FYI | The Problem With… Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye
Posted by A on March 18, 2012
It was 2:32 in the morning when I first discovered The Weeknd’s brilliant “House of Ballons” project. I remember exactly where I was when I first downloaded it. I was a second semester senior in college pulling an all-nighter in a hotel on the eve of my last final exam. Fast asleep in the bed next to me was a ladyfriend who I was dating at the time, sleeping soundly while I was enveloped by The Weeknd’s ethereal sound. I didn’t realize I would be listening to the man largely responsible for bringing credibility back to a genre ruined by celebratory anthems promoting debauchery and licentiousness.
Despite The Weeknd’s significant impact on the blogosphere, he’s encountered a problem. As The Weeknd continues to operate under a microscope, the mystique around his carefully crafted brand will slowly erode. At the core of his brand is a “smoke and mirrors” philosophy- a deliberate effort to avoid public appearances and interviews- going against the traditional marketing grain. His philosophy, although astute, can’t be a sustainable long term strategy. The Weeknd will eventually be required to step out of the alternate universe that he’s created for himself.
Performances also present a problem for The Weeknd. The mournful melodies and cerebral quality of his message doesn’t lend itself to the usual trappings of a live show. The Weeknd’s music is often experienced in private rather than with a group of friends. The private nature of his music makes it difficult to translate into an experience at a live show. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be singing about glass tables girls next to a fellow bro. It just wouldn’t feel right.
Despite my own perspective, many questions remained unanswered about The Weeknd. Rumors have swirled about his sexuality, 11 million dollar record deal, and more. Whether a carefully crafted marketing ploy or happenstance, people are abuzz about the enigmatic artist, and understandably so. Perhaps most telling is his recently released “Rolling Stone” off his “Thursday” project. He cryptically croons, “Baby, I got you/ until you’re used to my face, and my mystery fades,” signaling that he may be more self-aware than previously thought. Only time will tell whether Abel will be able to maintain his image while inevitably becoming more mainstream.
What do you think? Sound off in our new comment section below.
FYI | Fresh New Tracks March Madness!
Posted by dshaq on March 13, 2012
Let the Madness begin! Nothing like the March Madness tourney. With the tournament, always comes the filling out of the brackets, which we all know is the best part. So we at Fresh New Tracks put together a little pool for you guys to submit your brackets. Whether you are an avid college basketball fan or are just picking schools because of their mascot/team colors, then this group is for you! Make sure to submit your brackets into the group before the first game starts on Thursday to qualify for our prizes. First and second place winners will receive prizes which will be announced later on. Good luck and choose wisely!
House | James Egbert – Back To New (3LAU REMIX)
Posted by Juicebox on March 5, 2012
As you guys know, we’ve been backing this kid since Kap Slap first introduced us to him. 3LAU has had a ridiculous rise to fame in the past couple of months and is absolutely killing it in the college/edm scene. With his ever Beatport release coming out mid April (a remix of James Egbert’s “Back To New”) we only felt it appropriate to post the preview. There’s no doubt about it…3LAU is on his way. Also, make sure you take a second to check out his live set at Congress Theater here, trust us. What do you guys think…is 3LAU the next big thing?
Hip-Hop | Ryan Hemsworth – Faith In Something (Ft. Deniro Farrar & Shady Blaze)
Posted by Mach on January 28, 2012
Canadian hip-hop producer Ryan Hemsworth, just had this new track of his featured on Spin Magazine. It has been described as an angsty feeling track, but think the vibe of the track is sick. Ryan uses samples of Rick Ross to create a cool hook over the epic beat. Deniro Farrar starts off the track sounding a bit like Tyler, The Creator, then Shady Blaze finishes off the track picking up the pace. Not your usual college hip-hop, but Ryan is definitely making a name for himself as a producer in the genre.
