Browsing Tag

Instrumental Hip Hop

Lost Gold grooved soul into old-school hip-hop instrumentals in ‘FILE.0016’

Posted on 20 February 2024
lostgold.file.0016 by lost gold

With ‘FILE.0016′, Lost Gold, the moniker of Minneapolis-based multi-instrumentalist Dylan Heidt, crafted an instrumental odyssey that resonates with the warmth and soul of old-school hip-hop. This track, part of Heidt’s ambitious solo project, is a testament to his versatility and deep-rooted appreciation for diverse musical genres.

The track opens with a beat that could easily be mistaken for an Alabama Shakes number, immediately setting a tone of nostalgic familiarity. It’s a rich, soulful foundation that harks back to the golden era of hip-hop, yet feels refreshingly contemporary. The warmth of the beat is palpable as the track progresses and the impossible-to-resist grooves take centre stage.

The keys cascade with a melodiousness that’s both playful and profound, while the guitars add a shimmering layer of complexity around the robustly funk-infused basslines that are meticulous when carving pockets of rhythm.

As Lost Gold continues to release more music through Bandcamp, ‘FILE.0016’ stands as a shining example of his talent and vision. It’s a piece that connects with listeners globally, proving that true artistry lies in the ability to blend the familiar with the new, creating something uniquely resonant and timeless.

FILE.0016 was officially released on January 3rd; stream or purchase the single on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pan!c Pete delivers absorbing discord in his latest industrial hip hop track, Metallic Taste.

Posted on 4 November 2021

Any fans of Bob Vylan and Saul Williams will want to cut their teeth on Pan!c Pete’s electro-industrial hip hop sonic palette through his latest instrumental mix, Metallic Taste.

With gothy darkwave synth-carved melodies bringing bright polyphonic texture to the harsh and caustic bass lines and solid rattle of glitchy beats, Metallic Taste is an energetically dystopic track like no other. You’re left hooked right the way through the indulgently caustic single; it’s impossible not to be left absorbed by the discord in the fiery release.

We can’t wait to hear what Pan!c Pete serves up from the deep end of the south next.

Metallic Taste is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Prince Jonez has asserted his authenticity through his tribally entrancing instrumental mix ‘Planet Balloonz’.

Posted on 25 March 2021

Singer-songwriter and producer, Prince Jonez has released his debut album, Lovechild of XII Eraz, delve in and you’ll see how intense and atmospheric instrumental hip hop can be when left in the hands of an artist committed to ensuring that synapses fire at the request of their experimental trip hop.

Sunny staccato rhythms gently coalesce with tribal drum rolls and glitchy beats that weave a little trip-hop into the mix as it steadily gains momentum and picks up discordant alt-rock nuances along the way.

What Porcupine Tree is to alt-rock, Prince Jonez is to hip hop. They may be fresh from their inception, but the Chicago-based artist already exhibits an enviable ability to construct all-consuming aural experiences.

You can check out Prince Jonez’s instrumental mix for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Succumb to the serenity in TRL Beats & Instrumentals’ smooth hip hop single ‘Goodbye’

Posted on 6 March 2021

UK-based artist and producer, TRL Beats & Instrumentals, is here to say ‘Goodbye’ with their hypnotically smooth hip hop single pulled from their latest album ‘Life in Colour: The Beattape Vol.2’.

The gentle mellifluous layers, constructed with warm and radiantly light tones, ease you into the soundscape which features ethereal female vocals and boasts a dreamy intimate feel. The vocals drift into the mix in sporadic increments around the steady beats that you’ll want to repeatedly revisit.

You can allow your synapses to succumb to the sweetness in Goodbye by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hervé Claude has released their exotically inviting instrumental soul single “Freeze”

Posted on 13 August 2020

Hervé Claude didn’t need lyrics or vocals to infuse plenty of soul into their exotically inviting soundscape “Freeze” which can be found on their dreamy 2020 album “Saturday Morning”

The hazy single plays with ambient EDM and instrumental Hip Hop textures to keep you guessing where the seamlessly mellifluous progressions are going to take you next. Spoiler: if you surrender to their tranquilly resolving vibes, you’ll be guided into a zen state of mind where it’s possible to forget the chaos of the external world and become one with this sublime feat of soulful ambience.

If you could use some aural catharsis, Hervé Claude’s 2020 album has you covered.

