This week, Today’s Top Tune begins with DJ and producer TOKiMONSTA who tours the globe and returns to her hometown for a show at the Wiltern in September. The young and beautiful Jorja Smith plays her jazz-inspired songs at Bumpershoot in the fall. Grammy-winning Mexican band Kinky return to its electronics roots. LA crooner Joey Dosik offers a basketball inspired song. And we preview brooding new music from Matthew Dear.
Monday, July 24
TOKiMONSTA: Don’t Call Me (feat. Yuna) from Lune Rouge
Lune Rouge or Red Moon is the latest installment in LA producer and DJ TOKiMONSTA’s oeuvre, which mixes modern beats with old school sensibilities. We’ve gravitated toward the song “Don’t Call Me,” which features Malaysian singer Yuna.
Tuesday, July 25
Jorja Smith: Beautiful Little Fools
2016 was a great year for British singer Jorja Smith. She released her first EP, embarked on a headlining tour and drew fantastic reviews. She taps into a broad culture that samples work from rapper Dizzee Rascal to 17th Century composer Henry Purcell. Now 20, she’s been writing songs for a while and penned the song “Beautiful Little Fools” at 16 after reading The Great Gatsby.
Wednesday, July 26
Kinky: Un Peso from Nada Vale Más Que Tú
It’s been 15 years since the Mexican band Kinky first released its debut. The Grammy-winning outfit comes full circle as its returns to the electronic roots that made it. The song “Un Peso” asks what can you buy with just one peso and answers that nothing is worth more than YOU!
Thursday, July 27
Joey Dosik: title track to the Game Winner EP
Joey Dosik is a true Angeleno. Born and raised in our fair city, he absorbed the jazz tradition of Leimert Park. Recently the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist produced an EP’s worth of love songs, which were inspired by basketball after suffering a knee injury. The title track to Game Winner is a soulful ballad.
Friday, July 28
Shapeshifting experimental dance music auteur Matthew Dear has a new song. Written in Topanga Canyon with Frank Ocean collaborator Troy Nōka, “Modafinil Blues” highlights Dear’s delicious baritone and delves into a dark and playful psyche.