Snoop Dogg – California Roll
It’s kind of amazing to think how long Snoop Dogg has been around. One of the pioneers of the west coast’s rap scene as it gained mainstream attention, he’s lived through just about every era of modern hip hop. More impressively, he’s remained active throughout it. There was a moment when it seemed like his presence would become gimmicky — a rapper turned actor who popped up as a guest on pop songs in part because it was just kind of funny.
But Snoop’s turned the corner. He might not be changing the face of music at this point, but he’s putting clearly inspired again in what he’s producing. His latest album Bush — the 13th of his career — has hitmaker Pharrell behind the beats, so you know it’s going to sound good — and boy does it. The album is an unabashed tribute to ’70s era funk, and the album opener California Roll grabs one of the era’s most notable artists — Stevie Wonder — to add authenticity. It’s as smooth as Snoop has sounded, and that’s saying something.
Rhett Miller – Jules
Rhett Miller is best known for his work as the frontman of the Old 97s, but he keeps busy with an equally successful solo career. His latest album dropped this week, and Miller spends much of The Traveler exploring an Americana sound with help from Black Prairie — a Decemberists spinoff group. It’s a solo effort that isn’t so solo after all. On Jules, Miller benefits from the jangly guitar riffs that give the song a pop-friendly vibe that will keep it on repeat in your head.
The Weather Station – Tapes
You know the old Mark Twain line about the weather? It’s been manipulated over and over through time and to fit different regions, so paraphrased, it goes, “If you don’t like the weather now, just wait a few minutes.” That’s a concept you can apply to the Weather Station, the moniker of singer and songwriter Tamara Lindeman. Her voice is capable of changing without notice, but you’re almost guaranteed to be blown away by it. On Tapes, she glides through a chilling, spiraling style before letting the music speak for her.
Astronautalis – Papilion
Astronautalis is a difficult artist to quantify. The Minnesota-based rapper by way of Florida is capable of everything from a Tom Waits-like grittiness to a southern crunk house party track. His latest album is set to release in the near future, but for the time being, he’s released Papillon, an outtake with production provided by Doomtree’s Lazerbeak. Utilizing his stream of consciousness style, he muses about excess, as the beat eases you into a trance that will make you hit repeat once it’s over.
Jaill – Got an F
Milwaukee indie rockers Jaill have their forth studio album queued up and ready to go for later this year, but until it’s out, they plan to keep fans happy with a sampler in the form of Got an F. Just in time for the end of the school year, the track kicks off with a lo-fi summer vibe that floats on a frothy synth sound and dance-driven guitars. It’s not clear what Jaill got an F in, but the outfit definitely doesn’t in creating a tight, catchy pop song.
