The Airplane Boys - New Blood

TOTR's favorite duo from Toronto have returned with a new single from their upcoming mixtape/freeLP, Alignment. I was so excited to listen to this, I peed a little. Alignment is scheduled to drop sometime in February so keep checking back.


Download: Mediafire

Artist Spotlight: STS

After discovering his music just a few days ago, I've worked my way through his catalog of music (via STSisGOLD.com) and thought "I've got my next Artist Spotlight segment." STS really has a left field style that still sounds oddly familiar, but in a good way. Listening to his two freeLP's, it reminded me of when I first heard B.o.B. on mixtapes. Not that they rap the same or anything, it's just that, both have a very unique style that seems like it's going to be a hit with the masses and yet, he still keeps it underground. Production on both The Illustrious and Demand More was amazing. Sugar Tongue Slim really exercises his range going from east coast hip hop, west coast, southern, and then he raps over some indie tracks which he always sounds amazing over. Anyways, STS is definitely going to be a mainstay at TOTR so do your homework and check out the music below.

Sugar's Here (Make Some Noise) (from The Illustrious)


Covered in GOLD feat. Dice Raw (from The Illustrious)


Here Tonight feat. Tony Williams (from The Illustrious)


Dec 4th (from Demand More)


In For The Kill (from Demand More)


All Comes Around featuring Sterling Simms (from Demand More)

Release Date: 8/23/11

Download: Mediafire

Release Date: 4/20/11

Download: Mediafire

Skizzy Mars - Sirens

New York emcee, Skizzy Mars kind of has that XV or Childish Gambino vibe of hip hop. So basically, you're going to want to listen it. This is the first Mars track to be posted on TOTR but I'm sure he'll become a regular if he continues to make music like this.

Download: Mediafire

Josh and Mer - From The Sea

Honestly, it's impossible for me to not feel amazing when I listen to this song. Like, I want to wake up this every morning. "From The Sea" is the latest single from Portland indie-pop/rock duo, Josh and Mer. "From the Sea" can be found on their debut album Planet Music. You can purchase the LP on their website.

Download: Mediafire

STS - Cut Me Off (Gotye Flip) (Video x Audio)

This is the first track I've heard from STS (Sugar Tongue Slim) and I have to say, this track fucking blew me away. It's not everyday you hear hip hop sampling Australian-musician Gotye, and it's definitely not everyday that you hear an artist as original as STS. I'm currently making my way through his album so if that turns out to be anything like this, it'll definitely be up soon. This track is part of GOLD Rush which STS defined as, "a weekly initiative from Sugar Tongue Slim featuring your favorite radio records given the underground treatment" while also adding that "For the next few weeks, anyone associated with a Top 40 record is getting flipped." So be on the lookout for more from STS. Audio below.

Download: Mediafire

Rockie Fresh - Driving 88 (Free LP)

Chicago's Rockie Fresh returns with his 3rd offering, Driving 88. I know it's early in the year but this was my most anticipated release of 2012 simply because it was going to be new music from Rockie Fresh. Driving 88 didn't fail to deliver although I was kind of disappointed to see that The Cartoonz didn't handle all the production but they did handle a majority of the production. I really loved the SBTRKT sample on "Never Never". Driving 88 is another breath of fresh air for hip hop. It's tough to follow up an amazing, scratch that, classic release like The Otherside, but I guess that's why Rockie took his time with this and really crafted a great piece of music. Guest appearances include Phil Ade, Casey Veggies, King Louie, and Rebecca Jordan.

No Fear


Turn It Up


Never Never


Download: Mediafire
Tracklist:
01. Into The Future
02. Driving 88 ft. Casey Veggies
03. Never Never
04. Don't Worry
05. You A Lie
06. Turn It Up
07. Twenties
08. How We Do ft. King Louie
09. Come Around
10. No Fear
11. Respected
12. Interlude
13. Where I Wanna Be ft. Phil Ade
14. Doesn't Matter
15. I Love It
16. So Long

The Concept - Gimme Twice (Video x Audio)

This is why I love blogging. Sharing music like this with the world. The Concept is a new band I recently came across that definitely makes Phoenix-esque music. It's amazing. This is the only song I've heard from them but I can honestly say I will definitely be buying their first album. And to top it all off, they've made this track FREE for download.

Download: Mediafire

Gabrielle Aplin - Home (Video)

This is the first single off of the 19 year old UK songstress' upcoming EP, Home. Self taught, Gabrielle not only sings but also plays piano and guitar, while writing all of her songs. She originally garnered attention from her covers, but as you can see she's ready to leap forward with her own music. Her Home EP is available for Pre-Order HERE and is an iTunes exclusive release, available on 1/9/12.

Sol - Stage Dive

22 year old Seattle emcee Sol just released this track off of his upcoming album "Yours Truly" due out 1/20/12. This is the first time I've heard a track from Sol but I have a feeling I'll be making that purchase. And the best part is, he released it as a free download so you have no reason to not check him out.


Download: Mediafire

The Dø - Too Insistent (Video)

This track is off the French/Finnish indie pop duo's second album, Both Ways Open Jaws, available now in stores and on iTunes.

Teen Daze - Let's Groove

The Vancouver based producer, Teen Daze, released this AMAZING electro/house track sampling the Earth Wind & Fire track of the same name. If you liked Duck Sauce's "aNYway" than you'll love this. I mean seriously, a electro/house version of "Let's Groove"...sploosh.


Download: Mediafire

Top 7 Free Releases of 2011

It's that time of year where every website you go to is putting together their "year-end lists", well, TOTR is no exception. Oh except for the fact that these lists only include free releases from the artists. I was on hiatus for a few months so there's a good chance I missed some great releases. If you feel like I left something off the list, please leave a comment. Well, with no further adieu, I present Top Of The Roof's Top 7 (because why not?) Free Releases of 2011.

1. Childish Gambino - Freaks & Geeks EP
Freaks & Geeks was actually my introduction to Childish Gambino's (aka Donald Glover) music. I was absoultely blown away. The production was impeccable, the lyrics were on point, and on top of all of that, it really gave the listener of sense of "this is who Donald Glover really is". Ludwig Göransson is also due a ton of credit for the beautiful backdrop to Glover's vocals. Great production can really help set you apart from everybody else. I can't tell you how many times I listened to this whole EP on my way to work and then get off work and listen to the whole EP again on my way home. This came out in March (at least that's when I found it) and it never got old throughout the course of 2011. I had trouble narrowing down this list however, I had no trouble figuring out that Freeks & Geeks would be #1. If you've been living under a rock and still haven't heard it, check it out HERE.

2. The Weeknd - House Of Balloons
Canadian singer-songwriter Abel Tesfaye dominated 2011 releasing 3 full length FreeLP's with each one being met with critical acclaim. None, however, garnered quite as much attention as his debut, House of Balloons. Teaming up with fellow Canadian producer, Noah "40" Shebib, The Weeknd delivered what was easily the most unique, and yet still, top shelf releases of 2011. Breaking the norm for standard R&B, The Weeknd crafted epic 7 minute tracks that didn't stick to any standard song structure and definitely broke the profanity barrier rarely crossed in todays R&B scene. There's no better album (retail or free) that is better suited to be played in it's entirety while driving at night, and driving in the rain. If there was a "Sexiest Music of 2011" list, this would be #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5. Check out House of Balloons HERE.

3. XV - Zero Heroes
TOTR All Freshmen Team representative continued his strong showing releasing yet another great FreeLP with Zero Heroes. When I first heard Zero Heroes, I didn't expect it to end up being one of my favorite releases of 2011. But as I continued to listen to it, I continued to be more and more impressed by the sheer awesomeness of XV. Vizzy made some great moves by enlisting long time collaborator, Seven to handle a large portion of the production. Nobody knows how to help the Kansas native shine quite like Seven does. He's come a long way since 2006 and with Zero Heroes, he only further solidified his spot as one of my favorite "up-and-coming" artists. "Pictures On My Wall" literally gives me goosebumps everytime I listen to it. Check out Zero Heroes HERE.

4. The Airplane Boys - Where've You Been
The Toronto duo followed up their great 2010 year by delivering one of the years best relesaes in Where've You Been. They're really in a league of their own and this release really showcases the group's unique sound and identity. I don't feel like you can listen to them and go "Oh yea, these guys sound like..." because nobody is doing what they're doing. NOBODY. I'm usually not even a fan of hip hop groups because often times you have one quality emcee surrounded by mediocre ones. That's not the case with The Airplane Boys. Time and time again, they manage to deliver memorable verses with each member taking turns with spotlight. Where've You Been really provided the group with an opportunity to show off their range and versatility and they totally capitalized on it. I think my 3 favorite tracks on this are "Sleep", "Escape", and "Gold Ribbons". Check out Where've You Been HERE.

