New Music Drops: May 2023

In our most stacked installment yet, the May edition of New Music Drops presents over fifty new music releases across genres! You'll find ambient sound collages, environmentally-conscious grindcore, avant-garde hip hop, experimental Arabic free form jazz, and so much more. 

All selections from the blog curated by Parisa except for where otherwise noted by writer A. Iwasa. 

​Pop/Rock/Etc.
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Salami Rose Joe Louis - Akousmatikous
Genre: Experimental pop, soul    
Brainfeeder has been putting out a lot of great Stereolab-esque jazz fusion pop lately, but this one is by far a pinnacle release from them this year. Huge, slick basslines, experimental melodies, sweet, airy vocals, sparkling keys, while melding influences from “Shuggie Otis, Captain Beefheart, and R. Stevie Moore”. For fans of Hiatus Kaiyote, Flying Lotus, Thundercat, etc.

Mega Bog - End of Everything
Genre: Experimental pop
This release is absolutely bonkers. As described in the liner notes, “heavy grooves, metal guitar squeals, Italo disco bass lines, rhapsodic synth layers, and huge choruses stomp around the delightfully sanguine pop drama.” A somewhat tongue-and-cheek homage to a myriad of '80s music combined with chamber pop, folk, disco, jazz, and more. For fans of Laurie Anderson, Bronski Beat, etc.

Mandy, Indiana - i’ve seen a way
Genre: Post-punk
This group came out with my absolute favorite song of 2021 and I’ve been eagerly awaiting a full release from them since. Experimental four-piece from Manchester creating cinematic dancefloor rhythms that could equally score a sci-fi or horror film. Cascading arpeggiated synths, brutal and hardhitting basslines, deliberate and deadpan French vocals…so good it’ll likely end up on my year end list. For fans of Boy Harsher, BOAN, etc.
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Natural Information Society - Since Time is Gravity
Genre: Avant-garde jazz
Was turned onto this by my favorite free-jazz radio show, Observations of Deviance, and haven’t stopped listening since. An expansion of minimalism infused with Gnawa traditions of repetitive drumming; a wide array of instrumentation and global influences all recorded live to tape. Too much to unpack in a tiny blurb but would definitely recommend reading the notes on the Bandcamp page to learn how much went into this release from the current titans of free jazz.
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The Gaslamp Killer & Heliocentrics - LEGNA
Genre: Fusion
A collab between UK instrumental group Heliocentrics and genre-bending DJ and producer Gaslamp Killer. Combining elements of free jazz, psychedelia, electronica, library music and a shmorgishborg of traditional global music elements. This fusion between the two provides exactly what you’d want and expect - endless grooves and heady atmospheres all around.
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​Rahill - Flowers at Your Feet
Genre: Indie pop
What I love about Rahill’s solo music is that it always evokes a sense of homely nostalgia. Through sampling old family recordings, the psychedelic, warm melodies…it’s the kind of music you daydream to and think about the sweeter times. An excellent follow-up to her recently released debut solo EP, and seeing as how Beck is a featured guest on this album, she’s only gonna get bigger from here. 

​Cosmo Sheldrake - Wild Wet World EP
Genre: Experimental pop
An album made entirely with samples of ocean sounds! You’ll hear “humpback whales singing, sperm whales clicking, weddell seals courting, coral reefs spluttering, bucktoothed parrot fish crunching, an oyster toadfish grunting, shrimp snapping, long horned sculpins honking, blue whales lamenting and haddock drumming.” Through intricate layering, the samples are turned into full compositions to tell a rich story of our ocean universe.  Once again, Cosmo Sheldrake shows that he’s one of the most imaginative and whimsical composers out there. Plus, proceeds of this EP go to various oceanic charities.