You can check out Hervé Claude’s single Freeze along with the rest of the album by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hip Hop Producer Drilltime Zani Has Taken the Scene by Rhythmic Storm with Their Standout Mix “Mop Stickz”

Posted on 17 July 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oqdKKDXoxM

Hip Hop producer Drilltime Zani has proven to be a rhythmic force to be reckoned with in recent years. With multiple viral hits under their belt such as Mop Stickz which have racked up over 2 million streams on YouTube alone since its release in 2019, it’s hard not to pay attention to their virtuoso style.

With Mop Stickz, Drilltime Zani took Lud Foe’s iconic style and crafted a cinematically immersive, atmospherically ambient track which has no need for Rap bars to express the energy and emotion which oozes from the masterful almost Neo-Classic progressions.

It’s all too easy to expect big things to come from the Florida, US-based artist in the future.

You can check out Mop Stickz along with Drilltime Zani’s other beats for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kenta Insense – Turntable: Blissfully Sun-Soaked Jazz-Infused Instrumental Hip Hop

Posted on 11 June 2020
https://soundcloud.com/kentainsense/turntable

For many, Summer 2020 may feel cancelled. Yet, as long as we have blissfully sun-soaked vibing mixes such as Kenta Insense’s recently released single “Turntable”, it’s impossible to feel totally pessimistic about the season.

The Brooklyn-based DJ and producer prepared an indulgent cocktail of transcendence with Turntable. There’s a vitality amidst the ambience of the soundscape and effortless ease within the structure of the naturally flowing mix which you will definitely want to add to your playlists to get a repeat dose of tranquillity.

You can check out Kenta Insense’s latest single Turntable along with their other recent releases for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

LA Alt Indie duo Tricks have made their debut with the genre-crumbling EP “The Epic Preview”

Posted on 26 May 2020

Up and coming LA Alt Indie Electronica duo Tricks have made their dreamily entrancing debut with the EP “The Epic Preview”. Given the title of the EP and the resonant magnetism which the release contains, we’re already excited to hear what will follow.

Each of the 7 tracks on the EP offers plenty of affable aural indulgence. Yet, the best introduction to Tricks’ urbanely nuanced production style is “2squares”. With the Mike Patton-levels of sublime experimental ingenuity, you’ll be transfixed to the ever-evolving progressions which flirt with downtempo Hip Hop, Indie and Soul. Each progression and shift in tone is as seamless as the last in this medley of grooving which follows just the right tempo for the track to be as cathartic as it is captivating.

You can check out 2squares along with the rest of Tricks’ debut EP for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

To keep up to date with new releases, follow Tricks via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stefan – The Surface (Radio Edit): Obscurely Progressive Electronica

Posted on 2 April 2020

The feat of aural insanity which breaking Alt Electronica artist Stefan offers through their standout track “The Surface” is not to be missed. Especially for fans of darkly obscure progressive Electronica.

What starts off as a laid-back Instrumental EDM Hip Hop soundscape seamlessly morphs into a high-octane Trance hit complete with plenty of pulsating energy.

I’ve listened to my fair share of experimental electronica. And it’s safe to say that Stefan is offering peerlessly distinctive mixes. Their devilish ability to hook you into a mix which will never allow you to guess what’s coming is all too refreshing. And it’s all the more reason to place The Surface on your playlists so you can give it the repeat attention it will demand once you’ve heard it.

You can check out the radio edit of Stefan’s latest track for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Casey McGrath – Fiddle Rabbit (A Four-Stringed Tribute to Eminem)

Posted on 18 February 2020

Any fans of the aural alchemy which 2cellos can weave will definitely want to turn their attention to the latest piece to be released by classically-trained violinist Casey McGrath.

“Fiddle Rabbit (A Four-Stringed Tribute to Eminem)” revives one of the most iconic Hip Hop melodies of recent decades. You’ll still be able to hear the smacks of the 808s with Casey McGrath’s delicate yet tensile notes quivering atop of them.  Yet, Casey McGrath laced the soundscape with her own distinction. Instead of the fraught momentum pouring from the Rap bars, you’ll hear a frenzied violin which is more than efficacious at evoking emotion as the urgency of the note progressions resonate.

It’s rare that you’ll hear a fraction of Casey McGrath’s talent on the airwaves. Classical music may not be the most accessible of genres. But it’s tracks such as Fiddle Rabbit which have the power to change just that.

You can check out Casey McGrath’s fitting ode to the Rap legend for yourselves by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast