Chicago-based indie pop artist Julius Dolls has a new single out. This one kicks things off with a disco feel, gradually introducing Dolls’ ethereal vocals and swelling into an uplifting dance jam that folks of all tastes could enjoy. The production and lyrics together make you feel young and want to bide your time with the people and good times
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Chicago-based alternative hip hop/R&B artist Justin Armonia just dropped his second album. He delivers an inventive, forward-thinking exhibition of atmospheric textures, bringing lyrics of faded states of mind and unearthing pathways to loving oneself. Features from fellow artists Handofjade, Julius Dolls, and Nate Barksdale land in the mix too. It’s been a monumental month for Justin Armonia, considering his release
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Nu-Jaunt is the Chicago-based alternative R&B duo of Nate Barksdale and Justin Armonia. With post-punk and neo-soul sensibilities, Nu-Jaunt push musical boundaries with avant-garde self-awareness. Their lyrics encompass the sensationalism of trendy modernity, which effectively strips the self from authentic wonder. Music was never meant to be so stratified in the first place, and the duo work beautifully to dispel
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The Chicago festival closed with a bang on Sunday night.
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Day three of Lollapalooza featured a vast array of sounds spanning generations.
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A trip of hip hop heavy hitters were the focal point of day two in Grant Park.
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Thousands flocked to Grant Park for a star-studded first night of the festival.
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Ben Slowey talks to the experimental artist and poet.
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Ben Slowey talks to the Chicago based producer and DJ.
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Nile and Supa Bwe turn all the way up for a new single.
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R&B artist Grace Weber worked with Chance the Rapper on her latest single. It’s a song about resilience against all odds; Weber sings of “waiting through the fire” and “using it as fuel” as metaphors for keeping a good head on her shoulders. Chance comes in with a verse about getting picked for things last when he was younger, but
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We talk to the Chicago duo behind “Silent Giant”.
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Chicago-based dream pop artist Hundredbucks has the final edition of his trilogy of EPs out. A collage of sonic delights, this body of work reflects the variety in style Hundredbucks feels inspired by. From electronic dance to hip hop to ethereal pop, he embodies an artist not putting himself in any one category. Hip hop artist Fanetic hops on a
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Indie rockers Motel Breakfast are here with an Irish folk-inspired album. The band has had an affinity for such music since their inception, and they decided to recreate the energy of dance, drink, and delight with this record in place of the holidays we’d normally be celebrating Irish culture this time of year (Wren Day, SouthSide Irish Parade Day, St.
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Chicago-based lo-fi artist Hundredbucks has a second EP out, following the first that came out last month. He continues building on the dream pop foundation with soulful vocals, ethereal synths, and luscious guitar. “$enior Year” feels like the soundtrack to having come a long way while sticking with the same people; “Don’t Be Sorry” features a heartfelt sample about restraining
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Chicago-based hip hop artist Core REX has his highly-anticipated new album out. Corresponding with the striking artwork, REX shares an elegant exhibition of artful rap cuts that convert broken emotions into cries for love. He expresses in the intro that creative expression is all we have to cope with the internal and external evils of consciousness, and he elaborates on
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Pop artist 5PM to Nowhere teamed up with Chicago-based collective Cosmic Sleepovers for his latest single. It’s a song about finding peace and serenity, opening with a hazy lo-fi interlude, and then making use of a jazzy bass line and atmospheric keyboards under Auto-tuned vocals. 5PM to Nowhere brings a delightfully tranquil mood with this one, and we look forward
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Producer Fedswantrick worked with an array of Milwaukee and Chicago artists to bring this new single. The song blends soul, R&B, dream pop, and hip hop into a tune featuring several verses and an ethereal guitar line. The chorus is about moving too fast in life and getting more than what you asked for. The artists each remind us to
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Chicago-based indie pop artist Hundredbucks is out with his debut EP. It feels like a hazy stroll through sun-kissed country; it’s four tracks of glittering and watery guitars accompanied by dreamy keyboards. There’s a romantic, sensual touch to “Dancing” while “Car Rides” could find itself as the end-credits song to an art house drama. Hundredbucks has put together a relaxing
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Get the background behind the “Brown Xanny” singer.
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Chicago-based alternative pop artist Julius Dolls has his sophomore record out today. He incorporates elements of dream pop, shoegaze, soul, and rock into a delectable blend. There’s themes of self-liberation, freedom, and vacation throughout his songwriting, which terrifically complement the atmospherics. Some songs twinkle while others ripple. Holed up in his Logan Square apartment in quarantine, Dolls’ close friends comprise
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Motel Breakfast’s latest EP is out in full, and sounds better with the singles in context of one another.
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Take a trip through the Motel Breakfast house with their latest video.
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Happy end of summer y’all. Chicago avant-soul artist Nate Barksdale is out with a new record, inspired by close relationships enriched through the tribulations of this past year. His drive to make music fluctuated; sometimes it made sense, other times it felt entirely chaotic. He hopes with this album folks may find a sense of clarity as we endure increasingly
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Vacancy Chain’s latest single is a strikingly poetic, frostbitten tune.
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