Rapper to Watch: PremRock
Manhattan MC PremRock has worked with several Thoughts on Tracks favorites over the last couple years, including billy woods, Open Mike Eagle, and Blockhead. His album with Backwoodz Studioz in house producer Willie Green titled PremRock & Willie Green was one of my favorite albums of 2011 and it got an excellent remix treatment featuring an all-star cast of underground producers that was released earlier this year. An excellent live performer and freestyler, PremRock has proven he has studio skills and work ethic that should keep him relevant for years to come.
His new single “Step Right Up” is the first from his new conceptual project entitled Mark’s Wild Years. The entire album is inspired by the music of Tom Waits, but “Step Right Up” is an interpretation of a Tom Waits song of the same name. The timely song sarcastically warns of the angles and dangers of rampant consumerism right before we kick into the season. PremRock does a great job of capturing the feel of the Waits original and has me especially excited for this project. Download the single below and hear why PremRock is one of the most talented young rappers around.
Connect to Premrock via Facebook | Twitter
Written by John Bugbee
Fresh Track + Video: Gal Pals “For Our Sake”
Gal Pals is a lo-fi, female, fuzz pop duo from Austin, TX. The Thought on Tracks crew had the pleasure of catching Gal Pals open for Father John Misty at Chicago’s Schubas Tavern back in July. The duo, comprised of Jillian Talley and Lauren Marie Mikus, brought a heap of sound for a two-piece. Watch a video and name your price for a digital download of their single “For Our Sake” below. To this point, only three tracks are available via Bandcamp. Consider my breath bated.
Thought on Tracks 
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Announces Sophomore LP
Thought on Tracks favorites Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) announced the plans for their sophomore LP today. The release will be the band’s first on Bloomington, IN label JagJaguwar. The release is titled simply: //. Yes, a double backslash. The release comes on the back of UMO’s debut, self-titled LP. Check out the track listing below and listen to the debut single “Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark).” // drops on February 5.
Connect with UMO via Facebook | Twitter
Track List:
01 From the Sun
02 Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)
03 So Good at Being in Trouble
04 One at a Time
05 The Opposite of Afternoon
06 No Need for a Leader
07 Monki
08 Dawn
09 Faded in the Morning
10 Secret Xtians