Chris Funk: Knifey Vellocet

Multi-instrumentalist Chris Funk—best known for his work with The Decemberists—released his solo album The Painted Porch in late April, from which all proceeds are being donated to the COVID-19 Oregon Musicians’ Relief Fund. (It’s also available to pre-order on vinyl, limited to 250 records.) From that album, the instrumental “Knifey Vellocet” merges twangy guitar with strings and synths for an atmospheric tune that could be …

Kraftwerk: Computer Love

Founding member of wildly influential German electronic band Kraftwerk, Florian Schneider has passed away at 73 years old. Along with Ralf Hütter, Schneider created an experimental act, Organisation, in the late ’60s and embraced electronic music—experimenting with instruments and sounds. Soon after, the duo started Kraftwerk, whose self-titled debut came out in 1971. While known for innovative sound (the band paved the way for all …

Ian Isiah: N.U.T.S

Brooklyn-based Ian Isiah’s sultry, silken vocals glide atop the funky Chromeo-produced “N.U.T.S”—a song from the upcoming AUNTIE album. While the disco-inflected beat by Chromeo (aka David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel) diverges from Isiah’s spacey, sexy R&B (like on his Shugga Sextape Vol. 1), the sublime, effortless blend of styles satisfies. The song features recordings of shouted homophobic slurs, but the video teaser …