Category Archives: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Album reviews.

Foot Down :: Kydd Jones And Y2 Stand Tall On ‘Steel Toe’

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Over the years, it seems as if Kydd Jones has found ways to continually reinvent himself and his sound without sacrificing a core sense of who he is as both an artist and an individual.  Be it about bars, a vibe, or a combination of the two, I find myself surprised time and time again by his range and dynamic ability as an artist.  This time around, with the help of fellow Austin fixture Y2, has unleashed a beast of a single with Steel Toe.  Over a track that is deceptively strong despite its bare bones, drum and piano-heavy nature, Kydd and Y2 drop two very different but equally strong verses full of low-key self-props and statements of personal facts, as well as observations on the state of hip-hop and the culture in general.  Like many of his latest tracks, this one will definitely find itself in heavy rotation.  Check it out, share it around, and cop it if you’ve got a buck to spare.

-chief

Digital Playground :: Brainwavve Releases ‘FUTURESOON’

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As 2020 continues to truck along, (iN)Sect Records moves right along with it in terms of releasing top quality music.  Recently, San Antonio-based glitch synthpop mastermind Brainwavve rolled out his latest release, FUTURESOON, a collection of colorful sounds and textures with a driving force behind it.  The mostly instrumental collection gives plenty of emotional shades, and the three unique features from BragglightsBlack Davinciii and Honey Son only add to the range of experience.  As far as the electronic soundscape of Texas, it looks like Brainwavve is firmly set as a key member of the scene, and FUTURESOON is a strong statement of that fact.  Check it out, share it around for others, and if you’ve got the funds, jump over to his Bandcamp and donate a few bucks.

-chief

Spacing Vaders :: Bjorn Vader’s February Single Releases

Keeping up with the release schedule of Bjorn Vader could fuel a blog of its own.  Granted, to make this statement in February, where he’s only released a couple of songs, sounds like a contradictory statement, but even when quantity is not a factor he’s focused on, the quality is always there.

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Fences West is a somber, organ driven tune with a seeming focus on meditation and reflection.  The track is spacious, with a muted but driven drum track playing the background supporting role, and the organ run carries us emotionally through the track.

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By comparison, the lightness is San Javier Strut is more comparable to the lightness of a crisp morning, with hope, aspirations and high spirits being the key factors.  The playful way that the organ and horns take turns on center stage works well, with this interplay providing shades and textures over the combination of drums and percussion that plays the foundation role.

Bjorn Vader has truly taken major steps in the transition from music fan to music producer.  He, very similar to myself, is a testament that the line between those who enjoy and those who contribute is imaginary, if not non-existent, and is completely crossable if you’re willing to put in time that equals the love and respect for the art form.  Stay connected to Bjorn Vader‘s Bandcamp page, as he stays uploading new tracks, and make sure your friends are hip to it as well.

-chief

Dark Arts :: MAD1ONE Enlists Kizer And Ruler Why Connect For ‘Impressive Hate Poems’

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The homie MAD1ONE has been on an impressive creative streak over the past couple of years.  It seems like inspiration hits him in waves, and the projects that result from them are well thought out presentations of lyrical worlds he creates.  For Impressive Hate PoemsMAD1ONE hit up producers Kizer and Ruler Why for a concept album that plays out like a poetry slam.  To help round out the perspectives provided, MCs such as Nick CruzRoyalKingMinusStress, and Blazy bring guest verses to the proceedings.  The tracks are all bangers, the bars come in rapid fire, and the overall listening experience is engaging enough to keep you locked in from beginning to end.  Check out the project, donate a few bucks if you can, and share it around so others can check it out.

-chief

Idle Hands :: Black Mercy Goes Fingerboarding For ‘PTSD’ Video

(iN)Sect Records has always been known for their top tier collection of producers, beatmakers and electronic composers, but that shouldn’t overshadow the fact that many talented musicians can be found in the label’s ranks.  Black Mercy, an Austin-based supergroup of sorts, are one of the bands on the roster, and they’re setting off 2020 with a bang in the form of For The Man Who Has Everything, a recent 45 they’ve dropped, and the DIY-charm and aesthetic of the crew is captured in PTSD, the first single and video.  Rather than go for a traditional showcase or glamour video, Black Mercy opted to do a twist on the old school punk video by switching out skate footage for fingerboard footage, to a great impact.  Check out the video, leave a like and a comment, and share it around for others to do the same!

-chief

Peer Review :: Chief And TheDoomsdayDevice Gets Spotify Playlist Placement Courtesy Of WEIRD RAP

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Quick shoutout to WEIRD RAP for not only showing Panic Ruminations love, but following through by placing my music on a massive curated list of alternative and fringe hip-hop artists, many of whom inspire me greatly.  I am honored to have my name in this group of artists in any capacity.  Definitely check out this list, and spread it around so we can get some numbers!

-chief

Natural Flow :: Tall Kyle And Willis Wax Poetic On ‘No Rain No Flowers’

Tall Kyle clearly has a strategy.  After spending 2019 dropping bars that served as both punchlines and examples of his skill, he took home Lyricist of the Year from teh Austin Hip-Hop Awards, a well deserved prize for the work he put in over the year.  What better way to celebrate the reign in 2020 than to drop a deeply introspective and wise banger, and let a homeboy like Willis showcase his unique but complimentary style on the track?  That’s exactly what we’re presented with in No Rain No Flowers, a track that works on multiple levels both as a song and a indie-cinema, bare bones, wholly authentic music video.  This one is worth your time, so definitely check it out.

-chief

Daily Operation :: Chuck Duze And Company Drop ‘Every Damn Day’ Video

Chuck Duze has been putting out music videos in a nearly clockwork fashion these days, dropping an average of a music video a month for the past 6 months or so.  Most all of them have been entertaining, but something about his latest, Every Damn Day, captures some infectious magic that comes with a combination of vision, talent and luck.  The track, a Kato on the Track beat featuring guest verses from You F. OhElephant In The Room and DMT~Realist, is a posse cut with plenty of bounce showcasing punchlines, wordplay and a catchy hook that will get stuck in your head nearly immediately.  The video enhances all of the best points of the song, using digital zooms and stylistic loops the subliminally drive home the ‘day to day’ aspect of the song, while showcasing several ridiculous scenarios for the MCs to indulge in.  This one, despite being released so early in the year, is bound to stick around, so check it out now, leave a like and a comment if you dig it, and spread it around for others to do the same.

-chief

Shadow People :: Hatewaker Drops ‘Atmosphere’ Audio-Visual

Hatewaker hit the ground running in the wake of their creation.  From the inception of the band forward, the collective was quick to book shows, release a CD, and as of January of 2020, the group put out a dope music video.  Atmosphere is a display of efficient economy, with a simple disappearing/reappearing premise fueling the video.  The group certainly has their sound together, and the video is proof of that.  I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the future, video-wise or otherwise, as I know they’ll come with it regardless of the choice.

-chief

Swag Surfin’ :: Norman BA$E Talks Game On ‘FREE MAX B’

The homie Norman BA$E stays not only creating, but showing love, via his music and events.  His catalog is full of tracks he’s dropped over the years with storyteller vibes, beats that sit in the grey area between different shades of hip-hop, and creative videos to accompany many of the tracks, and FREE MAX B is no exception to that.  The track (and video) tell the story of BA$E taking an opportunity that many of us would not pass on, and the seemingly South Park-esque video is a good accompaniment to the track.  Check it out, leave a like and a comment if you dig it, and share it around for all to see.

-chief