Our mid-October roundup of recent releases by Great Lakes State artists delves into indie-folk, hip hop and electro-pop. Check out the reviews and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Crisscrossing the State: Our mid-October roundup of new albums.
After a hectic summer of covering festivals and outdoor shows, Local Spins is ready once again to dig into the mountain of fresh releases by Michigan artists.
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West Michigan's music scene
Check out this week’s roundup of albums by two Detroit-area bands — Kate Hinote Trio and deadbeatdad — and two Grand Rapids hip-hop artists — DJ Blaze 589 and Sonny Ski.
And read previous reviews of Michigan albums online here.
Kate Hinote Trio
“Stowaways”
What Stands Out: If Detroit-area singer-songwriter Kate Hinote has operated under the radar, it’s only because “eye has not seen, nor ear heard” enough of her music. The leader of gothic Americana band The Blueflowers, Hinote over the past five years has created stunning contemporary folk tales as part of the Kate Hinote Trio with Blueflowers bandmate David Johnson on guitar and Matthew Parmenter on violin. Their sophomore album, “Stowaways,” crystallizes the dynamic interplay of Hinote’s striking voice with the mellifluous and expertly arranged guitar and violin accompaniment. It creates a truly singular and wistful sonic atmosphere, something artfully displayed on “Slow Release,” “Cemetery Road” and “Brake Lights,” with the latter showcasing Parmenter’s tasteful virtuosity.
Digging Deeper: Recorded at Tempermill Studios in Ferndale with Tony Hamera, the trio steps outside its musical box a bit on the uptempo “It’s My Toy” and “The Last Day I Went Crazy” without ever interrupting the magical flow of this 10-song collection — a release which also includes a cover of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” for those who purchase the physical CD or full-album digital download. And experiencing this trio live just heightens the beauty of its music.
Perfect For: Discerning listeners reveling in hidden musical gems and indie-folk lovers appreciating ghostly vocals and stories with a twist. – By John Sinkevics
Website: https://katehinote.com/katehinotetrio
Upcoming Shows: Nov. 5 at Detroit Public Library; Nov. 7 at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids; Nov. 16 at Moose Tree Studio in Lake Orion; Nov. 21 at Raven Cafe in Port Huron; Nov. 22 at Mi Element Grains & Grounds in Midland (The Blueflowers reunite to perform Nov. 15 at Ghost Light in Hamtramck)
Listen: “It’s My Toy”
DJ Blaze 589
“Where I’m From
What Stands Out: This project exudes classic ’90s boom bap vibes, with wonderful DJ scratches by DJ Blaze 589. His presence on the album reminds me of someone like DJ Drama, featuring artists on different tracks such as Shadow, Gee Cass, Alfie Da Great and Sixman, and unfurling classic summer songs such as “Catching a Vibe” with Moe Mccoy and High Life and wonderful R&B jams such as “Intriguing” with Tae Young. A very interesting listen, indeed.
Digging Deeper: With every album release, Grand Rapids’ DJ Blaze 589 curates his collections as well-thought-out DJ sets. The album bouncesg back and forth between boom bap/trap songs to more groovy summer jams or songs with a strong R&B influence with impressive features from Grand Rapids legends in the hip-hop scene. Boasting a stellar contrast of new- and old-school sounds, it provides the right amount of nostalgia for fans of Grand Rapids hip hop. You can delight over the legends of the music scene while also enjoying the sound of new artists.
Perfect For: Fans of gritty storytelling and boom-bap beats, late-night grind sessions, or anyone needing a soundtrack that reps real street energy with heart. – By Brayden Flodin
Website: https://www.facebook.com/bryant.blaze.1
Upcoming Shows: Oct. 18 for Libra Bash at Chicago Drive Pub, 4050 Chicago Dr. SW in Grandville; Oct. 31 for a Halloween Party at Chicago Drive Pub
Listen: “Where I’m From”
deadbeatdad
“What Control Feels Like”
What Stands Out: Those familiar with deadbeatdad’s recent singles, such as “FIX UR EVERYTHING,” this album opens in a way that you might not expect: with a spoken-word track with a slightly uneasy vibe that definitely catches attention. It all flows perfectly into the second track, “UR IN MY MIND,” which might be a little closer to the dance-pop style fans might expect — though slightly heavier. This Detroit-based band — a spinoff from Grand Rapids’ Lipstick Jodi — adroitly blends mainstream dance pop with a pinch of indie and turn it into something relatable, with every song speaking to listeners in a unique way. Though this album is equal parts dance pop and electronic indie, some tracks, including “DANCE TRACK,” have the potential to become national dance pop hits, while others will certainly become legends in the indie scene. Some of the singles appear to give us a glimpse of the frustration that performing musicians go through on a regular basis. With the final two tracks being a spoken-word track and a song with a fadeout respectively, it gives the album a rather symmetrical shape, making the album even more enjoyable as a whole than when listened to as individual tracks.
Digging Deeper: This is deadbeatdad’s second album, released four years after the Detroit indie-pop group’s debut “More Like Me.” Though both albums feature some tracks that could easily become massive hits, “What Control Feels Like” has leaned more heavily into the pop realm. Nevertheless, their indie roots are on full display, with the duo sprinkling some of that indie spirit into its pop songs.
Perfect For: Any fan of mainstream pop music curious enough to dip their toes into the world of electronic indie, and any electronic indie fan OK with mainstream dance-pop energy and relatable lyrics. – By Tyler Zahnke
Website: https://deadbeatdadmusic.com
Listen: “U FOUND ME”
Sonny Ski
“Regular Guy, Irregular Mind!”
What Stands Out: This album represents growth, and not just musically for up-and-coming Grand Rapids rapper Sonny Ski. It reflects an artist growing from adolescence into a grown man with responsibilities, a nonchalant demeanor and a city telling him that he’s made it but knowing he’s still gotta work. This collection highlights the intricacies of Sonny Ski’s day-to-day life, taking on the feel of a sitcom watching our main protagonist find a way to make ends meet while still striving for more. The album features some comical skits on “First World Problems,” more introspective tracks such as “Sonny’s Focus,” a continuation of “Mema’s Focus” from his last album, “States of Mind,” and other tracks highlighting the highs and lows of the 9-to-5 grind.
Digging Deeper: The award-winning Sonny Ski discusses throughout the project how life has changed for him in recent years as he’s gained moderate success within the community. In the intro of “Park & Sons” with Derrick Shorter & Scoob The Artist, Sonny states: “I’m just a regular guy, but you know once you start seeing success people come up to you, start treating you like you irregular.” It’s a statement on the duality of living a normal life while chasing such a grandiose goal.
Perfect For: Those chasing a dream, trying to do whatever they can to make ends meet and sticking to the grind. – By Brayden Flodin
Website: https://www.facebook.com/sonnyski
Listen: “Steppin’ Out” (with Adrian Wright)
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