That Odd Future Tape Vol. 2 is shaping up to be quite the project. After Frank Ocean’s submission, we now get a taste of what The Internet will be providing. Following in the same vein as their debut album Purple Naked Ladies, ‘Ya Know’ is an electronic heavy, punk-funk jam. Their influences appear so varied, but what I love most about their productions is that at their core – you’re able to distinguish something essentially, very musical. Even on this, I’m hearing hints of Stevie chords, with an added N*E*R*D* vibe.

Odd Future Tape Vol. 2 is due out March 20th.

Released randomly via his tumblr, Frank Ocean unloads a new song called ‘Whip Appeal’ – which he says is “something to drive or jog to”. After invigorating us massively with ‘White’, arguably one of his best songs to date, taken off the upcoming Odd Future mixtape (March 20th), Ocean comes through with yet another strong offering. Although not as absorbing (melodically or poetically) as it’s former, this mid-tempo does display enough of what makes him great to get your teeth into.

Seemingly overcoming his inconsistency issues, it would appear Ocean has begun to hone in on a style and direction that not only shows off his talents, but also genuinely distances himself from others around. Hopefully the new LP will follow suit.

Download: Frank Ocean – Whip Appeal

The new Mar single has just been premiered on OkayPlayer and it’s so hypnotic you might want to hold onto your under-garms. Immersed deeply in a cerebral lover’s zone, Mar serves up this hands down most erotic piece of downtempo R&B to drop in some time. ‘Our Attempt’ underlines a titillating direction for forthcoming Seeing Her Naked, an EP that will see the Dutch singer/songwriter honing in on what he’s done brilliantly for quite a while as both an adventurous solo artist and one-half of internationally respected alt-Soul duo Full Crate & Mar. His trademark approach to subtlety and the focus on sensual tension and release here is a trip.

Seeing Her Naked, is expected late March on Wonderful Ear and endorsed by Nalden. Oh & after the cruelly long wait since now-classic Conversations With Her, a full length Full Crate & Mar album will also drop later this year.

Download the track, for your own benefit, via his WeTransfer or below.

After a strong return, Nas surfaces again – only this time in support of Canadian songstress Melanie Fiona on a new song taken off her forthcoming LP The MF Life.

‘Running’ is a laid back retro-Soul track that shows off Fiona’s voice rather well. Objectively speaking I haven’t felt everything Melanie has dropped as of late and while this song isn’t the most innovative – it is promising. Soulfully charged, she flexes her vocals in an impressively controlled, well executed way. It’s always good to hear a singer who understands the contours of their voice.

The MF Life is due out March 20th.

Iman Omari made quite the impression on us with his Soultronic R&B mixtape Energy last year; His music displays some very interesting qualities, a clash of styles and cultures that culminates in something very progressive. His low-fi productions are draped in ambrosial Soul and carried by the rough texture of his well ranged voice.

Taking to his soundcloud to seemingly unload some ‘new’ material, he dropped ‘Not Feeling You’ – a track that exemplifies what it is we dig about this guy. It’s sexy, but it shuffles and bumps. His overdubbed vocals sound great too, and that vox sample loop adds a great atmosphere.

Watch this one closely…

Some of you may not be aware or accustomed to Balam Acab, but after the 20 year old dropped his debut LP last year, I was challenged and equally intrigued to listen to his awkward sounds. Sonics filled with demanding electronics yet holds spectrual voices that glue the album together and remain understated.

The Pennyslyvian retreated to his Twitter to relinquish two freebies for our listening pleasure. ‘Come True’ is a departure from what we have heard from Balam Acab before, a deep, R&B rooted minimal jam. One to simple relax and nod to. Whilst ‘Just Stay’ rides in familiar territory, an extension from the debut – Wander/Wonder.
Grab both tracks below for free.

A couple of weeks back, we exclusively shone some light on the producing duo known as D-E-W-L, now here is the home video, montage style visuals that we are happy to debut.

Check it out up top.

We have been faithfully following KOF since his new found musical direction that came in the form of summer jam ‘Looking At Me’ and positive underground tune ‘Be Like You’ last year.

The third single taken from his forthcoming EP ‘The Alternative Soul’ which is released April 8th, tells the tale of hardship, strife and most importantly the success achieved through a bit of hard graft. Familar story and although not one of my favourites from the Liverpudlian,  it is currently racking up the radio plays on BBC and other networks.

Shot in St Lucia, with clear blue skies and palm trees, drift away for a moment and watch this up top.

It’s been a long road of delays, label drama and personal issues but 21 year old Teyana Taylor has finally released her new mixtape The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor. Aimed at setting the record straight, the 15 track tape consists of production from the likes of Tone P, Jukebox, Hit Boy and more and also features appearances from Wale, Jadakiss and Fabolous.

Taylor impressed us with ‘D.U.I’ last month – hoping theres more like that on this tape. About to tuck into this myself now, do the same by downloading below and the tape very much follows in the same promising way – it’s good to see Taylor mature from her ‘Google Me’ days. Paying homage to Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill throughout (from title, to skits), it consists of brooding atmospheric R&B slow jams, sexy mid-tempos and a couple bangers. In all – it’s a strong listen front to back.

Download: Teyana Taylor – The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor

There seems to be an endless influx of The Weeknd related covers, reinterpretations and remix projects coming in from every corner of the interwebs at the moment. None have really moved me, not enough to post about at least – until now.

The Theorist, an experimental producer from Toronto (where else?) has laid down an impressive piano rendition of ‘High For This’. The arrangement and emphasis on the keys bring out a dramatic new side to the song. Taken off Abel’s House of Balloons tape, the cover is enhanced by a well shot accompanying video (not for those with photosensitive eyes).

The Theorist will release a new instrumental EP entitled Ascension on March 20th.

(via YHTN)