Ken's Best of 2020 - #1: Run the Jewels - RTJ4

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I don't think any album captures 2020 the way that RTJ4 did. If you were looking for escapism from your music this year, Run the Jewels were not the band to look to. The album came out right in the middle of protests denouncing the death of George Floyd and ongoing police brutality in America. Buildings were on fire, racist statues were being toppled worldwide... and RTJ4 came out. Even though it obviously was recorded long before the explosion happened, it felt like it was recorded smack in the midst of it. Run the Jewels are a political hip hop group, and this album perfectly captures the anger and rage rushing through the veins of many Americans. But, as serious as it is, it's a banger of an album. Somehow it's the perfect soundtrack to channel your rage through protests and have a party celebrating any victories you achieved. Plus, any album that puts Pharrell Williams and Zach de la Rocha on the same song, and it's an instant classic banger about how many founding fathers were slave owners? Sign us up.

Songs of note: "yankee and the brave," ooh la la," "walking in the snow," "JU$T," "pulling the pin," and "goonies vs. E.T."

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

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Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
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Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

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How is Dutch ReBelle not a national superstar at this point? The Boston MC just released "GOONIEZ," and I know I'm a bit out of touch with current mainstream hip hop, but this song is absolutely killer. It's a stripped down hip hop song that has this futuristic space age sound to it. Plus, ReBelle's flow is unsurpassed. You can't listen to her and not be completely sucked in. The song has a feel reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott. As much as I love that we can still see Dutch ReBelle in smaller Boston venues, "GOONIEZ" proves she should be playing much larger venues nationwide very, very soon. You can watch the video for "GOONIEZ" below. For more on Dutch ReBelle, check out the artist's website . 
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The Freqs - "Witch"

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Photo via Facebook When you're a rock band from Salem, MA, you have to have at least one song about witchcraft. The Freqs have fulfilled their obligation with a banger of a song. "Witch" is this giant monster of a song, filled with fuzz and strained, screaming vocals. This is the type of song that doesn't usually exist in this century. It's giving me some serious 90's flashbacks, like if Hum got aggressive or Alice in Chains decided to do some damage on the college charts. As great as the vocals are in "Witch," what's really drawing me in is the instrumental break down that takes over about halfway through. This is the kind of song to make the hipsters and the headbangers equally excited. You can listen to "Witch" below. For more on The Freqs, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . The Freqs · Witch
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