#Previous Industries

[marxonculture]

Albums of the Year 2024

I used to do this every year, but as with everything else in my life, the pandemic and academia got in the way. This is the first year since 2021 where I've made a concerted effort to keep up with (at least to some extent) new music, and I'm feeling the itch to do that typical too-online, self-indulgent thing of writing up a list of my favourite new albums of the year in the vain hope someone might care about it.

Believe it or not, I used to do a full 50-album list, but I'm chilling out a bit with this one and limiting it to 20. These are the records that have gotten me through a hugely transitional year in my life, and my only hope is that if you're reading this, at least one of these records might end up meaning something to you, too.

20. Cunningham Bird by Madison Cunningham and Andrew Bird

A collaboration, built over the last few years, culminates in a wonderful ode to one of the greatest, most volatile, singer/songwriter collaborations of all time.

19. Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard by Ben Wendel

One of those great, live jazz recordings that makes you feel as if you're sat in the venue, watching it all unfold. Brought me back to my own, religious experience at the Vanguard from a couple years ago.

18. Woodland by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

The neo-old time genre's greatest songwriting duo return with an unapologetically contemporary suite of beautiful new songs. There's a reason Welch is your favourite folk songwriter's favourite songwriter.

17. Nothing by Louis Cole and the Metropole Orkest

If you're into Louis Cole's whole deal, then the majority of this record will feel pleasantly familiar to you. Just add on a full orchestra to give the oddball's usual brand of jazz/funk/fever dream songwriting some extra depth, as well as provide a new colour palette for some rather daring compositional diversions. Lovely.

16. Eagle's Point by Chris Potter

Not a huge amount to say about this one other than that it's an immensly entertaining set of new tunes from four of the greatest jazz musicians currently alive. What's not to like?

15. King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 by Denzel Curry

Not usually my preferred brand of hip-hop, but at this point, I'll give anything Denzel Curry does a chance, and while this record isn't as much my thing as his last few projects, it's so meticulously made and visceral that I've found myself returning to it over and over again.

14. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish

The first of three absolutely essential pop records from 2024 on this list. Eilish and her brother/producer have designed an imaculate album of queer love (and lust) songs which feel especially mature for such a young artist.

13. Against the Fall of Night by Sungazer

I'm glad bassist Adam Neely has diverted his attention away from video essays to focus on his metrically-experimental, electronic jazz group, Sungazer, because this band is doing legitimately crazy and fascinating work. Give this a spin if you like the challenge of trying to head bang to music which refuses to be rhythmically predictable.

12. brat by Charli XCX

Maybe the album of the year in terms of pure cultural dominance. brat is, by my count, second only to one other pop record released in this calendar year (stay tuned). If you could make an audio recording of adrenaline, it'd sound like this. Summer may be over, but I'm not ready to stop bumpin' that.

11. Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé

She's just unstoppable, okay? This latest record from arguably the most famous woman alive is properly totemic pop Americana. If I had to pick a single song of the year, it might be '16 Carriages', which makes it all the more impressive that the rest of the album is good enough to hold up in comparison. It's also cool getting to see some of my favourite bluegrass musicians being involved in a project this massive.

10. Speak to Me by Julian Lage

Julian Lage might be the single most impressive jazz guitarist alive. All of his projects are good if not great, but this one was particularly exciting because he made his recorded return to the acoustic guitar - a real treat whenever it happens. Surrounded by a large-ish and very eclectic ensemble of musicians, Lage's compositions and playing sparkle even more than usual.

9. Wall of Eyes by The Smile

I like Radiohead, okay? I do think Yorke, Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner have found something special with this new collaboration. The sophomore record is more assured than their debut and has Yorke's best songwriting in years. This stuff is hypnotic!

8. All Now by The Staves

I was so worried that after the eldest Stavely-Taylor sister left the band, that the sound produced by the two remaining sisters would suffer some. Sometimes it's nice to be emphatically proven wrong. All Now is a sonic extention of The Staves' last record, Good Woman, but this one trades wistful melancholy for relentless optimism, and my goodness does it work for them.

7. Fearless Movement by Kamasi Washington

There are very few things more satisfying than when an artist you've felt let down by in the past makes an unequivocal return to form. Kamasi Washington has always been compelling, but I've found him liable to get caught up in his own legend at times at the expense of his music. This new record feels a lot more grounded and a lot more substantial. It's also just a ton of fun!

