Think of all the music being uploaded to the internet right at this moment. Now think of all the music you’d be missing if you didn’t land right here on an Indie Dojo today. All wrapped up in a pretty little playlist just for you.
THIS is how you kick off a new year. Ekali and KRANE have already established themselves as household names in the ever-changing genre of trap, so seeing them join forces on a monstrous collaboration is cause for celebration.
“Akira” is a marvel of melody and powerful percussion that utilizes the unique and outstanding aspects of each producer’s best qualities in a manner similar to the recent RL Grime, Skrillex, and What So Not smash, “Waiting”. One could even argue that these two might have just upstaged those legends on their new tune, but that’s for you to decide. Either way, “Akira” is going to be getting a LOT of festival play over the next couple of months without fail.
As for the rest of 2017, “Akira” is a strong way to start, and we’re certainly hoping for the possibility of more from Ekali and KRANE in the future. Do yourself a favor and grab the free download while you can!
Arfus from St. Petersburg, FL is on one. His music is immensely creative and fun while achieving emotional depth. “Dark Forge”, his newest single, is masterful.
A house beat composed entirely of glitches opens the track. The main melody whispers into the mix, simple but profound, almost esoteric. The kick drum then thunders in with shocking volume and depth, coupled with the producer’s characteristically coarse synthesizers. All of the sudden there are three melodies weaving through one another, screeching sounds and a deeply-pitched new lead melody that sounds like it came from Lord of The Rings. From there the music moves even deeper into more complex territory.
It’s typical of Arfus’s mind-boggling production style to pack so much seemingly disparate material into one cohesive, bumping track. He achieves this same queer collage effect on “Dark Forge” but strings it together with a new, quicker tempo because, as he says on his Soundcloud, it’s a “club year”. Name your price and download this cut here.
We can’t help but appreciate the honesty shown by Azad on his newest EP. From the project’s title down to its most negligible lyric, the Los Angeles-based performer offers up straightforward thoughts and sensual energy in this classy hybrid of R&B and hip-hop, A Very Emotional EP. The record features a ton of material for an EP – verses laid out with consistent, adept flow, hooks highlighting his soft, lilting voice, all couched in excellent instrumentals from an all-star cast of producers. We’re grateful the singer/songwriter took enough time away from his label Mind Of A Genius to bless us with this compilation.
From track to track the EP tells a familiar but timeless story. First, serious longing and heartbreak. Then, introverted analysis leads to a return to confidence. Finally, it’s baby-making time.
“Enough of You” lays out the pattern that each song takes. Azad’s rhymes, sometimes styled more like freeform poetry than rap bars, tumble out towards in the verse towards a chorus that sounds like many a softer cut from Drake or J. Cole. The deep beat comes courtesy of Sango, Atu and Dpat, a trio which literally made great waves together in 2016. “Special” reminds one of The Weekend’s best tracks from 2016, but with more hard-edged lyricism in between the shiny hook. Catch the creative homage Azad pays to one particularly influential rhyme sayer in the second verse.
The talented Millz Douglas from East Baltimore holds it down with a great beat on “Godesses”, the type of pocket beat that offers a prime platform to a rapper, and Azad slides right in. The next two tracks, “Trust” and ‘Grind on Me” are produced by Jonathan Marquez, whose guitar samples refresh the soundscape. Trust is difficult to achieve, and the absence of it seems to be driving much of Azad’s emotional turmoil. Azad has a special ability to tell detailed, true stories in verse, especially on “Grind On Me”. Love songs are common, but it’s rare to hear an honest, productive, real discussion of relationship troubles packaged in smooth verse over the kick and snare. Only a few in the game do it well, and Azad puts forward his best effort on this cut.
Stwo from Paris offers my personal favorite beat on the compilation with “Ready”, a boom-bap dripping in bass with a kick that sounds like a heartbeat and a snare that is deliciously minimal. The lack of glamor in the instrumental makes room Azad’s smooth, soft flow. “Teach me how to love I never learned how / it’s like every house I ever built gets burned down.”
After such an emotional EP, “Sweet” is a perfect capitulation. The raunchy lyrics and braggadocio fit perfectly into HUCCI‘s big-ass booming beat (Strictly!).
A Very Emotional EP is a very strong effort from Azad. It’s exactly what an EP should be – a thoughtfully-curated series of stellar instrumentals, each one employed carefully by the songwriter to tell a different part of his emotional tale. Few artists rhyme with the complexity and sing with the catharsis of Azad while keeping it so real with the subject matter. With all the new-age R&B out there, it can be hard to find the durable cuts. A Very Emotional EP is full of them.
2017 is here. Here in the dojo we have some awesome things coming for you all. Despite bringing new things to you, we’ll keep kicking up the old goodies we always have, including the Friday Party Playlists. For the first volume of 2017, we collected records from some of our favorite creators, including Aero Chord, Havok Roth, JSTJR, Tha Trickaz, and many more. In 2016 there were plenty of hits, so we had to include a remix of “Starboy” by our friend IVARR. If you want to know what else we have included, you’ll just have to dive right in for yourself. Cheers to another year of great tunes! Especially free ones!! As always, #danceirresponsibly.
With old man winter bearing down on the Mile High City, we have one thing and one thing alone on our mind. It’s time to head down to 19th and Blake and get toasty in the best way possible – by dancing to some top notch beats. Per usual, we’re making it incredibly easy for you to get off your couch and head down. Why’s that? Because we’re hooking you up with free entry.
Here’s how:
– Head to the front door and enter the club before 11pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Get there before 9:00 on Sunday
– Show this post to the cashier (Valid for 21+ only).
– The deal is valid for THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY this week.
Cages‘s music is consistently infectious and the funky beat of “The Music” paired with Black Gatsby’s smooth vocals is no exception. The high energy tempo and soulful vibes creates an overwhelming urge to lose yourself from the outside world and deeply immerse your mind and body in a melody fit for every dance floor. While some of us are delving into the coldest months of the year, this track, released on Ultra Records, is keeping us warm and we’re in complete agreement with the catchy vocals, “I lost my mind in the music and I love how it makes me feel.” “The Music”can be purchased or streamed here.