Nabihah Iqbal - DREAMER
Genre: Dream pop, shoegaze
London producer Nabihah Iqbal dabbles between post-punk, house and shoegaze in this super fabulous Ninja Tune release. Tracks like “Gentle Heart” give straight up dancefloor electronica contrasted with her dry, monotone delivery (a combo I always swoon for), whereas cuts like “This World Couldn’t See Us” is on the edge of ethereal, moody shoegaze a la Cocteau Twins. 
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Lucy Liyou - Dog Dreams (​개​꿈​)
Genre: Ambient, sound collage
Spoken word poetry looped, sampled and distorted over textured nature samples and piano jazz. Painfully beautiful and ethereal, feels like that sleep state where you’re still dreaming but you can see the light peaking through your windows. For fans of Ouri, Space Afrika, and claire rousay. 
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The Ocean - Holocene
Genre: Post-rock
From Berlin post-rock, venturing into the more electronic side of their sound. Some tracks show some heavy NIN influence but less industrial and more prog An album that’s been growing on me with each listen. . 
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Shygirl - Nymph_o
Genre: Experimental pop
A remix of Shygirl’s debut album with an insanely stacked lineup of guest artists, including Sevdaliza, Bjork, Arca, Eartheater, Mura Musa and so many more. I wasn’t even a huge fan of the original album but this rework is stellar and making me revisit Shygirl’s music all over again.
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Glue Lagoon - Phases of Eternal Space
Genre: Hypnagogic pop
Lo-fi, bedroom punk meets hypnagogic pop. Nostalgic, fuzzy sounds that sounds like it was recorded on a toaster oven. Lots of little skits, voicemails, sound collaging for a cool textured outsider music release. Described aptly as a plastic casio keyboard melted in the sun.
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Joshua Morgan - Everything’s OK
Genre:  disco funk
Layered and genre bending as it needs to be for disco funk to sound original in 2023.  - A. Iwasa
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Punk and Metal
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Xerox - Demo 2023
Genre:  crust
High energy, metal tinged hardcore punk.  - A. Iwasa
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Fugitive Bubble - Delusion
Genre:  art punk
Catchy, fast and sometimes melodic punk just abrasive enough not to be pop, and that’s a good thing!  - A. Iwasa
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​SaintBreaker - Unrelenting Violence
Genre:  death metal
Thrash driven guitar work with solid leads, crossover with an overall death metal sound.  I highly recommend seeing this band live if you can because they don’t have a second guitarist so the bass stands out more.  - A. Iwasa
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Entrain - Dissolution Of Self
Genre:  black metal
Sometimes melodic, but still thoroughly brutal and antifascist.  - A. Iwasa
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​ANTI RITUAL - Green Terrorism
Genre: Metal/hxc crossover
I’m predisposed to love this album based on the name because I love aggressively yelling at people to recycle. Green Terrorism is basically my middle name! With a runtime of 5 minutes, this EP from Copenhagen’s ANTI RITUAL somehow fits grind/hxc/black/death with a short ‘n sweet message of planet over profits.

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Krallice - Porous Resonance Abyss
Genre: Progressive metal
Perhaps my most anticipated metal release of the year. Absolutely not at all what I expected, yet absolutely STOKED to hear it. Krallice take their highly technical form of black metal and interpret it through a proggy, synth-driven journey. Heavy influences of ambient music, krautrock, and 70s prog a la King Crimson. Huge arp 2600 synth soundscapes that would be fit for a sci-fi soundtrack, layered with blast beats and funeral doom aesthetics. As someone so aptly said in their Bancamp comments…”Krall-YASS!”  

Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite
Genre: Death metal
Finally, the long awaited sequel to the 1998 animated feature film,  Antz! While we all know Disney’s A Bug’s Life was the better of the two parasitic films, the soundtrack to this follow up makes Antz once and for all the superior franchise. Relentless, merciless and absolutely crushing film score - I give this two thumbs way up! 
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Voidceremony - Threads of Unknowing
Genre: Progressive death
“Time melting death black fusion”, perhaps my favorite technical death record of the year thus far. Fretless jazz-fusion basslines, intricate guitar melodies, furious blast beats, crazy time signatures that I’m not even sure how to count, it’s good all the workings for a masterful release.
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Gonemage - Astral Corridors
Genre: Chiptune black metal
Gonemage has truly created some of the most unique, thoughtful and deeply imaginative albums in metal this year. A chiptune excursion through a fully-realized, conceptual journey that you’ll just have to read about in the Bandcamp bio. While the idea of chiptune metal could easily wind up gimmicky, Gonemage makes music that actually RIPS. Goddamnit I love this album.
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Portrayal of Guilt - Devil Music
Genre: Black metal
Portrayal of Guilt brings a culmination of all their various sounds and influences from over the year to present perhaps their best album to date. Black metal at its core, with infusions of grunge, hardcore, screamo, and symphonic metal. The titular album closer is a gargantuan piece of music, an avant-garde orchestral arrangement ala Stravinsky meets horrifically bleak doom-ridden overtones…absolutely incredible. 
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Taubenhund - A Collection of Highly Unlikey Collaborations
Genre: Post-hardcore
A reimagining of the debut instrumental EP from German drum and guitar duo, Taubenhund, A Collection of Highly Unlikely Collaborations features guest vocalists from the DIY screamo scene. Each track shares its own story and unique vocal approach to skramz, my personal favorite being “Even an Insect Can Dream of Playing God” feat. Warren of Ohms that just bleeds emotion and intensity from beginning to end. 
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Khanate - To Be Cruel
Genre: Doom
Doom veterans Khanate return after a fourteen year hiatus with an absolutely massive and spacious doom/drone release. For me, what sets apart Khanate from other doom bands are the shrill, almost crust vocals. Totally audible, presents more of an anxiousness than the typical depressive/heavy feeling of this genre. Definitely my favorite doom release of the year thus far - stay tuned for an interview w/ them on T&E coming soon!
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Deathgrave - It’s Only Midnight
Genre: Deathgrind
San Jose deathgrind influenced by Siege, Rudimentary Peni, Napalm Death, Impetigo, Godflesh, and Zeni Geva. Polyrhythmic time signatures, guttural grind vocals, unexpected chord shifts, overall a very solid release. 
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Creeping Death - Boundless Domain
Genre: Death metal
Ruthless, bludgeoning death metal with that signature Southern groove! Full album doesn’t come out for another couple weeks but after listening to the promo I can tell ya that you’ll want to keep your eyes and ears peeled for this one.
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SHE - Goodpaster
Genre: Hardcore
The debut LP from Alaskan hardcore unit SHE drawing influence from classic hxc, crust and at times, grind. One of my favorite hardcore releases of the year thus far, all around very solid. For fans of Converge, Pig Destroyer, etc. Full album is out in a couple weeks.
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Thantifaxath - Hive Mind Narcosis
Genre: Black metal, experimental 
I CANNOT EVEN HANDLE MY EXCITEMENT FOR THIS RELEASE !!!!!!! Technical, avant-garde black metal jazz fusion excellence. An absolutely immense production executed impeccably. Full album releases in one week - do not sleep on this one.

Abyssal / Ellorsith - Sepulchorporeal / Amore
Genre: Blackened death
Another phenomenal release from Dark Descent Records. A conceptual album revolving around early 19th century history, split between two bands showcasing their own take on blackened death - “Abyssal’s reverb-laden and dissonant cascades of notes exist in seamless synergy with the twisted and doom-ed barrage of Ellorsith.” Very unnerving and dark, the kind of metal that makes you feel like you’re falling down an endless void f l o a t i ng and di s s in tegr a t in g into nothingness.

