I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again – 2012 is THE year for K-pop to make a distinctive mark in North America. This past March, during Canadian Music Week, several Korean artists made their debut on Canadian soil at Toronto’s Kool Haus at an event called 2K12 Korea Night. It is the biggest Korean concert to happen in Canada to date. You can check out my review of 2K12 Korea Night: K-Pop Wave at Kool Haus HERE. To add more to the “Korean wave” in North America, this past January and February, Girls’ Generation, a nine-member South Korean pop girl group, had their American TV debut performing their first English single, “The Boys” on The Late Show with David Letterman and Live! with Kelly. Also, popular South Korean boy group, Big Bang, are set to have their very first world tour titled “ALIVE TOUR 2012″ through Live Nation. The band will be stopping on 5 continents, 16 countries, and 25 cities.

Early this morning, I was anxiously awaiting the release of Jay Park’s mixtape. Jay Park – the one that kickstarted my curiosity about K-pop – dropped a free-for-download mixtape titled “FRESH A!R:BREATHE !T” on May 16th at 11:30PM KST. The mixtape consists of six R&B/Hip-Hop infused track recorded entirely in English. “You Know How We Do” and “William Hung” make me want to krump. BODY2BODY makes me want to drink and dance provocatively with Jay Park. “Do What We Do” and “Be With Me 2Night” seduces me into letting Jay Park have his way with me, while “Hopeless Love” makes me want to have angry sex with him. I really hope that this mixtape along with his headlining APAHM tour launches Jay Park’s music career in North America. I would love to see him perform live.

Park tweeted that he will be performing these English tracks on the Verizon APAHM tour where he is this year’s featured artist. Fans will be able to catch Jay Park in Washington DC (May 19), New York (May 20), San Francisco (May 25), and Los Angeles (May 27).

Download “FRESH A!R:BREATHE !T” via MediaFire OR Soundcloud OR DatPiff

Jay Park – BODY2BODY
Jay Park – Hopeless Love (feat. Cha Cha Malone)

More Info…
Web: http://www.jaypark.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jaybumaom
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jaypaom
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/jaybumaom0425

It’s been awhile since we heard anything from Brantford, Ontario multi-instrumentalists The Racoon Wedding. They released their first album Gather Gather Bones, Rattle Rattle Truth in 2010 and since then have found themselves touring and gaining fans who are drawn to their rugged, folk-rock sound. Genres aside, I respect the authenticity in everything that The Racoon Wedding do. They reiterate the importance of doing music for fun as well as passion’s sake, and not to mention are admirable representatives for their hometown.

Onondaga is the second full length album to be released by the group. I immediately heard a sweeter, jazzier sound with more emphasis on trumpets, saxophones and melody. The conventions heard on the groups earlier effort are still present on this record, though. On Wreck of the S.S Colborne you’re exposed to singer Scott Willson’s soulful grit as he raises his voice like a calling bird, while on European Giver you hear an interesting amalgamation of noise rock, folk and a glint of jazz. There’s this gleeful, celebratory sound that distinguishes this record from the first as well. On Hungry Hounds I got the sudden urge to drink a pitcher in a bar and have a good time, while Oh Little Scoundrels would’ve found me, once again, drinking (this time on the dance floor).

If there is anything The Racoon Wedding should be celebrating, it should be the creation of an exceptional and exciting sophomore album. Members Tim Ford, Scott Willson, Ty Springall, Drew Ayerhart and Jesse Shanks maintain this cool, won’t change for anybody attitude which is what makes their music so attractive and distinct. The group will release their second full length album Onondaga May 15 on The Ford Plant Recording Company, as well as play The Silver Dollar Room in Toronto Friday, May 11. Stream an album cut titled European Giver below.

The Racoon Wedding – European Giver

Hello from Brisbane, Australia! Finally getting around (read: just procrastinating) to posting something since Glen is sooo keen on me posting (thanks again)!

Anyway I found this track from what must have been weeks ago now, after looking up baauer for this other remix he did (Krueger – Talk). I was so hooked on the bass line that I just HAD to look up the guy. He’s from Brooklyn, that’s all I know, but I was in love by the time I was like three songs into trolling his soundcloud (which I really really suggest you do, soundcloud.com/baauer). Remixes or not his tracks are super catchy – and Move to the Ocean is no exception. I even listened to the original by Brick + Mortar and you can tell this guy’s got that somethin’ somethin’..

My other favourite remixes from him include Abel – Girls, and First Aid Kit – Winter is All Over You.

Photo by Alexander

I’m the type to give credit when it’s due, and Toronto artist Sean Blackthorn is more than deserving of that. Blackthorn played to a small crowd at Of A Kind on College Street Saturday evening; a quaint record store which also doubles as a vintage boutique.

