Reginald Omas Mamode IV: Havana Cool Out

As we start bundling up in more and more layers before heading out the door this wintry season, dream of a sunnier, carefree place where “the drum goes deep” with this track “Havana Cool Out.” It’s a remix by the soulful London producer Reginald Omas Mamode IV of Gilles Peterson’s Havana Cultura Band that highlights some beautiful vocal improvisation in Spanish. For the past six …

Joanna Newsom: Leaving the City

Oftentimes, a live performance not only reveals the true wonders of a musician’s talent but affirms their creative prowess with evidence of the hand (or voice). With her televised performance of “Leaving the City,” songstress Joanna Newsom demonstrates her sheer versatility. From vocals sailing through the ether—somewhere between Bjork and Kate Bush—to lyrics delivered with emotional resonance and a melody from her signature harp, witnessing …

Sleigh Bells: Champions of Unrestricted Beauty

It’s the season for Sleigh Bells and the Brooklyn-based duo, though still working on finishing their new album, offers a new track from it today. “Champions of Unrestricted Beauty” forgoes their trademark distorted filters and aggressive guitars, bringing Alexis Krauss’ powerful vocals front and center for their poppiest song yet. What the rest of the yet-to-be-named album will sound like still remains a mystery, but …