ὁ Μέɣας - κ​ή​ρ​υ​ξ π​ῦ​ρ
Genre: Black metal
Very raw black metal accompanied with traditional Greek instrumentation. Interesting to hear something orchestral contrasted with lo-fi production, but overall a cool release in the world of underground bedroom black metal.
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8 HOUR ANIMAL - Kill Your Boss
Genre: Industrial noise
Discovered on Anxiety Eternal, my favorite mixtape for new noise/industrial/goth releases! This NY solo project “takes its concept of absolute abjection and rejection for society via violent, home made, aural deconstructionism to new reality-shattering heights.” Industrial, harsh and nihilistic but still has some movement to it because hey we’re all mad but secretly still like to dance. For fans of Godflesh, Author & Punisher, Ministry, etc.
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THE MON - EYE
Genre: Dark ambient, dark folk
From the synth player of UFOMAMMUT comes an electroacoustic solo album called EYE, a dark folk album driven by synths and acoustic guitar. Features guest vocalists such as Steve Von Till, Colin H. Van Eeckhout (Amenra) and guest instrumentation from Sarah Pendleton (Subrosa, The Otolith) and David W. (White Hills). If you’re a fan of UFOMAMMUT you’ll definitely dig this, especially if you’re wanting something more contemplative and soft.
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​Tina Fey / Louise - S/T split
Genre: Punk
A split between two Cincinnati punk bands, Tina Fey and Louise, that brings this grind-esque punk sound with grunge, screamo, mathcore and hardcore. The Tina Fey side calls to my taste a bit more, with “...Officer” being my favorite track on this EP.  

Electronic
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Rắn Cạp Đuôi Collective- *1
Genre: Experimental, IDM
Another phenomenal release from Vietnam’s frontrunners of experimental electronica. This album presents “nonlinear surreal soundscapes, presenting a variegated sonic tapestry of collages, glitch, and plunderphonics that embodies themes of love, seclusion, and misunderstandings.” Squelchy, glitchy, sporadic and yet somehow blissful 
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SCHNEIDER ™ - Ereignishoridont
Genre: Experimental
Experimental drone from Berlin with a strong sci-fi horror element to it. Lots of gurgling, liquid sounds that give an extraterrestrial texture, akin to Tipper but without the heavy bass aspect. Mainly created by two customized electro-acoustic guitars which have playable reverb strings and integrate with modular synthesizers via control voltage. 
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7F0 - “ヒ​ー​リ​ン​グ​剣 (Healing Sword)”
Genre: Dub
Another EM Records release that I’ve had on incessant repeat since it dropped. A 7” single from contemporary Osaka-based anonymous producer, 7FO, described as “surf synth acid dancehall rock” with strong roots in Japanese folk music. The A-side is SO GOOD I CAN’T EVEN HANDLE IT. The combination of genres, eras, influences, analog and electronic synthesis is truly a thing of genius.

Daniel Avery - More Truth
Genre: Techno
A stellar 7-track EP from English producer Daniel Avery, featuring new singles, B-sides and other bonus material from his 2022 release Ultra Truth. Beautifully textured, classic UK techno sound, with a nice array of hi-nrg cuts to more moody, mellow songs to suite any energy level on the dancefloor.
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Yaeji - With a Hammer
Genre: Synth pop, house
Yaeji has truly hit her stride as an artist with this album. I’ve always loved her house music, but this album shows a much more emotional and sonically-varied approach than on anything she’s released before. Blending elements of techno, house, trip-hop, ambient, jazz, and for the first time, an ensemble of live instrumentation, she brings a strong sense of storytelling to the dancefloor. An “ode to self-exploration; the feeling of confronting one’s own emotions, and the transformation that is possible when we’re brave enough to do so.” All bops, no skips. Favorite songs” “Fever”, “For Granted” 

