James Blake: CMYK

"CMYK is only the third release from London electronic producer James Blake, who is only 21-- and the reason I keep saying "only" is because I get a little dumb thinking about how much ground he's covered in so few steps. His style is already recognizable: progressions of thick soul and jazz chords (a product of years of piano lessons), pitched-down and mangled vocals (often his own), and mid-tempo beats that balance synthesized sub-bass with handclaps, snaps, and other humanizing soundlets. But each of his releases-- last year's "Air & Lack Thereof" / "Sparing the Horses" single, February's The Bells Sketch EP, and now, CMYK EP-- also sounds like its own project, filled with private rules and concepts. He's writing his theme and his variations at the same time..." read more.

Fleet Foxes

After about two years of listening to mainly just the classic - Tom Waits, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Nina Simone, The Beatles, etc. (with an exception of Kings of Leon and Santigold)... I decided to pitchfork yesterday and after 20 minutes through the 100 Best Tracks of 2008, I was ready to give up - thinking more than half of these new bands are shit. Then I found Fleet Foxes...and I've stopped there.