6. Väsen & Hawktail by Väsen and Hawktail

Two of the most exciting acoustic ensembles in the world, who have been dancing around one another for years now, have finally come together for a full-length record, and it's marvellous! Both bands have lost a member to other projects recently, so given their natural proclivity for each other's music, it made sense for them to collaborate in order to fill those gaps. The sound of these combined groups is nothing short of miraculous. If you like instrumental folk music at all, then this is essential listening.

5. Service Merchandise by Previous Industries

Often, nostalgia can be a blight on culture, but when employed effectively, it can be a tool for exposing deep truths. My personal favourite rapper, Open Mike Eagle, along with Video Dave and Still Rift, have done just that on their debut album as a trio. Service Merchandise doesn't bemoan the loss of the past, but rather highlights the out-of-placeness of those who cling to it. The themes are sombre but the bars carry Eagle and co.'s signature whimsy.

4. GNX by Kendrick Lamar

In contrast, the latest release from LA rapper Kendrick Lamar is maybe the least whimsical major release of the year. It's direct, confrontational, and introspective to the point where it comes uncomfortably close to self-indulgence. What is lyrically quite a challenging record is made spectacularly listenable thanks to its absolutely stacked lineup of bangers which are sequenced to perfection. Undoubtedly Kendrick's best since To Pimp a Butterfly.

3. Fly by Michael Mayo

To my mind, the most deeply underdiscussed and most exciting young voice in jazz right now is Michael Mayo. I'm deeply obsessed with his debut album, Bones, which is a big, dense production. His latest, Fly, is far more intimate by comparison, but no less ambitious. Backed up by virtuosos Shai Maestro (keys), Linda May Han Oh (bass) and Nate Smith (drums), this suite of songs by the vocalist and composer is the most involving jazz record I've heard all year.

2. Only God Was Above Us by Vampire Weekend

I wanted to put this list out today, because come Monday I will have seen Vampire Weekend tour this album live, and the experience will likely skew my opinion of it.

I cannot think of another mainstream popular music outfit that addresses the modern Jewish experience at all, leta lone this well. Vampire Weekend are truly singular in that way. Every new release of theirs speaks to diaspora Jewishness in new, specific and relevant ways. What makes this particualr record so special though is how aesthetically adventurous it is while being so cogent in the delivery of its themes. This is up there with the band's very best records in a discography without a single dud. P.S. 'Classical' is an all-time great indie rock song.

1. The Golem and Other Tales by Sam Reider and the Human Hands

Accordionist and pianist Sam Reider's newest project is a manifestation of something I've been personally wishing for for close to a decade now: jazz and progressive instrumental music as a vehicle for explicitly Jewish cultural expression.

When I was in New York working towards the PhD I would ultimately flame out of, I spoke with Sam Reider and his bandmate, saxophonist Eddie Barbash, about the connection between their music and their relationship with Jewishness (not to be confused with Judaism). It was a lovely and eye-opening conversation that I'd like to think was as helpful to them as it was to me.

I'm not arrogant enough to suggest that this album is a result of that conversation, but it's so unbelievably exciting to see Sam, Eddie and the rest of the Human Hands construct a suite of pieces which so perfectly capture what I was searching for during that period of my life.

Reider's compositions are a particularly magical amalgamation of jazz, bluegrass, klezmer and other folk traditions from around the world. Those combined sound worlds feel like natural bedfellows in Reider and co.'s capable hands, and on this record. The result is an instrumental retelling of the 16th century Jewish folk tale, The Golem of Chelm. I can't tell you just how special this album is to me, but I can tell you that it sounds amazing, and that this group of musicians, led by Reider feel like they were cosmically destined to make this music together.

[stillrift]

read here

[therappundit]

PUNDIT PICKS: "THE CREAM" of the Crop [My Favorite Albums of 2024 (*so far*)]

ICYMI, my ongoing series on the best of 2024: https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/756082881246461952/the-pundits-picks-more-of-2024s-finest-part

***Please note: the selections on this list had to have dropped by 8/31/24, FYI***

Back in June/July, I began compiling what would become my ongoing "best of" list for 2024. I wasn't trying to rank my favorite music at that point, I was mostly concerned that the weekly onslaught of new music throughout the year could lead to a noteworthy piece of art missing these ears, and slipping through the cracks. I wanted to close out *the summer* with a list of my favorite albums of the year up through the end of summer, and I planned on releasing that list to public scrutiny at the end of Labor Day weekend...

It is now October.

Welp, plans are meant to be flexible, I guess. 😬 Timing be damned, I want to share with the world all of the shout-outs I possibly can, the cream of the crop, my favorite albums of the year as we closed out the summer season (bring on hoodie season, that tends to be when I feel like me the most).

