Recover from the Halloweekend hangover with some new tunes. #NMM

‘Padded Locks’ – Mick Jenkins feat. Ghostface Killah

“An incredible year for rap keeps getting better with the latest release from Mick Jenkins. The rapper, who started his career making mixtapes with Saba, is back with his second studio album Pieces of a Man. Inspired by the Gil Scott Heron album of the same name, Jenkins improves greatly on this new release. Highlighting this album is the Kaytranada produced and Ghostface Killah featuring track ‘Padded Locks.’ This track showcases another incredible beat from Kaytranada which provides an ideal platform from the expert flows of both rappers. Ghostface delivers an exclamation mark during his lines when he said, ‘F**k your fake chain blingin’, autotune singin’/I’m a killer bee straight out the hive and I’m stingin”. Jenkins will be in New Zealand and Australia in March if you love this track and have any spare plane tickets lying around.”

– Chris Bach

‘Salt In The Wound’ – boygenius (Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus)

“Would you like to feel sad tonight? I’ve got three ladies and one song for you! Boygenius, composed of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus released ‘Salt in the Wound,’ a poetically heartbreaking song that will send you chills in the first 60 seconds. It begins with Dacus’ deeply smooth voiceover piano and heavy electric guitar singing about suffering in a cycle of abuse and romance. All three musicians harmonize beautifully to produce a sensitive, yet powerful array of emotion. The electric guitar becomes more intense as the drums kick in to have it ending with Baker belting out with Dacus ‘They say the heart’s and mind’s on your side/ What they don’t say is what’s on the other side.’ The instruments spiral into chaos and cuts out at the buzz of a guitar, creating an explosive ending to a heart wrenching song you’ll probably listen to when you’re feeling overemotional. And then you will cry. We’ve all been there.”

– Sarah Sherard

‘East Plants’ – Takeo Moriyama

“Takeo Moriyama has his career permanently engraved on the walls of the jazz world. And yet, not many people know about his music. Moriyama, who turns 74 in January, is a jazz drummer from Japan. Born in Katsunuma, Moriyama was introduced to music through the piano, which he played until his teens. That’s when he switched over to percussion. A graduate of the Tokyo University of the Arts, he went on to become a founding member of the Yosuke Yamashita Trio in 1967, making music for over a decade under Verve Records. Since then, Moriyama has been producing records at breakneck speed. His most recent journey is titled ‘East Plants’ and is truly a masterpiece in jazz drumming. The title track from the album is an eloquent production that is cleverly dominated by Moriyama’s percussion. But, his drumming never takes the front seat. It lies stealthily in the background, allowing his bandmates to shine with the screams of a saxophone trio. Despite this, Moriyama is always present in the song, guiding everybody along. Perhaps that is why he isn’t as well known as I think he should be. His career, as many drummers’ careers are, is defined as being that guiding light rather than the shining star of any composition. But without him, we wouldn’t have the music I’m reviewing here today.”

– Chris Triunfo

‘Sinking Ship’ – Cake

“After a seven-year hiatus, California rock outfit Cake is back with a new single, and they never missed a beat. Instrumentally speaking, ‘Sinking Ship’ is standard fare for Cake, crunch guitar and bass loops build up momentum in the beginning until John McCrea’s unmistakable voice kicks in to really get the song off the ground. Other sonic flourishes are sprinkled in throughout as well. A little trumpet here, some synths and organs there, and boom: you’re baking. (Get it?)

Although Cake’s music is not always political, McCrea has never been shy about his views on social media, and it seems this is entering his songwriting now as well. Despite the strictly metaphorical conception, the themes are overtly political, especially against the backdrop of the accompanying claymation music video. Even though politically-charged songs are the new norm of 2018, they’re not necessarily the best way to relaunch your career after a long break. But Cake isn’t in it for money, all of the proceeds from this new song are being donated to Doctors Without Borders. It’s a great start to the next chapter in Cake’s discography, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next.”

– Isaac Shur