Memorial Day Weekend Mixtapes

Did you guys know that this past week was May Mixtape Week?  Yeah, neither did I.  Apparently it was, though, because a trio of some of the most creative young producers all decided to release free mixtapes just in time for the long weekend.  I'll keep this post short, and let the music speak for itself.

First up is Ryan Hemsworth, aka The Prince Of Polo Sweatpants, and his EP, Still Awake.  The Canadian producer has become one of the most sought after remixers for his skillful meshing of chilled out ambient music with hard hitting hip-hop beats.

Listen:

Download: Still Awake EP

You shouldn't be a stranger to Chuck Inglish by now.  With The Cool Kids project on hold for the time being, both Mikey and Chuck have stayed busy with their individual careers.  Chuck has specifically released weekend cookout music before, so the timing of the drop for Droptops isn't a huge surprise.

Listen/Download:

And finally, I've got The Jellyfish Mentality, which is the third full length release from production duo The Jet Age Of Tomorrow.  This piece is the most complete effort; it's a borderline album in which we get to hear how much JAOT have matured their sound in the past couple years.  Matt Martians and Hal Williams really impress on Jellyfish.  Along with plenty of their familiar instrumental interludes, they rounded up quite a few of their Odd Future and just plain odd friends for an appearance heavy mixtape that doesn't disappoint.

Listen:  

Download: The Jellyfish Mentality

ASTR - Operate

I came across this song the other day and knew right away it was monster.  ASTR has been a group for roughly a year, but this debut single will ultimately stand as a pivotal piece in their career.  "Operate" is the perfect amalgam of every significant sound and style in 2013.  Building off of gritty synths, we're aurally assaulted by heavy bass hits and an overlay of trap snare kicks.  The echo chamber effect on the female vocals make them seem to mesh right into the menacing instrumental.  The 2013-centric effect is topped off by the extended doctor/operate metaphor.  This is the pop music extension of all the dark, brooding R&B and hip-hop we've been growing to love in our bedrooms late at night.  They obviously knew that you're not allowed to name a band today without generous use of the CAPS lock and deleting letters.  And finally, true to form for every artist we get excited about in this information saturated age, ASTR has given us next to nothing about themselves.  We know they're a duo from New York, but so is... everyone.

Listen/Download:

Check out more of the noise they make on their Soundcloud page.