J. Mars - Galaxies feat. I.R.V. [2013]

Two years ago a friend introduced me to J. Mars' sophomore project After Lights when he was just a Soundcloud rapper. Unfortunately he still is as his releases trickled off last year, but the work he did leave us with is worth checking out. Both MCs' deliveries have a very Midwestern flavor to them here - perhaps due to the lack of Delaware rappers. J. Mars reminds one of King Chip and I.R.V. of Vic Mensa. But knocking percussion and a hypnotic female vocal sample are what make Jehf Slap's production the real standout on Galaxies.

Fenton Robinson - Somebody Loan Me A Dime [1974]

Despite being a revered, Grammy-nominated blues musician, Fenton Robinson is one of those artists who was sadly robbed of their true opportunity in the spotlight. His contagious followup single Somebody Loan Me A Dime should have launched him into stardom in 1967, but a freak Chicago snow storm prevented his label from distributing the record to the rest of the country. This delayed its release another seven years, by which time other artists had already attempted to claim the song as their own. The album of the same name on which it finally appeared garnered acclaim from critics and fans alike, but Robinson's shot at fame had already passed him by as popular music tastes shifted evermore towards rock n' roll. Now that you're all caught up on its turbulent history, check out the track above and immerse yourself in his smooth, soulful voice and masterful, jazz-influenced guitar licks.

Mihai Edrisch - Oublier [2005]

Mihai Edrisch are a French screamo/post-hardcore band that only managed to drop two LPs before they split up, but even then fans are divided on which was the superior effort. The group's debut showcased their staggering level of raw energy, while their sophomore album Un Jour Sans Lendemain focused more on creating progressive instrumentals, taking significant influence from post-rock and metal artists of the time. With powerful, black metal-like vocals backed by a rhythmic ebb-and-flow instrumental, Oublier is probably the best place to start.

Natas - Doubelievengod [1995]

In the mid-90s it seemed that horrorcore was permeating every city on the American rap circuit, from the Gravediggaz in New York City to Brotha Lynch Hung in Sacramento. A young Detroit scene would spawn the trio Natas, consisting of rappers Esham, Mastamind and TNT, in '91. By the time the group reached their third album - Esham's eighth if you count his solo material - they were peaking both lyrically and musically. Check out the title track here featuring a sinister synth groove, haunting vocal hook, and their signature cinematic horrorcore raps. 

Glen Porter - 29 Palms [2008]

Glen Porter is an instrumental hip hop producer out of Huntington Beach, California. First gaining traction in '08 after music off his debut record Blessed By a Young Death was featured on the OLN travel series Departures, he's since had a low-key but consistent output of EPs and albums. 29 Palms is indicative of his experimental tendencies, fluidly combining indie and post-rock guitar leads with a mid-track reggae breakdown. Making it all the more impressive is that Porter does his own live instrumentation instead of relying solely on samples.

Holiday Shores - Bradley Bear [2009]

Even though they never achieved any real recognition among critics or the mainstream, Holiday Shores managed to release a few memorable singles in their brief discography. Channeling a nostalgic blend of surfer and psychedelic rock into infectious joints such as Bradley Bear put them in the same sphere as the likes of Delta Spirit, Surfer Blood, etc. Their debut album Columbus'd the Whim may grow a little monotonous after repeated listens, but this track is guaranteed to resurrect those summer vibes whenever you're in need.

Laura - Every Light [2006]

The mid-00s were only the latest in a series of peaks for the post-rock genre with pivotal bands such as Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, and Sigur Rós all releasing some of their most acclaimed records simultaneously. As a result of such consistency from the big names of the scene, lesser known artists often flew completely under the radar of fans. Laura, an Australian group formed in '01, were one of those showing particular promise. Listen to this climactic instrumental track off their sophomore album Radio Swan Is Down for a sense of what they're about.

Jorge Alvarez - Rap Can't Save You [2015]

Besides his hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida, not much is known about Jorge Alvarez. He was recently - and only barely - put in the spotlight when he was seen in a photoshoot for Sticks and Stones Agency with Sarah Snyder, girlfriend of Jaden Smith. Having released only a handful of songs he still has yet to really define his own sound, but as with this track he tends to mix his millennial quirkiness with 90's-inspired cloud rap instrumentals, filling a niche void in this post-OF hip hop landscape.

James Blake - The Sound of Silence [2015]

As the two-and-a-half year anniversary of James Blake's last full-length project Overgrown approaches, any sort of re-up is welcomed. The singer-songwriter-producer extraordinaire does not disappoint with his recent BBC Radio cover of Simon & Garfunkel's 1964 classic The Sound of Silence. In maintaining its solemn, gospel quality and rejuvenating it with his own synth organ production, Blake manages to make the song feel like one of his own without compromising any of the original's strengths. None other than Justin Vernon appears to back Blake up with some beautiful vocal harmonies, making for a raw, choir-like atmosphere. The haunting sirens that open and close the track mirror the melody of the original and give the listener the impression of panning into a small, dimly lit church where the duos' echoes ring among the empty pews and then back out again into the bustling London streets.  

Leave the Planet - Winter Sleep [2015]

Leave the Planet is a recently formed London duo that has only released a few singles to date, but those singles show promise in their reverb-soaked consistency. The contrast of the adrenaline-pumping instrumental and the clouded, ethereal vocals is what makes Winter Sleep a standout in their indie-shoegaze repertoire. A number of the guitar leads actually give off the vibe of a depressive black metal artist like Neige or Lifelover, which is a refreshing twist on a sound that other artists often manage to make redundant.

$uicideboy$ - Tulane [2015]

$uicideboy$ are a New Orleans rap outfit that have exploded onto the underground scene with a relentless stream of EPs, tapes, and albums over the past year (twenty-two in total). Falling in line with the hybrid Memphis-Atlanta sound that has grown popular in Florida recently with artists like Spaceghostpurrp, Denzel Curry and Pouya, $uicideboy$ deliver horrorcore raps over eerie, spaced-out trap instrumentals. Check out the fresh visuals for Tulane, the second single off their latest album My Heart Will Handle What My Liver Can't. 

Koopsta Knicca - Torture Chamber [1999]

Before Juicy J there was the Juice Manne, one-eighth of the legendary Three 6 Mafia. One of the lesser known members of the group was Koopsta Knicca. Koop really came into his own as a solo artist in '99 with his sophomore album Da Devil's Playground, which received widespread acclaim for its ominous, crawling soundscape reminiscent of early DJ Screw tapes. Here DJ Paul reworks a simple Metallica sample into a dark and gritty Memphis classic. Koopsta passed away just last night due to a sudden brain aneurysm (R.I.P.). So peep this track at your next Lord Xenu offering ceremony and light one up for da Koop Manne.