The new wave of: 2013
In 2013 Kelela released one of the most buzzed about acclaimed mixtape, "Cut 4 Me". Kelela aims to make music futuristic R&B that baffles people, "weird and offputting" she describes her music but she has every intention of becoming a mainstream success and doesn't want to be underground for too long.
At first I really did not like this, but it's grown on me tremendously. A very odd but dope collaboration. Blake's sick production and soulful voice that carry's the song is then joined by Chance who lays down some bars, squawks, hums and even sings along at some point. I'm interested in seeing what the roommates have in store in the future.
Life Round Here is amazing! Perfect song through and through and I love the remix with Chance as well as the solo one too... its just so good.
Also I wish Kelela could have had one song in the top ten but i'm glad her best song was her highest. I really did like her Cut 4 Me stuff better than her other material.
I wish I participated, I love most of the songs on this rate.
The previous two eliminations are hard hits for me, I absolutely love "Bank Head" (and the entirety of Saint Heron, as a Solange stan) and "Life Round Here", but I'm glad James still has "Retrograde" in.
Here for an "Retrograde"/"Open"/"Play By Play" top three, with the latter taking it. The male domination is justified.
"Chamakay" has made quite some buzz on some year end lists. Dev still gets credit for his lyrics and production but come on, some tracks he's just even better when he has a featured or collaborated artist. And on this Dev is joined by Chairlift's (I love them) vocalist Caroline Polachek, who really carry's the song with her beautiful vocals layered over Dev's.
It may not be as different and daring as some of his previous cuts but that's not a bad thing, it was one of his easiest on the ear to get into if you did not like his other stuff. It's straightforward and I love Tom's ability to pay homage to different R&B artists and styles and do it right. For instance this ode to new jack swing titled "& It Was U".
Average: 7.84
