We couldn’t help but bring you into the new month of February with some of the latest sounds that we’re currently spinning from our laptops. We embarked on a gruelling mission through YouTube mixes and dug deep into the depths of Soundcloud to uncover these new sounds. You might not be too familiar with some of the featured artists, but that doesn’t matter. There’s always a possibility you’ll find a diamond in the dirt when searching for something worthwhile.
This month’s 5 For Friday features a return from Tiggs Da Author in the form of a collaboration with Blade Brown with Kinshasa Remix, however, one of the most interesting cuts has got to come from the upcoming singer JGrrey, she puts together a truly creative offering, which we reckon you’ll find therapeutic.
Ricci Queens – Bring It Back
East Londoner Ricci Queens returns to the music with ‘Bring It Back’, a raging rap cut that invites you into his world. It’s everything you can expect from the rapper who cultivates a deep space drop while boasting bossy lyrics with booming 808s. Under the lens, he alongside his cohort bounce from city streets to scenes where he postures before a projection of old Dragon Ball Z clips. The saucy hook is so catchy to the point where it’ll leave an imprint long after the song ends. ‘Bring It Back’ is a jumpy cut that’ll power you through the weekend ahead with its trippy energy, so don’t snooze on this one.
JGrrey – Pretty Insane
Everyone’s got a dark side to them and, in this particular song, South London singer-songwriter JGrrey confronts her psyche. ‘Pretty Insane’ is a salute to 2019, a song which tangles with mental health and the all-to-familiar voice of the inner critic.
JGrrey’s ‘Pretty Insane’ is a borderline minimalist sonic with abstract keys which ring like chimes from a gothic bell tower, strapped with static drum hits and soft, sentimental croons. It plays out like a conversation between a therapist and a patient. With a chorus that leans towards the dreamy essence of a lullaby, and at moments she slips into mid-song conversations which shatter the fourth wall. It’s a pretty creative track considering the subject and the execution reveal a singer coming into her own.
Cautious Clay – Honest Enough
Brooklyn based singer-songwriter, Cautious Clay signed out of 2018 with ‘Reasons’, the first single from his upcoming project ‘Table Of Context’. In the run-up to its release, he follows up with a new single entitled ‘Honest Enough’.
With production from electronic DJ Medasin, Cautious Clay delves into the depth of a loose relationship which seems to be withering away. He flexes his lucid vocal on this emotional whirlwind of a song, which slowly pulls out his raw and true emotions. “Running through reasons that you thought, Money wouldn’t stop me I don’t want to be here too”, he sings over whirring tones and electrifying strings. Don’t bother entertaining those obscure thoughts, ‘Honest Enough’ is the right song to unwind to on your late nights.
Monte Booker – Interstellar feat. Bari
The Chicagoan Monte Booker is known for pushing the boundaries of music with his truly experimental production. He once recorded the sound of a tap running and a pepper grinder and slotted into his beats. Today, Booker embarks on a outer space exploration with his newest release, aptly titled ‘Interstellar’. He whips up a unique cocktail of sonics and lumps them all into one unorthodox arrangement. Picking up his fellow Zero Fatigue label mate, Bari, who leisurely floats over a mismatch of retro 8-bit sound effects and warm ambient soundscapes. Take a gamble and open your ears to the head bobbing handiwork on Monter Booker.
Tiggs Da Author – Kinshasa Remix
Nines wasn’t wrong when he pointed to Tiggs as the guy for ‘bangers’. Tiggs Da Author marked his return to music when he unearthed the audio for ‘Kinshasa Remix’, which proved to be a worthy comeback after a period of silence. With the help of Blade Brown, the duo go back-to-back and cook up a tasteful offering.
The black-and-white visuals, set in an estate, contrasts against the cheerful, tropical tones cultivated by Tiggs. You could say he’s come through with a summer banger two seasons early. Blade Brown grounds out the upend production with his trap-rap style and slips through the cocktail of bass and claps with casual cockiness. Tiggs and Blade find middle ground on this journey, which brings Kinshasa to the world.
