Saba: Bucket List Project (Saba Pivot)
In case you haven’t heard of him, Saba is one of the many great hip-hop artists coming out of the Chicago scene, including Chance the Rapper, Mick Jenkins, Joey Purp, Vic Mensa and Noname. He makes some of the most soulful hip-hop out there and his latest tape, Bucket List Project, proves he’s more than capable of standing up to the big names in the industry. Where his previous appearances have been on other artists’ songs, nearly every track on Bucket List features another artist contributing to Saba’s powerful flow.
His songs range from political explorations of Chicago on “Church/Liquor Store” to braggadocio-fueled anthems on “World in My Hands” (which features LeGit and Smino, two independent rappers also worthy of a listen). Wherever Saba goes after this one, make sure you keep your eyes and ears on him.
Listen if you like: Mick Jenkins, Joey Purp, Vic Mensa, Vince Staples
Honeyblood: Babes Never Die (FatCat Records)
According to front-woman Stina Tweeddale, the title for Honeyblood’s second album is her own personal mantra.
“I think it’s something I tell myself every day,” Tweeddale said to Consequence of Sound. “Indifference is a plague. Giving up and turning a blind eye will be the end of us.”
Although it’s not entirely clear what Stina means, the attitude behind this message is clearly evident throughout their new LP. The songs are loud, intense, and surprisingly catchy, and it’s remarkable that just two people can create such wild energy. Stina and Cat are immediately evocative of those fun, rowdy, indie rock bands of the ‘90s like The Breeders, Sleater-Kinney, and The Pastels. If you need to wake yourself up in the middle of midterm season, definitely give Honeyblood a listen.
Listen if you like: Hinds, Diet Cig, Girlpool, Courtney Barnett
Mannequin Pussy: Romantic (Tiny Engines)
A band by the name of Mannequin Pussy might turn some people off — don’t Google them without putting “band” at the end, trust me — but those that decide not to listen are doing themselves a complete disservice.
Similar to Honeyblood, Mannequin Pussy’s songs are full of raw energy and dense with clashing drums and rocking guitar riffs. Romantic is one of the best examples of the pure, independent rock music coming out of Philadelphia right now, along with Hop Along, Beach Slang, Swearin’, and The War on Drugs. If you need some intense, passionate rock music that will make you get off your butt and jump into a chaotic frenzy, then Mannequin Pussy is the band for you. Hell, the album is under 20 minutes long. You have 20 minutes to lash out against your problems, right?
Listen if you like: Screaming Females, P.s. Eliot, White Lung, Perfect Pussy
Steve Hauschildt: Strands (Kranky)
Ambient is probably one of the most underrated music genres. Its artists create beautiful, spacious soundscapes, but most mainstream listeners probably pass them by because they might be boring. If you want to experience some really special ambient music, give Steve Hauschildt a try. Formerly of the ambient trio Emeralds, Hauschildt creates colorful, bright walls of sound that seem like reflections of his environment and thought process — and his new album, Strands, is exactly that.
“I wanted to try and capture that moment in nature and society where life slowly reemerges through desolation, so it has a layer of optimism looming underneath,” he says in a press release.
After four solo albums and five albums with Emeralds, Steve Hauschildt is a master at creating those moments and environments within his music. He makes songs for any situation, whether it be studying at your desk into the small hours of the morning or walking down the street as the wind howls around you.
Listen if you like: Nils Frahm, Oneohtrix Point Never, Tim Hecker, Julianna Barwick