Oddisee - "NNGE (ft. Toine)"

I'm not even going to comment on this cut. I present the lyrics straight from Oddisee's Bandcamp page.

Verse One - Oddisee
I mean what is there to fear/
I''m from black America this is just another year/
If you're new to disrespect by your elected puppeteer/
well let me show you how to persevere/
Just get up every time somebody knocks you down/
& celebrate in front of people like they're not around/
& if they try to build a wall to keep you balling out of bounds/
Use the bench they told to you warm to keep the fences knocking down/ Shout out to latinos because hustling ain't illegal/
Whether praying to the east or the padre, we all are equal/
But if parted they will progress in stopping us getting C notes/
Well let me asked the crowd, do one of y'all disagree, no/
This is for chocolate city though I represent the county/
Until your vote is counted know I got you until I'm outy/
it's all about the effort & effortlessly fresher/
If I'm preaching to choir know they're bound to get the lecture/
it went from folks around me, pushing envelopes & boundaries/
So you won't only hear me where you found me/
I'm somewhere asking questions like can I afforded the most/
You better answer me with more than a no/
Chorus
Ooh, never not getting enough/ From this life that I'm leading/ & all I believe in/
ya'll go, I ain't leaving/
I'm posted, like/ (x2) This if for the county/
& the areas surrounding/ DC, Maryland & Virginia/ know I'm with you/
Verse Two - Toine
What are you willing to let die first/ Your pride or your freedom/
The story of my life's inner conflict/ It's like I follow my dreams/
But how am I supposed to slide in the DM/
On the mic, is what I'm trying accomplish/
I used to do it for the fist bumps & applauses/
But caring about respect started making me nauseous/
You walk in a room, $ bammas speak to you cautious/
like employees trying to figure out who the boss is/
so now I just kick it for, the most divine/
Working overtime/
Sitting with an open bottle, looking for an open mind/
trying not to be aggressively jaded/
Because I find myself just getting faded/
& I know that ain’t quite me/
I step up for whatever it might be/
& RSVP when inspiration invite me/
Because who else gonna look out for those who look like me/ another disenfranchised boy in a white tee/
Chorus
Ooh, never not getting enough/ From this life that I'm leading/ & all I believe in/
ya'll go, I ain't leaving/
I'm posted, like/ (x2) This if for the county/
& the areas surrounding/ DC, Maryland & Virginia/ know I'm with you/
Verse Three - Oddisee
All I know is love/
I give it & I get it, I can never get enough/
Sympathy to enemies cause hate ain't in blood/
& if you can relate you've given up/
I'm trying to make the most of it though/
Getting close is a no/
Want nothing less than yes because it's suppose to be so/ The cost of nothing's too low/
My expectations are too high/
I'd rather die/
Than be complacent with the way that it goes/
Apathy is a disease & we're just steady sharing needles/ Unaffected people carry evil/
Ease is what know/
We've got to raise the bar though/
The sorrows of today will give away to a tomorrow/
So what's a week of paid leave/
& empty promises of hiring/
Just to fire me before retirement/
I'm trying to make more in one day than 401 K/
So give me what you promised to pay/
Because it's never enough/
Chorus
Ooh, never not getting enough/ From this life that I'm leading/ & all I believe in/
ya'll go, I ain't leaving/
I'm posted, like/ (x2) This if for the county/
& the areas surrounding/ DC, Maryland & Virginia/
know I'm with you/

Mean Lady - "Walking Flower"

Newark, Delaware band Mean Lady have released a couple singles since 2013's Love Now (which was my #4 album that year), but FINALLY dropped a new full-length on the world. Nature came out on Valentine's Day *swoon* and Katie Dill's vocals remain as wonderfully nonchalant and captivating as they were on Love Now. The matter-of-fact delivery within a narrow range is what makes the effect of the occasional swoops (like the 2:50 and 4:00 marks on "Walking Flower") so potent.

Plus these two know their way around a melody like nobody's business.

Hejira - "No Matter"

The Lima Limo Ceremony is the all-too-brief new release from London trio Hejira. On the heels of a trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia the group decided to create the Lima Limo Records and this 7" is the first release "No Matter" is an understated and drowsy beauty of a track. Like a Kings of Convenience b-side played at half-speed.

Oscar Key Sung - "Shallow"

A little romantic gift to all the music-lovers from Melbourne's smooth crooner, Oscar Key Sung.

#lotsoflove

Chris LaRocca - "Closer"

Somehow I missed the boat on LaRocca's Sextape work, but this track under his own name is completely in my wheelhouse. Downtempo neo-soul with falsetto? SIGN ME UP.

I actually just became his 91st follower on Soundcloud and this number needs to blow up. Get on it.

Dirty Projectors - "Cool Your Heart ft. D∆WN"

YO! Another track from the forthcoming Dirty Projectors LP, featuring D∆WN, who if you haven't heard "Lazarus" you need to rectify asap.

The Shiverettes - "Justice Robin Camp"

Local label  - I live in Winnipeg - Transistor 66 has been killing it in the world of punk, garage and rock for 15 years and the future looks bright for Art & co.

They just signed Calgary quartet The Shiverettes and debuted the first track (below) from their forthcoming LP, Dead Men Can't Cat Call.

Can't wait for more.