Welcome to RXCOMMENDS, where our team of music curators pick the best tracks released this week. What new music has been occupying our office playlist and what fresh picks are we programming for our clients? Find out below!
“Can You See Me” – Ging
By: Adulis Mokanan
Coming from one of the most prolific Canadian Hip-Hop producers, this new song/video has taken me by surprise. He used to go by “Frank Dukes” and has production credits with Frank Ocean, Rosalia, Ghostface Killah, Travis Scott, etc, He has now retired the Frank Dukes alias and goes by “Ging”. This is his first single “Can You See Me”.
“All That You Want” – Ibibio Sound Machine
By: Matt Lipson
I’m a big fan of Ibibio Sound Machine, so the announcement of their forthcoming album Electricity is getting me through to the end of March. The album’s second single, “All That You Want” is, well, exactly what I want. The synth part that kicks in after twenty seconds is instantly recognizable as the drop on LCD Soundsystem’s “Dance Yrself Clean”, setting a remarkably high standard from the get-go. Funk guitar and off-kilter arpeggios make for an undeniable afro-funk groove, totally on-par with LCD’s phattest jams. I love programming this group in bars and casinos and can only imagine how excited I’d be to hear this track in action. What I wouldn’t give to scream over it into a friend’s ear over drinks right now…
“Monsters and Echoes” – Léonie Gray
By: Michael Primiani
Atop a groovy bassline and punchy chords, Léonie Gray croons about breaking out of the mold of day to day drudgery and running towards the infinitely more exciting. Gray’s voice has a gritty yet luscious soul quality, evoking artists like Amy Winehouse. This song finds itself in the crux of the pleasurable canons of nu-retro soul and indie pop. Leave the office or the classroom and head to your nearest Happy Hour destination for some good times. Over drinks and a bite, hopefully this track is there to greet you. We’re spinning it, that’s for sure.
“Love Letter From a Red Roof Inn” – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
By: Michael Primiani
St. Paul & The Broken Bones are back with a brand new album – their fourth, titled Alien Coast. A twangy southern soul outfit from Alabama led by virtuoso singer Paul Janeway, I use this group’s music in my programming a lot. Their brand of soul has a timeless quality to it, perking the ear of those familiar with Motown and Spector produced classics. They also blend in lots of funk, pop and bluesy elements to their sound as well. Canonized or not, Paul Janeway would be on my Mount Rushmore of Cool Dinner Music, next to Leon Bridges, Aaron Frazer and maybe Benny Sings. I have way more in mind, but the cliff is only so large. Alien Coast is indeed more of an “alien” release from their other LPs – bordering on more psychedelic and even shoegazy for some tracks. “Love Letter From a Red Roof Inn” is super low down groovy, suitable for low lights and evokes a relaxing mood. Essential listening for digging into a complex dish – or watching the waiter carry it over to you from across the room. Tip well!
You can listen to the tracks we mentioned along with other songs our team has been enjoying this week in the Spotify playlist below:
