Your Guide to New L.A. Music: Schoolboy Q, Beck, P. Morris, Shlohmo & Jeremih

Major label and indie releases in a strong month for L.A. based music this month….

ScHoolboy Q – Oxymoron (album)

This is an important album in the annals of L.A. rap. It’s unfortunate that it will be compared to label-mate Lamar’s Good Kid: M.A.A.D City because it stands up very well in its own – less storytelling, more introspective, less humor, more masculinity. Oops – did I just compare to it M.A.A.D City? Sorry I couldn't help myself ;)

Gangsta, a retro-sounding, retro-theming, bass-heavy opener will be stressing many a sub-woofer around the country but it’s not a standout track. For storytelling at its best, listen to Prescription/Oxymoron - a seven-minute confessional on drug addiction, the responsibility of fatherhood and the lure of quick money. For the elastic, bouncy, driving, Neptunes sound - check out Los Awesome. For sonic and lyrical diversity tune into Blind Threats, featuring the always-excellent Raekwon. For the best rhymes and flow – it’s got to be Hell of a Night. Add the already tried-and-tested Collard Greens and the radio-friendly Break the Bank – well - if the album stopped here, it would be a classic. OK it’s got fair share of misogynistic and racial stereotyping and the last few songs seem lazy compared to the first 11, but it’s going to take some serious cojonas (and a very creative mind) to produce a better rap album than this in 2014.

Beck – Morning Phase (album)

Beck continues to be relevant in 2014 with this meditative, reflective album mostly set on a sun-drenched 70s folk/rock soundscape (Crosby Still, & Nash anyone?) with the occasion deep dive into ambience (particularly on the track Wave).  Both stylistically and lyrically it appears to come from a mature, wise man - not the slacker funkster we associate him with.  Featuring his father, David Campbell on the orchestral arrangements, and many of the musicians from 2002’s Sea Change, Morning Phase is one of the finest acoustic troubadour albums of the last few years.

P. Morris - Turtle Lounge (single)

Kansas born and L.A. resident P. Morris, formerly known as Morri$, has recently been busy with the likes for Kelela, Le1f and with an excellent remix of Katy B’s Crying for No Reason.  This release is from his forthcoming album Debut and combines a compelling melody with a trippy beat and multi-faceted synth sounds.

Shlohmo & Jeremih - No More (single)

Omnipresent L.A. music producer Shlohmo has teamed up with Chicago R&B singer Jeremih for an as-yet-untitled EP.  This is the first cut – No More - features falsetto vocals on distorted beepy beats.

DJ PK’s Record Box

In DJ PK’s club record box right now….

Disclosure feat. Mary J. Blige - F For You
Feadz - Eastside
Jerome LOL feat. Angelina Lucero - Fool
Katy B – Crying For No Reason (Morri$ Remix)
Kiesza– Hideaway
Kornél Kovács – Szikra
Lockah - If Loving U Is Wrong, I Don't Want To Be Wrong (12" Edit)
Xander Milne (feat. Abstrakt Audio) - I Know You
Todd Osborn - 5thep
SBTRKT - Hold The Line
Shadow - Let's Get Together (Whiskey Barons Rework)
Todd Terje - Delorean Dynamite (album version)