5. Phil Adé - A Different World
DMV representative Phil Adé led into his LP by releasing a track every Friday as a part of his #PhilAdeFridays series. Genius move on his part. The problem most artists have with a weekly song series is their inability to put out that much quality music. Not a problem for Phil consdering he manage to drop all of those tracks and then still put out a full length FreeLP that was better than you favorite rappers album this year. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Phil Adé is the emcee Wale should have been but never will be. At the time of writing this, "Second CHance" is likely the favorite to win Song Of The Year. Easily the most played song of the year for me. I love how Phil Adé manages to write amazing bar after bar without ever dipping in the quality. My only knock against A Different World is the guest appearances. I'm sorry but nobody hold their own on tracks with Phil. Check out A Different World HERE.

6. Chiddy Bang - Peanut Butter & Swelly
Hands down my favorite release from the former Drexel students, Chiddy & Xaphoon Jones. Peanut Butter & Swelly saw Xaphoon Jones at his best production wise and Chiddy at his best on the mic. In short, PB&S is the result of when it all goes right. The groups last big hoo-rah before they release their debut album next February, Chiddy Bang pulled out all the stops and gave us one of the most enjoyable albums of the year. The music really speaks for itself with this one. Check out Peanut Butter & Swelly HERE.

7. QuESt - The Reason: A Defense Mechanism
The Reason was actually the first FreeLP TOTR posted in 2011. Prior to it's release, I had zero exposure to QuESt so I had no idea what I was getting myself into. What I managed to stumble into was mix of Lupe Fiasco  and Kendrick Lamar. That should really be all I have to say about this to make you want to check it out. Track 2, "In My Defense" was a song I played literally every morning on my way to work at TSA for the 3 months that I worked there and yet, I never grew tired of it. There are quite a few tracks on here so I'd be lying if I said I loved all of them, but truthfully, this release was probably better than 90% of the retail hip hop albums that came out this year. I love when an emcee can be super lyrical and yet still craft songs. It seems to be a lost art to balance the two but Miami's QuESt acts as if there's no alternative. Check out The Reason: A Defense Mechanism HERE.

Sunday Girl - Where Is My Mind? (Pixies Cover)

Broxbourne-songstress, Sunday Girl, cooks up a chilling cover of The Pixies classic, "Where Is My Mind?". If this doesn't invoke some sort of reflection or introspection, you're dead inside.


Download: Mediafire

Allen Stone - Unaware (Video)

Just went to Allen Stone's free show at The Book & Stage at The Cosmopolitan in Vegas. It was amazing. After the show, we got actually got to go kick it with Allen in his hotel room. Also, got a physical copy of his amazing self-titled album (which, for the record, he did NOT sell to me), currently only available on iTunes. You need to go make that purchase. For those of you who aren't familiar, check the video above from the Chewelah, WA soul/r&b singer. He's a cool dude to say the least.

Buy Allen Stone on iTunes

Championship Vinyl: Week Of 12/18/11 - 12/25/11

It's been a while since I've made a Championship Vinyl post. Bought some new cds this week so, lets get back to it. Only got about 8 tracks deep on the Common album, so far, it's cool. No regrets there. Couple of nice tracks. Haven't listened to the Pac Div album yet either. I bought it because I was in Zia Records and I was like "Oh shit! They dropped an official album?" and I had to buy it. I love Pac Div (see Sealed For Freshness). By far my favorite purchase of the week is K.Flay's self titled EP. It was literally the best $5 I've spent. I'd say it's a must buy.

K. Flay - K.Flay EP

Genre: Hip Hop/Alternative Hip Hop/Electronic
Release Date: 10/12/10
For Fans Of: Kid CuDi, Grieves, (hard to say, nobody really sounds like this)
Purchase


Common - The Dreamer, The Believer

Genre: Hip Hop
Release Date: 12/20/11
For Fans Of: Common (come on, you know whether or not your fan by now), No I.D., Kanye West
Purchase

Pac Div - The Div

Genre: Hip Hop
Release Date: 11/8/11
For Fans Of: The Cool Kids, Fly Union, TiRon
Purchase