Soundclouds of the Underground: Valentine Edition
ABOVE: ABGOHARD
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.
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and whether you’re with your boo or on your own, we highly recommend music being involved (and chocolate). Below are three tracks from some of the year’s most innovative acts for those who’d like to take things left for the holiday, instead of the usual, sappy love songs you hear on easy listening radio every year (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
ABGOHARD: “Acid Time”
Who: A member of slick-spitting Queens rapper Aaron Cohen‘s Inner City Kids Crew, the talented rapper teeters the line between funny and powerfully perceptive, which is particularly evident in his track “Yung God” and its corresponding video. We’re not the only ones who’ve taken a liking to the young talent—he’s already collaborated with many, including Soundcloud of the Underground favorite Ryan Hemsworth.
The Song: Featuring Mona Lisa & Super Sortahuman on a laidback beat by Fantasycamp, “Acid Time” finds ABGOHARD taking the autotune route to great effect: “You always understood me, I’m so glad we came together, girl,” he sings, with a vocal that sits somewhere between autotune vets PARTYNEXTDOOR and Chief Keef.
Current Project: Just in time for V-day, the rapper recently dropped a new album aptly titled YUNGPURPLEDICK—get it here.
Poor Sport & DJ the Mask: “To Zanarkand V2 (Me + U)”
Who: Young newcomers to the scene, both these producers dabble in many a genre. Poor Sport’s skills stretch from house (see “Stay,” his collab with Honeycoma to club (“Won’t Do“), while DJ the Mask experiments with ambient chopped and screwed (“To Zanarkand” (Justin Bieber Super Depression Mix) ) as well as hard-hitting Avril Lavigne remixes (his dark and dancey take on the singer’s peppy “What The Hell” is especially awesome).
The Song: Moving with hyper speed, the dreamy track (with a beat that seems to stem from Footwork and juke in its swiftness) makes great use of the once-innocent Justin Bieber’s first single “One Time,” sampling the singer’s formally high-pitched coo atop a synth riff and a flurry of drums.
Current Project: Keep up with Poor Sport & DJ the Mask via their respective Soundclouds.
Mariah Carey & Seablaze: “We Belong Together”
Who: “Fantasy-Inspired Soundscapes.. Sad Sad Nostalgic Loser-Sonic Architect In Training’…. Anime Romance, Melodic Alchemy.” That’s how producer Seablaze sums himself up in his Soundcloud bio, and we would have to agree. The Chicagoan’s sounds stem from another dimension, where ambient acid techno combines with breakbeats and big bass.
The Song: Naturally one of MC’s most romantic tracks, “We Belong Together” gets an pleasantly unexpected remix treatment from Seablaze, who double times the drums à la a So So Def remix, but with a juke beat on the hook that resembles a cooled down “Bounce N Break Yo Back” for the more futuristic set.
Current Project: Keep up with Seablaze via his Facebook page.
Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.
