Today's Track: Often

The Weeknd is back with his usual formula of sex and sleaze. And it's good.

KIDS N CATS - Tip Tip

We are always excited to come across talented people. But we're even more excited when they are up-and-coming artists based in Vienna. The band KIDS N CATS just released “Tip Tip” a promising debut single that’s set in a catchy pop landscape. It comes along with a real treat of a music video, together they set the tone and aesthetic of what KIDS N CATS stand for. They scream for attention, whilst their music circulates around Pop and its boundaries. Press play and welcome KIDS N CATS into your hearts: down down dig dig diggi digi down down down, down down dig dig diggi down down digigigigii , ALL. DAY. LONG.
Make sure to follow KIDS N CATS on FB & YouTube

Afromullets Presents: The 4/20 Mix

With 4/20 falling on Easter Sunday this year, there's plenty of opportunity for some herbal celebration. As has become custom here at Afromullets, we give you our yearly 4/20 mix, curated by the talented Jvst Kin.
It's time for a lazy Sunday. So sit back, roll one up and hit that play button, ya dig?

Today's Track: Sum 1 Like U

Ticklish's back with another big track. It seems he's taken some inspiration from Machinedrum's Vapor City release last year. I'm coining Liquid Footwork as a genre. There, I said it.

Mirakle - "The Plan EP" (Prod. by Fshstk)

We are really excited to announce Mirakle's latest release in a while — titled "The Plan" — which is a collaborative effort with one of afromullets' own producers fshstk. While this is the Mirakle's third EP, it is the first one featuring original production.

"The Plan" is a showcase of Mirakle's lyrical prowess and knack for vivid imagery. However, what struck me the most was the honesty in his lyrics of dealing with the struggles as an up and coming rapper. The first track "Get Your Guap Up" is about the endless riches that are there for the taking: "Get money, play shows, big crib, fast cars…" However, the reality is far from this where the track starts of with a brutally honest confessions of missed chances, lethargy and the fear of failure: "you run away from everything like you a wanted man".

While these are harsh truths, the good thing for us is that it looks like Mirakle has gotten his shit together and is tackling each of his supposed insecurities track by track. "The Plan" follows a loose narrative of the trials and tribulations on the rapper's road to success. While it may start off with a bleak outlook, a few tracks down, he is bubbling with confidence and is sure that he has made the right decisions in the track "Every Day": "I used to want to be a diplomat, then I bumped 'The Diplomats' I became a different cat, what can I say / I almost spent my life on some office shit, I'm so glad I'm off that shit, now I rhyme everyday."

To avoid any other spoilers, I'll let you follow Mirakle's journey on "The Plan" yourself. As far as the production goes, fshstk serves up a range of heaters in a multiple range of styles and genres with his signature touch of the jazz piano. A real guilty pleasure treat can be found in 'Outro' which is a banging footwork re-work of the first track.

A music video for the track "Like This" has also been released on Left Boy's MADE JOUR LABEL channel.

All in all, this is a solid release and a pleasure to listen to. Mirakle will be touring and performing with Left Boy on the Permanent Party tour starting March 10th 2014.

G.S.ONE - Lucid Dreams EP

Last year in April, Manchester-based bass music newcomer G.S.ONE hosted the fourth installment in our ongoing Mullet Mix series. He's been keeping busy since then, working on his debut EP, forthcoming on Madam X's record label Big People Music.

It's clear that all the hard work has paid off. The release is called Lucid Dreams, comes out on the 3rd of March, and while it consists of just three tracks plus a remix, it packs a comparatively large punch. Like many producers in the somewhat loosely-defined bass music genre, G.S.ONE's work runs a fairly wide stylistic gamut, fusing together established genres such as House, Dubstep and UK Garage into something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Lucid Dreams' smooth synths and dreamy soundscapes make for a fairly unabrasive and easy listen, but don't let this fool you into thinking that the tracks aren't club-friendly. This EP would feel equally at home at a rave as it would in your living room. And of course, as the title of the first track (Pillow Talk) suggests, it can also provide excellent background material to get freaky to, if that's your thing.

