The Crystal Method featuring Billy Dean Thomas and VAAAL - "Act Right" (Extended Mix)

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I had my electronica (as it was called then) phase just like everyone else in the mid to late 90's. One of the biggest names that emerged then was The Crystal Method. Their sound was just huge and was perfect for both techno clubs and mainstream dance clubs, plus their song with Filter was beyond huge. They've obviously moved from the ultra-mainstream over the past twenty plus years, but they've been doing their thing all along.

The techno lifers are back with a new song, and this time they've enlisted Boston's Billy Dean Thomas and VAAAL for this one. "Act Right" is going to make fans of The Crystal Method quite happy, even if you haven't really been paying attention to what they've been releasing since you were in high school or college. And adding in The Queer B.I.G. for a song? How can you go wrong? Thomas is one of the most engaging performers in the Boston hip hop scene and they are long overdue for a break out. It's always great to see favorites from our youth teaming up with current favorites this well. Who would have thought we'd be this excited about a new Crystal Method song in 2021?

You can listen to "Act Right" (Extended Mix) below. The Trip Out is due out in February 2022 on Ultra Music. For more on The Crystal Method, check out the artist's website. For more on Billy Dean Thomas, check out their website.

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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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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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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