Tuesday Tracks: Your weekly new music discovery for March 7
This week we feature a mix of fresh mix of hip-hop with Slimeroni, Teenage Disaster and Kenny Mason, as well as a plethora of punk with The Von Tramps, Versus The World and Drug Church.
Slimeroni, “Rockstar” — Many an MC have openly bragged about living the rockstar lifestyle—making money hand over fist as they’re idolized by audiences who worship the ground they walk on. Slimeroni, who hails from Memphis, makes it clear she doesn’t come out the door unless it’s to make bank or to make a splash on the scene. This is what she shows as she flows over this ambient and moody instrumental.
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The Von Tramps, “Goldfish Memories” — This ska-punk outfit from Minneapolis comes out swinging with high energy riffs and an infectious chorus, chanting “Oh-oh-Oh-oh-Oh-oh, Oh-a-oh-oh” like it’s the ’90s. It’s a fun and flashy number thematically similar to pop hits like Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night” or Ke$ha’s “Tik-Tok.” It’s a carefree anthem about partying the night away followed by a foggy memory from the resulting hangover.
Teenage Disaster, “Haylo” — This horrorcore punk/rap track immediately reminded me of $atori Zoom with its distorted vocals and abrasive instrumental. Teenage Disaster regales listeners with the morbid and morose as he raps about street violence and ducking the cops. It’s like a cross between Gravediggaz and JPEGMafia by way of Nirvana.
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Versus The World, “Roadsick/Roadsick” — Frontman Donald Spence channels Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, belting out on this pop-punk number about the fatigue musicians experience from sustained touring and creating. That said, the sliding riffs throughout the song certainly prove they aren’t phoning it in, and Spence pours his heart out into the microphone for all to bear witness.
Kenny Mason featuring Tony Shhnow, “100 or Nun” — The gloomy, ambient trap melody that Kenny Mason raps over on this joint highlights his feelings of distrust and emotional lows with which the artist struggles. He takes the time to express his love for the woman who stuck by his side during his lowest moments, offering him some respite from the pain. He even flips the hook to Jay-Z’ “99 Problems,” implying that he’d take it to 100 to have someone by his side.
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Drug Church, “Myopic” — Scratchy and distorted guitars and banging snares breathe so much life into this grungy, post-punk band as it explores the failings of sustained cynicism. The song is critical of those who blind themselves with so much negativity that they cannot bring themselves to enjoy anything or trust anyone. It brings to mind a quote from the Dalai Lama, Haruki Murakami, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” It’s Drug Church’s third appearance in Tuesday Tracks.
Tim’s Pick: There’s a deep irony I find in myself relating so deeply to the lyrics of Drug Church’s “Myopic.” On the one had, being as cynical as I am, I find the lyrics cathartic in regards to the inherently anti-everything nature of the song. But on the other hand, I am well aware of the failing it highlights in my own character, giving me this cognitive dissonance from this deep tongue-in-check cut. Bravo.
Follow hip-hop critic Tim Hoffman at Twitter.com/hipsterp0tamus.