It finally feels like summertime here in ye olde Rose City, so you're probably ready to get sun-drunk and regular drunk on a dock/beach/grassy knoll. Here's a sampling of some recently released hot local tunes for you to bump while you're out there soaking up the sun (but be sure to have your 45 on, so you can rock on). (Sorry.)
Blossom, "Black Magic Woman"
Locally beloved neo-soul singer Blossom recently blessed us with this slow-burning reggae jam. Her smoky layered vocals are paired with what sounds like auto-tuned steel drums, and the result is subtly intoxicating.
Turtlenecked, "Olivia"
This art-pop track from Turtlenecked/DJ Venmo's brand-new EP swish sounds like Adam Ant crash-landed into an Antoine de Saint-Exupéry dreamworld. It's an interstellar ballad caught in the throes of terrestrial love—so strange, but so good.
Roselit Bone, "Dreamless Sleep"
It's almost been two months since Roselit Bone released this lonesome country track on a split-7" with Jenny Don't & the Spurs, and I still can't stop talking about it. "Dreamless Sleep" sounds plucked from bygone eras that never actually happened—like a classic Spaghetti Western set in the red, dusty deserts of Mars.
Rare Treat, "Mornin Dew"
This is just one track off the new self-titled release from Rare Treat—a collab between Myke Bogan, Neill Von Tally, and the Last Artful, Dodgr. It's the ideal soundtrack for hazy, sun-drunk summer days, with a slow-mo outro that sounds like it's sinking underwater.
Naked Hour, "Journal Entry"
Local trio Naked Hour just released their debut LP, Always On The Weekend (read our story here). It's a no-filler record, but the sweet and sour "Journal Entry" is one of my favorites. At the inescapably catchy chorus, sludgy guitar pairs with soaring pop-punk doo-wop backing vocals.
Mic Capes, "Jumper Cables" ft. Vinnie Dewayne
Mic Capes is becoming an inimitable force in Portland hip-hop, and his latest single with fellow St. Johns emcee Vinnie Dewayne is no exception. The entirety of this five-minute track is rock solid, but Capes' verse at the one minute mark is incredible. Keep an eye out for his long-awaited debut LP, Concrete Dreams.
Post Moves, "Rhinestone Ledger"
"He's got a can-do 'tude/A bitchin' new pair of shoes"—so sings Sam Wenc on the opening line of this standout from Post Moves' May release, Mystery World Science Show (read our LP review here). It's molasses-slow Americana that sounds like the natural evolution from the Grateful Dead's stoned country.