Lushlife

Lushlife is a rapper out of Philly who comes correct. Here raps with a passion and precision that is only found on the east coast. Lushlife goes in over a combination of orchestra strings and 90 boom bap beats, imagine EL-P if it didn't sound like a nuclear wasted land. On "Still I Hear the Word Progress" Lushlife plays the hyperactive frustrated optimist, to Styles P knuckleheaded ignorant opportunist. The Balam Acab remix slows and liquifies the song to a deeply satisfying effect.

Free Energy

Free Energy, the Philly classic/disco rock band, return with "Electric Fever". This is what I imagine the sound of 1973 Detroit was. The thick guitar chords, the cowbell, the awesomely simple lyrics. This is the sort of thing that would have been between "Slow Ride" and "Sweet Emotions". Someone needs to use this bad boy for a movie trailer real soon. This is off their forthcoming sophomore album, Love Sign, out on the DFA.

The War on Drugs

The War on Drugs - Don't Fear the Ghost by DOJAGSC

New music from the War on Drugs. "Don't Fear the Ghost" is the b side to Slave Ambient's "Come to the City". I am still amazed how much this band reminds me of Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead. I mean that in the best possible way. I listened to a lot of the War on Drugs when I was Europe - this is the sound of trains going across French landscapes.

The Campfire Headphase: Chris Δre

The Campfire Headphase is a new weekly column focused on the best new beatsmiths.  If you would like to be considered for The Campfire Headphase please submit you work to noiseversenoise@gmail.com.  All styles are welcome and will be considered.  Please leave comments about what types of beats and artists you would like to see more of.  Thanks!

Chris Δre is a beatsmith out of Philadelphia.  His beats are the kind of head nodding hip hop jams that are always inspiring to listen to.  They have just the right amount of space and dust, and probably spacedust, to feel futuristic without feeling dated.  His newest tape, A Brief History of the Future, is the kind of spacey beat tape that sound tracks a four o'clock chillout.  The album is an incredibly strong batch of two minute beats.  His samples are fresh and has picked some seriously great drum beats.  There are clear Brainfeeder and 90's hip hop influences, but Chris has clearly synthesized everything into his own style. Check out his bandcamp for the full tape. Thanks Chris Δre for kicking off the inaugural Campfire Headphase!

Arc In Round - Brighton Music Hall

Slow Ceiling by Arc In Round

On Tuesday I saw Arc in Round at Brighton Music Hall.  The show was headlined by Woods and Kurt Vile, but unfortunately I had a big meeting at work the next day so I had to go early.  Arc in Round put on a solid performance though.  Their sound really comes alive on stage, everything gets room to breathe and expand.  They play a nice style of propulsive shoe gaze.  They have a new album out now, Diagonal Fields.  I posted two of my favorite tracks off the album, the album closer "Slow Ceiling" and the album opener "3 A.M. All the Time".  Definitely worth checking them out if they come by your town.  More photos after the jump!