Living Soundtracks

I'm just tryna add to the soundtrack to your life.

[livingsoundtracks]

The ever-so-talented R&B camp is building in Toronto, with Drake at the forefront and similar acts not trailing far behind. The one with the most potential to be next, however, is none other than OVO signee PARTYNEXTDOOR. Releasing this slow, but intense banger of a track earlier today, "Recognize" is a statement of PND's progression in the game and what you should expect in the near future. Collaborating with Drake for the second time, this also serves as the second track off of his upcoming project, "TWO", available July 29th through OVO Sound. Download his first, self-titled project for free from DJBooth to hold you over for two weeks and enjoy the sounds from the far north...

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It's growing more and more difficult these days to make your own lane in hip-hop and R&B, seeing that 90% of everything is sounding the same at any given moment. This normality however makes it that much more refreshing when you do find something different, unique from the rest. British producer/rapper Parker Ighile is trying hard to create this freshness in his music, and after hearing his latest release I believe he's succeeding. "This Is America" is Parker's first release since signing to Nicki Minaj's label Pink Friday Records. The beat is perfectly scattered but always in control, and builds upon itself rather than having to wait for the chorus. Not to mention the perfectly timed feature, as underground's biggest hype at the moment G-Eazy gets on the track for a verse. Watch Parker closely as I believe, with the help of Minaj, he's about to become a big name in music soon...

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HOLY BON IVER, JUSTIN VERNON IS BACK! One of our absolute favorite indie artists is back with a brand new jam titled "Heavenly Father". Unfortunately it's not yet on Soundcloud, but you can head over to NPR to hear the track in full. This song features a lot of Bon Iver's distinct qualities we usually see, with amazing vocals and overlapping sound in every which-way. The loops that shape the track are perfect from beginning to end, and seem a lot louder and more along the lines of his new project as Volcano Choir. New sound and new direction are two things I'm more than OK with Justin Vernon doing, seeing that he's pretty much a musical Jesus, son of Bob Dylan the almighty (not really). "Heavenly Father" is an original piece written for the motion picture soundtrack for an upcoming film titled Wish I Was Here. The movie looks very unique & inspiring, with it's soundtrack already shaping up to be even more so. Bon Iver's song along with the rest of the original tracks will be released on iTunes July 15th. And let's hope this is only another beginning for Justin Vernon and our beloved Bon Iver...

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I had the pleasure of seeing these guys live earlier this year on the "Life In Color" Tour, and let me tell you do they ever put on a show. Alternative-EDM artist Adventure Club is known for their very soulful and ambient remixes, with their latest release not deviating from that norm. A few days ago they gave us this remix to Max Elto's "Shadow of the Sun", giving it that classic AC spin with airy samples and great additional instrumentals. Seems like this duo is hitting just about every major EDM festival this summer, so look for them in a city near you...

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If this track doesn't end up on your summer playlist in some way, shape, or form, you're just plain doing it wrong. UK-native Snakehips have released a beautifully timed hit smack-dab in the middle of our summers called "Days With You" featuring fantastic vocals from Sinead Harnett. It's instrumental is upbeat, old-school, and simplistic enough to merely listen and nod your head with the windows all the way down. Throw some shades on and take this one to the beach, and make sure to follow Snakehips for more releases in the coming months...

[livingsoundtracks]

Easily one of the greatest albums this year, I'm blown away by the piece of art that has been placed before us by How To Dress Well. So much emotion mixed with an unbelievable ensemble of sounds and vocals, "What Is This Heart?" will take you on a ride. Putting more lyrical emphasis on songs and sounds that could've been produced by The Weeknd, it's a form of R&B that is becoming very progressive. One of the most diverse tracks on the album has to be "Face Again". Words don't do the song justice, but luckily HTDW has made a 3-part trilogy of music videos to accompany the album. "Face Again" is the second video, but I recommend you watch the first one ("Repeat Pleasure") to start the story from the beginning. Beautiful music, fantastic messages, and astounding visuals. It doesn't get a whole lot better than this. Enough words, go click some of these links and enjoy the greatness...

[livingsoundtracks]

Don't. Sleep. On Michael Christmas. With some of the most relaxed, old-school hip hop I've heard in a while, and a pretty unique style, this NY emcee has everything to prove. Michael recently released his debut mixtape "Is This Art?" to great success on audiomack. Today he gave the world a great video (via Fader.com) of his best single off the album, "Y'all Trippin'". A solid showing of what he's trying to say, the visuals here are easy-going and a great introduction to his lyrical mindset. I repeat: Don't. Sleep. On Micheal Christmas...

[livingsoundtracks]

If you've ever heard a song or a beat from XL Recording's Jai Paul, you know that it's nothing in the ordinary, and much closer to the exact opposite (ex. BTSTU). Recently releasing his own music is his younger brother, A.K. Paul, who is absolutely no different. And in a good way. Teaming up with UK-native Nao for some amazing vocals, A.K. lays a beat for "So Good", a track that builds on itself and is only one for the patient. Only listen to the first 15 seconds and you'll miss out on a unique sound that mixes horns (possibly literal car horns) and some unbelievable synths into something fulfilling to your eardrums. Look out for more from these artists as well as Jai Paul's debut LP slated to come out in the next 25 years...

