ISSUE #31
What Kinda Music
by Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes
Tom Misch is becoming something of an icon in the UK music scene, effortlessly jamming funk, soul and jazz into anything he touches. Previous releases from the 26-year old have featured upbeat vocals over minimal groove-based songwriting, sunny and pure and catchy as all hell. However, the new full-length LP on which Misch has teamed up with drummer/producer Yussef Dayes takes things in a very different direction. What Kinda Music is heavy on jazz and less focused on Misch’s buttery vocals, instead exploring longform drum patterns and wide open space that feels melancholic and transcendent, mature and elegant. Tracks like the instrumental Lift Off feel like Tom stepping into his Jimi Hendrix moment, spreading his wings and unleashing his full talent, taking his minimalist approach to new heights of cosmic jam nirvana alongside bass player Rocco Palladino. Others, like Festival, feature layers and layers of guitar, strings, bass and synth floating over one another in a gentle ripple, driven forth by Dayes’ ever-engaging drumming. There is a lot of instrumentation on this LP, but in a herculean feat of sound engineering it doesn’t feel busy, but rather full, evolved. What Kinda Music is everything I never knew I wanted from Tom Misch and more, and his collaboration with Yussef Dayes is truly a match made in heaven.
Vinyl is already sold out, but a documentary on the making of this masterwork goes live later today on Tom’s youtube channel here. Stay up on Tom’s tours and merch here, and listen to Yussef Dayes’ incredible discography here.
Favorite tracks: Lift Off (feat. Rocco Palladino), I Did It For You, Storm Before the Calm (feat. Kaidi Akinnibi)
TO FEEL ALIVE EP
by Kali Uchis
From American-Colombian pop/R&B star Kali Uchis comes a collection of tracks that provide a fresh new foundation for one of the silkiest, sultriest voices in the modern music industry. Where Uchis’ 2018 LP Isolation draws from a menagerie of South-American sound, TO FEEL ALIVE sounds more Americanized in its production, and I love it. The feel is more focused, thematic, whilst managing to maintain diversity across the all-too-short 10 minutes of playtime. The drums come through strong, sub-bass hits hard, and piano and synth keys wander through dreamy progressions that lift Kali higher into the sky than ever before. Produced by Rogét Chahayed, who has worked with everyone from Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamar to Calvin Harris and Dr. Dre, this EP is a huge step forward for both beats and vocal performance, with Kali channeling pure velvet fire into each track, lacing the space with mirage-like harmonies that burn away as quickly as they came.
Follow Kali Uchis here (mind the NSFW album art!)
Favorite tracks: honey baby (SPOILED), I want war (BUT I NEED PEACE), TO FEEL ALIVE.
Veg Out (Wasting Thyme)
By Masego
Micah Davis, better known as Masego, is a Jamaican born jazz and soul musician, co-author of the hugely infectious single Tadow (with Bump favorite FKJ) and the emperor of Instagram Live rambling. Aside from a hugely infectious personality, Davis consistently puts out lush, danceable jazz/soul/hip-hop music and lights up the stage during every live performance. In his new single, skylight arpeggios cascade from a distant piano, occasionally reversing to spin the crystalline ambience on its head. Birdsong flows in an open window, mingling freely with syncopated trap hi-hats. Masego’s trademark saxophone solo is replaced by steel drums and chirping synths that further insulate the tropical, breezy atmosphere that this track does so well to propagate. The smooth-talking king of casual jazzhop is straightforward in his message here:
I wanna veg out
I don't really care what you talk 'bout
I just wanna waste some time
I just wanna rest my mind
I’m just switchin' through these topics
This mood is lavish
I’m just breakin' through the silence
This summer anthem is going to be on repeat rain or shine - take a moment to listen to King’s Rant, and join me in prayer that Uncle Sego will bless us with an album soon. Follow his antics and view the Veg Out music video here.
Turbera
By Aggromance
We recently came across the music of Argentinian electronic producer Aggromance, and safe to say we’re obsessed. We have been following the Buenos Aires-based electronic music collective Hiedrah Club de Baile (whose roster of artists is one to look out for) for a couple years now, and were elated to discover the fresh sounds of Aggromance. His debut LP Turbera has been a constant in our day-to-day. It's dynamic as hell - one moment you're getting pummeled by hard beats and sinister tones of Lumbre y Madera, and the next moment you're drifting away on a sea of chilled-out bliss with the final, beautiful, Ruta Azul.
Space out to the rest of the album here and check out the rest of Aggromance's music here.
Every Place is Life
By Bearcubs
The London-based silky smooth vocals and body-permeating beats of Bearcubs greet us on his latest single, Every Place is Life. When compared to Bearcubs’ previous output, this single is on the happier side of the spectrum with bouncy drum beats and melodies that remind us that summer is right around the corner. He even addresses this on his Facebook page:
First wrote the lyrics to this one in summer on a train to play Great Escape festival a couple years back. Kind of was inspired by that feeling you get when you're looking around at all these people you don't know and imagining who they are and where they're going to, probably one of the happier songs I've ever written. Now streaming on all major platforms worldwide, hope you enjoy.
We welcome as many bright sunny tunes with open arms as we can get these days - they’re good for the soul. Check out the rest of Bearcubs on Spotify here!
BBeetttteerr DDaayyss
by Sun Glitters
Luxembourg electronic producer, Sun Glitters is diving back into serenity with this new single. BBeetttteerr DDaayyss is a lush, heady experience full of cherubic vocal samples and a slow, steady bass line that makes your core vibrate. Taking a step away from the more experimental characteristics of 2019's Everyday/Tomorrow (which we absolutely love), BBeetttteerr DDaayyss is a sonic appetizer that leaves us ravenous for more. Thankfully his new album drops May 2020, so be on the look out for that.
BBeetttteerr DDaayyss pairs well with your best headphones and the comfiest hoodie you can get your hands on. A bowl or a drink probably wouldn't hurt either. Check out more of Sun Glitters here!
