R (pronounced ar-luhm-ar) derive from?

R.LUM.R is the representation of everything I am at his point.

To be brief about it, it’s a combination of my first and middle name. Growing up, I was always made to be ashamed of myself about being who I wanted to be and liking what I liked, so I hid it all. It was for a multitude of reasons, and for the sake of brevity I won’t get specific, but it can mostly be boiled down to pressure to be “blacker” and the insidious effects that has on one’s psyche, but I did what I was told, and whatever I thought a person like me was supposed to do.

My middle name, Lamar, was just one I never really felt attached to. So I hid that.

Getting my starts in music, I played acoustic and released and performed music as a singer-songwriter for a long time, which started basically because of my limited resources, and I kept going because of the positive ways I was affecting the world around me through that medium, but there’s always been another part of me that wanted to explore the stuff I’m exploring now, but never had the bravery or resources.

So in the process of evolving into this music, I wanted to do something that pulled from my past and exposed all those things, but created a clear focus on the future. Reggie, my first name, is in the first R, and with it being at the beginning of R.LUM.R, it’s the past, and the music I created that got me here. Though I’m evolving, I don’t want to abandon where I came from.
LUM is part of Lamar (my middle name) and represents the parts of myself I’d always hidden, and the present time. It means to me that I can take that stuff from back then and wear it proudly, turning it into positives. It’s also the center of the idea right now, so it’s fitting for it to be sitting where it is visually.

The last R is the future and the person I can be, coexisting with the person i’ve always been. Lamar ends with an “r”, and Reggie starts with an “r”, so it’s like bringing the ideas of the past and the present together, but in the future.
I hope that wasn’t too convoluted. lol
Continue reading →

[Chill/Dance] Fatboy Slim – Mad Flava (Autograf Remix)

Posted by Matthew Bloss - May 13, 2015

Fatboy Slim
Mad Flava (Autograf Remix)

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As Autograf has shifted more steadily out of the underground and into mainstream consciousness, so too has the way in which one of our favorite groove-heavy acts are able to craft melodies. The latest from Autograf sees the trio riffing on one of dance music’s original wisemen, Fatboy Slim, and his classic single “Mad Flava”. As part of Fatboy Slim’s re-release for platinum selling album Halfway Between The Gutter And The Stars, the Autograf boys have been tapped to offer their uniquely flavored dance groove, and have delivered another stellar piece to a constantly expanding palate. Rather than take the easy way out by sprinkling in a four-four kick and painting on a deeper, analog bassline as so many contemporary dance acts are wont to do these days, Autograf takes a much more fluid approach for their rework. Throughout its first half, Autograf toys with the original’s vocal chops, and breakbeat influenced two-step drums topped with an extremely danceable topline before unloading perhaps one of the most distinct and powerful basslines we’ve heard in any music genre this year. This one has us feeling somewhere between the House club and Hip-Hop dancefloor; which is one of the most welcome feelings we’ve had in quite some time. About the remix opportunity, Autograf told us: “We’re huge fans of breaks so when one of the legends hit us up for a remix, we were super honored. Here’s our break beat tribute to one of the pioneers..” while Fatboy kept his side a bit more ambiguous, stating: “Autograf got the finesse, they got the funk, they got the flava. The three F’s right there…” They certainly do. Check out Autograf’s “Mad Flava” remix above, and if you missed their last remix for Alesso’s “Cool”, do your ears a favor and listen here.

[TMN Premiere] Sorcha Richardson – Petrol Station

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 12, 2015

Sorcha Richardson
Petrol Station

Soundcloud

After making a name for herself among folk fans with two gorgeous EPs, singer/songwriter Sorcha Richardson has shifted gears bringing her flawless vocals to smooth electronic production. She first experimented with this new direction early in her career as part of Con Vos, a collaboration with New Jersey hip-hop duo Fortunate Ones, and we’re really excited to be bringing you the premiere of Richardson’s latest exploration. On “Petrol Station,” the Irish-bred, Brooklyn-based songstress glides over a hazy, minimal electronic backdrop, courtesy Baile, which allows the depth of her lyricism to shine. As the percussion and energy rise, Richardson’s vocals step up to match the intensity adding a new layer of emotion and texture to her vivid storytelling.

Even though the contributing instrumental elements are a far cry from Sorcha Richardson’s acoustic Last Train EP, her voice stays true to her soulful, folky roots making for a genuine and compelling sound. We’ll definitely be looking out for more from Richardson soon but, in the meantime, get lost in this dreamy track above.