Metal Lungies

Fresh off of a stint in the U.S., Tourist has debuted his first music video for his upcoming EP, Patterns. “I Can’t Keep Up” is the first track that Tourist has produced that has a guest vocalist and we were not disappointed. Will Heard, a British singer/songwriter, brings a good dose of soul that elevates Tourist’s sound and keeps it from blending into the background. The video itself doesn’t give us a glimpse of Tourist or Will in action but gives you some beautiful vistas that make you want to put that Chromecast to good use.

Chicago’s SD with a victory lap in the form of an Auto-Tune ballad.

This is one of the few times I’ve enjoyed listening to Meek Mill scream at me. Flex bombs all over this one.

Fuck ’em up, Biebs.

Ludacris has always been good for a great single (and little else), but he distinguishes his pop sensibilities on “Party Girls”. Norwegian producer Cashmere Cat is one of a handful of electronic/beat dudes whose sound signals possible pop crossovers. Jeremih is a reliable hook man. Wiz Khalifa attracts the youth vote. This might sound the work of an overzealous A&R, but all involved find home on “Party Girls”. The successful “Barbie Girl” sample (yes, you read that correctly) is the most audacious feat in pop music since T.I. flipped “Numa Numa”.

Also peep Cashmere Cat’s “Rice Rain” below.

Dag Savage (Exile and Johaz) and Blu star in National Lampoon’s Japanese Boom Bap Vacation. Bonus cut: J57’s “Been a Long Time” which is also produced by Exile.

Yelawolf returns with matured writing and production. He was always a great rapper with an ear for great songs (ignoring his Interscope debut, of course), but “Box Chevy V” shows serious development. The upcoming Love Story might surprise everyone.

London-based beatmaker fLako with a tactile and melodic remix of a 2011 track by Soosh. Sometimes you can tell when an artist is playing with a different deck.

Juicy J, hedonist provost.

After a trio of great EPs, Anglo-Mauritian singer-producer Mo Kolours drops the single from his first full album. He still has his signature clattering drums, but there’s more emphasis on his singing on “Mike Black”. We’re not complaining.