This week, we were into working through hurt and sorrow each and every way we know how. Get angry with Little Pain, dance 'til you can't with Clubz, fuck 'til you forget with Overdoz. and Childish Gambino, break some shit while listening to Title Fight—we don't care. We're not judging how you get back to your place of peace, but we're here to hold your hand and give you the audio you'll need to get there.
Little Pain, L.I.T.T.L.E. Mixtape
"There are a lot of negative elements to Little Pain's music, but he's not putting out negative energy. He's got enough of that inside of him, like everyone. Instead, he destroys his sadness by negating the negative with jokes."—Duncan Cooper. Read the full write up here.
Clubz, "Épocas"
"The new album's first single, "Épocas," is constructed using the elements made their Texturas EP so fun—dual-guitar forms, a buoyant chorus, lots of reverb—and reiterates the duo's affinity for vintage drum-machine whacks."—Patrick D. McDermott. Read the full write up here.
Father, "Ignore ft. Slug Christ & Stalin Majesty"
"After we brought the squad out for October's FADER FORT in New York, we got swept up in the spirit of tequila-fueled collaboration and our senior producer, Shomi Patwary, decided to film an on-the-fly music video for Father's "Ignore.""—Duncan Cooper. Read the full write up here.
Title Fight, "Chlorine"
"The band's taking a darker, more atmospheric turn this time around, with swirling textures reminiscent of No Age's own passionate burn. The song's accompanied by some seriously eerie visuals documenting a boat trip gone horribly awry."—Larry Fitzmaurice. Read the full write up here.
Lontalius, "Light Shines Through Dust
"Lontalius makes great, drowsy covers of mainstream radio hits using nothing more than a Casio keyboard and some generously Auto-Tuned vocals; listen to his take on FKA Twigs' "Water Me" with headphones—trust me."—Patrick D. McDermott. Read the full write up here.
Future Brown, "Talkin Bandz"
Working with Shawnna was a big deal for us," Future Brown said in an email. "It is an honor to have her vocal this track. It's incredible hearing how she flowed over the beat. Bang Bang on these weak hoes / Throwing money like free throws / You mad cuz he chose and I'm stacking chips like Fritos, Doritos, I'm in Heathrow / Jimmy Choo's and my feet cold. Her lyrics are empowering, vivid and playful in the same breath."—Larry Fitzmaurice. Read the full write up here.
Overdoz., "7,000 Girls ft. Childish Gambino & King Chip"
"It's the kind of sunny funk that OverDoz is more than capable of pulling off, though the hook concedes the subject matter's less pretty: I ain't bragging, Kent Jamz sings of his body count, it ain't attractive."—Matthew Trammell. Read the full write up here.
Michael Christmas, "Pleasant Winter"
""Pleasant Winter" is all mood and atmosphere, a northeast cold front."—Matthew Trammell. Read the full write up here.
Mikky Ekko, "Time"
"The dusty, widescreen guitar ballad isn't explicitly sad, but it sounds weighed down by longing. Lyrics like We're too young to recognize that nothing stays the same feel fundamentally heart-rending, too."—Patrick D. McDermott. Read the full write up here.
THEESatisfaction, "Recognition"
"'Recognition' is a message of self assurance and ultimate belief," THEESatisfaction told FADER in an email. "Its purpose is to encourage confidence as well as to celebrate those who inspire us. Within it we give praise and respect to our ancestors. Its a daily mantra to stay aligned with your path."—Larry Fitzmaurice. Read the full write up here.
salute, "Real Cool"
"She sets the mood in this nice off-center kind of flaunt, and when the beat drops out for a second and then flares up just as quickly for the chorus, everything just fits into place perfectly."—Alexander Iadarola. Read the full write up here.