Baltimore indie-folk veteran Andrew Spencer Goldman is back with a soulfully meditative E.P, A Secret Spell.   Known previously for his work under the name Fulton Lights, Goldman provides the perfect soundtrack to 2 AM summer porch chats and nighttime drives through the burbs as he pontificates on the meaning of music and life itself.

Here is Andrew Spencer Goldman with a song from his new EP, A Secret Spell.

 

-Written by Michael Dranove

Tomorrow is a don’t miss show! Anyone who can make it, please go see February's Emerging Artist of the Month Bad Moves tomorrow night at Comet Ping Pong with folk punk veterans Nana Grizol. For anyone who has not listened to Bad Moves yet, this group is a major reason why DC is still known for its punk music. Simply put, the group is straight fire, maybe destined for greatness.

Catch Bad Moves with Nana Grizol (GA), David Dondero (VA), and Bacchae (DC) tomorrow night, March 26th, at Comet Ping Pong.

-Written by Michael Dranove

The first thing that pops out in DC rapper Airøspace's music are the vocals; the listener knows exactly what the rapper is saying at all times.  With this in mind, Airøspace tries to lyrically ramp up the intensity with each verse, his rising voice reaching towards a climax that doesn't always arrive. Lines like, "bloody sickle like a sinkhole in my chest i feel a little take my soul up out my ribs inject my thoughts into the fickle" set to the gloomy minor backing tracks gives the music a real Marshall Mathers sound.

In less skilled hands, songs like these could easily come across as overly maudlin. However, rather than being trite, Airøspace's tracks come across as wholly original, and some of the verses are really stunning.

Great production values makes this album a must listen.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Party music that you can enjoy with a pair of headphones, Baltimore, MD based SOOHAN's fourth full length album is a joyride. A virtuoso sampler, SOOHAN draws on Jewish folk music and Indian pop songs to craft infectiously melodic, trap heavy grooves. Every track on this album is a real treat: well crafted, smooth as butter, and an invitation to dance like a deranged banshee.

Check out SOOHAN at Rock & Roll Hotel April 22nd.

-Written by Michael Dranove

It's never been quite clear if future funk is supposed to be an ironic criticism of capitalism in the 21st century, or serious straight ahead funk made in someone's bedroom. Certainly, future funk legends like Saint Pepsi originally intended their music to build upon the social and economic criticisms so central to vaporwave music. However, there has always been an element of unironic enjoyment in the music, something which the most recent crop of future funkers seem to be focusing on.

Perhaps to highlight exactly what the appeal of future funk is, future funk artist Cero Rio, published through the Baltimore future funk collective Sunrise Collective, has titled their latest release "Towards the Future". The sparkling clean songs on this album embrace the sound of artificiality as the sound of the future, something exciting and fresh.  That takes care of the future, but what about the funk?  Groovy basslines and snippy horn melodies make sure to fully deliver on the promise of "future funk".

My recommendation, if you want to hear something new, give it a listen.

-Written by Michael Dranove