And in no particular order, here are some of my favorite albums of 2024 [*up through the end of summer*]: Out Of The Blue by Blu & Shafiq Husayn, Lil Old Town by DJ Lucas & DVNTBEATS, WE DON'T TRUST YOU by Future & Metro Boomin, Pinball by MIKE & Tony Seltzer, For Hustlers Only by WB Nutty, MMCHT by Nickelus F., The Pride & Glory by Teller Bank$ & Ed Glorious, Nubian Cruiser by Ronday, Black Box: JOSHUA IS DEAD by Joshua Virtue, Black & Whites by Big Hit, Hit-Boy & The Alchemist, the First to Make Contact When We Dap by R.A.P. Ferreira & Fumitake Tamura, Shadowbox by Mavi, EMBERGO_ by Nakama., DOOF & ESCEE 2 by Doof, Escee & August Fanon, So Much Enrgy & Sav by Ysr Gramz & enrgy beats, Mr Beat The Road by Bossman Dlow, soul food for the family by rimhan, WATCH THE THRONE by Jaeychino, Marciology by Roc Marciano, PLAYWAY OR NOWAY by RRB LILMEL, My Story Got Stories by Bruiser Wolf, BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE by Myaap, The Tonite Show The Sequel by Curren$y & DJ.Fresh, Nobody Planning To Leave by ShrapKnel & Controller 7, CHUPACABRA by JasonMartin & DJ Quik, Scoob Wav by WTM Scoob, LOYALTY: BIRTH OF SUPER RUFUS by Rufus Sims & Billionaire Boyscout, Flint 2 Detroit by YN Jay, Plea$e Don't Think I'm Actin Funny by Bub Rock, BLUE LIPS by ScHoolboy Q, Memoirs In Armour by Navy Blue, Can't Go Bacc by Nino Paid, Day Shift, Vol. 1 by Lil Tre, Pigmen In the Vitreous by Knoweye, Brown in America by HOODLUM, Alchemy by Jay Cinema & Chow, All Infinite by Kooley High & Tuamie

24. A Forsaken Lover's Plea by Chuck Strangers

(I always look forward to new Chuck, who frequently racks up accolades as a producer, but never seems to get his just due as the great MC that he is. A true double-double threat with every release.)

23. Deathtape 2: We Gon' Need Each Other by Quelle Chris, Cavalier, and Denmark Vessey

(Any time one of these artists releases anything, you know it's must-cop art....so naturally when they all collaborate, they make one hell of a short but sweet haymaker of a project.)

22. DECON$TRUCT!ON by Maassai

(What was pitched as a collection of loosies recorded over the past few years came off as a sharp, memorable showcase for one of Brooklyn's most talented MC's.)

21. Save The Bees by Big Flowers & Messiah Musik

(Big Flowers is part of one of the greatest communities of exciting NY talent that we have seen in years, so pairing the thoughtful MC/producer with Messiah Musik - one of the most potent producers in underground hip-hop right now - yields a palette of sounds and messages that feel stronger with every listen.)

20. WOODSTOCK '99 by Nick Satchel & dp0mmy

(Nick really seemed to put his foot down into this one, shining alongside an old friend in Atlanta-by-way-of-St. Louis producer dp0mmy...who continues to raise the bar of what he can achieve sonically, remaining one of the greatest secret weapons in hip-hop right now. More on dp0mmy in the weeks to come...) 👀

19. Bag Man Julio by Jaysanityy

(A name you are sure to be more familiar with in the near future, the DMV's Jaysanityy is one of the most complete artists you will find in underground hip-hop. Check out any of his work, and I guarantee you will wonder why he's not already mentioned in the same breath as artists like Mavi, Pink Siifu, and Maxo.)

18. 74: Out of Time by Ol' Burger Beats

(Another fantastic, less heralded producer helms this compilation album, which is stacked with great songs from some of the indy world's finest, and sounds far too cohesive to leave off of my favorite album list.)

17. WAKING UP AND CHOOSING VIOLENCE by YUNGMORPHEUS & Alexander Spit

(Few MC's are able to sound so cutting with their words without sounding enraged quite like YUNGMORPHEUS, who has steadily put out some of the best rap music out of anyone's catalogue over the past 5-6 years. He's joined by another one of 2024's MVP's, Alexander Spit, who happens to be one of the most skilled producers at creating cool instrumentals to help support, rather than outshine, the messages of his MC's collaborators.)

