We listen to music a lot. Sometimes by the end of the day, our ears are tired of being inside headphones, but we can't help it. We're addicted to music.
In a City like New York, everyone needs a break. Zoning out on new or previously unheard of music is one of the best things ever. It's like realizing there are more flavors of ice cream than you previously thought.
So, we're running down a list of what's on our playlists, which artists are peaking our interests, and what new releases we're into right now. It's "What We're Listening To This Weekend."
This week, we've been going hard on hip hop-based and electronic styles. There are digital beats rooted in hip hop by Esseks, Neo-Soul/hip hop from Brooklyn from OSHUN, and Uptown representing with a new track from A$AP Ferg, and more.
1. A$AP Ferg - "Tatted Angel"
A$AP Ferg is back with this first solo track in about a year, since his Ferg Forever mixtape.
[anad]
"Tatted Angel" features a Hit-Boy produced beat and a laid back flow discussing the loss of A$AP Yams and more-- just right for easing Ferg back into rotation.
2. Esseks - Bad Cartoons
Brooklyn-based producer and graphic artist Sam "Esseks" Eckstein has made a splash on the scene with his unique and emotionally driven instrumentals. Plus, he makes his own cover art.
Featuring a noticeably Dilla-influenced hip hop sound with dosages of contemporary electronic styles, Esseks' beats are multi-purpose, from dance parties to working out and even just cooking dinner or rolling one up.
You can catch him at Playstation Theater on January 8th in support of Tipper, tickets are right here.
3. OSHUN - Asase Yaa
OSHUN is two ladies from Brooklyn, NYU grads, with an all-around authentic sound and look. Their style is rooted in laid-back, intellectual, activist, female-driven hip hop/soul like Lauryn Hill or maybe Digable Planets, but updated for 2015 in the beat production.
[anad2]
The interplay between their voices and the stream-of-consciousness type production is infectious. You can chill to it, learn from it, and be inspired by it all at once. Their sound is comforting while confronting contemporary social issues with positive mental outlooks.
"The Next Day" is one of many highlights.
,
4. Twiddle - "Lost in the Cold"
Vermont's own Twiddle, having skyrocketed in popularity over the last year, have released their latest album Plump. They're best known for blending reggae, funk, and popular singer-songwriter styles into one "Twiddle-y" sound that uplifts the listener with ineffable catharsis.
[anad]
Take a listen to the lead-off single from Plump, "Lost in the Cold." You'll probably feel better afterward, even if you aren't feeling badly right now.
5. Anderson .Paak - "Room in Here" featuring The Game and Sonyae Elise
You might know Anderson .Paak from being the most featured vocalist on Dr. Dre's latest release, Compton.
Here, The Game drops a verse on .Paak's latest track, "Room in Here." The song is smooth, and a good representation of .Paak's sound that's gaining attention across the spectrum, including a spot on Paste's "20 Best New Artists of 2015."
6. 2Melo - Freshness Guaranteed
Brooklyn-based DJ, producer, and anarchy-inspired mobile pop-up rave master, Mike "2Melo" Tummolo, recently dropped Freshness Guaranteed, a dose of "global bass medicine for the soul."
[anad2]
Pulling samples from all across the universe of music, you'll hear everything from glitched out Aaliyah samples to meditative Eastern stylings, all blended together seamlessly-- freshness guaranteed, of course.
Check out 18 Absolutely Epic Concerts in NYC You Cannot Miss This New Year's Eve.
[Feature Image Courtesy The Howard Theatre ]