DOWNLOAD: Ryan Hemsworth – Faith In Something (Ft. Deniro Farrar & Shady Blaze)
Albums | Dshaq’s Top 10 of 2011
Posted by dshaq on January 11, 2012
2011 was a big year. I started blogging, I got accepted into college, all that good stuff. It was pretty tough going through the iTunes library and narrowing down the choices to just these 10 but I’m pretty happy with it and hopefully it’s a crowd pleaser. Without further ado here is my top 10 of 2011.
10. Lets just say had this song not come out I probably would not like Skizzy Mars as much as I do. This was the first song I heard by Skizzy and his wordplay and unique sound got me hooked.
Skizzy Mars – Douchebag
9.Out of Mac’s 2 mixtapes, album, and EP he released this year, I’m going away from those and with the under the radar track that he did with DJ Premier. This beat alone probably could’ve made the list but Mac spits some quality bars over it.
Mac Miller – Face The Facts
8. This song was literally on repeat all summer…and still is today.
Aer – Feel I Bring
7. I had no idea that my favorite character on Community was able to spit fire like this. I mean the beat is insane but his wordplay is even crazier. Excited to see more from Mr. Glover in 2012
Childish Gambino – Freaks and Geeks
6. This song is pure happiness. I don’t know how else to explain it except that this beat is mesmerizing.
Neon Indian – Polish Girl
5. I don’t know what I enjoy more in this song either the beat or his voice. It’s such a powerful and dark song.
The Weeknd – Wicked Games
4. Macklemore’s ability to tell a story through his lyrics is mind-boggling good. The emotion in this song pours out line by line.
Macklemore – Wings
3. This song alone made me really appreciate Frank Ocean as an artist and also dabble into his other music, which thank god i did.
Frank Ocean – Novacane
2. Ever since A$AP released that mixtape, I honestly can’t go a day without listening to it. This song in particularly, especially with his flow and lyrics in it.
A$AP Rocky – Peso (Prod. By ASAP Ty Beats)
1. Well where do I begin on this one. 2011 was a big year for Tyler and the GOLF WANG. He supplied us with hands down the best Nardwuar Interview, a phenomenal album and countless other funny outbursts that kept us entertained. Although I love this beat and Tyler’s lyrics, I think the video might be even better and it definitely helped create the buzz that really got them on the main stage. I’m really excited to see what’s in store from the Golf Wang hooligans in 2012, especially if Earl comes back.
Tyler, The Creator – Yonkers
Electro-House | Coyote Kisses
Posted by Middy on December 8, 2011
I would like to introduce to you guys Coyote Kisses. They are two college kids Joe and Bryce from Lakeland, Florida and go to school in Florida and Virginia. Bryce is classically trained in piano and Joe plays guitar and bass, and this comes out in their work with the production skill and creativity that is brought to each song as it is not just another copycat electro-house or dubstep song. They decided to make EDM only very recently and have not looked back. They are coming out with an EP at some point in the future and will be releasing a few songs within the next few weeks. Here are a few of their songs below and make sure to give them love on Facebook and check out their other stuff on Soundcloud.
Updated with two more songs.
FACEBOOK
SOUNDCLOUD
DOWNLOAD: Coyote Kisses – Acid Wølfpack
DOWNLOAD: Coyote Kisses – LazerSwag
DOWNLOAD: Coyote Kisses – starchaser
DOWNLOAD: Coyote Kisses – Dreams Never Die
DOWNLOAD: Coyote Kisses – Baby, You’re a Blizzard
Hip-Hop, RnB | Mike Posner ft. Bun B-Rocket Man
Posted by ATexas on November 15, 2011
Since enrolling at said college, I have become an insomniac thus the reason I always post chill melodic tunes. Mike Posner hits us with just that, super chill and super flowing. Bun B slaps it with his verse as he finishes out the song. Sorry I’m not sorry for a certain genre of music always being posted, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Insomniacs will appreciate this and maybe hit it up with some visualizer? Simple pleasures.
Download: Mike Posner- Rocket Man (Ft. Bun B)