16. This Too Shall Pass by Yo OG

(Rapidly becoming onf of my favorite MC's, No Label collective's Yo OG - sometimes shortened to just OG - is strong enough to carry an album on his own, but when he joins forces with other talented affiliates from No Label, it's clear that this whole team is about to be a force in hip-hop music.)

15. Black Blues Brothers by HALAL BOYS

(Representing Phoenix AZ, I knew nothing about Lord Ra and Gorgeous Jefe heading into 2024, but leaving 2024 they're high up on my radar as one of the most exciting duos I have heard in a while.)

14. Memory(ummm) by Sleep Sinatra & bloomcycle

(Speaking of 2024 MVP's...Sleep Sinatra is a tried and true veteran MC/producer that seems to be going the fine wine route, while bloomcycle - the producer alias of previously mentioned Big Flowers - also seemed to be making an impact on various different projects this year. Together they created a standout album, equally effective as a tightly made cohesive personal work as it is a collection of great collaborations with fellow amazing artists.)

13. SOLACE by Marco Plus

(To make a name for yourself coming out of Atlanta's deep, deeeeep music scene, and to do so without being already tied to a major industry name, or even delivering the "typical" type of crossover rap music that the ATL is known for, is pretty impressive. But once you hear Marco Plus spit, it's not too surprising. His ear for beats is only surpassed by his hungry delivery on the microphone, so of course it's no surprise that this year he has received dap from some of the most established artists in the ATL, like JID. I would say keep an eye out for Marco more in the future, but my guess is that he will knock down more doors and make a name for himself without anyone having to dig too deep to find his work.)

12. Almighty So 2 by Chief Keef

(Am I surprised that Chief Keef dropped one of my favorite albums this year? No, I'm more surprised that in 2024 I am so eager to hear his work at all. I was woefully late to - dare I say, straight up refused to board - the bandwagon for Keef. He has been buried on my "happy for him and his success, but I don't feel the need to hear anything else from this man" list since the "Bang" video. Sure, I dug more than a few Keef cuts over the years, here and there, while he was putting in work on project after project to become a better all around producer and recording artist. He really understands rap, trap, and how to deliver a sonically appealing album that in spite of his relatively limited subject matter, doesn't come off as cookie cutter. Almighty So 2 has been very well received, but garnered some "meh" responses from his core base, since this is probably his most accessible, polished, mainstream-ready project to date. But make no mistake, there is no lacking in raw energy and clever commentary, both are provided in abundance here, and we're all better for it. I can now say what I began to feel back with 4NEM in 2021: I am a Chief Keef fan.)

11. PERSEVERANCE by Jay Cinema & JUNE! as JUNECINEMA

(Sure they share great chemistry as MCs & Producers, but what shines through the most on PERSEVERANCE is their pure love of music. It's one thing to come off hungry, but to come off as being excited just to make and release music? That's become an increasingly rare commodity. JUNE! and Jay Cinema have really put their mark in underground hip-hop over the past two years, and this album feels like a culmination of their growth and confidence as recording artists. Take Jay's classic NYC MC swagger, plus JUNE!'s delivery that often reaches construction site levels of gravelly, then interweave clear shout-outs to their loves and musical influences, and you get a dope underground collaboration with strong replay value.)

10. Sour Dub by Rich Jones & SINAI.

(A unique talent that threads the needle between singing and rapping in a casual and authentic way - possibly the best to juggle both since a certain famous Canadian actor/rapper/singer, Rich Jones is always guaranteed to put out some interesting work. Here he joins forces with SINAI. a.k.a. Sleep Sinatra - and boy what a year he's had - and the two deliver some of the most grounded, feel-good somber music that I have heard in quite some time. I'm not sure if "feel-good somber music" is even a thing, but if it is, Rich & Sleep are maestros at the artform.)

9. 3rd Shift by J.U.S. & Squadda B

(I'm not as familiar with Squadda B as I probably should be, but I know he made an impact as one half of Oakland's Main Attrakionz. Here he delivers engaging, diverse production for Bruider Brigade's J.U.S, who I am more familiar with, as he has been near the top of my personal "most slept-on MC" list for several years strong now. Together their chemistry is sublime, with Squadda's slappin' beats providing ample space for J.U.S to speak his mind over.)

