Music For Your Weekend

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Hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably lumbering your way through the day after feasting like a king. If that’s the case then allow me to encourage cheap bounce house a bit more laziness by giving you three good reasons why you should just stay in this weekend (or at least just today).

Here are some new releases I’m digging and I think you will too.

DUCKWRTHAn XTRA UUGLY Mixtape

Though Duckwrth has been around since 2015, he is without a doubt the standout artist of 2017 in my opinion. The South Central L.A. based artist describes himself as “Ugly” which by the way alludes to his 2016 release, “I’m Uugly”. However, he doesn’t mean it in the way you might think. It’s not at all about being unattractive in a vain sense, rather, an unabashed acceptance of deep appreciation of all the unconventional qualities that make him unique. This dedication to individual expression shines in both Duck’s sense of fashion and his music. Case in point, the first single from An XTRA UUGLY Mixtape, which is called “Boy”, where he cleverly challenges gender norms. Duckwrth also displays the importance of God in his life and his spirituality in songs like “BACKYARD MIRACLES”, “HELLO GOD” and “MAN IN THE SKY”. I must say even if these message are of no interest to you, you will still thoroughly enjoy this album. I’ll put it to you like this, if XTRA had not come out after we submitted our top ten albums of the year, this would have made my list. It’s that good. Check out the video for his ode to Michael Jackson, “MICHUUL” from the album An XTRA UUGLY Mixtape, which out now.

NxWorriesYes Lawd! Remixes

We go from the standout artist of 2017 to the standout artist of 2016. That being Anderson .Paak of course. Very few artist had a year like this guy did in 2016. There are too many accomplishments to name, but his solo album Malibu was KCRW’s overall number one last year and that’s after coming out in January, by the way. 10 months later, he teamed up with local producer Knxwledge forming NxWorrries, and released another one of the best albums of 2016, Yes Lawd!. AP is a juggernaut of talent and there’s no denying it and Knxwledge’s ability to craft soulful, funky beats makes this collaboration pure ear candy. So when the two decided to release a remix album of one of the best releases of last year, it leaves one saying, “Yes, Lawd!”. Check out the official video for “Best One Remix”. Warning, it is NSFW, nevertheless enjoy.

Tame ImpalaCurrents B-Sides & Remixes EP

The KCRW favorites recently surprised everyone with this follow up to their 2015 release of the same name. Current B-Sides & Remixes is part of the Currents Collectors Edition and just dropped a week ago. B-Sides features a previously unreleased Soulwax remix of “Let It Happen” and a new Gum Remix of “Reality In Motion.” In addition, there are three new songs, “List Of People (To Try and Forget About)”, “Powerlines” and “Taxi’s Here.” I mean, it’s Tame Impala. Do you really need to know anything else? You can stream the entire EP below, though I recommend treating yourself to an early Christmas gift and just buy it 🙂

(Tame Impala photo c/o: Abby Gillardi, Duckwrth photo c/o artist)