The discussion kicks off with Drake’s massive data dump before moving onto a debate about the dysfunctional state of Fugees and an Unpopular Opinion on rappers billing themselves as “artists”.
R&B
ALLYSE.: “Cherry On Top”
Looking to cool off with something super tasty this summer? Austin locals are in luck with an opportunity to sate more than one sense in the same sitting!
And you can thank ALLYSE. for all that. A nomadic military brat and classically-trained singer, ALLYSE. turned ATX into her HQ seven years back, where she’s since lent her vocal and multi-instrumental talents to a pair of pop outfits plus former KUTX Artists of the Month Daniel Fears and promqueen. More recently though, ALLYSE. has spent the past year and a half cementing her solo status as a songwriter-producer in the high-demand pop-R&B sector, having blasted out Billboard-quality originals every few months beginning last January.
But as we mentioned before, ALLYSE.’s latest lists itself on the menu as a multi-sensory sensation. By that we mean at the single release party 4:30PM this Sunday at Jeni’s Ice Cream’s Triangle location, you can try ALLYSE.’s custom ice cream flavor “Sparkling Cherry Pie” while hearing her perform live. And since great taste isn’t limited to your tongue’s buds, and it’s near impossible to spoil an aural appetite, treat your ear’s sweet tooth to “Cherry On Top” – ALLYSE.’s sixth single that’d make Dua Lipa lick her lips and say, “delicious”. Because it’s got all the disco-funk retro-hip-pop sprinkles to make this summer an extra sugary one – each time it pops up on a new playlist.
Isis Destiny: “R U Mine ?” (feat. Opera Mauv)
Poetry. Painting. Tailoring. And that’s all in one audacious Austinite’s regular wheelhouse, without even accounting for their live performance pursuits. Like…save some media forms for the rest of us, sheesh!
While there’s assuredly a ton of people out there who fit that bill, today we’re talking about Austin’s Isis Destiny, formerly Amira Isis Destiny. Since being introducted to guitar and lyrical expression in her mid-tweens, Destiny’s done a damn fine job of drawing others into her multi-disciplinary triumphs – be it dancing, DJing, or anything else to help put on an unforgettable show. On the original music side of things, Isis Destiny’s shown a deep understanding of everything from ’90s neo soul to golden age disco, and weaved those lessons into her own inspiring originals, as heard on last September’s Scorpio Rising EP. And apparently Isis’ inspiration is near endless, since just after returning from her first ever tour, she’s already hopping on something new: an alt-jazz-pop project that goes by The Lover Girls Collective.
Yet once again, that’s not all; Isis Destiny is also embarking on a once-a-month collaborative single release, starting with last weekend’s “R U Mine ?”. Before we hand that off though, we gotta give y’all the scoop on ID’s upcoming gigs: Monday, August 5th at Volstead Lounge as part of the Underground Voices all-girl open mic showcase, Saturday, August 10th at Cozy Canna’s 4th street grand opening, and Sunday, August 11th at Wanderlust Wine Co.’s Barton Springs location. Back to “R U Mine ?”…this shimmering specimen of electro-pop (created in tandem with fellow Central Texan Opera Mauv), flirty synths set the mood for highly refined verse vocals, four-to-the-floor drums, and restless bass. Altogether they swell up to and cool off from the UK garage-style vocal chops and snare shuffle of the tune’s minimalist titular hook in such a way that each chorus drop just seems to go harder and harder.
So go ahead and grab it below; it’s all yours.
What’s next for The Breaks?
Confucius and Fresh reminisce on their journey so far over the past eight years and what to expect next before dissecting what makes LL Cool J such a significant figure in hip-hop history, plus an Unpopular Opinion on Drake’s status as a so called “culture vulture”.
arya: “USE ME”
It’s a twofer this Friday! We’ve got a brand new release alongside a weekend show recommendation. And both arrive on behalf of arya.
arya’s not just another dime a dozen bedroom pop Billie Eilish wannabe. No, this Belgrade-born bae is almost overqualified for saturated world of pop-hip-hop-R&B; after a decade in Serbia playing classical piano she received a formal jazz degree here in Austin. Still, even in this decidedly contemporary endeavor, arya retains her status as a one woman show – having scored her first ACL Fest appearance and official ACL Late Night Show last Fall.