8. F.U.N. T.O.Y. by Sideshow

(Alexander Spit got busy on this one, tossing a varied collection of sounds at Sideshow to work with. In turn, the L.A. MC delivered another interesting piece of work, touching on a rolling list of thoughts, but not staying long enough in any one passing thought to reach a completion. While this could be problematic for a lot of artists, for Sideshow it works quite well, in my opinion. F.U.N. T.O.Y. feels like the equivalent of going on a long drive alone to clear your head, and jumping from song to song on the car radio. That might not be the most purposeful and effective drive in the world, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable or thought provoking. Sideshow is the epitome of a "leave them wanting more" MC.)

7. The Thief Next to Jesus by Ka

(The writer's writer returns. At this point, I don't know what else can be said about this man's pen, but from a longevity standpoint, let's talk about how challenging it must be to maintain a certain level of elite rapping - and well into one's fifties. Ka's experience as a MC is well documented, but as a producer, Thief lives amongst his finest, dare I day accessible production work. Here he keeps the darkness at bay with powerful soul, grit, and determination, delivering a fantastic album that doesn't denounce the purposes of devout faith, but parses the complexities behind keeping a religious mindset in today's world.)

6. sunscreen by shemar & Child Actor

(Likely the shortest project on this list, but surely one of the year's most potent. shemar speaks to a generation of artists that have grown up in and around NYC accepting the music of artists like Armand Hammer, and not as "alternative underground rap", but simply where the bar happens to exist today. In turn, on sunscreen shemar comes off with a stream of consciousness flow and a chip on his shoulder, which when combined with the raw and majestic smokiness of Child Actor's instrumentals, makes for an ear gripping listening experience. This is peak 3:00am on the L train music.)

5. Los Angeles by Blu & Evidence

(I'm not sure if any other MC can brag about having the sheer volume of dope music drop within the first 3/4 of a calendar year at Blu's level. The underground vet seems to be enjoying a hungry renaissance, releasing three albums by my own personal deadline for this list (another great piece of work with Exile has also been released since). The news of Blu releasing a full project with fellow west coast underground legend Evidence, was only surpassed by the actual final product. Los Angeles is a sonically phenomenal, lyrically on-point love letter/indictment of the coast's most infamous city. Hip-hop history is stacked with unforgettable releases that perfectly capture the soul and feeling of L.A. life, but I don't know if it's ever been done this successfully with such a full a collection of beautifully curated vintage 90's underground vibes.)

4. Different Type Time by Cavalier

(Cavalier had a great year. Folks in the know have been not-so-patiently waiting for this one, because whenever Cav drops anything it might not be the loudest album in the room, but it will always be one of the finest. When fans learned that this album was going to be released through modern day Def Jux-esque powerhouse and bily woods boosted record label Backwoodz Studioz, even higher expectations were bestowed upon Different Type Time. Cavalier might not be a New York City resident anymore, but the feeling across this album is an open diary of a wizened New Yorker, a grown man in the rap game that's seen enough light and darkness to know that day to day life will always end up being somewhere in the middle. Similarly to other razor-penned MC's like Ka and Skyzoo, Cav is not preoccupied with knockout punchlines as much as he is focused on making each bar land like it's own story, each a bittersweet memory over a swooning jazzy backdrop.)

3. Service Merchandise by Previous Industries [Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, Still Rift]

(Sometimes the only thing capable of being funnier than a great stand-up comedian, is a group of old friends just shootin' the shit together. Comedy is dependent not only on well-written jokes, but also impeccable timing, chemistry, and a certain level of connection with the audience. Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, and Still Rift have no trouble making a connection with their audience, and they know their voices well enough to probably finish each other's sentences, and stick the landing on any cultural reference within a verse. Service Merchandise is an underground rap album that could only be made during these times by middle-aged hip-hop artists that have long since come to terms with the fact that they just aren't destined to be flashing rollies in glossy rap videos surrounded by gyrating bikini models...and that's okay. Stacked to the brim with nerd nostalgia, pop culture references, and thematic homages to fallen retail chains - not to mention expert rapping, lyricism, and a laundry list of some of hip-hop's finest underground producers - Previous Industries excel at balancing the art of waxing nostalgic without dismissing the positivity that could come from the present and future. Fellow writer/music thirster, the great Son Raw, spoke positively of the album as well, matching it to De La Soul vibes, and surely that's a comparison to be proud of.)

