Fineman Tracks Of The Month: October

By Robby Fineman
Creative Director of Procrastinate Here

“Hotline Bling (DATHAN Flip)” – Charlie Puth & Kehlani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhrO4hBDluE
Both Kehlani and Charlie Puth became names to know this summer, with tracks like “The Way,” “See You Again,” and “Marvin Gaye,” and they do not intend to stop there. They combined forces for a cover of Drake’s Hotline Bling. While their cover is pretty good, the Dathan Flip adds more dimension to the song. The track adds some spacey, future bass-like production while still keeping the song catchy and a sing along. While Drake may have won in his beef against Meek Mill, his original version of “Hotline Bling” is nothing compared to this flip.

Always on Time – MiC Kurb & Kevin Abstract

I’m going to be completely honest: I have absolutely no idea how I found this song. After listening to random music channels on YouTube, this song started playing out of nowhere and I was instantly hooked. The verses, performed by MiC Kurb and Kevin Abstract, are rapped in a very relaxed and sing-songy manner. Then, MiC Kurb recreates Ashanti’s chorus from Ja Rule’s “Always on Time.” All of this is done over the instrumentation of a delicate guitar, soft percussion, and smooth strings. This song gives true campfire vibes.

Own Life – Vindata & Anderson .Paak

After hearing Anderson .Paak on Dr. Dre’s newest album Compton, I knew that he was talented. I searched his name on Soundcloud and stalked his whole feed, searching for gold. I found his collaboration with producer Vindata and was struck with awe. The production has an electronic vibe with some major hits and drops. .Paak sings a pretty solid chorus about being unique and how others should live their own lives rather than having to succumb to societal norms. .Paak’s soulful singing on the verses is the true showstopper, however. I hope Vindata and .Paak continue to collaborate and make dope music.

“Windows (Milo Curtis Remix)” – Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment (feat. Chance the Rapper)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq9NCLfzaZg
What I love about Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment’s Surf is its unique sound, a fusion of many genres. Because of this, good remixes of the album’s works are very hard to find. With Milo Curtis’ remix of the Chance The Rapper-assisted “Windows,” Curtis adds some electronic elements without compromising the album’s authentic sound. The remix only has two “drops” but they are integrated so well into the song that if you’re doing something else while listening, you could completely miss it. If you learn one thing today, it should be that this song is awesome.

“Remember Me?” – KYLE (feat. Chance the Rapper)

I was first introduced through KYLE from his smash single “Don’t Wanna Fall in Love.” That song, “Sex & Super Smash Bros,” and “It’s Lit” became part of my constant rotation. After a while, however, I got bored of these songs and stopped listening to him. Then, on October 2nd, KYLE released his debut album “Smyle.” The album is overall not very artistically diverse, but “Remember Me?” stuck out to me. This was not the normal upbeat KYLE. Here, KYLE raps over a melancholy piano based about his experience with rejection. His first verse discusses his lack of relationship with his father and his second verse explains a failed relationship with a girl. Chance does not lend a verse to the song but sings the chorus, asking if he will be remembered. KYLE is the star of the show, however, with his storytelling, wordplay, and fast-paced rapping making me question what more he has to offer rather than just radio rejects. I wonder if KYLE truly is someone to remember.

“Throwback Track: Crazy” – Gnarls Barkley

When you think of the best song of 2006, what comes to mind? Is it Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie?” Is it Nelly Furtado’s “Promiscuous?” Those choices, while still classics, are nowhere near as awesome as Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” With an incredibly funky bassline and Cee Lo Green’s catchy, soulful singing, “Crazy” holds up where other throwback songs fall flat. So, next time you are looking for a random but epic dose of nostalgia, throw on this track and go crazy.

Album of the Month: Rodeo by Travi$ Scott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W1xEGvSLwY
If you are not familiar with Travi$ Scott, then you probably will be soon. This producer-turned-rapper has been slowly but surely rising up in the rankings of hip-hop. I liked his most recent mixtape, Days Before Rodeo, so naturally I assumed that I would like rodeo. When I first downloaded the album, the first song I listened to was the Kanye-assisted “Piss on Your Grave.” That was a huge mistake. This abrasive track, which is mainly just Kanye aggressively yelling the phrase “Piss on your grave!” and asking what indeed we are “sayin,’” turned out to be the worst track of the album. The rest of the album, for the most part is sonically excellent. The production for the most part is incredible, as many of the songs have beat switching which make the track sound like two songs. Scott gets some incredible features including T.I. as the album’s narrator, Young Thug, Future, 2 Chainz, The Weeknd, and even Justin Bieber. Yes, Justin Bieber raps on the album and it’s surprisingly awesome. Travi$ uses a variety of voices and flows and they all sound musically very good. My only gripe with the album is the lyrical content which is mainly just talking about money, women, and drugs. Overall, the album is a wild ride and I’m proud to say that I survived the Rodeo.
Best Track: “Pray 4 Love”
Great Tracks: “Oh My Dis Side,” “3500,” “90210,” “Nightcrawler,” “Antidote,” “Maria, I’m Drunk,” “Apple Pie”
Worst Tracks: “Wasted,” “Piss on Your Grave,” “Flying High”