I approached the front row to find Blackthorn just beginning his set. Everything from the atmosphere to his stance in front of the microphone was so subdued and natural. He had an attitude and confidence that resonated with me as if he were saying, “half of you aren’t even listening but, it’s OK cause I’m still fucking good.” It was a shame to see that half of the crowd would rather socialize or take group photos then to witness some talent, especially since there were a good chunk of people who actually had their eyes peeled. Blackthorn’s voice is raw, emotive and soulful, at some points even going as high as his chords could take him. The highlight (for me) was his surprising cover of the late Amy Winehouse’s Best Friends, Right? to which he slowed down on the piano. I know of many people that make music but this guys got some serious talent. It’s exciting to see an artist blossom before your eyes as you wait for what’s next in store. You can stream Blackthorn’s latest [One] Night below, or purchase it as well as other singles though his Bandcamp.

Very rarely do I listen to an album from beginning to end and find it enjoyable. The recent release from the Chromatics is one of those albums that just flow right from the get go captivating you to listen to more. The disco inspired Portland band are finally getting the recognition they deserve after being featured on the Drive soundtrack. Their upbeat yet eery sound is the perfect blend between retro and current trends.

Here are my favourites from the album, if you have yet to listen to this album I suggest you give it a listen it is by far one of the best releases of the year.

Chromatics- Back from the Grave
Chromatics- There’s a Light out on the Horizon

With all the promotion Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky has been doing over the past few months, it was easy to forget that he will be releasing an album this summer. The Hit Boy produced Goldie is the first leak from that album, which is also said to have collaborations with everyone from Pharrell to Lana Del Rey. You can stream the single below. LongLiveA$AP will be out July 2012.

A$AP Rocky – Goldie

Get Free is the latest single from the collaborative effort Major Lazer; a DJ/production duo made up of Diplo and Switch. It’s clear the producers decided to take on a sweeter sound by enlisting Dirty Projectors member Amber Coffman to sing on the mellowed down track, and in true Major Lazer fashion, it works. Good luck getting this one out of your head.

Major Lazer featuring Amber Coffman- Get Free

I recently got a soundcloud account and I feel like a kid on christmas morning, just so much good music. I have been listening to this guys work on repeat, I love how his slow heavy sound. Music is in a really good place right now and I can’t wait until all these new albums come out.

Check out Shlohomo’s sound cloud here.

I’m On One (Shlohmo Remix)- Drake

Alright we’ve all been waiting a long time for this. These two new stellar tracks released by one of our most revered postdubstep artists are blowing it out of the water.  I remember chillin’ to his Evelyn EP last summer for the first time doing my law school apps at a coffeeshop and I was more than impressed. Another cutie producer from the UK re-modelling the R&B genre with fruitful and inspiring results. Previewed on BBC1 last night, these tracks feature vocals from Black Acre’s Alby Daniels.

Fantastic Mr Fox – Yesterday’s Fall

Fantastic Mr. Fox – San’en

Enjoy it.

Star Slinger – Bad Bitches (Feat. Stunnaman & LIL B)

Mister Lies needs to release an album already because this stuff is amazing.

Mister Lies- Cleam

Jack White has always been a character so it was no surprise to see that his video for his latest single Sixteen Saltines is just as outlandish as he is. White is held hostage by a clan of bad kids then later tied up and torched in the back seat of a gas drudged car… and that’s the least of it. There’s kids eating thumbs, floating, guzzling cough syrup and spitting blue goo into each others mouths all at random points in the video (if none of the mentioned don’t make you watch I don’t know what will). White’s first solo album Blunderbuss will be released April 23 on his label Third Man Records.

The latest from Kanye whose also set to drop new music with his G.O.O.D label mates this Friday. West is definitely energized on the DJ Khaled produced Way Too Cold, where he takes time to call out Wiz Khalifa, Amber Rose, Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian rapping, “And I’ll admit, I fell in love with Kim/ ‘Round the same time she fell in love with him.” His next single Mercy will be released this Friday with features from Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz.

Kanye West featuring DJ Khaled- Way Too Cold

The second you play About You by 16 year old Floridian producer XXYYXX there’s an instant slow-knock that catches your attention automatically. Build ups then come so unexpectedly in the track that make it obsessively repeatable. XXYYXX aka Marcel Everett works out of his bedroom to create, “harmonious music that provokes emotion and transmits vivid images of peace and still sadness”. You can download the producers self titled sophomore album here.

XXYYXX- About You

Parisian electro-rock duo, Housse De Racket, consists of Pierre Leroux (synth/guitar/vocals) and Victor Le Masne (drums/vocals). Pierre chatted with the crowd and made the females scream for his own pleasure. The band’s sound is a mix of French alt-rockers Phoenix and French electronica duo, Air. I really wish their set was longer – I didn’t get to enjoy their set as much I as wanted to because a large man was dancing provocatively right in front of me. I hope they play a headlining show in Toronto soon.

web: http://www.houssederacket.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/houssederacket
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/houssederacket
tumblr: http://houssederacket.tumblr.com/
soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/housse-de-racket

Nightbox, a Toronto-based five-piece dance-rock band brought to light by the Much Music TV show, Discovered. Their self-titled debut EP was produced by Toronto’s finest electro persons, Al-P (of MSTRKRFT) and Sebastian Grainger (of Death From Above 1979). The stage at Wrongbar was too small for this band and all their equipment. Their songs are catchy and dance-able, the band itself is not very memorable though.

web: http://www.nightbox.ca/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nightboxband
twitter: http://twitter.com/nightboxmusic
soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/nightbox