WOWH - Early Hours

So call me up in the early hours
Try not to hurt about it
If it's too hard, it's too hard

So here's a fun track from London indie pop outfit WOWH that reminds me of a lot of the music I loved in the 80's; bands like Blancmange, China Crisis, Ultravox and the like. It's dance-beat driven pop, but has a bit of a polish that sets it apart in my ears. I'll be following along, hope to hear some more from them soon.

RIYL: The Republic Tigers, Blancmange, Ra Ra Riot, The Little Ones, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsen

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Incredible Bongo Band - Apache (Grandmaster Flash Mix)

It's the 44th Anniversary of Hip-Hop y'all! As the legend goes, DJ Kool Herc introduced the world to the extended break ("merry-go-round") by setting up two turn tables at a block party in the Bronx, and the Bongo Band featured prominently. (Disco haters need to pause here to respect that this way of setting up equipment originated with the disco DJs). I imagine we have all heard samples from "Apache" mixed into other hip-hop and dance tracks, as well as appearing in the background of commercials and films. I had a great time learning about the early days of hip-hop recently from episodes of the podcast Mogul: The Life and Death of Chris Lighty - I finished the miniseries yesterday, in fact. Woke up today to this Google Doodle and violá! Hope you enjoy this blast from the past, and whatever it reminds you of. 

Skela - Hella

All I've ever wanted was you
Someone whose life was the same shade of blue
All I've ever wanted was someone to drink with
But now that you're here, I can't stop fucking drinking

So pour it up high, talking real low
Pulling at the collar of your sweater
Wrapping my roots all around you
Don't be so selfish with forever
Come on baby, let me tell you what we're supposed to do

Sexy and sultry, yet detailed and devoted, this song reminds me of the popular track "Starving" by Hailee Steinfeld (w/Zedd). Unlike the Southern California actress/singer, Queens-raised Brooklyn-based Skela fashions herself a musician/poet/writer and is hoping to put an "intellectual, nostalgic spin" on modern pop music. We'll see. But any way it pans out for her, this is a repeat-worthy mellow summer jam. 

RIYL: Alessia Cara, Daya, Hailee Steinfeld, Vanic

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