And speaking of last Fall, following up last October’s “LOVE ME”, today arya shares the second installment from her upcoming EP Insides – a six-song visual album and narrative set for release later this year. In the immediate forecast, arya’s got a free performance midnight tomorrow night at Empire Control Room as part of Hot Summer Nights, where she’ll certainly perform her latest pop-R&B banger, “USE ME”. We wouldn’t be surprised if we heard a sped up/nightcore version of this new one pop up on TikTok, but for us personally, we love the tune’s relaxed tempo. Because it gives plenty of space to breathe between richly textured drums, fat-as-hell synth bass, and arya’s incredible vocals that could end up making Ariana Grande sound more like GoT series finale Arya Stark in comparison.
What’s going on with Cash Money?
Inspired by the recent “Cash Money Reunion” at Essence Music Fest, Confucius and Fresh break down what’s going on behind the scenes with the legendary record label, not to mention an Unpopular Opinion about rappers signing to other rappers.
Passiflora: “Backyard Birds”
Feeling the heat and humidity outside for just thirty seconds confirms it: we’re well past the season of birds and bees. Yet even as cicadas steal the atmospheric spotlight with that iconic, steamy soundscape of theirs, birdsongs never really go out of style – Cindy, ornithological vocalizations, or otherwise.
So let’s talk Passiflora. Having only released their debut EP eponymous last March, this Austin three-piece (who performs live as four with the addition of bass) is still only a nestling with a handful of tracks to their name. But their jazzy juxtapositions of neo-soul and alt-R&B (not to mention, all around just great hair) have made Passiflora into sensuous Central Texas vibe – one that we could easily see Erykah Badu getting behind.
And as we endure this summer’s early trials, Passiflora have teamed up with producer Rafi Rosenthal to incorporate something new into their aural aviary: synth. Passiflora’s resting up from last night’s release show at Community Garden, but their latest single, “Backyard Birds”, is only just now spreading its wings. And boy oh boy does it sure beat the raucous squawks of H-E-B Hancock’s ever-growing grackle plague. Over the course of this new tune’s four-and-a-half minutes, you might just dissociate enough to confuse the ground with the sky, thanks to subtle shifts from muffled MIDI programming to airtight physical drums, featherweight vocals (complete with some surprise processing), and guitar grooves that carry this musical migration all the way to the horizon.
Is Raunchiness in Rap really that new?
Inspired by discourse around the recent BET Awards, Confucius and Fresh discuss why some folks are reacting oddly to what’s perceived as uncouth behavior alongside an Unpopular Opinion Puerto Ricans’ place in the rise of Hip-Hop.
Foxglove: “Sunday Highs”
Craving some musical soul food for this weekend? Treating yourself to some Foxglove ought to be a good fit!
Since 2022 this Austin six-piece has scattered their musical remedies through fields of funk, soul, and R&B alongside forays into indie and hard rock. And as heard on last October’s Ephemeral Daydreams EP, Foxglove forgoes the generic formulas in favor of authentic, moving passion pieces.
They’ll be taking the stage as part of the Happen Twice Showcase 8PM tomorrow night at Güero’s Taco Bar, where their handful of recorded tunes will be joined by Foxglove’s latest newcomer: “Sunday Highs”. There are a lot of moving parts to this single; how it starts sure ain’t how it ends. But the complex song structure of “Sunday Highs” alone speaks volumes to Foxglove’s versatility, not to mention how well each member’s talents play off one another in this sprawling five-minute emotional journey.
deCasa: “INSTIGATOR”
Remember that expression “in the house” that was used to show enthusiasm about someone or something’s presence in close proximity? Yeah, you don’t really hear that one much anymore in the 2020s… But if you do want something that’s retro without sounding too dated, deCasa is sheer delight.
Since 2019, deCasa’s Ricky Santiago-Cruz has incorporated his Puerto Rican upbringing into this Austin solo project with effusive flavors of funk, soul, hip-hop, and reggae for a breezy, inner-city-meets-remote-island vibe. On top of that, this Caribbean Cowboy’s the head honcho of his very own label, the emerging Rock Bottom Cartel. And with the added experience of playing alongside KUTX favorites Mobley and The Bright Light Social Hour, Santiago-Cruz has mastered the art of moving the crowd as deCasa.
