Soundclouds of the Underground: Lo Motion Edition

These days, music truly lives online, with an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures—some of the newest and most exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute their music to fans and friends across the globe. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough.

This Saturday, Chicago’s burgeoning indie label Lo Motion will host a showcase at The Empty Bottle. Built up of some of the Internet’s most revered artists, Lo Motion has carved their own space in the industry thanks to producer duo The-Drum, who head the label as well as create the bulk of its sultry, shadowy sounds. Below are three highlights off the recently released Lo Motion compilation, which you can grab here.

Boody: “Bah Humbug”

Who: Not necessarily tied down to any specific genre, Boody’s production carries a certain erotic darkness that can be observed steamy tracks like Le1f’s “Hush Bb,” as well as the fast-paced “Guap.”

Song: Boody is a true pro when it comes to texture, and spacey banger “Bah Humbug” is a prime example. Using an atypical percussion pattern, wandering synths, and cut-up vocal samples, Boody creates something futuristic and cinematic, like an epic fight scene in a movie that combines Hackers and The Matrix.

Current Project: Keep up with Boody via his Facebook page.

Khallee: “2layers”

Who: One of the members of R&B collective Jody—who’ve proven themselves to be a new, cool version of outfits like Jodeci—Khallee combines smooth-talking swag with echo-heavy, ethereal aesthetics.

Song: Khallee steps out on his own with “2Layers.” Produced by fellow Lo Motioner Bobby Swan, the track places the artist inside a blissful, auto-tuned echo chamber, wherein he sings, “Before I die I hope I take most of my heart, my mind with me.” Soon after he surprises with a slick rap, proving that we can expect a whole lot from Khallee in his future releases.

Current Project: Keep up with Khallee and the rest of Jody via their Facebook page.

Dre Green: “Guarded”

Who: Perhaps one of Chicago’s most exciting emerging vocalists, the smoky-voiced Dre Green has slowly begun to release material, first with the spine-chilling Jeremiah Meece-produced “Fear,” then with the gorgeous “Cold Rain.”

Song: Another single from her highly anticipated debut mixtape, “Guarded” is produced by The-Drum. With a peppier tempo than her previously released tracks, the song gives Green the opportunity to show some range as a songwriter and vocalist. Conflicted, she sensually coos, “I can’t be nobody’s fool, but you make me wanna run away with you.”

Current Project: Get more on Ms. Green via her Facebook page. 

Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.