DJ JUANNY - MIATA
Genre: Reggaeton    
A bangin’ club EP from San Francisco’s DJ JUANNY. Deconstructing the typical reggaeton beat through heady synths and a much more experimental lens. Favorite track is the closer, “NIKES ON MY FEET” that features a Dembow/dancehall rhythm with sensual synth lines and repetitive vocal loops. Shout out to White Crate music blog for featuring this - always a great place to discover SF music! 
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​Kali Malone - Does Spring Hide Its Joy
Genre: Minimal
A phenomenal electroacoustic drone collaboration from earlier this year between Kali Malone, Stephen O’Malley (SUNNO)))) and multi-instrumentalist Lucy Railton. A single composition that provides “a framework for subjective interpretation and non-hierarchical movement throughout the music.”
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Salute - Shield
Genre: Garage
A lil four track EP of UK garage goodness. Honestly half the tracks fall short for me but “Peach (feat. Sammy Virji)” is a solid jam and totally worth adding to your summer bops playlists so felt it was still worth mentioning. 
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WheelUp - We Are The Magic
Genre: Brokenbeat
Fat, funky bass-laden grooves, prime brokenbeat music from the West London scene. For fans of Kaytranada.
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​GODSPEED 音 - Noblesse Oblige
Genre: Downtempo, dub, trip top
I don’t remember how I found this album, nor can I find anything about this artist except for maybe he’s based Mexico? Or Japan? Or in a silo in Antartica?!? Very confusing but all I can say is that I’m REAL stoked I came across this. Global fusion meets downtempo/dub/lounge vibes with even some vaporwave aesthetics. For fans of Thievery Corporation, Muslimgauze, Buddha Bar compilations, Enigma, etc. Also it looks like this artist has put out an album every month so far this year so tons to dig into if you’re trying to get obsessed like I am. 
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Vantana Row - Homelist
Genre: Cybergrind
I can’t tell if I love or hate this, so I’m just leaving this here because I may just end up deciding I love it and would regret not sharing it..lol.. At least I can say it’s memorable and my first introduction to “cybergrind”. Relentless, unhinged screaming on top of 808s - if that sounds even remotely interesting I’d say check it out.
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Faizal Mostrixx - Mutations
Genre: Footwork, techno
The full album doesn’t come out for another couple weeks, but after having listened to the promo already a dozen times, I can tease that this is already an album of the year. Ugandan afrofuturist choregrapher, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Faizal Mostrixx combines various forms of traditional Ugandan folk music with techno, dub, footwork, and so much more. This newly released single “Onions and Love” is one of the headier tracks on the album, and features an acapella from a lady who chops onions at the restaurant of the Alliance Ethio-Française in Addis Ababa, whom Mostrixx recorded in an impromptu studio. Stay tuned for an interview with Faizal coming to T&E soon as well!

Hip-hop and R&B
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Rebel Diaz - Chicago! Run That:  Una Ballad Para Paul Vallas
Genre:  Latin, conscious
Conscious hip-hop at its finest.  Rebel Diaz delivers an anthem for the most recent Chicago mayoral election that saw the corporate candidate, Paul Vallas, defeated by a member of the Chicago Teachers Union, Brandon Johnson!  - A. Iwasa
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Spook - No Country II: Hell on Wheels
Genre: Hip hop
A historical fiction concept album of a freed slave turned outlaw. Various producers (i.e. Brain Orchestra, Quelle Chris) flip dusty Western spaghetti film samples to give a cinematic feel topped with flawless flows. Incredible release, although very elusive as there’s only a few interlude tracks streaming, no physical release, and the digital album is $35…bummer. For fans of Madvillan
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​Che Noir - Noir or Never
Genre: Boom-bap
Buffalo rapper Che Noir once again seamlessly segues “between autobiographical lyrics, descriptions of cut-throat violence, and socio-political commentary.” Backed by boom-bap beats from Big Ghost Ltd. - an excellent collab, and Che continues to top herself on lyrical prowess and effortless flow.
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Temps - PARTY GATOR PURGATORY 
Genre: Experimental hip-hop
A hip-hop collective featuring FORTY members, fronted by an imaginary cartoon alligator, making a soundtrack to a mockumentary that will never exist.  That sounds like a lot to digest (and it is!) but damn this is by far the most interesting hip hop release I’ve heard this year. The most maximalist fusion of jazz, rock, hip hop, psychedelic, and I don’t know probably like thirty other genres, featuring the most stacked lineup of contributors, ie. Quelle Chris, Xenia Rubinos, Shamir. 
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KAMAUU - House of Mirrors
Genre: Hip hop, funk, R&B
I could try to describe this album in a little blurb, but better yet, just watch KAMAUU’s performance on COLORSxSTUDIO to know why you need to hear this record stat. Too much steeeeeze with all the “e”s! For fans of Anderson.Paak
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MC YALLAH - Yallah Beibe
Genre: Grime
The hardest grime flows over trap, dancehall and industrial beats. Ugandan rapper MC YALLAH switches rapping in Luganda, Luo, Kiswahili and English so effortlessly it’s honestly unreal. One of my favorites from the East African rap scene, her flow is unmatched 
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YUNGMORPHEUS - From Whence It Came
Genre: Hip hop
Debut album from LA rapper, YUNGMORPHEUS, delivering smooth and mellow flows over an array of soulful, groove-driven beats. The album also dips into some of his self-produced atmospheric drum ‘n bass rhythms and some cool samples that show some deep crate diggin’. Features some great collabs with Jimetta Rosa, and surprisingly enough, Mary Lattimore. 
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Madison McFerrin - I Hope You Can Forgive Me
Genre: Neo-soul
The premiere album for soul singer Madison McFerrin, taking the next step from her acapella work and accompanying her beautiful voice with groovy basslines, sparkling synths and crispy clean R&B melodies. Everything is self-written, composed, arranged, and produced - proving she’s yet another powerhouse in the McFerrin name! 
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Lala Badman - “Omo Alaja”
Genre:  Rap
An emotionally charged freestyle from Lala Badman, recorded and produced from the Central Prison of Douala in Cameroon. A great teaser to the next Jail Time Records compilation (which if you haven’t already heard - listen to Vol. 1 asap!) 
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JPEGMAFIA x Danny Brown - SCARING THE HOES
Genre: Experimental rap
Somehow two of my current favorite rappers put out a collab album weeks ago and I totally missed it?! The instrumentals are absolutely bonkers on this - somewhere between hyper pop and industrial - topped with a super playful back-and-forth between these two weirdos and their hi-energy, cartoonish flows. This is ridiculously good. 
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“Gangsta Shit” - Pete & Bas
Genre: UK Drill
We all know that if there’s a new Pete & Bas single, I’m hyping it in the New Music Drops blog. Another quick 2 min burner that comes with one of their catchiest and hardest hooks yet. And always shout out to 91shots who yet again proves he’s the strongest up and coming producer out there. 

