Suzi Analogue - NNXTAPE (suzianalogue.bandcamp.com)
Representing Philly’s hip hop underground, Klip Mode’s Suzi Analogue might as well change her name to Uzi Analogue, because on her latest release she kills it on a scale of mass proportions. The PA songstress is gaining recognition from NYC to Tokyo, and one listen to her new album leaves no question as to why so many are now paying attention to the artist’s deft songwriting and addictive beats. Analogue’s eclectic mixture of modern hip-hop/soul is set apart from the beat making pack by her sultry and outstanding voice, evoking the specter of a dope girl fresh Billie Holiday for the digital age. What makes Analogue’s release even more outstanding is the fact that the artist produces and makes her own beats, which flow from deep jazz grooves to 80s-sampling neo-funk over the course of her masterfully made album. On the track “What U Look Like,” Suzi coolly and effortlessly flows over a deeply filtered drum and bass beat. The esoteric chorus and guitar samples recall Andre 3000’s songwriting and production at its finest. The album moves seamlessly from track to track, true to its mixtape concept, leading the listener on a nonstop journey of sonic delights. NNXTAPE is an outstanding release; required listening for anyone who’s ever loved hip-hop.
Weekends - Strange Cultures (Friends Records)
Weekends makes fun music. The Baltimore duo’s sound is a weird blend of dissonant Americana and rollicking punk explosions, which produce an effect something like Bruce Springsteen jamming with half of Black Sabbath. Their new LP, Strange Cultures, does the best job yet of capturing their ambitiously large style of music. The guitars sound massive and the drums are strident and clear, the instruments coming together in brilliant bursts of power rock pyrotechnics. “Rain Girls”, by far the group’s standout track, is extended from its well-received short single form to a sprawling seven-minute stomping wall of guitar and shouted vocals. (Listen to two tracks for free at weekends.bandcamp.com.)