An android girl in a digital world

Meet Janelle Monáe
 
By Kenya Hunt

Three reasons why you need to know who Janelle Monáe is: 1) She’s bringing a point of view to the urban music landscape that is entirely clever and new 2) She’s got a unique vocal delivery that puts her in a category with the Alicia’s and Beyoncé’s of the world [...]

Posted: July 18th, 2008  Category: Sounds  Comments: No comments#

On today’s playlist, 4th of July style

“Deeper Waters,” by Recloose featuring Joe Dukie

This song has nothing to do with America, patriotism or the colors red, white and blue. It doesn’t talk about democracy, politics or war. It’s simply a swinging, lazy, summer cookout jam with a beat that’s constant enough to do a slow, two-step to as you stand in line [...]

Posted: July 4th, 2008  Category: Life, Sounds  Comments: 1 comment#

An open letter to all aging music icons

To all of our favorite music icons from years past,

Please take notes from Al Green, whose new album, “Lay It Down,” sounds perfectly 2008 without coming across as if he’s trying to compete with Usher, Chris Brown, or any of the other young bloods singing R&B music these days. Rather than try to keep [...]

Posted: June 20th, 2008  Category: Sounds  Comments: No comments#

On today’s playlist

“Visions of Violet,” by José James (click song title to listen)

Posted: May 24th, 2008  Category: Sounds  Comments: No comments#

Irreplaceable, maybe. Inescapable, definitely.

What to do when you OD on your favorite pop diva.
by Malcolm Venable

And then one day it hit me: I cannot escape Beyoncé.

I can’t recall a respectable Beyoncé lull since before 2001, the year she and those other girls marched into my life with “Survivor,” “Independent Women,” and “Bootylicious.” Likeable, harmless and brainless pop it [...]

Posted: May 15th, 2008  Category: Sounds  Comments: No comments#

SOUNDS: On today’s playlist

“I’m Glad,” by The Black Keys (click song title to listen)

Posted: May 5th, 2008  Category: Sounds  Comments: No comments#

SOUNDS: On today’s playlist: A go go study

“Rising Up,” by The Roots (click song title to listen)
“Body Snatchers,” by Rare Essence
“Keep it Gangsta,” by Backyard Band“Let the Beat Roll,” by Junkyard Band
We love The Roots’ searing political lyrics on “Rising Down” because it’s substantive and taps into a lot of feelings that come up among our friends when we discuss the election, [...]

Posted: May 3rd, 2008  Category: Sounds  Comments: No comments#

SOUNDS: Three reasons we heart Santogold

1) The world of music production is largely dominated by men. But Santi White aka Santogold has been holding it down for the alternative chicks ever since the early ’00s when she wrote and produced music for Res’ “How I Do” , an album we loved. She’s also produced for M.I.A. and [...]

Posted: May 2nd, 2008  Category: Sounds  Comments: 1 comment#

SOUNDS: On today’s playlist

“Everyone Nose,” by N.E.R.D. (click song title to listen)
“Gangsta Girl,” by Rye Rye
P.S. “Gangsta Girl” is our personal theme song for the week. We love how she represents a seemingly microscopic pool of girl MC’s in such a large way.

Posted: April 7th, 2008  Category: Sounds  Comments: No comments#

SOUNDS: An unexpected bad girl

If it weren’t for all of the commotion surrounding Mariah Carey and Madonna’s upcoming albums, we would have forgotten that major record labels still exist. It’s hard out here for a rock, pop or R&B star to make money in music these days. People aren’t exactly running to Tower Records to buy albums anymore. Oh [...]

Posted: March 31st, 2008  Category: Sounds  Comments: 1 comment#