New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)(2010)
Erykah Badu’s stature in contemporary R&B has been overwhelmingly powerful for over twenty years. In that time, her creativity has evolved in numerous ways, with her second opus arriving through the futuristic magnificence of New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010). Her fifth record is a glorious homage to her soulful hip-hop roots, and effortlessly ties together all of the most rewarding elements of her iconic legacy.
Stepping into Tomorrow: A Profile on DIY Experimentalists Leah & Blake Saint David
Chicago producer, Composuresquad, has been a leader in the local DIY nightlife scene for years. He is one of the top sought-after DJ’s in city limits, and has hosted many of the most memorable events that have occurred in the past decade. On the latest edition of “The Junkyard,” Composure sets out to interview Leah and Blake Saint David, two members of a versatile rising collective of DIY artists that are on the verge of re-defining experimental music in the 312.
Myrtle Soup (2021)
Like most of the world, British-based indie rocker John Myrtle spent most of the past year alone in his home amid the global pandemic. His new LP, Myrtle Soup, was created during his time in isolation, driven by internal uneasiness from a sudden lack of scheduled structure. A massive amount of pandemic-based art created over the past twelve months focuses on mortality, destruction and the end of the world. Myrtle’s debut avoids this cliche, and instead centers his pleasant ten-track debut on the feeling of having too much time, rather than not enough.
Return of the Mac (2007)
2007 was an opportune time for Mobb Deep’s Prodigy & The Alchemist to collaborate. While The Alchemist was just beginning to create the base for an exceptional legacy, Mobb Deep had already cemented their stature as a pillar in hip-hop culture. The Alchemist & Prodigy’s first full-length album together, Return of the Mac, remains an overlooked center point that bridges the gap between two decades of groundbreaking rap music.
World Premiere: The Rejected Jet Puff Fader Cover Story
Jet Puff is a part-time rapper from Chicago. His most recent full-length album, "Shotgun is a Beautiful White Bird", runs across nine tracks packed with introspection and brilliantly articulated observations from his everyday life. "World Premiere: The Rejected Jet Puff Fader Cover Story” is an in-depth interview with the elusive rapper, further exploring his approach to music and artistic aspirations.
a softer focus (2021)
On her new album, a softer focus, experimentalist Claire Rousay hones in on the importance of subtle noise. Across six obscure compositions, the San Antonio-based artist weaves together ambient synth melodies with a diverse collection of field recordings. With her unique use of these niche elements of noise, Rousay has created a record that labels music as a connecting point between humanity and the underappreciated beauty in nature.
II (2021)
On their 2019 S/T EP debut, M.A.Z.E. found a middle ground between several sub genres primarily rooted in post-punk. With II, the Japanese four piece returns with a slightly faster and more frantic body of work than their first. Across nine carefully structured tracks, lead vocalist Eriko and her bandmates play off of each other’s strengths to collectively deliver a strong sophomore record.
Here, My Dear (1978)
Marvin Gaye cemented his legacy as a giant in modern music with his politically charged masterpiece, What's Going On, along with his classic love ballads, like "Let’s Get it On". In contrast, Gaye's 1978 soul/disco crossover, Here, My Dear, has remained relatively unnoticed for decades, hidden under the shadow of his more popular records. A complex and public divorce serves as the focus of this psychedelic soul deep-cut, resulting in one of the most humanizing artistic statements in Gaye’s epic career.