Following a year that may sit side by side with 1988, 1994, 1996, and 2000 as one of the greatest in rap, it’s fitting that we see an album like Anderson .Paak’s Malibu in the first few weeks of 2016. Don’t get me wrong: Paak’s voice and sound is his own on this record, but everything about it plays like it is the first in presumably a litany of albums that I would label as post-Butterfly. Even Kanye pushed his album back after hearing Kendrick’s, and it sounds like the rest of the game is either reacting to or consuming its influence in this moment. Malibu is evidence of this sea change in commercial rap and if this is how 2016 is opening I can only have high hopes for the year ahead.

I’m pretty upset with myself that I didn’t spend more time with No No No when it first came out a few months ago. Beirut (Zach Condon) is always so in tune with his horns and miscellaneous instruments and effortlessly constructs beautiful orchestral movements.

Nothing like new music by a legend to kick off the year. Change is still the only constant for David Bowie on Blackstar, which is a moody, occasionally challenging but thoroughly enjoyable listen. 

(Source: Spotify)

Baroness has been dropping tracks from their new album for weeks now, and Purple is finally out via Abraxan Hymns. It’s tremendous.

draxiom:

My ten favorite albums of 2015. May not be the best to some, but for me they’re what I listened to and loved the most.

Behind all the distorted guitars and fuzzy vocals is the brutally honest and quirky Will Toledo. I love how unusual, but instantly catchy all of the pop rock tunes are on Teens of Style.

How is Julien Baker only 20 years old? Her songs may be sparse but thanks to her voice, they hit like a punch in the gut. Her debut album Sprained Ankle, out now on 6131 Records, is perfect for the approaching winter.

(Source: Spotify)

Missy Elliott has been out of the cultural spotlight for a long time due to a self-imposed hiatus and the ravages of Grave’s disease, and hip-hop has suffered for her absence. This new song is a much-needed corrective to that situation. The music video – featuring sharp, timeless choreography, Missy in a mirrored, blinged-up sweatsuit, Missy majestic on a hoverboard, Pharrell in puppet form and more – is visually stunning in a way only a Missy Elliott video could be. Long live Missy, truly.

Hi everyone! I’m Karen and this is my first contribution to Something For The Ladies. Thought I’d kick off with the song that has been playing on repeat in my head this whole week – the new Grimes track “Flesh Without Blood,” which reminds me of The Veronicas and makes me want to dance off into the sunset. The corrupted-first-draft-of-Final-Fantasy video also feels apt for the Halloweekend.

Brutal.

Just one simple word to describe Savages and their vicious new single. The rhythm section is back with their hard-hitting backbone and Jehnny Beth is back on the mic with her punk attitude. Their new album, Adore Life, is available January 22, 2016 via Matador Records.