Fresh Track + Video: Oreo Jones ft. Freddie Bunz “Needy”
The stars appear to be aligning for Indianapolis rapper Oreo Jones. Fresh off his selection as Indy’s best rapper in NUVO’s Best of Indy poll, today Jones released the debut single from his forthcoming LP Betty, due to drop via local label Rad Summer on September 4. Always a skillful MC, Jones’ rhymes often underscore his acerbic wit and wry sense of humor. “Needy” takes care of business first and jokes second, hitting listeners with a more serious, no nonsense approach. This makes sense given Jones’ confession via Twitter that the track was inked following the theft of his lap top, an earth shattering blow to any DIY artist.
The video, shot at DOPE Couture, features Jones performing alongside Freddie Bunz and DJ Action Jackson for an intimate crowd that includes fellow Rad Summer labelmate Andy D. The track’s producer J. Brookinz looks content, head-bobbing and half-smiling, as he watches the song unfold in live time. If “Needy” is any indication of Betty‘s strength as a whole, consider my breath officially bated.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Kisses “Funny Heartbeat”
In 2010, the boy/girl-friend duo of Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson recorded one of the most underrated releases of the past few years. Their airy, nu disco record The Heart of The Nightlife took its name to heart as a euphoric soundtrack of dancing the night away. Since then, Kisses has remained largely silent, as Kivel released a new album earlier this year with his main project Princeton. The wait, thankfully, is now over as the two released a new single entitled “Funny Heartbeat” yesterday. Continuing on their first release, the song is a happy mood lifter that drops a beat and gets those feet moving. Below, listen for free and download the track for a dollar. You know, Saturday night is only a few more days away…
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Written by Greg Dahman
Fresh Track: David Byrne & St. Vincent “Weekend in the Dust”
I don’t know about anyone else, but it’s been a pretty fantastic year in music. In a recent e-mail gush session with several friends, some of whom write for this blog, we discussed the past few years and whether or not 2012 ranks near the top. While I know not everyone can get behind lists and rankings, I love them because they inspire not only conversation, but genuine emotion from people. And while it truly has been a great year, there is still so much more to come. Yeasayer, Grizzly Bear, and even Bloc Party have releases to come, but one of the most underrated ones left in my eyes has to be the collaborative effort between David Byrne and St. Vincent with Love This Giant from 4AD Records.
Late last week a second track entitled “Weekend in the Dust” was released following “Who” a little more than a month and a half ago. Complete with a funky saxophone and Annie Clark’s always enchanting vocals, the song is a fantastic showcase of what both artists bring to the table. With David’s flair shining throughout the arrangement and Annie stretching the song to new lengths with the previously mentioned vocal prowess, the track has me hooked and really looking forward to not only simply the songs between the two, but how it is set up and designed from an album standpoint. Enjoy below and make sure to pre-order you copy of Love This Giant before its September 11 release date.
Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 