ListenUp
Prince turns 55, Wu-Tang reunites, Vampire Weekend throws a dinner party and more in our weekly music recap
Vampire Weekend: Diane Young
Any music video featuring a saxophone as a giant bong is worth spending a moment enjoying, but Vampire Weekend gives plenty of reasons to stick around and put it on repeat with “Diane Young,” a single off of their recently-released album Modern Vampires of The City. In a “Last Supper” scenario, the East Coast quartet joins forces with Chromeo, Sky Ferreira and Santigold for a rambunctious food fight and general merrymaking that captures the band’s perpetually upbeat and rockin’ spirit.
Fantasy Thrilla: Naomi Ha
NYC-based DJ/producer Fantasy Thrilla released a track exclusively for #TOP8 (a monthly party in Williamsburg hosted by a group of DJs and creative nightlife friends) in a compilation to celebrate its one year anniversary. The “3D transparent internet aesthetic” of #TOP8 parties is captured in “Naomi Ha” with continuously moving synth lines and Beyonce’s fierce voice commanding you to “Do the Naomi Campbell walk.” Fantasy Thrilla describes it to us as “a vogue house track made for the club, with a hint of hard style and a sprinkling of dem bow snares.”
Raffertie: Build Me Up
London-based electronic producer Raffertie’s new release “Build Me Up” channels ’90s R&B hooks set against layered synth lines with bass-shaking drums. While the track alone is enough to garner your attention, director Vincent Haycock’s unique visuals transform the song into an emotional yet bleak portrayal of inner-city life in South Central LA. Haycock filmed the day-to-day of three brothers, with every cast member and “set” a part of their real lives. Minimalist lighting and striking cinematography, along with supernatural effects, create a sense of impending doom juxtaposed with the brightness and life brought out by children.
Wu-Tang Clan: Family Reunion
That’s right, the legendary hip-hop crew from Shaolin (Staten Island) is back with the new single, “Family Reunion“. With verses from Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Masta Killa, the group’s lyrics and beats have matured since their days of a riot-inciting tour we caught back in ’97, now rapping about the joys of getting together and kicking it over a mellow soul-sampling beat. In honor of their 20th anniversary, Wu-Tang Clan is dropping a new album and playing a selection of festivals and concerts throughout the summer.
Prince: I Wanna Be Your Lover
Prince celebrated his 55th birthday on Friday, and it was as hard to find an appropriate tribute video for the copyright-obsessed artist as it is to believe he is over a half-century old. The Minneapolis-born musician’s extensive career—which spans playing at one of our very own CH team member’s high school prom to selling over 100 million records worldwide—keeps him forever young as generations continue to enjoy his distinct sound. Take a trip back in time with “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” a video that fortunately slipped through the legal cracks and is filled with his signature fashions and sexy dance moves.
