ELI FOLA - SOUNDSCAPE TO FREEDOM

Lean into Eli Fola's sonic universe through four dynamic tracks. A wondrous fusion of traditional Nigerian sounds, electronic, jazz, house, and classical music, Fola's Soundscape To Freedom EP explores the life of a Black person living in America.  Eli Fola is a Nigerian born, New York-based multidisciplinary artist with a penchant for pushing the boundaries of sound. His expansive work has been featured in publications like The New York Times, Vogue, Okayplayer, Impose, and Wonderland Magazine, who noted Fola's "truly unique, infectious harmonies" and praised him as "the ultimate chill out and relax artist." With a handful of outstanding accolades under his young belt, Fola also boasts an impressive label of his own, Techafrique — an NYC-based Afro House and Techno label promoting progressive Black ideas. In 2017, he was a TEDx speaker and performer, focusing his talk on how music can be used to reconcile and highlight differences in culture and identity.

CHRIS SIEGEL - NEVER NEED TO KNOW (FEAT. ANDREW BRIOL)

Wrapping up a groundbreaking year, Milwaukee’s own Chris Siegel offers up a hybrid-electronic gem “Never Need To Know.” His most dynamic track to date features the soul saturated vocals of Andrew Briol creating an outline of versatile soundscapes that fuse together effortlessly. Rooted in emotional pop cadences, Chris Siegel rinses out the track with a robust sax line to create an entirely immersive and jazzy listening experience. Swathed in a groovy tenor, this colorful tune simultaneously tackles the difficulties of letting go.

“The song was inspired by the concept of letting go — in this case a relationship. I think in our hyperconnected world, it’s become quite easy for people to have instant access to memories of past relationships/partners/etc.. Whether that’s deep diving on social media or simply seeing an old flame pop up in your feed, it’s the idea of regurgitating the past instead of completely moving on. The song was inspired by a friend who was going through the motions earlier this year. Admittedly, I think it’s something we’ve all done at some point in our lives (i.e. hyper-analyzing our past when in fact it’s much smarter to move on from it). I think it’s inherently human, but also pretty unhealthy”

A comforting listen with elegant sound design, “Never Need To Know” is one we can’t get enough of. Listen today.

VALENTINE & ROB ARAUJO - EMBRACE (FEAT. PATCHES)

VALENTINE is a producer who knows what he’s doing and isn’t afraid to take risks with his sound. We’ve covered the virtuosic young sound designer before here at BB and are always eager to hear what he comes up with next. So when we heard he was releasing his debut album via Majestic Casual Records, to say we were excited would be an understatement.

The album, a concept album chronicling VALENTINE’s journey through love with his fiancée, is being released episodically and “Embrace” is the third episode. It also marks his debut as a vocalist. The track is a unique amalgam of different influences, incorporating elements of jazz from pianist Rob Araujo and smooth hip hop verses from rapper Patches. The resulting fusion is a style I’ve never quite heard before, it pairs VALENTINE's maximalist sound design with a musically sophisticated palette reminiscent of artists like Anderson Paak, Kaytranada and Smino.

Accompanying the release, you'll find lots of other compelling content like this creative music video and a mysterious website for the album.

Waxing poetic about the single, VALENTINE speaks about the track as if addressing his lover:

“Sometimes, I just think about all the times we rode the train to see each other; all the times I sprinted from those doors to your arms and held you for the first time in weeks. 

The pattern repeats as I come home from traveling and rush into the apartment to hold you again.

Sometimes, I get caught up in my insecurities; I know we both do. Truthfully, it was never our purpose to be perfect. 

Sometimes, I wonder: “What is my purpose?”

The pattern repeats as I realize all I can do is embrace our individuality, the memories we share, and all the experiences that we have yet to discover.”

ELI WAY - PAPERCUT (FEAT. CEHRYL)

Eli Way is a groovemaster. If you haven't yet heard of him, get hip to the program! The Chicago-based producer has a knack for crafting jazzy, vibey tunes which pair classical stylings with modern production sensibilities. His latest number “Papercut” features previous collaborator Cehryl, who also lent her smooth vocals to “If It Makes You Happy” and arrives via uber-hip tastemaker label Majestic Casual Records. Perfect for a lazy afternoon relaxing in the shade, this jam is sure to please existing Eli Way fans and will also serve as a welcome introduction to new ears who haven’t yet discovered his talent.

Disclosure: Eli Way is managed by Beautiful Buzzz contributor Eric Johnson

PHAM - BELOW THE SURFACE

Oh Pham - how you've completely set the mood with this one ... vibes for days. Some producers go beyond the drop and actually take the time to warm you up. They pay attention to your wants and needs and they are all about making you feel pleased with patience and creativity. Pham is like this ... he knows his way around the studio! His latest track "Below The Surface" is a shining example of his brilliance, and I think I have fallen in love! With all that future bass hip-hop flavor, Pham's track is more like a sexy magical journey through multiple terrains of rhythms and melodies ... this is the good shit! Grab a free download HERE! 

JORDAN RAKEI - TALK TO ME

I love discovering tracks like this. We cover a lot of electronic music at BB, but first and foremost we strive to cover good music, and damn we have a golden beam of musical bliss right here from Jordan Rakei. If you're not familiar with him yet you might know him from his work with Disclosure on "Masterpiece." Where do I start, the beginning is somewhat simplistic with ambient textures of jazz piano puffing billows of sound around the enthusiastic percussion and droning bass. As Jordan's mellifluous vocals persuade us into his world of "fake reality" we are moved, turned and coaxed along this musical journey. The end comes far too quickly with an african sounding vocal hook at the end with crescendos of harmony that leave you feeling chills. I saw a debut album is coming June 3rd? Well I definitely can't wait. 

BRASSTRACKS - GOOD LOVE FT. JAY PRINCE

I am so about this funky vibe on this early chilly Monday morning - it's the perfect way to start of the day! We kinda go bananas over Brasstracks - the genres they are crossing to create a fantastic new breed of electronic music is creative and ground breaking, and this new track "Good Love ft. Jay Prince" raises the bar! Combining funk, jazz, hip-hop, R&B,future and bass - Brasstracks slays this new original! Jay Prince was featured at our SXSW show this year as well, and his smooth funky hip-hop vocals are gold! This one you definitely cannot pass up! Listen and love!    

Disclosure: Brasstracks is promoted by Beautiful Buzzz writer Lindsey Oh + Alli Lindsey