Here's a little hip-hop gem that you'd be a fool not to check out. I consider it a classic as it flows like none other thanks to lush, funky R&B beats and guest singer Linn. Not much else to say about Soul Search;  you gotta check it out.

Preview the album over at CD Universe.

Here's an EP I'm absolutely loving at the moment from band/person 'Evenings'. To put it simply, it's ambient chillwave. If you don't know what chillwave is, google it! It's one of the more natural, calming, and inspiring electronic albums I've heard as of late, and I recommend it to any fan of the genre or anyone who is looking for some relaxing electronic music.

Stream/download for free it at bandcamp.

Wye Oak - "I Hope You Die"

Sounds like it would be a little malicious but its really not.

The EP is out now digitally via Merge.

//Wye Oak MySpace (for tour dates and more)

This band laid the foundation for Broken Social Scene, as it's core members were Kevin Drew and Charles Spearin, and a bunch of other people contributed on their second album (they only had two). If you're a fan of BSS you will love this, although its different--- mostly instrumental, but it keeps the same summery rock feel. Oh, warm weather.

Hear some songs at their unofficial MySpace, or read about them at their wiki page.

"My Time" the opening track on the record. The main thing to note is it's got keyboards instead of their usual guitar overload, so it's a neat change. Don't expect this on the whole record though, this is a guitar band!

mp3: Minus The Bear - "My Time"

"Into The Mirror", the seventh track on the album, along with b-side "Broken China", was released late last year. Check my post on it here.

Omni Tracklist:

1. My Time - 4:05
2. Summer Angel - 4:45
3. Secret Country - 5:31
4. Hold Me Down - 4:08
5. Excuses - 4:38
6. The Thief - 4:33
7. Into the Mirror - 5:11
8. Animal Backwards - 4:16
9. Dayglow Vista Rd. - 5:10
10. Fooled by the Night - 7:23

mp3: CFCF - "Big Love (Mathemagic Remix)"

If you're planning on hitting up SXSW in Texas later this week, CFCF will be there.

This track is off a 7" that is an absolute must-have IMO if you like either band. They remix each others tracks, and Small Black plays "Weird Machines" live as a bonus track, and that one is particularly awesome.

While Washed Out is one of the cornerstone/breakthrough "chillwave" acts out there and while I think a lot of his stuff is overrated, this disc definitely delivers.  Very energetic yet not overloaded.

Make sure to get the rest if you like this!!!

Small Black - "Despicable Dogs (Washed Out remix)"

It's hard to come across music as relaxed/contemplative as this. I'll leave it at that...

Grouper - "Vessel"

The track is off a split EP with Roy Montgomery.

mp3: Cloud Nothings: "Hey Cool Kid"

mp3: Cloud Nothings: "Hey Cool Kid (Memoryhouse Remix)"

[via Pitchfork]

::Memoryhouse on MySpace::
::Cloud Nothings on MySpace::