Cool Hunting’s 24 Songs for 4/20

A taxman tribute, our 420 playlist, DJ Spooky's #PrivateJam and more in the music we tweeted this week

This week marks the 20th anniversary of Nas’ (aka Nasir Jones) seminal debut album Illmatic, which remains equally relevant today. The record—permeated with thoughtful and poetic lyrics, performed in Nas’ trademark gravelly and passionate voice—is often credited with bringing East Coast hip-hop back into the raw fold and paving the way for the likes of the Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z. One listen to “NY State …

Lykke Li: No Rest For The Wicked

Space songs made from NASA Voyager recordings, dancing to Jamie xx vibrations, and more in the music we tweeted this week

Art is inspired by reality in Swedish songstress Lykke Li’s music video for her single “No Rest For The Wicked,” off her upcoming album. Writing the song after her own particularly hard break-up, Li stars in the narrative video portrait of lovers who eventually separate. Fans will probably spot similar stylistic elements to the video for “I Follow Rivers,” as they’re both directed by longtime …

Various Artists: Space Project

Space songs made from NASA Voyager recordings, dancing to Jamie xx vibrations, and more in the music we tweeted this week

Since their launch in 1977, NASA’s Voyager 1 and 2 space probes were gathering more than just data and photographs of the heavens. They also recorded electromagnetic radiation fluctuations that planets, asteroids and more were emitting, essentially capturing their “sound.” Thanks to the efforts of Portland-based Lefse Records, 14 different artists—ranging from Beach House, Youth Lagoon, Larry Gus, The Antlers and more—have used the recordings …