Listen Up

From scorching guitar solos to jazzy hip-hop and indie-electro, plenty of new music this week

Kishi Bashi: F Delano Upbeat instrumentation envelops the complex subject matter of Kishi Bashi‘s new track “F Delano.” As one may assume, the lyrics address the reputation of Franklin Delano Roosevelt—specifically his perception as a hero in contrast to his use of internment camps for Japanese-Americans. From the singer/songwriter/violinist’s forthcoming album Omoiyari, this song falls among many others tackling the geopolitical strife from the past …

Kris Kelly: Birthplace

From Brooklyn-based indie-folk artist Kris Kelly comes “Birthplace,” an elegant, poetic track with delicate strings and a steady guitar. Accompanied by an Adi Halfin-directed video, the song unfolds as characters come and go—all of which do so solemnly and suddenly. “He grew tired of carrying / a past so weighted / then forgot to remember / and I thought that he might be a runaway …

Noname: Song 32

Rapper/poet/producer Noname (aka Fatimah Nyeema Warner) has returned with another jazzy, charming tune, “Song 32.” Produced by frequent collaborator Phoelix, the song is typically Noname: soulful, smart and sophisticated—all seemingly effortless. The song appears ahead of her Eurpoean tour.