Speaking of which, ahead of an open invite free house party on Saturday, July 20th (DM Ricky on Instagram for all the deets), last week deCasa rolled out a soulful, synth-y piece of daytime disco. So if you wanna start shit on the dance floor without breaking too much of a sweat, “INSTIGATOR” is short, sweet, and begging for rhythmic feet with a relaxed uptempo energy that doesn’t sacrifice the accessibility of its slick, Jamiroquai-esque grooves.
Daniel Fears: “Home” (Live from the Draylon Mason Music Studio)
Happy Juneteenth! While it’s now a national holiday, it’s always been a celebration here in Texas, where historically Black hubs like Houston were notified of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil War’s end later than the rest of the states.
And it’s Houston that gave us our July 2021 Artist of the Month Daniel Fears. We’ve already gushed about Daniel a ton, chiefly around his Frank Ocean-esque vocals, sophisticated sense of liquid R&B sonics, and seamless transitions between trombone and piano. These days Daniel’s a household name all on his own, but that couldn’t’ve happened without all his time spent as brass-for-hire in the neo-classical circuit.
That neo-classical element recently had a real full circle moment with the release of Close To Home a couple weeks back. Recorded live at KMFA’s Draylon Mason Music Studio, this six-song session presents Fears’ passionate compositions in an unforgettable, all-acoustic and unplugged orchestral way, one that simultaneously emphasizes Daniel’s individual talents as well as the importance of thorough, thoughtful arrangements. Well, just in time for Juneteenth, there’s a screening of If They Took Us Back (the score for which Daniel contributed to) alongside a special solo concert appearance 7PM tonight at The Paramount Stateside.
That said, if the high chance of thunderstorms has you considering couch lock for this evening, transport the Draylon Mason Music Studio to your living room stereo with the Close To Home cut of “Home”. Because everyone has the right to feel at home, no matter who they are.
Alexi 8bit: “You Don’t Have to Be Alone Anymore”
In the world of singers, acting cutesy doesn’t necessarily negate sophistication. Like, we’ve seen a lot of success in going north of mere infantile novelty and co-opting that puppy love naivety in a way that’s accessible to all age groups. And while we can point to a major movement of such with jazz-pop hits from the ’40s through ’60s, it’s especially true post-Ariana Grande’s impact on our modern musical environment.
Just ask Alexi 8bit. This Austin multi-instrumentalist-producer just wrapped up last month with her sophomore EP Softy. Between Alexi’s pink dress, ribbons in hair, and oversized teddy bear on the album artwork and track titles like “Dreaming From My Childhood Bed”…yeah…there’s some extremely girly energy engulfing Softy on first glance. But past that surface level aesthetic, when you actually sit down and listen to this thing, it’s clear that no one other than a grown ass person could accomplish something so mature. I mean you can’t score an ongoing residency at Fairmont Austin’s Room 725 lounge without having ample class, right?
And you don’t have to identify any which way to be moved by Softy‘s five-song selection either. So before you celebrate Pride Month with Alexi and the full 8bit band on Sunday, June 30th at Cheer Up Charlie’s, kick back with the cool keys, expertly-executed vocals, bear-hug-big harmonies, and comforting lyrical company of the Norah Jones-esque “You Don’t Have to Be Alone Anymore”.
I’m not crying; you’re crying.
What does a good album rollout look like today?
Most artists can’t just drop a surprise record, so Confucius and Fresh review press strategies for making a bigger album impact before discussing why the majority of blog site era rappers never made it. Hear that, an Unpopular Opinion on New Edition’s Ralph Tresvant, plus Hip-Hop Facts and the most recent headlines.
Will Austin blow up because of Rap & R&B?
In this edition, Confucius and Fresh debate what genres will continue to put Austin on the musical map before discussing why the South in general is so dominant. Get that, Hip-Hop Facts, Confucius’ reaction to the latest headlines, and an Unpopular Opinion on lyrical positivity in the latest episode.
Do Ghostwriting Allegations Hurt Drake’s Reputation?
