Albums, Featured, Hip-Hop | Logic – Under Pressure [Album Reflections]
Posted by Grubeats on October 21, 2014
Where do I begin?
Exactly 1,163 days I received an email. That email just so happened to be my first official introduction to Maryland hip-hop artist, Logic. Described as a young, talented MC known for his lyrical prowess – I couldn’t have said it better myself – and fortunately for us, that’s still the same Logic we’re looking at today. Since that introduction, Logic has been my favorite artist, period. To call out a few – he’s genuine, personable, tenacious, confident, well spoken, and last but certainly not least, one BEAST of a rapper. Preaching “peace, love & positivity” since the very start, he’s one artist who has stayed true to his message, through and through. His story has undoubtably changed hundreds if not thousands of people’s lives for the better. The craziest part is, Under Pressure is still just the beginning.
When asked what “Under Pressure” means to him, Logic responded,
“For me, it’s the duality of who I am. Being Bobby and being Logic, being under pressure personally in all the things that I go through in my life. Just as a regular dude, ’cause outside of music, there’s people who look at me like I’m not shit. I’m just little Bobby, dealing with the pressures from my family, where I come from. All that. Also, being in the rap game and just being under pressure to sell whatever you gotta sell.” [via XXL]
He’s right though – he’s the debonair “Young Sinatra” on the street, then he steps into the booth and all previous conceptions vanish. He embodies some form of legendary lyrical machine. That to me is what separates Logic from much of his competition.
It’s clearly been a long time coming to deliver the album and as you’ll hear on “Growing Pains III”, he has recorded over 1,700 songs in the past 10 years, only 150+ of which have been released to date. Under Pressure is far from a grab bag of records. Carefully crafted, Logic and team have put countless hours into this album and I hope that after listening, you’ll recognize that. The 12 tracks (15 on the Deluxe version) collectively paint a bigger picture. As expected, the album is a very raw, personal look into Logic’s life, and more specifically his upbringing. From family struggles to personal and musical accomplishments, you’ll truly understand the person behind the mic after listening to this album.
As if I haven’t already giving you enough of a reason to go buy the album, legendary producer No I.D. blessed it with his executive production. I don’t mean to jump the gun, but typically anything he touches turns gold. Then platinum.
“Conversations with No I.D
Who made hits with Ye, got hits with Jay
Now he wanna fuck around and make hits with me
If it’s meant to be, then it’s meant to be
Can’t express what that meant for me, what it mean to me
Man, I swear the shit like a dream to me, what it seemed to be” – Till The End [Track 12]
Last but not least, I want to once again give a shout out to the whole team at Visionary Music Group. Logic’s in house producer, 6ix stepped up and destroyed the production on half of the album. The rest of the team is too humble to take credit, but I thank you all for the work you’ve put in. VMG is a blueprint for organic growth, keep at it boys (& girls?).
Without further adieu I suggest you GO GRAB BOTH DIGITAL VERSIONS on iTUNES and take a trip to your local record shop (or Best Buy, Walmart, Target, etc.) and clear out the shelves (if you can beat Henry to it)!!! 100k the first week!
Exclusive, Featured, Progressive House | FNT Premiere: Tom Piper – You Don’t Know (Karboncopy Remix)
Posted by Mel on October 10, 2014
If we’re talking about two guys from Australia, Karboncopy is probably the duo who has provided me with the most pleasurable experience in the past 48 hours from a male. They have released some really good music in the past, but this one is my favorite and has been on repeat since I first heard it two days, or 48 hours ago. An official remix of Tom Piper’s “You Don’t Know” is what they were tasked with and it came out spectacularly. An understated piano carries the excellent vocals to the build where the anthemic melody takes over and climaxes powerfully at the drop. This remix is as good or better than the original, which is also below, and probably Karboncopy’s best to date. The stream can be found exclusively below and the song can be found on Beatport next Monday, October 13th.
Beatport: Tom Piper – You Don’t Know
Girl Fire | Galantis – Runaway (U & I)
Posted by BIGLIFE on October 1, 2014
With an “EDM” landscape full of similar sound acts, Galantis is a welcome breathe of fresh air. Despite their branded over-night success, they’re anything but, crafting hits well before “EDM” was a thing and you were still in high school dating cheerleaders. Last night, Galantis premiered their “Runaway (U & I) single on #BetaBPM (to much fanfare) set to release October 5th. The offering serves as the first single to their forthcoming album with no release date at the moment. Release date or not, Galantis is the next big thing in the electronic dance music space. Grab Galantis’s self-titled EP here. Seafox out.
Progressive House | Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman – ID2
Posted by Middy on September 23, 2014
No this is not some ode to a bygone era of constant Avicii IDs, this is simply just the name that has become branded to this tune, including on radio tracklists and to retitle it might damage the effect of the release. Let’s hope it doesn’t start a trend of artists releasing songs legitimately called “ID” because that would cause some serious problems for guys like Eric Prydz. Size has been on fire this year with their usual suspects of high energy tunes, but also a new smattering of deeper, groovier tunes that have escaped the clutches of his newly formed We Are All X imprint. In the mold of those big progressive tunes, Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman return for their 4th release on the label, first since April’s smash single “Payback” that still echoes around the few remaining festival grounds and now filled arenas & concert halls. Expect to hear “ID2” plenty as the year closes out.
Another note worth mentioning, their Tom Ordell remix that was previewed last summer will finally get a release date soon, so stay tuned to Vangelis & Wyman’s socials for details.
Beatport: Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman – ID2
Electronic | Porter Robison Worlds Stream
Posted by Middy on August 4, 2014
I have listened through 3 times and it is stunning. I don’t say that lightly because of all of the hype it has gotten in past few months leading up to its August 12th release date. However, my words won’t really do it true justice, just go listen to it yourself on NPR now. Pre-order the album on iTunes here.
Electro-House | Chris Avantgarde – Fuel
Posted by Mel on July 28, 2014
Chris Avantgarde inaugurates his newly formed label the proper way with an exceptionally strong first release. Produced by the founder himself, “Fuel” is a powerful, gritty, highly energetic track and probably his best to date. It is also one of the most well produced tracks I have heard in a while. Chris has a unique sound and his label is also unique, because all of their releases are free of charge. Never one to settle on generic, Chris Avantgarde and his new label are sure to be among those to watch going forward.
Free Download: Chris Avantgarde – Fuel
House, Preview | Kiesza – Hideaway (Bixel Boys Remix) [Preview]
Posted by Middy on May 15, 2014
On the eve of their show at Webster Hall tomorrow (we may have some words with them, not like the words they have in hockey, but real ones), the Bixel Boys preview a new remix, this time for Canadian songstress Kiesza. “Hideaway” has quietly become an underground sensation with remixes already in the books by the likes of Gorgon City and Dzeko & Torres, with many more to come. Drawing us back in to the smooth and sexy sound we know from them after a more aggressive effort for Thomas Newson, the California duo create a jam fit for their own coasts and your pools. There is no release date yet, but we hope it is this summer so you can jam poolside.