The Shield Mixtape – Issue #33

What’s up, Shield mixtape listeners? Andrew is taking leave for the next two mixes, so I’ve been given the honor of putting together the next two editions. In this edition, we see some of my returning favorites, as well as some new faces. Enjoy!

R&B/SOUL – “Link Up” by NxWorries

The opener here comes from LA duo NxWorries, the collaborative project of producer Knxwledge and singer Anderson Paak. The two both had gigantic years in 2015, as Knxwledge contributed a beat to Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and Paak received a slew of features on Dr. Dre’s Compton, catapulting him into the spotlight. On their forthcoming album, expect the same kind of bassy and lo-fi vibe that appears on “Link Up.”

POP – “Sweet Design” by Sia

This track is one of the standout from Sia’s new album, made up entirely of songs she wrote for others but took back for herself. An interesting concept as well as an interesting vibe, at the crossroads of Latin, Pop, Electronic, and Hip-Hop.

ELECTRONIC “Mudafossil” by Ash Koosha

Shield favorite Ash Koosha is back with more of his mind-bending sample manipulation. This single comes from his new album dropping April Fool’s Day, which will be a sure listen by your correspondent.

HIP-HOP – “Vice City” by Jay Rock feat. Black Hippy

“Vice City” is easily one of my favorite hip-hop tracks from 2015.  The ethereal but intense beat, along with the wacky flow makes this song pop. In addition, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and ScHoolboy Q all deliver blistering verses based on caricatures of their downfalls, easily the highlight of the cut. The song feels like an old posse track from the 90s with a modern sound, something we don’t see often in modern hip-hop.

THROWBACK – “Just Like a Baby” by Sly & The Family Stone

I’ve been digging into a lot of more old-school soul and funk lately, and “Just Like a Baby” is one of my favorite tracks I’ve dug out from the vault. The warm vibes are just what the doctor ordered.

ROCK – “Trouble” by Cage the Elephant

Cage the Elephant has been a band vaguely on my radar for the past few months, but this is the first time I’ve really checked them out. This song is exactly what I was hoping for with its more upbeat vibe.

INDIE – “Don’t Want to Be Your Girl” by Wet

As I’ve said multiple times, I’m really not an Indie guy, but I can’t help liking Wet’s new album,  Don’t You. This track really stands out in particular, with the sublime ghostly bass and spaced out vibes.

FOLK/AMERICANA – “Permanent” by Kenneth Pattengale & Joey Ryan

Again, the Milk Carton Kids make an appearance, this time from their first album, attributed under a different name. While the previous Milk Carton Kids inclusion featured more impressive technical instrumentation, this song and album relies on more powerful songwriting and concepts, a refreshing change of pace.

DISCOVERY – “Auntie’s Lock/Infinitum” by Flying Lotus

The closing track comes off of one of my favorite albums, Flying Lotus’ Los Angeles. While most of the tracks sound like a future instrumental spin on boom-bap, this track has a quieter, more meditative vibe. It is a great way to close out both the album and the mixtape. Thanks for listening!