There are a few cats from Minneapolis that are doing everything in their power to bring compositional ingenuity, musicality, and overwhelming positivity back to a dance floor near you. 

Jones’ soulful voice is one that is criminally under-recognized as one of the great voices of the ‘70s, bringing a forceful passion and full-bodied sound that is not often found in reggae music. 

Reminiscent of Mac DeMarco’s “Ode to Viceroy,” “Cinnamon” has a hazy, bedroom-like quality to it; Kempner’s voice is somewhat muted and subdued, in solemn acceptance of her bad habits.

A true step forward in the evolution of both jazz and hip-hop music, BADBADNOTGOOD are able to modernize one genre and bring the other back to its core in one fell swoop.

The best music from a year that, otherwise, was not the best.

Aaron Powell, known as Fog Lake, captures the semi-contradictory nature of the subsurface relief that comes with undirected malcontentment with “Side Effects,” off of his upcoming album Dragonchaser. 

An anthemic experience, “Bury Me Face Down” embodies the true spirit of rock and roll – in your face, confident swagger backed up by energetic instrumentals that make you want to burn your suit and tie, stick your tongue out, and yell no matter who’s listening.

Feelings of loneliness and alienation can manifest themselves into a moving piece of music that leaves you feeling that you have gained, rather than lost something.

“Dama de Lavanda” is a cinematic experience, creating subtle imagery out of thin air, telling a story as old as time itself, and doing so in a way that is pleasing to the ears and the soul.

Drawing influences from ‘70s funk/soul music, “Redbone” is a true, captivating slow jam, a rare find in today’s music scene.