[livingsoundtracks]

It's always great to see a band that can constantly get creative with their sound and never lose the core of what makes them unique. Few examples are better than Alt-J, who have come back to releasing new music as of yesterday. Sampling Miley Cyrus, "Hunger of the Pine" is the first single off their upcoming sophomore album "This Is All Yours", and it seems to be much more calm than some of their past works: example "Fitzpleasure". However, the signature ambient vocals and grainy guitar is alive and well for all four minutes and fifty-eight seconds of this track. Download the single on iTunes and look for the new album September 22nd...

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Whether you think he's gone crazy since his Blue Slide Park days, or that he's "matured" in his work... Mac Miller is now making art. That's right I said it. Not that his Donald Trump days weren't amazing, I was just as much of a fan then, but in some way the music is deeper. More conceptual. More honest. Today he released two new tracks for the one year anniversary since releasing "WMWTSO". The best of the two was a remix (OG Version) of the intro to his album titled "The Star Room" produced by Earl Sweatshirt. It reminds me exactly of his most popular mixtape "Best Day Ever" where he initially made the song BDE and ended with the BDE Bonus. BDE was a great intro, but the Bonus was everything extra that he wanted (and more importantly needed) to say to whoever was listening. Mac raps about a lot of personal issues in his life at the moment on this remix, and the way the beat methodically builds and falls off is all but too perfect of a match. Before you judge the beat without the lyrics, or vice versa, see it for what music Mac Miller is trying to create, what he's trying to tell you... and then you'll see the art behind it. Look for much, much more to come from this MC later this summer.

[livingsoundtracks]

Very-much unknown to the world, Paris-born electro indie group Champions League has a lot of room to grow at the moment. They just released this brilliant single titled "Flaco" which brings out all the best elements of their sound. Driven by ambient, but happy vocals and loud instrumentals, this will be on repeat in your car throughout the summer. They'll be releasing the "Ebiza EP" in August which you can pre-order now on Paypal. Until then, enjoy the track and add it to your summer of listening...

[livingsoundtracks]

A cross between a slightly deeper James Vincent McMorrow and less electronic James Blake, James Bay (all these James, see what I did there...) has the skills to go places. Hailing from the United Kingdom, this independent act just wrapped up a show at Bonnaroo and will be touring all throughout the rest of this year. Arguably his best release to date has to be "Hear Your Heart", a soft and soulful blend that is all too familiar to fans of indie. However, the addition of deep, thoughtful lyrics with a great chorus-filled background make this track unique and refreshing. Check out more from this James on Soundcloud (above) and look for him soon in a city near you...

[livingsoundtracks]

Seattle electro duo ODESZA just put an amazing spin on fellow west coaster Zhu's hit titled "Faded". This remix doesn't take away, only adding an array of ambient bass and vocal samples to give it a higher but more intense feeling than the first time around. ODEZSA just got done with a very successful tour and are looking to continually release music during these summer months. Grab there latest EP, "My Friends Never Die", on their website fo FREE and look for more to come...

[livingsoundtracks]

Some songs completely speak for themselves, without a need for another or greater perspective. There are other songs, however, where the story becomes more clear with an amazing set of visuals. Burial, a London artist with an extremely ambient sound, released an EP titled "Rival Dealer" last December. A track off the EP with the same name is easily the highlight of the collection, but Burial doesn't make many music videos so we just had to leave it at that. A few weeks ago, video producer Ben Dawkins asked for permission to make his own visuals for the track and was granted just that. What arose was a beautifully created music video titled "Dealer", showing the struggles of a drug-dealing lifestyle. Download Burial's new EP on iTunes and enjoy the emotional visuals above...

[livingsoundtracks]

"We Are One" by Pitbull is technically the official anthem for the World Cup this summer. After watching an incredibly inspiring BEATS commercial however, I think that should change. "Jungle" is a collab between Jamie N. Commons & New York native's X Ambassadors. This song is A SPORTS ANTHEM; powerful drums, loud & soulful vocals, over an inspiring set of lyrics. Listen to it in the BEATS ad and you'll get ten times more pumped up for USA's first match than you would watching "Mr. Worldwide"'s pop video. Download the song from iTunes and follow the USMNT into the Jungle Monday against Ghana...

[livingsoundtracks]

Releasing his very-much anticipated debut album in roughly two weeks, there is an incredible amount of hype around Oakland-rapper G-Eazy at the moment. And he's not slowing down for anybody. Today the rhymesayer dropped 6... yes SIX!... new songs to keep the fans at bay. Four of which come from a collaboration of remixes by producer Christoph Andersson, who produced the original Tumblr Girls, titled "These Things Also Happen". These beats don't feature G-Eazy's swagger-filled raps, but are absolutely mesmerizing instrumentals that are definitely worth a free download. Pre-Order G's debut album "These Things Happen" on iTunes, and check out his soundcloud for more free material in the meantime...

[livingsoundtracks]

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London's #1 smooth-talker Sam Smith has just released the audio for a track off his new album coming in June titled "In the Lonely Hour". The track is called "Stay With Me" and is the best piece of work I've heard yet, leaving me eager for the whole album. "Stay With Me" is an honest song with meaningful lyrics and a simple, but emotional, beat. I truly think this artist is the next big thing, as Sam is always looking to remix and collaborate with other artists as well. Look him up on Facebook here, check out his other hit single, and enjoy the vibes.