If you like the Cool Kids, Kidz in the Hall or hip-hop ranging from 1990-1994, you will probably dig this song by Pac Div. No matter how much I get into current rap, I still find myself drawn to this type of track. It reminds of why I loved rap so much when I was a kid.

LISTEN: Pac Div -pac div (Church League EP) (Video)

DJ Zinc has never really caught my ear. To be honest, I don’t really like a lot of his stuff. However, his latest EP has a couple of really cool tracks on it. The title track “Wile out”, is a MIA-esque banger, that I think could be huge. I have been slowly getting sick of electro (particularly dub-step), but this song has given me new reason to explore the genre further.

LISTEN: DJ Zinc (ft. Ms. Dynamite) - Wile Out (Video)

I am not sure how JJ do it, but their latest album is actually atmospheric and minimalist, all at once. It is almost like being skinny and fat at the same time, a look that Kevin Federline has somehow mastered.

Check out the whole album. I recommend listening late at night, especially on a pair of headphones. If you are short on time, check out the track below.

LISTEN: JJ - You Know

Rufio was a band that I used to love back in the early-2000’s. They represented everything cool about melodic hardcore at the time. They played fast, harmony-rich, technical punk and wrote some really catchy songs. At some point, I am pretty sure I listed these guys as my 2nd favourite band (next to Lagwagon, of course).

They broke up a few years ago (after a lame attempt at riding the emo wave), but have opted to return in 2010. It was recently announced that the band was going to reunite to record an EP, and eventually a proper LP. Below is the first example of thier latest work. I like it, but it doesn’t invoke the same reaction it would have earned from me 5 years ago. 

LISTEN: Rufio - All that lasts

I made this mix today for someone (they requested a mix from me, which was cool). If you ever ask me to make you a mix, I probably will spend more than 2 weeks preparing before you get it. I always want to make the mix feel cohesive and present a “sound”. I hate making mixes full of random songs. I almost feel like I am making an album of my own. This is why I support DJ’s as real artists — creating a 2 hour club mix is just a creative as writing an album.

This mix, however, is a little unconventional for me as it is split between a few genres. 

Freelance Whales (above) are from New York and they sound like the postal-service meets something spacier and less produced. I like one song of theirs a lot — enough to suggest you check them out.

LISTEN: Freelance Whales - Hannah

Charlotte Gainsbourg blows my mind. Her songs are super melodic and fondly remind me of Elliot Smith. According to the internet (and an old friend), she was able to piece together her newest album, “IRM”, while receiving treatment for a head injury. Oh yeah, Beck produced her latest effort.

LISTEN: Charlotte Gainsbourg - Master’s Hand

MGMT are weird. Their new album is really weird. Despite this, I can’t stop listening to it. I haven’t downloaded the songs yet, but the band is streaming it on their website. I actually like going to their site. It totally reminds me of playing Sonic the Hedgehog on Sega GameGear. 

Anyways, the album requires an entire listen to appreciate. But if you are short on time and think I am an asshole, listen to Flash Delirium or Congratulations.

LISTEN: MGMT - Congratulations (whole album)

Fat Mike will always continue to find new ways to stay controversial. This is a really good read if you like him or just want to be disturbed. 

I have posted this before, but I can’t get over how creative this video is. I love the vocal sound that they get by singing together, as well. This has to be one of my favourite songs of 2010 (so far).