“You are the music while the music lasts.” -T.S. Eliot
Big Boi feat. Ludacris & T.I. – “In the A”
Don’t mention that adage about cooks in the kitchen to Big Boi, Ludacris, or T.I.; the three Atlanta honchos combine forces for the bombastic, hometown-repping “In the A”. The anxious, bubbling synths, thunderous brass stabs, and menacing bass set the stage for the “official ATLiens”, each adding their own particular flavor to the mix. Luda’s never gonna stop dropping cheeky bars about his sexual exploits, Tip lets slip some lines about his drug game, and Sir Leftfoot plain delivers “like a postman.” The frenetic jam comes from Big Boi’s upcoming Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors, due December 11th via Def Jam. -Adam Kivel
Chella H – “Ugg Boots”
Sure, Nelly dedicated a song to his Air Force Ones, Run-D.M.C. repped their Adidas, and Wale brought your attention to his “Nike Boots”. Now it’s the ladies’ turn. Chicago rapper Chella H loves her Uggs, and her new single “Ugg Boots” demonstrates how she can “kick a bitch ass in my Ugg boots / I can even dance in my Ugg boots / hella swag in my Ugg boots.” Force One Seven delivers a stomp-clap raver, and the quick-rising Chella extols her own myriad values as much as those of the boots. You can stream the shoe-loving cut over at Fake Shore Drive or download it from iTunes. -Adam Kivel
Chromatics – “Cherry”
Record label Italians Do It Better is dropping a compilation album called After Dark II in the near future, and label co-founder Johnny Jewel has managed to slip in a few tracks from his own band, Chromatics. In addition to the previously released 17-minute epic “Looking For Love”, the comp will also include “Cherry”. On the surface, it’s standard fare for Chromatics: steady drum machines, glitzy keyboards, and a thin layer of ’80s ambience. But it’s been a while since the band’s written a pop song this tight. Ruth Radelet’s vocals sound strong, her annunciation vibrant (rather than hazy like on Kill For Love). Random label compilations aren’t supposed to house songs of this quality. Makes you wonder what Chromatics have tucked away for their next full-length. -Jon Hadusek
Dungeonesse – “Drive You Crazy”
Jenn Wasner’s a busy gal. She fronts Wye Oak. She does her own little shoegaze thing as Flock of Dimes. And now she’s teamed with fellow Baltimore musician Jon Ehrens for Dungeonesse, a high-NRG electro project. “Drive You Crazy” is their first single (with an LP on Secretly Canadian promised for 2013), and it sees Wasner crooning over speedy beats and jittery, artificial drums. Somehow, she finds a way to adapt her unassuming vocals to this type of music, further proving her versatility as a singer and artist. -Jon Hadusek