Cop it here once it comes out on Monday and check out BPM's and G.S.ONE's SoundCloud streams. Last but not least, make sure you listen to G.S.ONE's mix for Afromullets below.

Valentines Special: The De La Soul catalogue for free download

De La Soul, the legendary rap group is giving away their entire catalogue for free download to commemorate their 25th year anniversary. Follow this link to sign-up for the download links. Please note that this expires tomorrow so act quickly!

Folie Douce - Cold Confessions (Compilation)

Folie Douce's newest compilation is a killer collection of nine superb tracks by none other than P. Morris, Druid Cloak, S-Type and A. G. Cook, to name a few. Folie Douce consists of five artists from Belgium, and is surely destined for great things, so look out!

Propeica

Spark Master Tape just released his newest single Propeica, produced by Paper Platoon. As always he fails to disappoint and I am really looking forward to his third project which is coming out sometime this year.

or:la - Reach My Soul EP Preview

Remember our boy Embryo? There are some goodies to look forward to that will be released through his record label We Are Unity.

UNITYEP008 will feature or:la's track "Reach My Soul" along with a remix by Embryo himself. You can listen to the track with the Moskalus visuals above. The EP is scheduled for a digital release on the 26th of January so get Siri, your secretary or your own lazy ass to pencil in a reminder into your calendar.

The EP will be available from your usual suspects, including Juno where you can already pre-order.

WINTΞR WINDS vol. 1

SVNSET WΛVES is back with a final compilation for the year, and it's really quite something. Relax yourself with these ambient beats as you enjoy the winter spirit. The 'WINTΞR WINDS vol. 1' compilation features tracks by 36 up-and-coming artists and is available as a free download on bandcamp.

Today's Track: Below the Radar

Feloneezy and Kettle Lakes, two producers from Belgrade, teamed up to make this dope tune. Make sure to check it out!

Special Weedz Tokyo Edition

If you are a fan of MF Doom's 'Special Herbs' compilations you are in for a treat. Canya Reial, a Paris based producer, released his seventh installment of his tribute to DOOM. 'Special Weedz' this time around is made up entirely from Japanese samples. Go give it a listen.

Persian Empire - Safe Often

Persian Empire's 'Safe Often' EP is finally out via Cosmonostro. Give it a listen, because it's extremely soothing, and features delicately chopped up vocals that showcase the artist's craft and talent. You can also download the EP here.

World's Mine

Future Brown teams up with the Ruff Sqwad members Prince Rapid,Dirty Danger and Roachee (formerly of Roll Deep) and bring us a grimy new track from their forthcoming LP. Based on this and their previous two tracks the debut LP is looking really, really good.

Bird Call EP

This preview is getting us excited for new Falcons EP due on the 20th of this month. To make things even more exciting he will be in Vienna for his European Tour on the 22nd of November at Pratersauna!

Baby Bash - Suga Suga (Ticklish Reboot)

Ticklish is back with a new reboot of 'Suga Suga' by Baby Bash. Enjoy.

Got Your Back Foundation Vol. 1

TeamSupreme has put together a compilation from some awesome artists, with the cause of helping to bail out Mike Parvizi, who is one half of Penthouse Penthouse. It is a great compilation, and features tracks from members of Soulection, HW&W Recordings, Alpha Pup Records and M|O|D. Download it here.

Blue Chips 2

It's first of Novemeber meaning Blue Chips 2 is out. Go get it over at livemixtapes or datpiff.

R.I.P. Lou Reed

When it comes to music, we're usually a little more electronically-focused, but when a man like Lou Reed passes away, a man who has had such a gigantic influence on the musical landscape of the 20th century, I feel it's only appropriate that we, too, pay our respects. Rest in peace, Lou. You had a good run.