With the big beef behind us, how do ghostwriting allegations hurt Drake’s status among the GOATs? Hear what Confucius and Fresh have to say on that, plus Jay Electronica’s prospects on being the greatest rapper that never was and an Unpopular Opinion The Alchemist’s ranking in the world of production.
Has Hip-Hop done a good job of making women feel safe?
After reacting to Apple Music’s recent “100 Best Albums” list, Pause/Play producer and co-host Miles Bloxson joins Confucius and Fresh to talk women’s safety in a genre once run by abusers. Catch that alongside Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius Reads the News, plus an Unpopular Opinion on the modern equivalent to What’s Going On? in this episode.
When Did R&B and Hip-Hop Become One?
After a quick postmortem on the Drake-Kendrick beef, Confucius and Fresh dissect how R&B crept into Hip-Hop’s sonic sector. Get that, an Unpopular Opinion around Kendrick’s de facto influence on the West Coast’s relevance, plus Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius’ reactions to the latest headlines right here.
Stephanie Rodd: “Stronger Than Ever”
For us uncultured Americans, we tend to invent a caricature when we hear about a “French songstress”. Yes, we let our assumptions automatically paint a picture of a smoky nightclub against a traumatic war torn backdrop, a slender figure in haute couture wardrobe, cigarette in one hand, microphone in the other, and lyrics toutes en français. The reality, of course, is much more of a mixed bag; I mean c’mon…we’re talking about a massive nation with a century-plus of cross cultural influences here.
Enter: Stephanie Rodd. The Parisian-Londoner up-and-comer pardons herself past the stereotypical chanson midcentury chic of Edith Piaf or Juliette Gréco and instead slides towards the more contemporary energy of acts like Adele, Estelle, and the late Amy Winehouse. Based on what little we’ve heard so far, there’s no doubt that Rodd’s time in England has helped her find the right R&B-soul-pop soundscapes for her singing style that’s reminiscent of Jorja Smith.
And in 2024, as part of a rapid trajectory, Stephanie Rodd’s shooting for the moon with the release of her debut EP next month. Following her mid-February introduction “Worth It”, Rodd’s sophomore single “Stronger Than Ever” finds Stephanie sounding…well…just like the song title. It’s an intriguing, minimalist arrangement filled with passionate chord pads, seductive synth squeaks, carnal guitar, trap-type drums, and soul-warming subs – all anchoring a bold vocal mix of triplet rhythms and unconventional melodies.
How Important is Weed to Rap?
Over the 4/20 weekend Confucius and Fresh hash out marijuana’s impact on hip-hop, the latest shots against Drake, and why the OGs aren’t always right. Hear that along with Hip-Hop Facts and Confucius’ take on the latest headlines.
Rhythm&Truth and Sakari: “Bring It All Back”
We won’t say that successful collaborations should mandate a solo artist’s trajectory. But if something built together leaves people wanting more, it’s not a bad idea to get back together and sate those desires, right? Because what’s unachievable on the individual level often just needs to get catalyzed by some good collabo chemistry.
So let’s talk about two creators who we both like independently, but especially love to hear join forces. That’s Rhythm&Truth, the soul-pop-jazz-funk foray from Austin producer-songwriter-percussionist Daniel Anstandig and fellow up-and-comer Sakari, who specializes in stunning neo-soul vocals. Since both projects were born out of the early pandemic era, it naturally took a couple of years into each’s career to break out of their bubbles, find one another, and let the sparks fly. But boy did they ever on last November’s Midnight Vinyl, a passionate pastiche of after-hour radio atmosphere showcasing R&T’s robust arrangements and and Sakari’s sensational pipes.
Now, in between the final installment of Rhythm&Truth’s Time Travlr trilogy this July and Sakari’s last release a little over a month ago, the two buddied up once again to dial in yet another late night dedication. In the pair’s own words, “Bring It All Back” champions the importance of showing up in person and rekindling a sense of community post-COVID. And given how enormous the sense of space is on this song, we can’t help but heed that invitation; it’s like the soundscapers behind Cherelle, Chaka Khan, and Sade got together to reminisce over that mid-late ’80s heyday of women-driven R&B in a more modern spirit. Between all that and a truly hypnotic hook, “Bring It All Back” just earned a top spot on the playlist for any top down joyride in the coming summer months and beyond. Time to reunite with your ride-or-die and let ‘er rip…