2. #RICHAXXHAITIAN by Mach-Hommy

[The mysterious Mach man strikes again. After what felt like a long enough delay to start asking "is it actually dropping, or was it scrapped?", Mach-Hommy released #RICHAXXHAITIAN in May to strong reviews, albeit with less hype than what came with the first album listening session back in 2023. A handful of familiar guests, as well as a handful of expected trademarks (Mach is still successfully "flippin' _____ like" whenever possible) made the album feel like a Mach album, but musically he was working with a higher level of pristine selections. Without losing any hint of his unpredictability or raw delivery, Mach managed to work in an additional layer of polish or two, curating each song on the album as if "this could be the one". Thoughtful, culturally attuned to his Haitian American status, and as willing to dip a toe in experimental territory as he's ever been, if #RICHAXXAITIAN isn't Mach-Hommy's most well-rounded album thus far, it's damn near close.]

1. Sewaside III by Mike Shabb

(Montreal, stand up. Whatever Mike Shabb may lack due to his youth, he more than makes up for it with his body of work in hip-hop, utility knife of talents. Shabb is an elite beatmaker and MC, and he possesses a rare assortment of skills that work equally well with both trap and boom-bap sensibilities. He may have the highest ceiling of any MC on this list, because like other gifted artists like MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt, and Vince Staples, he represents a modern MC that doesn't see a problem with placing Lil Baby and Roc Marciano back to back on the same mixtape. Sewaside III is a great representation of how Shabb continues to grow more polished with each release, without sacrificing his raw underground essence. Staring at the last few months of 2024, if this one ends up being my favorite rap album of the year when the ball drops on Dec. 31st, I will be quite fine with that.)

Next up...my favorite SONGS of the year (*as of the end of summer*)...thanks for reading, and stay tuned!

[thesearenotphotographs]

Previous Industries at Zone One at Elsewhere

Full Gallery available on my website here.

Touring in support of their debut album, Service Merchandise, Previous Industries hit Brooklyn, NY on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Zone One at Elsewhere. The rap trio from Los Angeles features Video Dave, Still Rift, and Open Mike Eagle, toured the east coast, including a stop for Merge Records’ 35th anniversary celebration, and returned to a space both Open Mike Eagle and Video Dave have performed in before.

The opening acts for Previous Industries’ first performance in Brooklyn were AKAI SOLO and Cavalier but unfortunately, I missed both since I was at The Murder City Devils show in Manhattan earlier that evening. However, I did recently capture Cavalier at Union Pool with Armand Hammer and those photos are here.

[beatsforbrothels]

Previous Industries (Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave & Still Rift) - Dominick's (Prod. Quelle Chris)

[reckonslepoisson]

Service Merchandise, Previous Industries (2024)

As much as I love these guys’ respect for each other, their exceptional harmony of tastes and perspectives, Service Merchandise is as run-of-the-mill as abstract hip-hop gets.

Pick: ‘Fotomat’

[marxalittle]

Starts and Moves: Temps Perdu pt 3

it's mostly a question of first proportion and secondly messiness

I’m putting this picture here because I took it, I think it is very good, and there is a decent change that if I don’t put this here, no one will ever see it. I am slowly forming an opinion about whether or not I want people to see the pictures I take, and if so how, but I think that I want people to see this picture, and I have this space available. untitled, august 2024, fujifilm instax…

[the-inevitable-minor-fires]

Previous Industries:

Video Dave

Still Rift

Open Mike Eagle

[toffeethief]

[hybridreviews]

Decibel Boost Album Roundup (MAK Music Edition): JUNE

Album Roundup time again!! And we're at the half-way point!

We’re at the halfway point of the year and hey, there’s a good amount of albums I have checked out in June. Good news, it’s not gargantuan huge like in May but an healthy amount of albums I dug into and there’s like 9 albums to talk about. Well, actually 7. I did a review of NxWorries’ Why Lawd? and KAYTRANADA’s Timeless that month. And no, I did not cover the Meghan Trainor album of the same…

[stillrift]

read here

[cavedwellermusic]

Previous Industries – Service Merchandise (2024)

Tony Le Calvez looks at Service Merchandise, the new album from underground hip hop supergroup Previous Industries, released June 28th on Merge Records.

Previous Industries, a new hip hop trio of old names, Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, and STILL RIFT, present their newest record, “Service Merchandise.” Across 35-minutes, these three men are reminiscing on “nostalgia, heartbreak, joy, and disposability” through references and allusions to forgotten department stores, discontinued name-brands, and nearly forgotten elements of pop-culture.

Read Tony's full review and listen to and order the album at the link below:

[therappundit]

Really cool interview with Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, and Still Rift, a.k.a. Previous Industries, the masterminds behind one of the year's best albums, Service Merchandise.

[musicdiaries]

Previous Industries - Pliers