Roundup: RGV Singles 7/20/22
Some of the latest singles and EPs from some of the RGV’s greatest creative minds, featuring a sincere remix of the RGV’s most infamous song, alt-hip hop with plenty of conviction, and vivid ambient journeys.
Valley Swerve - RGV (The Drain Mix)
We all laughed at the trio’s unconvincing image and cringy video, but years later, Fallen Angels is getting some deserved respect. Repping the RGV backfired at the time, but eventually, they’re infamous viral single became one of the most popular RGV hip-hop songs ever, and is now part of our collective memory, making this remix a hauntoglical gem. It’s tripped-out with syrupy effects, while coating the underappreciated raps with a veneer of sincerity. No memes, no jokes, just homegrown vibes.
HiMarcus - Nose Ring
HiMarcus clears any high bars set for subsequent releases after last year’s groundbreaking “Dirtbag” album, with uplifting funk-rock and anthemic raps full of conviction in his first single of the year.
Ali Wagner - Hold
Ali Wagner’s last album was a brilliant and immense full-studio effort. Six years later, the indie singer-songwriter has dropped a surprise EP that is low-key on the instrumentation, letting the strong songwriting and gripping moods flourish on their own.
J-Sea - Frontline Freestyle
The intoxicating beat, the cascading vocals surrounding you, and the evocative videography create a submersive experience that makes you down to ride with J-Sea.
Jonathan Leal and Michiko Theurer - Phases
A biting atonality pervades this swirl of anxious strings and experimental layering. The liner notes on Bandcamp recount the patience, rumination, and social consciousness that went into this album’s six-year journey, but without it, you would still feel the apprehension as the world falls apart around you. And yet, by the end, you’ll take in a breath of solace.
B11ce - Gu5her
Hip hop-inflected psychedelic pop that’s full of shrill noises and goofy effects that create unexpected bliss.
Principium - Make It Stop
Self-reflection leads to catharsis in this dense indie-emo storm. While the band is highly experienced, this is their debut single, which showcases the bands spectral and harmonious qualities for their long-awaited album “A Better Place From Here.”
City of Dawn & Sherry Finzer - Amity
Explore the inner and outer worlds with City of Dawn’s new-age bells and ethereal drones, along with flutist Sherry Finzer’s lilting improv. Taken from their anticipated collaboration album “Moonwheel,” we may find even more meditative songs as profoundly inspiring as this one.
$Raymus