The Chuckness

Remember that addictive track “Honey” by The Parlotones that we posted last week? If not, remind yourself below. The South Africans have a new album hitting shelves next Tuesday (5/8), and it’s an entirely refreshing listen. Too often these days shit sounds exactly the same, and these guys have managed to separate themselves from the pack through songs like “Honey”. Journey Through The Shadows in it’s entirety is made up of unique, modern rock tracks just like this.

Anyways, we’ve managed to score a pair of tickets to give away to their concert here in Boston at The Brighton Music Hall on 6/2. We’re going to keep this one really simple.

In order to be eligible:

1. Follow and tweet @TheChuckness saying that you want the tickets.

-OR-

2. Like us on Facebook and write on our wall saying that you want the tickets.

You have until 5/18, when I’ll announce the winner. If you don’t win, tickets are still available here.

This contest is fool-proof. Even the simpletons should be able to handle this one.

Yet another young producer from Leeds (in reference to my previous post about Kindnap Kid). There must be something in the water. Kezla (a.k.a Kieran McDermott) is offering up some raw, old school house. Seeing that I wasn’t there at the beginning, I appreciate that these 20 somethings are bringing it back so we can enjoy it in a whole new light. Out now on Love Not Money Records. I’ve already repeated this EP like a ga-billion times. Truth.

Metric came out of left field and took over my iTunes library without asking questions when they released “Help, I’m Alive” back in 2009. We’re talking a full takeover. That’s one of those songs that infiltrates your dome and refuses to leave for months on end.

The band’s gearing up for the release of their 5th studio album, Synthetica, and they’ve provided a little sneak peak via the lead single “Youth Without Youth”. It sounds a little grungier (word?) then their last album — but I’m all for anything that comes out of their camp. Be on the lookout come June 12th for the release of Synthetica.

Written by Nathan from Refined Hype:

Some know Rittz as that white guy with the huge hair, or one of the game’s best double-time flow practitioners, or an accomplished horticulturist (ok, I made that last one up). Loyalists of theSlumerican emcee know that the man has some serious storytelling rap skills. From his work on Yelawolf’s “Growin Up in the Gutter” to “Sleep at Night“, Rittz has displayed a serious penchant for narration, a penchant he puts on full display yet again on new promo single “Love Me”.

The Beatchefs provide an instantly memorable beat full of horns and a haunting sample that would have sounded at home on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. On the mic Rittz delves into the story of three supremely dysfunctional relationships, starting with…well, you’re just going to have to listen to the man’s story.

While “Love Me” isn’t attached to a larger project, fans of Rittz can cop his recently released “White Jesus: Revival” project right now.

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Download: Rittz – Love Me

Michael Kiwanuka made a huge splash down at SXSW, and I didn’t even go. This artist that the majority of musicheads weren’t even familiar with was the talk of the town after SXSW.  Think about that for a second. I read a handful of festival recaps, all of which made a point to tell it’s readers to keep an eye out for Kiwanuka — he made that great of an impression (seemingly on everyone.) After watching the video for “I’ll Get Along”, you’ll see exactly what the hype is about.

I’ve heard two songs from this Brooklyn duo, and I’m fully on board. In fact, I was on board after one spin of “Rebels In The Light”. It’s got this tribal, completely unique feel — different than anything else on the map right now. It’s become a go-to commuting track for me the past couple of weeks, which means it’s beyond official. Be on the lookout for more from their camp.

The latest release from Musical Freedom is rather large. Allow me to introduce you to Sultan and Ned Shepard, the creators of my favorite progressive electro jam of the moment. I stumbled across this surprise gem when I went on a whim and gave one of Hardwell’s radio mixes a shot. He immediately kicked it off with “Walls”, and I was sold. Get involved below.

Mr. Duvall just turned 21. In doing so, his gift to the world comes in these two moody, unique takes on Drake’s “Crew Love” and “Doing It Wrong”. Generous as hell.

Shout out to the young Drizzy stone-cold Bar-Mitzvah dance.

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Download: Brenton Duvall – Cry If You Need To (Instrumental Mix)

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Download: Brenton Duvall – Crew Love (Choppy Instrumental Mix)

You know how every DJ needs to have a couple of personal, secret gems that they keep to themselves? If you’re playing music for a crowd, you need to be able to pull out that unpredictable, undeniable smash that has everyone losing their shit. I wasn’t searching whatsoever, but one of these tracks managed to find me last night. For some reason unknown, I just can’t keep this one to myself.

Alesso’s version of “Good Love” is nearly flawless — but when you mix in a little Whitney Houston to PERFECTION, it legitimately can not be beaten. Toss this smack in the middle of your DJ set and just blindside the shit out of everybody.

Bad Boy Bill — wherever you are — you’re a savage.

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Download: Bad Boy Bill – I Want To Dance With Somebody/Good Love (Whitney Houston/Alesso Remix)

Deadmau5 gave the viewers of his live stream session a treat the other night by previewing these two tracks, and then within 24 hours both of them have popped-up on his SoundCloud.  ”Fn Pig” is the type of music I personally love to hear from the dude,  it has a progressive sound, and the build-up mixed with the up-tempo drop works perfectly.  ”Closer” is a much more progressive track and actually a reworking of a previous release.  All good by me.

Download: Deadmau5- Fn Pig