what i'm listening to

It has been a busy summer with a lot of new music. While not all of the music I have been into recently is new it is new for my i-pod/record player/cd player. And I thought I would share a few tracks with you.

OLD ONES:

The release of M.I.A's new album /\/\/\Y/\ this summer renewed my interest in M.I.A.'s older body of work. Sunshowers and Galang are two of the best tracks off of her debut album Arular while Boyz is one of my favourite tracks from her sophomore effort Kala .

Dangermouse has continued to be a very prolific producer. The release of Broken Bells and Gorillaz's Plastic Beach album this spring reminded me of Dangermouse's production. His collaboration with one of my favourite mc's MF DOOM is awesome and is one till recently I was unaware of.

NOT THAT OLD:

Last year Mos Def made one of the best comebacks in hip-hop. His return to rap with The Ecstatic was probably the best hip-hop album of the year. Above are a couple of my favourite tracks from the album.

NEW SUMMER TRACKS:

With one of the most critically polarizing albums of the summer M.I.A.'s new album /\/\/\Y/\ is a hard hitting abrasive release from one of hip-hops and electronica's most creative minds. While I feel her earlier work is more enjoyable I did enjoy a few songs from the album. Above are a few of the tracks I have been listening to.

The Roots new album released this summer is as good as ever and features collaborations with many indie artists they met on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

My Love of Broken Social Scene has continued with BSS's new album Forgiveness Rock Record. The album builds on their previous work while stripping down and clarifying their sound and production. Their new album is definitely one of my favourite releases all year.