Yup, I knew some, didn't know a couple and if this is the state of New York rock in 2013, it is pretty weak gruel. Really? DIIV? I mean, honestly, that's what you wanna tell me. Sky? She looks like a poster child for methadone clinics. Still, who am I to argue with Hardeep Phull, right? I don't disagree with Phull the way I did with Aquilante, and I disagree in different ways, but still, his tastes and I don't coincide very often. PS: I hadn't heard Angel Haze but I will now.
1. Everything Is Embarrassing – Sky Ferraira – Electronic beats and modern synth based pop song with a catchy tune and a distracted air. Pretty good and definitely mainstream enough to catch fire – Grade: B+
2. Werkin Girls – Angel Haze – The 21 year old rapper has flow to spare on this no nonsense but on this track all she has to tell us is she wants money and good for her. However, as Phull mentions, her cover of "Cleaning Out My Closet" is such a terrifying song it is hard to listen to, has anybody ever been direct in detailing the effects of rap on a preteen girl? Anyway, it is "Werkin Girl" I'm reviewing – Grade: B
3. Borrowed Time – Parquet Courts – Three chord wonders and if I was 17 years old I might like this a whole lot. The guitars clang and the song is catchy though a little ordinary – Grade: B
4. Waves – Joey Bad$$ – Joey goes back in time and not quite as upsetting as Angel's bitter childhood, Joey looks back and forward from verse to verse with a smooth jazz sample – Grade: B
5. How Long Have You Known – Diiv – The problem with shoegaze is that it has to be very very good to sound like more than melodic wallpaper and these guys just don't. I am not a huge fan of the genre and in recent years, with the exception of The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart first album, I am vaguely indifferent. This is pleasant enough – Grade: C+
6. 212 – Azealia Banks – A huge song for Azealia and for good reason, a symphonic rap track in three movements that connect with a sample that sounds like Blood Orange banged it in there. The rest of her stuff isn't as good but isn't bad – Grade: B+
7. Hurricane – Ms Mr – An electronic pop duo like Yaz without the singing and though their songs are good, this one here is a particularly good one, they aren't great – Grade: B
8. For Days – Francis And The Lights – From the LES, it sez here, this is a funky workout and not bad but it could be harder and louder and, how you say, funkier, but Phull claims they bring it live. I don't think the Tantrums are worried – Grade: C+
9. Pretty Picture – RATKING – NYC's answer to Odd Future? Only if the answer is "we give up", However, taken on its own face value this is pretty vicious stuff and the sample will drive your parents crazy – Grade: B+
10. 1Train – A$AP Rocky – If you wanna hear this guy the chances are excellent you have so why is he here? Because Phull ran out of ideas? This song is light years ahead of everything else here except Haze's devastating "Cleaning Out My Closet".