Global
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Fatima Al Qadiri - Gumar
Genre: Ambient
A short EP follow-up to the Medieval Femme release, Fatima Al Qadiri continues to taking a minimal, avant-garde approach to the lamentation and sorrowful sounds of Arabic classical music. Favorite track: “Mojik (Your Waves)”
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Aya Metwalli & Calamita - Al Saher
Genre: Experimental
An absolute DYNAMITE collaboration between Egyptian singer Aya Metwalli with and experimental group Calamita resulting in a free jazz, punk, noise-ish odyssey. Recitations of Arabic poetry on top of 13 minute free form improvisations…hell yeah!
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Polibio y Su Vibrafono - Ecuatoriana: El Universo Paralelo de Polibio Mayorga 1969-1981
Genre: Cumbia
Another excellent reissue from Analog Africa (they never miss!) Documenting the work of Polibio Mayorga, who took the indigenous sounds of Ecuador, i.e. Huaynito, Sanjuanito and, Albazo, and modernized them with Moog synthesizer and other analog synths of the time. Tracks like “Orti, Mayorga y Chiriboga” bring the over-the-top, kinda cheesy massive ‘80s Moog sounds to cumbia rhythms - and while some tracks feel more dated than others, they all bring a great sense of rhythm, joy and sense of humor that’s just infectious.  
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​Meiko Kaji - Hajiki Uta
Genre: Soundtrack, Japanese pop
WEWANTSOUNDS is doing the Lordt’s work by finally reissuing the first five albums by Meiko Kajui, the 70s Japanese exploitation actress and singer, and released for the first time ever on vinyl! Made famous in the US as being the muse for Tarantino’s Kill Bill, fans are now able to delve deep into her musical career, that although was created solely to push her movie career, stands out as an art on its own. Japanese pop with grand cinematic orchestration 

I also shared dozens of new global releases here on T&E on the Global Rhythm Radio show! Select the “DJ Mix” or “Global” tab on the right sidebar to find the episodes. New episodes every month. 
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