Fresh Track: Open Mike Eagle “5ree Thinkers”
Originally hailing from Chicago, rapper Open Mike Eagle has been carving out a niche on the west coast independent hip hop scene for a few years now. Mike’s crew the Swim Team is the next generation of Cali’s legendary Project Blowed collective, but lately his work has been putting him in a class all his own. Since the release of his strong sophomore album Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes last year, Mike has released two stellar EP’s to prep for his upcoming LP in June.
“5ree Thinkers” is the first track off his latest EP Rent Party Extension and has quickly become one of my favorite Open Mike Eagle songs. Mike has always had something to say on the mic, but his style has become more distinct and nuanced on recent material and 5ree Thinkers might be his most evolved song yet. Open Mike lets listeners know he’s “on that free thinking double talk, my peoples out there like NASA space shuttle walks”. It’s this type of attitude and self-awareness that has helped Mike cultivate a style all his own that is becoming more insightful and artistically fragmented with each release. In the third verse, Mike even references an episode of the classic live action sitcom “Dinosaurs,” stating that it contained the explanation for all the secrets of the world. Heady stuff Mike, heady stuff. Grab a free copy Open Mike Eagle’s Rent Party Extension EP.
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Written by John Bugbee
Fresh Track: DIIV “Doused”
“A name is nothing. I don’t really give a fuck what the band is called.”
Dive is no longer. Now it’s DIIV. Zachary Cole Smith’s side project keeps churning songs that make my ears smile, so you know I’m going to keep covering the band. The name change came out of respect for an early 90’s Belgium band with the same moniker, and as Smith’s quote above says, it doesn’t really matter. It’s about the sound.I can’t wait for this album. If you’re new to Thought on Tracks and have no idea what I’m talking about, you can check out my previous posts on the group, which include “How Long Have You Known” and their first tracks “Sometime” and “Wait” from their Newtown Sessions. Check out the latest snippet from the new album, “Doused” below.
Connect with DIIV via Facebook
Written by Greg Dahman
Fresh Track: Eternal Summers “Millions”
Minimalistic pop has had quite the resurgance over the past few years. Bands like Best Coast, Cults, and Crystal Stilts all have tuned those guitars a bit lower and churned out hit after hit. Along with this has been the 80’s vibe awakening of the early 2010’s with spectacular albums this year alone from Nite Jewel and Frankie Rose leading the way. Let’s welcome Eternal Summers to the party.
The group originated as the duo of Nicole Yun and Daniel Cundiff, releasing their first album Silver in late 2010. In the vain of lo fi pop, the album shows all the simplistic beauty in what has made this style so attractive recently. It’s accessible music made with more emotion that frills. Substance over style, so to speak.
Since the first album, the band has added bassist Jonathon Woods and resurfaced with “Millions”, the lead track off the sophomore effort entitled Correct Behavior. “Millions” adds that 80’s vibe to the previously minimal pop, giving a much more polished sound. And quite frankly, it’s one of the more fun songs I’ve heard this year and one that goes perfectly with the summer weather coming our way. Correct Behavior will be released via Kanine Records on July 24th. For now, you can listen to the song below and download a copy over at Pitchfork for free.
Connect with Eternal Summers via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
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