Sweet as Broken Dates reveals a dazzling world of Somali pop, much of which was stashed away nearly three decades ago to help it survive the country’s oncoming civil war.
Tag: 12 O’Clock Track
Chicago hip-hop producer Ikon throws a party with his friends on ‘Believe That’
Private Stock producer Ikon works with New York MC Ishmael Raps and Chicago beat maker Rob Lyrical on his euphoric new single.
Rediscovering the genius of the early B-52s
Absurd, fun, and sad all at once, “Dance This Mess Around” is a highlight from the B-52s’ 1979 debut album.
West African stars Orchestra Baobob and Oumou Sangaré head in opposite directions on their first albums in years
On strong new recordings, Orchestra Baobab look to their past while Oumou Sangaré heads toward the future.
Chicago rapper Duffle Bag Buru finds his voice—and earns a cosign from hip-hop outlet Lyrical Lemonade
On Friday at the Portage Theater, rising local rapper Duffle Bag Buru plays a big summer showcase for Lyrical Lemonade, a powerful voice for the newest wave of Chicago hip-hop.
With his new GSPL, Phoelix may stop being one of Chicago hip-hop’s best-kept secrets
Phoelix coproduced two of the best Chicago hip-hop releases of 2016, but he saved plenty of magic for his own new debut EP.
Chill summertime pop from a 1968 Steve Miller Band album
“Quicksilver Girl” sounded familiar when I heard it a few weeks ago, but I never would’ve guessed it’s from the Steve Miller Band’s Sailor.
On ‘Lay Down,’ rising rapper OMB Peezy balances his native Alabama with his adopted home in California
Recent 300 signee OMB Peezy, who plays Reggie’s on Thursday, is being hailed as a new avatar of regional rap—and his breakout single shows how distinctive he can be.
Revisit the soulful hypnosis of the late Kelan Phil Cohran’s Artistic Heritage Ensemble
Phil Cohran recorded the Artistic Heritage Ensemble’s dazzling, multifaceted debut with some of the most important musicians in Chicago history.
Chicago harpist Yomi makes carefree pop collages perfect for summer Sundays
Yomi plays an early-afternoon set on the third and final day of this weekend’s Logan Square Arts Festival.
Century-straddling Icelandic ensemble Nordic Affect play new music with Baroque instruments and electronics
Contemporary classical quartet Nordic Affect beautifully blend past and future on their recent second album, Raindamage.
Los Angeles trio Meatbodies add their glammy hard rock to the city’s garage explosion
Led by Chad Ubovich of Ty Segall’s Fuzz, Meatbodies are playing their part in LA’s renaissance of scuzzy rock.
Chicago rapper Adamn Killa deflects insults by turning them into jokes
On “Roof Roof” from the new I Am Adamn, Adamn Killa flips criticisms of his unorthodox style into a playful statement of defiance.
Tompkins Square celebrates a lost classic of fingerstyle guitar with new music by Harry Tausig and Max Ochs
Max Ochs and Harry Taussig share a new split release in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Takoma Records compilation Contemporary Guitar—Spring ’67.
With ‘Off the Clock,’ Chicago rapper Jayaire Woods demonstrates why he deserves a bigger audience
“Off the Clock” is the first single from Jayaire Woods’s imminent third mixtape, Big Wood.